Technical Information
    Jim Thomas        (202) 606-7155         USDL-97-367
    Bill Alterman      (202) 606-7108        For release: 10:00 A.M. E.D.T.
  Media contact:                             Friday, October 17, 1997
    Kathryn Hoyle      (202) 606-5902
  Internet Address:   http://stats.bls.gov/ipphome.htm
                                  
                U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES
                          -SEPTEMBER 1997-
                                  
     The U.S. Import Price Index fell 0.1 percent in September, the
Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported.
The decrease was the same as the decline in August and marked the
fourth consecutive monthly decline for the index.  The Export Price
Index decreased 0.4 percent in September after rising 0.1 percent in
the previous 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
                                                                 
1996                                                             
September           1.2       7.5       0.4       -0.8      -7.3       0.2 
October             0.5       7.1      -0.3       -0.2      -2.6       0.0 
November           -0.2      -0.8      -0.1       -0.4      -2.3       0.0 
December            0.3       2.0       0.1        0.0      -0.9       0.1 
1997                                                             
January            -0.3       0.6      -0.4        0.1       0.1       0.0 
February           -0.9      -8.1      -0.1        0.2       2.1       0.0 
March              -1.3      -8.7      -0.4        0.1       1.5      -0.1 
April              -1.1      -7.3      -0.5        0.0      -0.4       0.0 
May                 0.0       1.1      -0.1       -0.3      -1.2       0.0 
June               -0.1      -2.0       0.1       -0.1      -2.0       0.1 
July               -0.2 r    -1.2 r    -0.2       -0.1      -1.2 r     0.0 
August             -0.1       2.5 r    -0.2 r      0.1       0.2 r     0.0 
September          -0.1      -0.1      -0.2       -0.4      -0.1      -0.4 
                                                                 
September 1995-96   1.0      27.2      -1.5       -0.6       3.7      -1.1
September 1996-97  -3.5     -15.0      -2.3       -1.0      -6.7      -0.3 
r = revised to reflect late reports and corrections by respondents.
                                  
                                  
                            Import Goods
                                  
        Import prices, down 3.5 percent over the past 12 months,
declined in September, the eighth drop in the first nine months of
1997.  The September decrease was due to declines in both petroleum
and nonpetroleum import prices.  For the second consecutive month,
nonpetroleum prices led the decline, falling 0.2 percent in September,
the same as in the previous two months. For the September 1996-97
period, nonpetroleum import prices fell 2.3 percent.  The petroleum
index also fell in September, dipping 0.1 percent after rising 2.5
percent in August.  For the year ended in September, the petroleum
index decreased 15.0 percent.
                                  
        The decrease in nonpetroleum import prices was again led by
falling capital goods prices, which dropped 0.5 percent in September
after 0.8 and 0.4 percent declines in August and July, respectively.
Capital goods prices, which have increased in only two months since
November 1995, were down 6.7 percent for the year ended in September.
In addition, prices for imported consumer goods excluding automotives
fell 0.2 percent for the second consecutive month.  For the year
ended in September, the index dropped 1.2 percent.
                                  
        In contrast, the price index for imported foods, feeds, and
beverages posted an upturn in September, rising 0.9 percent after
decreasing in the previous two months.   Import prices for both
industrial supplies and materials excluding petroleum and for
automotive vehicles, parts, and engines each edged up 0.1 percent
last month and were up just 0.1 percent and 0.2 percent over the past
year, respectively.
                                  
                            Export Goods
                                  
        Export prices declined last month for the fourth time in the
past five months.  The index for nonagricultural exports had the
largest impact, falling 0.4 percent in September.  The decrease in
nonagricultural export prices was only the second posted since August
1996 and was the largest single month drop since August 1995.   The
index for agricultural export prices also fell in September, down 0.1
percent, partially reversing the gain of 0.2 percent in August.
                                  
        The index for capital goods, which accounts for about 44 percent
of the overall export index, dropped 0.6 percent in September.  Prices
for exported nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials also fell
in September, down 0.4 percent after decreasing 0.3 percent in the prior
month.  The decrease was led by downturns for paper, chemical, and lumber
prices.
                                  
        Export prices for consumer goods and for automotive vehicles
were relatively stable for the second consecutive month after both had
increased 0.2 percent in July.   In both September and August, the index
for automotive vehicles, parts, and engines fell a modest 0.1 percent,
while the index for consumer goods edged up 0.1 percent.
                                  
                    Imports by Locality of Origin
                                  
        The price index for imports from Japan fell 0.2 percent in
September after decreasing 0.3 percent in the previous month.  (See
table 7.)  For the September 1996-1997 period, the index fell 4.7 percent.
                                  
        Import prices from the European Union fell 0.4 percent on average
in September, after edging up 0.1 percent in August.  Over the past 12
months, the index was down 2.4 percent.
                                  
        Prices for imports from the Asian Newly Industrialized Countries
also resumed a downward trend in September, falling 0.8 percent after
recording no change in the previous month.  The September decrease was the
largest decline posted for this index since monthly publication began in 1993.
For the year, the index fell 3.8 percent.
                                  
        In contrast, the price index for imports from Canada rose for the
second consecutive month, up 0.3 percent and 0.2 percent in September and
August, respectively.  Over the past 12 months, however, the index fell
0.8 percent.
                                  
                     Import and Export Services
                                  
        The Import Air Freight Index decreased 2.0 percent from June to
September.  The quarterly decline was primarily attributable to a decrease
of  4.3 percent in the Atlantic region.  The Export Air Freight Index
continued to move downward with a 1.2 percent decrease this quarter.
                                  
        The Import Air Passenger Fares Index edged down 1.9 percent during
the third quarter, partially reversing the gains recorded for the previous
two quarters.  The Pacific region led this decrease with a drop of 9.8
percent.  The Export Air Passenger Fares Index fell 2.9 percent this quarter.
The decline was primarily attributable to a 5.2 percent decline in the
Pacific region.
                                  
        The Import Ocean Liner Freight Index declined for the sixth
consecutive quarter, falling 1.9 percent.  Both the U.S. East Coast and U.S.
West Coast indexes contributed to the decline with decreases of 2.3 percent
and 1.6 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.....pages  8-9
Table 5   Import Price Indexes, by Harmonized System.....pages 10-11
Table 6   Export Price Indexes, by Harmonized System.....pages 12-13
Table 7   Import Price Indexes, by Locality of Origin.....page  14
Table 8   U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes for Services.....page 15
Table 9   U.S. International Price Indexes for Services.....page  16
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Import and Export Price Index data for October are scheduled for release
on November 19 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 1995 trade
weights.  The merchandise price indexes are published using three
classifications:  the Harmonized System (HS), the Bureau of Economic
Analysis End Use System, and the Standard International Trade
Classification (SITC) system, Rev. 3.  Price indexes for internationally
traded services are presented using two definitions: Balance of Payments
(which represents transactions between U.S. and foreign residents) and
International (which represents all transactions with U.S. importers or
exporters, regardless of nationality).  Published series use a base year
of 1995=100 where possible.  Net transaction price data are collected
every month for over 20,000 products from over 6,000 companies and
secondary sources.  Indexes are not seasonally adjusted.  More detailed
index series and additional information may be obtained from the
Division of International Prices, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2
Massachusetts Avenue N.E., PSB 3955, Washington, DC 20212 or (202) 606-
7155.

Import Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the 1995
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States Annotated (TSUSA).
Import prices are based on U.S. dollar prices paid by the U.S. importer.
The prices are generally either "free on board" (f.o.b.) foreign port or
"cost, insurance, and freight" (c.i.f.) U.S. port transaction prices,
depending on the practices of the individual industry.  The index for
crude petroleum is calculated from data collected by the U.S. Department
of Energy.

Export Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the 1995
Harmonized Schedule B classification system of the U.S. Bureau of the
Census.  The prices used are generally either "free alongside ship"
(f.a.s.) factory or "free on board" (f.o.b.) transaction prices,
depending on the practices of the individual industry.  Prices used in
the grain index, excluding rice, are obtained from the U.S. Department
of Agriculture.

Import Indexes by Locality of Origin -- Prices used in these indexes are
a subset of the data collected for the Import Price Indexes.  Prior to
January 1993, nonmanufactured goods were defined as SITC 0-4 and
manufactured goods were defined as SITC 5-8.  Beginning with January
1993, the indexes are defined by locality of origin using a nomenclature
based upon the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC-based).
Nonmanufactured goods are defined as SIC 0-1, and manufactured goods are
defined as SIC 2-3.  The indexes use 1995 weights and a base of
1995=100.

Import, Export, and International Services Indexes -- Indexes are
calculated on a quarterly basis.  The figures for services indexes will
not sum up to the aggregate dollar value because not all categories are
shown in the tables.  Revenue figures for air passenger indexes exclude
frequent flyer tickets and those sold by consolidators.  Indexes for
crude oil tanker freight are calculated from data collected by the U. S.
Department of Energy and the publication of these indexes is lagged one
quarter.

Revision policy -- Data are revised for the previous three months to
reflect the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents.

Uses of the Data -- The primary use of the indexes is to deflate trade
statistics.  For merchandise trade, the End Use classification system is
the structure used by the U.S. Department of Commerce in the
construction of the foreign trade sector of the National Income and
Product Accounts.  Indexes published using the Harmonized System and the
Standard International Trade Classification, Rev. 3, both international
structures, are useful for general market analysis.  For trade in
international services, Balance of Payments indexes are used for
deflating National Accounts data, while International indexes are more
appropriate for market analysis.  Merchandise and services indexes also
can be used to study U.S. competitiveness and price elasticities, and
the merchandise import indexes by country or region of origin are useful
for terms of trade analysis.




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 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 1996-September 1997                         
                 1995=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                            
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change                                         
                                                        Relative                                                                   
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly                  
                                                         ance                           Sept.   May       June      July      Aug. 
END       Description                                                                   1996    1997      1997      1997      1997 
USE                                                     August     August      Septemberto      to        to        to        to   
                                                        1997       1997        1997     Sept.   June      July      Aug.      Sept.
                                                        1/         2/                   1997    1997      1997      1997      1997 
                                                                                                                                   
          ALL COMMODITIES                               100.000     97.9        97.8     -3.5    -0.1      -0.2      -0.1      -0.1
          ALL IMPORTS EXCLUDING PETROLEUM                91.569     96.9        96.7     -2.3     0.1      -0.2      -0.2      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
0          FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES                      4.744     99.2       100.1      1.9     1.1      -2.6      -0.1       0.9
                                                                                                                                   
00          Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,                                                                                 
                excluding distilled beverages             3.389     97.3        98.6      0.5     1.0      -3.8      -0.1       1.3
                                                                                                                                   
01          Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled                                                                                 
                beverages)                                1.355    104.1       104.1      5.8     1.3       1.1      -0.1       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
1          INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS               27.024    100.9       101.0     -5.2    -0.6      -0.2       0.7       0.1
             INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS                                                                                       
                 EXCLUDING PETROLEUM                     18.593     98.1        98.2      0.1     0.0       0.3      -0.1       0.1
             INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,                                                                                      
                 DURABLE                                  9.876     99.7       100.1      1.2     0.2      -0.1      -0.3       0.4
             INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,                                                                                      
                 NONDURABLE EXCLUDING PETROLEUM           8.717     96.3        96.1     -1.3    -0.2       0.6       0.2      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
10          Fuels & lubricants                            9.578    106.9       106.9    -13.4    -1.8      -0.3       2.2       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
100          Petroleum & petroleum products               8.433    105.8       105.7    -15.0    -2.0      -1.2       2.5      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
10000          Crude                                      6.675    105.4       105.1    -17.4    -3.1      -0.7       2.3      -0.3
                                                                                                                                   
11          Paper & paper base stocks                     1.796     82.7        83.3     -3.5    -0.1       0.2       0.7       0.7
                                                                                                                                   
12          Materials associated with nondurable                                                                                   
                supplies & materials                      5.981     95.6        95.0     -2.5    -0.5      -0.3       0.1      -0.6
                                                                                                                                   
13          Selected building materials                   2.178    111.7       111.8     -1.9    -2.2       0.4      -1.0       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
14          Unfinished metals associated with                                                                                      
                durable goods                             4.578     97.6        98.7      5.8     1.9      -0.5       0.1       1.1
                                                                                                                                   
15          Finished metals associated with durable                                                                                
                goods                                     1.440     96.3        96.3     -2.8    -0.4       0.0      -0.3       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
16          Nonmetals associated with durable goods       1.474     95.1        94.2     -3.7    -0.1      -0.1      -0.5      -0.9
                                                                                                                                   
2          CAPITAL GOODS                                 28.503     91.0        90.5     -6.7     0.1      -0.4      -0.8      -0.5
                                                                                                                                   
20          Electric & electrical generating                                                                                       
                equipment                                 3.340     97.0        96.7     -2.4    -0.2      -0.2       0.1      -0.3
                                                                                                                                   
21          Nonelectrical machinery                      23.482     88.9        88.2     -8.1     0.1      -0.4      -0.9      -0.8
                                                                                                                                   
3          AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES          17.711    101.0       101.1      0.2     0.5       0.1       0.1       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
4          CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING AUTOMOTIVES         22.018     99.4        99.2     -1.2    -0.2       0.1      -0.2      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
40          Nondurables, manufactured                    10.859    100.9       100.8     -0.1     0.0      -0.1       0.0      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
41          Durables, manufactured                       10.077     97.8        97.5     -2.4     0.1       0.0      -0.3      -0.3
                                                                                                                                   
42          Nonmanufactured consumer goods                1.082     99.8        98.7     -0.7    -3.6       0.7       0.0      -1.1
                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                       n.a.      Not available         
            1995 trade values.                                                                                                            
        2  Data for June, July and August 1997                                                                                            
            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 1996-September 1997                         
                 1995=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                            
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change                                         
                                                        Relative                                                                   
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly                  
                                                         ance                           Sept.   May       June      July      Aug. 
END       Description                                                                   1996    1997      1997      1997      1997 
USE                                                     August     August      Septemberto      to        to        to        to   
                                                        1997       1997        1997     Sept.   June      July      Aug.      Sept.
                                                        1/         2/                   1997    1997      1997      1997      1997 
                                                                                                                                   
          ALL COMMODITIES                               100.000     99.3        98.9     -1.0    -0.1      -0.1       0.1      -0.4
          AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES                       10.502    100.3       100.2     -6.7    -2.0      -1.2       0.2      -0.1
          NONAGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES                    89.499     99.1        98.7     -0.3     0.1       0.0       0.0      -0.4
                                                                                                                                   
0          FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES                      9.502    101.8       101.8     -6.8    -2.2      -1.2       0.7       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
00          Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,                                                                                 
                excluding distilled beverages             8.743    102.5       102.2     -7.8    -2.4      -1.4       0.2      -0.3
                                                                                                                                   
01          Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled                                                                                 
                beverages)                                0.759     96.3        98.6      4.4    -0.5       1.6       8.2       2.4
                                                                                                                                   
1          INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS               25.360     95.5        95.1      0.0     0.3       0.2      -0.2      -0.4
             INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,                                                                                      
                 DURABLE                                  9.865     96.3        96.0      0.1     0.4       0.2      -0.4      -0.3
             INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,                                                                                      
                 NONDURABLE                              15.496     94.9        94.6      0.1     0.1       0.3      -0.2      -0.3
                                                                                                                                   
10          Agricultural industrial supplies &                                                                                     
                materials                                 1.759     92.3        93.0     -2.2    -1.1       0.7       0.1       0.8
                                                                                                                                   
            NONAGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES &                                                                                  
              MATERIALS                                  23.601     95.7        95.3      0.2     0.4       0.2      -0.3      -0.4
                                                                                                                                   
11          Fuels & lubricants                            2.424    110.4       110.7     -0.5     0.0       0.1       0.3       0.3
                                                                                                                                   
12          Nonagricultural supplies & materials                                                                                   
                excluding fuels & building materials     19.624     93.2        92.8      0.4     0.5       0.3      -0.4      -0.4
                                                                                                                                   
13          Selected building materials                   1.553     94.1        93.4     -3.4    -0.6      -0.1      -0.6      -0.7
                                                                                                                                   
2          CAPITAL GOODS                                 43.814    100.0        99.4     -1.2     0.1      -0.2       0.0      -0.6
                                                                                                                                   
20          Electric & electrical generating                                                                                       
                Equipment                                 4.399    102.0       101.6      0.9     0.5       0.1       0.8      -0.4
                                                                                                                                   
21          Nonelectrical machinery                      34.093     97.4        96.7     -2.3    -0.2      -0.3       0.0      -0.7
                                                                                                                                   
3          AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES           9.598    102.2       102.1      1.0     0.0       0.2      -0.1      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
4          CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING AUTOMOTIVES         11.727    102.3       102.4      0.8     0.1       0.2       0.1       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
40          Nondurables, manufactured                     6.165    101.7       101.8      0.3     0.3       0.2       0.0       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
41          Durables, manufactured                        5.019    102.2       102.0      0.5    -0.1       0.0       0.2      -0.2
                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                       n.a.      Not available         
            1995 trade values.                                                                                                            
        2  Data for June, July and August 1997                                                                                            
            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 1996-September 1997                         
                  1995=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                            
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change                                         
                                                        Relative                                                                   
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly                  
                                                         ance                           Sept.   May       June      July      Aug. 
SITC      Description                                                                   1996    1997      1997      1997      1997 
Rev. 3                                                  August     August      Septemberto      to        to        to        to   
                                                        1997       1997        1997     Sept.   June      July      Aug.      Sept.
                                                        1/         2/                   1997    1997      1997      1997      1997 
                                                                                                                                   
          ALL COMMODITIES                               100.000     97.9        97.8     -3.5    -0.1      -0.2      -0.1      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
0          FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS                          4.095    100.9       102.9      6.5     1.6      -3.2       0.5       2.0
01          Meat and meat preparations                    0.358    104.2       103.9      3.1    -1.5       0.0       2.3      -0.3
03          Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates                                                                               
               and preparations thereof                   1.030    104.6       104.5      7.7     1.5       0.8       0.2      -0.1
05          Vegetables and fruit, prepared                                                                                         
               fresh or dried                             1.084    103.2       109.6      2.9     0.7      -0.5       2.0       6.2
07          Coffee, tea, cocoa, spices and                                                                                         
               manufactures thereof                       0.681     97.6       100.0     26.7     9.8     -16.0      -1.9       2.5
       3/ Other food and live animals (9612=100)          0.942    100.3        99.9     n.a.    -2.5      -0.4       0.3      -0.4
                                                                                                                                   
1          BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO                          0.842    107.7       107.8      2.8     0.5       0.2       0.0       0.1
11          Beverages                                     0.708    104.2       104.3      1.9     0.5       0.2       0.0       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
2          CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS        2.992     96.9        95.4     -1.6    -2.4       0.0      -0.5      -1.5
23          Crude rubber (including synthetic and                                                                                  
               reclaimed)                                 0.258     77.7        72.1    -15.8     2.2      -6.7      -0.8      -7.2
24          Cork and wood                                 1.102    120.9       121.4     -3.7    -3.5       0.7      -1.9       0.4
25          Pulp and waste paper                          0.377     67.9        68.1      2.3     2.2       1.1       2.1       0.3
28          Metalliferous ores and metal scrap            0.642    105.0       104.5      7.3     0.2      -0.9       0.2      -0.5
29          Crude animal and vegetable materials,                                                                                  
               n.e.s. (9612=100)                          0.262    101.8        95.3     n.a.   -17.6       4.9      -0.3      -6.4
       3/ Other crude materials, inedible, except                                                                                  
             fuels (9612=100)                             0.351     97.8        94.3     n.a.     1.2       0.5       0.1      -3.6
                                                                                                                                   
3          MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED                                                                                   
              MATERIALS                                   9.247    106.4       106.7    -13.5    -1.9      -0.2       1.9       0.3
33          Petroleum, petroleum products and                                                                                      
               related materials                          8.019    105.3       105.4    -15.2    -2.3      -1.0       2.2       0.1
34          Gas, natural and manufactured                 1.105    119.7       121.3      4.8     1.2       5.7      -0.1       1.3
                                                                                                                                   
5          CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.         5.579     96.4        96.1     -2.9    -0.1      -0.2       0.2      -0.3
51          Organic chemicals                             1.609     97.3        96.6     -2.3    -0.7       0.3       1.2      -0.7
52          Inorganic chemicals                           0.672     98.6        99.4     -1.0    -1.8      -1.1       0.7       0.8
53          Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials        0.283     95.4        95.0     -7.4     0.8      -0.2      -2.4      -0.4
54          Medicinal and pharmaceutical products         0.906     96.2        95.7     -5.5     0.9       0.1      -0.2      -0.5
55          Essential oils; polishing and cleansing                                                                                
               preps                                      0.321     97.8        97.0     -3.2    -1.7      -0.1       0.9      -0.8
57          Plastics in primary forms                     0.366     91.9        92.6     -1.0     0.8       0.1       0.2       0.8
58          Plastics in nonprimary forms                  0.553     87.4        87.0      0.3     3.3       0.1      -1.5      -0.5
59          Chemical materials and products, n.e.s.       0.655    103.3       103.1     -4.5    -0.7      -0.3       0.1      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
6          MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY                                                                                   
              BY MATERIAL                                12.563     96.6        96.9     -0.1     0.4      -0.2       0.0       0.3
62          Rubber manufactures, n.e.s.                   0.719     95.8        95.0     -4.6     0.2      -0.9      -0.9      -0.8
63          Cork and wood manufactures other than                                                                                  
               furniture                                  0.562     99.9        99.2     -1.5    -0.5       0.2       0.7      -0.7
64          Paper, paperboard, and articles of                                                                                     
               paper pulp, paper or paper board           1.596     88.0        88.7     -4.7    -0.5       0.1       0.5       0.8
65          Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up                                                                                         
               articles, n.e.s., and related product      1.410     99.7       100.0     -0.3     0.2      -0.4      -0.4       0.3
66          Nonmetallic mineral manufactures,                                                                                      
               n.e.s.                                     2.138    102.5       102.0     -0.3    -0.6       0.4      -0.5      -0.5
67          Iron and steel                                2.037     96.3        96.3     -1.4    -0.2       0.1      -0.1       0.0
68          Nonferrous metals                             1.966     95.2        97.6     12.6     3.6      -0.9       1.1       2.5
69          Manufactures of metals, n.e.s.                1.968     98.3        98.1     -3.0     0.1      -0.2      -0.5      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
7          MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT             46.800     95.0        94.7     -4.0     0.2      -0.3      -0.4      -0.3
71          Power generating machinery and                                                                                         
               equipment (9612=100)                       2.973     99.0        98.8     n.a.     0.0       0.1      -0.3      -0.2
72          Machinery specialized for particular                                                                                   
               industries                                 2.672     98.6        98.5     -2.8     0.4       0.0      -0.7      -0.1
73          Metalworking machinery                        0.821     97.9        97.4     -4.1     0.3      -0.3      -0.1      -0.5
74          General industrial machinery and equip-                                                                                
               ment, n.e.s. and machine parts, n.e.s      3.414     97.6        97.3     -4.0     0.4      -0.1      -0.6      -0.3
75          Computer equipment and office machines        7.106     78.9        78.1    -13.1    -0.9      -1.2      -1.6      -1.0
76          Telecommunications & sound recording                                                                                   
               & reproducing apparatus & equipment        4.560     92.9        92.7     -3.9     0.3      -0.1      -0.4      -0.2
77          Electrical machinery and equipment            9.626     89.6        89.1     -6.1     0.4      -0.6      -0.1      -0.6
78          Road vehicles                                14.588    101.1       101.2      0.2     0.4       0.1       0.2       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
8          MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES           17.454    100.1       100.0     -0.7    -0.1       0.0      -0.1      -0.1
81          Prefabricated buildings; plumbing, heat                                                                                
               & lighting fixtures, n.e.s.                0.381     95.5        95.2     -6.2     0.3      -0.1      -0.6      -0.3
82          Furniture and parts thereof                   1.261    102.9       102.5      1.7    -0.4       0.1      -0.1      -0.4
83          Travel goods, handbags and similar                                                                                     
               containers                                 0.503    101.2       101.0     -0.2     0.1       0.1      -0.1      -0.2
84          Articles of apparel and clothing                                                                                       
               accessories                                5.824    102.7       102.9      1.7    -0.3      -0.1       0.2       0.2
85          Footwear                                      1.770    101.1       100.8     -0.2     0.2       0.1      -0.1      -0.3
87          Professional, scientific and controlling                                                                               
               instruments and apparatus, n.e.s.          1.593     97.2        96.8     -3.5     0.5       0.2      -0.1      -0.4
88          Photographic apparatus, equipment and                                                                                  
               supplies and optical goods, n.e.s.;        1.346     94.4        93.7     -4.2     0.1       0.7      -0.7      -0.7
89          Miscellaneous manufactured articles,                                                                                   
               n.e.s.                                     4.776     99.2        99.0     -1.9    -0.3       0.0      -0.2      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                       n.a.      Not available.        
            1995 trade values.                                                                                                            
        2  Data for June, July and August 1997                                                                                            
            have been revised to reflect the availability                                                                                 
            of late reports and corrections by respondents.                                                                               
            All data are subject to revision in each of the                                                                               
            three months after original publication.                                                                                      
        3  Product categories included in this group                                                                                      
            have been modified due to concordance                                                                                         
            or coverage limitations.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                          
        NOTE:   Published categories may include price data not shown separately                                                          
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          Table 4       U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, September 1996-September 1997                         
                  1995=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                            
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change                                         
                                                        Relative                                                                   
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly                  
                                                         ance                           Sept.   May       June      July      Aug. 
SITC      Description                                                                   1996    1997      1997      1997      1997 
Rev. 3                                                  August     August      Septemberto      to        to        to        to   
                                                        1997       1997        1997     Sept.   June      July      Aug.      Sept.
                                                        1/         2/                   1997    1997      1997      1997      1997 
                                                                                                                                   
          ALL COMMODITIES                               100.000     99.3        98.9     -1.0    -0.1      -0.1       0.1      -0.4
                                                                                                                                   
0          FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS                          7.700     99.7        99.5     -7.3    -2.7      -0.8       2.0      -0.2
01          Meat and meat preparations                    1.141     96.2        95.2     -3.4    -0.4       0.4       0.5      -1.0
03          Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates                                                                               
               and preparations                           0.582     96.3        99.4      6.4    -0.7       1.5      11.2       3.2
04          Cereals and cereal preparations               2.740     93.2        95.0    -13.1    -7.4      -2.6       3.7       1.9
05          Vegetables, fruit and nuts,                                                                                            
               fresh or dried                             1.459    103.4        97.7     -8.5     0.9       2.4      -0.6      -5.5
08          Feeding stuff for animals (not                                                                                         
               including unmilled cereals)                0.834    119.9       120.8     -4.9    -0.3      -5.4      -0.3       0.8
09          Miscellaneous edible products and                                                                                      
               preparations                               0.382    103.6       105.0      2.1    -0.3       0.1       0.0       1.4
       3/ Other food and live animals (9612=100)          0.562    106.6       105.2     n.a.     0.8       2.0       0.9      -1.3
                                                                                                                                   
1          BEVERAGES ANB TOBACCO                          1.491    100.8       101.0      0.5     0.4       0.4      -0.4       0.2
12          Tobacco and tobacco manufactures              1.230    100.8       101.0      0.5     0.5       0.4      -0.5       0.2
                                                                                                                                   
2          CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS        5.969     92.8        91.8      1.1     0.4       0.2      -0.9      -1.1
21          Hides, skins and furskins, raw                0.319     98.3       100.1     -8.5    -8.4      -4.8       2.4       1.8
22          Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits               1.301    120.5       120.1     -8.8    -1.1      -4.5      -6.3      -0.3
24          Cork and wood                                 0.960     92.9        91.7     -4.8    -1.1      -0.4       0.1      -1.3
25          Pulp and waste paper                          0.818     71.4        68.2     17.4     8.9       4.9       3.3      -4.5
26          Textile fibers and their waste                0.832     84.4        83.8     -3.3     0.1       1.0       0.2      -0.7
27          Crude fertilizers and crude minerals          0.332     97.9        97.9      1.3     0.5       0.1       0.0       0.0
28          Metalliferous ores and metal scrap            0.991     96.6        94.9     10.9     2.3       4.7       0.6      -1.8
       3/ Other crude materials, inedible, except                                                                                  
             fuels (9612=100)                             0.417     99.6       100.6     n.a.    -1.5       2.4      -1.5       1.0
                                                                                                                                   
3          MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED                                                                                   
              MATERIALS                                   2.131    111.2       111.6     -0.8     0.2       0.0       0.3       0.4
32          Coal, coke and briquettes                     0.686    101.7       101.6      0.1    -0.4      -0.3       0.0      -0.1
33          Petroleum, petroleum products and                                                                                      
               related materials                          1.314    121.3       121.7      0.6    -0.5       1.3       0.3       0.3
                                                                                                                                   
4          ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE OILS, FATS AND                                                                                     
              WAXES                                       0.435     93.3        94.9     -6.7     1.2      -1.5       0.0       1.7
                                                                                                                                   
5          CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.        10.729     95.6        95.4     -0.9    -0.2      -0.1      -0.8      -0.2
51          Organic chemicals                             2.529     84.3        83.9     -1.3    -0.5       0.1      -0.8      -0.5
52          Inorganic chemicals                           0.816     97.9        97.6     -3.9    -0.4       0.8      -2.3      -0.3
53          Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials        0.488    101.8       102.7      1.9     0.4       0.1      -0.3       0.9
54          Medicinal and pharmaceutical products         1.212    101.1       101.2     -0.7     0.0      -0.4       0.0       0.1
55          Essential oils; polishing and cleansing                                                                                
               preps                                      0.747    102.6       103.6      1.9     0.1       0.2      -0.5       1.0
56          Fertilizers (9612=100)                        0.551     94.6        95.1     n.a.     1.5       0.7      -2.3       0.5
57          Plastics in primary forms                     1.822     94.2        93.4     -2.8    -0.5      -1.2      -1.8      -0.8
58          Plastics in nonprimary forms                  0.818     99.0        98.9      0.9    -0.2      -0.1       0.0      -0.1
59          Chemical materials and products, n.e.s.       1.745    104.0       103.6      0.8    -0.3       0.0       0.1      -0.4
                                                                                                                                   
6          MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY                                                                                   
              BY MATERIAL                                 9.639     98.5        98.6      1.5     0.5       0.0       0.3       0.1
62          Rubber manufactures, n.e.s.                   0.654    101.3       101.1     -1.6     0.1      -0.1      -1.7      -0.2
63          Cork and wood manufactures other than                                                                                  
               furniture                                  0.286     90.8        91.3      1.3     0.9       0.8      -0.8       0.6
64          Paper, paperboard, and articles of                                                                                     
               paper pulp, paper or paperboard            1.523     85.3        84.9     -3.0     0.7       1.1       1.1      -0.5
65          Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up                                                                                         
               articles, n.e.s., and related product      1.396    103.2       103.3      0.2     0.2      -0.7       0.6       0.1
66          Nonmetallic mineral manufactures,                                                                                      
               n.e.s.                                     1.286    104.6       106.3      4.0     0.2       0.2       0.1       1.6
67          Iron and steel                                1.094    103.0       102.8      1.3    -0.2       0.1       0.1      -0.2
68          Nonferrous metals                             1.290     93.7        93.7      5.6     1.9      -0.9       1.2       0.0
69          Manufactures of metals, n.e.s.                1.953    104.4       104.2      2.7     0.7      -0.2       0.2      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
7          MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT             50.038    100.6       100.1     -0.4     0.2      -0.1       0.1      -0.5
71          Power generating machinery and                                                                                         
               equipment                                  4.208    106.2       106.2      1.8     0.0      -0.1       0.3       0.0
72          Machinery specialized for particular                                                                                   
               industries                                 4.609    104.4       104.4      1.3    -0.1      -0.1       0.3       0.0
73          Metalworking machinery                        0.942    104.3       104.3      1.8     0.4       0.1      -0.1       0.0
74          General industrial machinery and equip-                                                                                
               ment, n.e.s. and machine parts, n.e.s      4.946    105.3       105.2      2.4     0.5      -0.2       0.3      -0.1
75          Computer equipment and office machines        6.539     84.0        83.7     -7.4    -0.5      -0.8       0.0      -0.4
76          Telecommunications & sound recording                                                                                   
               & reproducing apparatus & equipment        3.754     99.6        99.2     -1.0     0.0       0.0       0.0      -0.4
77          Electrical machinery and equipment           11.748     96.5        94.9     -3.1    -0.3       0.0       0.0      -1.7
78          Road vehicles                                 8.961    101.9       101.8      0.8     0.1       0.2      -0.1      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
8          MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES           11.083    101.7       101.6      0.7     0.1       0.1      -0.1      -0.1
82          Furniture and parts thereof                   0.625    103.6       103.6      1.7    -0.3      -0.1       0.1       0.0
84          Articles of apparel and clothing                                                                                       
               accessories                                1.238    101.6       101.4      0.7    -0.1       0.5      -0.2      -0.2
87          Professional, scientific and controlling                                                                               
               instruments and apparatus, n.e.s.          3.655    103.5       103.3      1.4     0.1       0.1       0.0      -0.2
88          Photographic apparatus, equipment and                                                                                  
               supplies and optical goods, n.e.s.         0.937     99.0        98.6     -0.1     0.8       0.7      -0.7      -0.4
89          Miscellaneous manufactured articles,                                                                                   
               n.e.s.                                     4.178    100.3       100.3     -0.1     0.0      -0.1      -0.2       0.0
       3/ Other miscellaneous manufactured                                                                                         
             articles (9612=100)                          0.450    101.0       101.1     n.a.     0.0       0.0       0.1       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                     n.a.      Not available.          
            1995 trade values.                                                                                                            
        2  Data for June, July and August 1997                                                                                            
            have been revised to reflect the availability                                                                                 
            of late reports and corrections by respondents.                                                                               
            All data are subject to revision in each of the                                                                               
            three months after original publication.                                                                                      
        3  Product categories included in this group                                                                                      
            have been modified due to concordance                                                                                         
            or coverage limitations.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                          
        NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately                                                           
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          Table 5       U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, September 1996-September 1997                         
                 1995=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                             
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change                                         
                                                        Relative                                                                   
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly                  
Harmo-                                                   ance                           Sept.   May       June      July      Aug. 
nized     Description                                                                   1996    1997      1997      1997      1997 
System                                                  August     August      Septemberto      to        to        to        to   
                                                        1997       1997        1997     Sept.   June      July      Aug.      Sept.
                                                        1/         2/                   1997    1997      1997      1997      1997 
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                   
I          LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS                  1.573    102.9       102.9      7.6    -1.4       1.0       0.7       0.0
02          Meat and edible meat offal                    0.278    100.0       101.4      8.4    -2.2       1.6       2.5       1.4
03          Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and                                                                                     
               other aquatic invertebrates                0.901    105.0       104.6      8.8     0.7       0.6       0.6      -0.4
       3/ Other live animals and animal                                                                                            
             products (9612=100)                          0.395    102.7       102.5     n.a.    -5.1       1.6      -0.4      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
II         VEGETABLE PRODUCTS                             1.622     94.9        97.6     11.2     0.5      -3.8       2.6       2.8
07          Edible vegetables and certain roots and                                                                                
               tubers                                     0.322     n.a.        n.a.     n.a.    n.a.      n.a.      n.a.      n.a.
08          Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus                                                                                  
               fruit or melons                            0.437     97.9        96.9      0.4    -2.0      -1.1      -2.8      -1.0
09          Coffee, tea, mate and spices                  0.447     92.7        94.5     29.1     7.5     -12.1       0.9       1.9
       3/   Other vegetable products                      0.416     96.6        92.7      0.7    -8.0      -0.2       3.1      -4.0
                                                                                                                                   
IV         PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND                                                                                     
              TOBACCO                                     2.065    102.0       101.7     -2.2     0.3       0.5      -0.2      -0.3
20          Preparations of vegetables, fruit,                                                                                     
               nuts, or other parts of plants             0.271     91.1        90.7    -17.8    -1.0      -0.3      -1.0      -0.4
22          Beverages, spirits, and vinegar               0.738    103.6       103.2      0.4     0.1       0.1       0.4      -0.4
       3/   Other prepared foodstuffs (9612=100)          1.055    101.5       101.3     n.a.     0.9       0.9      -0.4      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
V          MINERAL PRODUCTS                               9.831    106.1       106.3    -13.3    -1.8      -0.1       1.8       0.2
26          Ores, slag and ash                            0.295    103.1       103.2      3.9    -0.2      -0.2      -0.2       0.1
27          Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,                                                                                     
               bituminous substances and mineral wax      9.307    106.1       106.4    -14.1    -1.8      -0.1       1.8       0.3
                                                                                                                                   
VI         PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED                                                                                      
              INDUSTRIES                                  5.223     99.4        99.0     -2.6    -0.5      -0.4       0.3      -0.4
28          Inorganic chemicals                           0.851    103.4       104.6      2.2    -1.0      -1.3       0.7       1.2
29          Organic chemicals                             2.011     96.8        96.4     -3.5    -0.3      -0.2       0.7      -0.4
30          Pharmaceutical products                       0.556    103.0       102.3     -2.6     0.8       0.6      -0.2      -0.7
32          Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye &                                                                                       
               pigments; varnish & paints; putty          0.286     95.5        95.0     -7.1     1.5      -0.3      -1.6      -0.5
37          Photographic or cinematographic goods         0.353     98.5        98.5     -1.1    -1.1       0.2      -1.0       0.0
38          Miscellaneaous chemical products                                                                                       
               (9612=100)                                 0.414     98.4        97.5     n.a.    -0.1      -0.1       0.0      -0.9
       3/   Other products of the chemical or                                                                                      
             allied industries (9612=100)                 0.753     96.9        95.7     n.a.    -2.0      -1.0       0.2      -1.2
                                                                                                                                   
VII        PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER                                                                                   
              AND ARTICLES THEREOF                        2.786     92.2        91.5     -3.3     0.9      -0.9      -0.8      -0.8
39          Plastics and articles thereof                 1.735     95.1        95.0      0.1     1.0       0.2      -0.5      -0.1
40          Rubber and articles thereof                   1.051     87.9        86.4     -8.4     0.4      -2.4      -1.0      -1.7
                                                                                                                                   
VIII       RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,                                                                                    
              TRAVEL GOODS, ETC                           1.005    103.8       103.2      1.0    -0.5       0.2       0.1      -0.6
42          Articles of leather; travel goods, bags,                                                                               
               etc. of various materials                  0.808    101.8       101.5      0.4     0.3      -0.1      -0.1      -0.3
                                                                                                                                   
IX         WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW, BASKET                                                                                
              AND WICKER                                  1.702    111.1       111.4     -3.5    -2.7       0.4      -1.1       0.3
                                                                                                                                   
X          WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER                                                                                 
              AND ARTICLES THEREOF                        2.337     84.8        85.2     -3.1    -0.2       0.4       0.4       0.5
47          Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic                                                                                  
               material; waste paper/paperboard           0.377     68.8        68.9      2.1     2.0       1.1       2.2       0.1
48          Paper and paperboard; articles of paper                                                                                
               pulp, paper or paperboard                  1.608     88.9        89.4     -4.6    -0.4       0.0       0.5       0.6
49          Printed matter                                0.352    100.2        99.5     -2.1    -0.7       0.7      -1.6      -0.7
                                                                                                                                   
XI         TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES                   6.866    101.6       101.7      1.1    -0.4      -0.1       0.2       0.1
61          Articles of apparel and clothing                                                                                       
               accessories, knitted or crocheted          2.016    100.9       101.0     -0.5     0.0      -0.6       0.2       0.1
62          Articles of apparel and clothing                                                                                       
               accessories, not knitted or crocheted      3.318    104.0       104.2      2.9    -0.6       0.2       0.3       0.2
63          Made-up or worn textile articles and                                                                                   
               clothing; needlecraft sets; rags           0.339     97.1        98.6     -1.2     0.5       0.1      -0.4       1.5
       3/   Other textile & textile                                                                                                
             articles (9612=100)                          1.193    100.0        99.6     n.a.    -0.4      -0.2      -0.3      -0.4
                                                                                                                                   
XII        FOOTWEAR, HEADGEAR, UMBRELLAS, WHIPS,                                                                                   
              ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS, ETC.                    2.066    101.4       101.0      0.0     0.2       0.1       0.0      -0.4
64          Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts                                                                                  
               of such articles                           1.777    100.9       100.5     -0.5     0.2       0.2      -0.2      -0.4
       3/ Other footwear, headgear, umbrellas,                                                                                     
             whips, art. flowers, etc. (9612=100)         0.289    102.3       101.9     n.a.     0.1      -0.1       0.8      -0.4
                                                                                                                                   
XIII       STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,CERAMIC                                                                                
              GLASS ETC.                                  1.139    102.4       101.8     -1.0    -1.0       0.4      -0.5      -0.6
69          Ceramic products                              0.428     98.8        99.2     -1.9    -1.3       0.3      -0.8       0.4
70          Glass and glassware                           0.445    103.2       101.5     -1.7    -1.1       0.0      -0.2      -1.6
                                                                                                                                   
XIV        PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,                                                                                        
              IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS                2.173     98.0        98.1     -1.1     0.6       0.3      -0.6       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
XV         BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METAL         5.861     95.3        95.7      1.2     0.6      -0.8       0.0       0.4
72          Iron and steel                                1.748     95.4        95.4     -0.9     0.0       0.0      -0.1       0.0
73          Articles of iron or steel                     1.279     97.0        96.9     -4.0    -0.8      -0.2      -0.2      -0.1
74          Copper and articles thereof                   0.455     84.6        83.4      7.1     2.5       1.2      -3.4      -1.4
76          Aluminum and articles thereof                 0.960     92.2        94.7      5.1     1.2      -2.3       0.4       2.7
83          Miscellaneous articles of base metal          0.412    102.1       101.8     -0.6    -0.8       0.0      -0.2      -0.3
       3/   Miscellaneous nonferrous metals and                                                                                    
             articles, including scrap (9612=100)         0.568    113.9       116.4     n.a.     3.5      -4.5       3.4       2.2
                                                                                                                                   
XVI        MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV                                                                                     
              IMAGE & SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC.       30.521     90.9        90.3     -6.5     0.1      -0.4      -0.7      -0.7
84          Specialized machinery & computer                                                                                       
               equipment                                 15.982     91.8        91.0     -6.8    -0.1      -0.4      -1.0      -0.9
85          Electrical machinery and equip, sound                                                                                  
               and TV recorders & reproducers, parts     14.539     89.9        89.5     -6.4     0.3      -0.6      -0.2      -0.4
                                                                                                                                   
XVII       VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND                                                                                         
              ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT             15.765    101.2       101.3      0.2     0.4       0.1       0.1       0.1
87          Motor vehicles and their parts               14.896    101.0       101.1      0.1     0.4       0.1       0.2       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
XVIII      OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &                                                                                    
              MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; CLOCKS & WATCHES       3.531     94.1        93.6     -4.9     0.2       0.1      -0.2      -0.5
90          Optical, photographic, measuring and                                                                                   
               medical instruments                        3.014     93.9        93.4     -4.8     0.3       0.0      -0.3      -0.5
91          Clocks and watches and parts thereof          0.375     94.7        94.3     -5.5     0.3       1.0      -0.6      -0.4
                                                                                                                                   
XX         MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES            3.697     99.9        99.7     -0.9     0.0       0.2      -0.2      -0.2
94          Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps                                                                                  
               and lighting fittings nes;                 1.589    100.2        99.7      0.0    -0.1       0.1      -0.2      -0.5
95          Toys, games and sports equipment; parts                                                                                
               and accessories thereof                    1.825    100.7       100.8     -1.1    -0.2       0.3      -0.1       0.1
96          Miscellaneous manufactured articles           0.283     93.5        92.8     -4.1     1.4       0.0      -1.2      -0.7
                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                       n.a.      Not available         
            1995 trade values.                                                                                                            
        2  Data for June, July and August 1997                                                                                            
            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 1996-September 1997                         
                  1995=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                            
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change                                         
                                                        Relative                                                                   
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly                  
Harmo-                                                   ance                           Sept.   May       June      July      Aug. 
nized     Description                                                                   1996    1997      1997      1997      1997 
System                                                  August     August      Septemberto      to        to        to        to   
                                                        1997       1997        1997     Sept.   June      July      Aug.      Sept.
                                                        1/         2/                   1997    1997      1997      1997      1997 
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                   
I          LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS                  1.930     97.4        97.5     -0.8    -0.6       1.0       2.7       0.1
02          Meat & edible meat offal                      1.059     94.0        93.2     -3.5    -0.4       0.3       0.5      -0.9
03          Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and                                                                                     
               other aquatic invertebrates                0.512     93.3        96.1      3.2    -0.9       2.0       9.4       3.0
       3/ Other live animals and animal                                                                                            
             products (9612=100)                          0.359     99.3        98.2     n.a.    -1.3       1.7       0.4      -1.1
                                                                                                                                   
II         VEGETABLE PRODUCTS                             5.348    100.8       100.7    -10.2    -3.9      -1.4      -0.1      -0.1
07          Edible vegetables and certain roots and                                                                                
               tubers                                     0.312     99.6        97.6      1.9    -3.5       5.7       2.0      -2.0
08          Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus                                                                                  
               fruit or melons                            0.759    104.4        97.3    -12.1     3.1       5.1      -2.2      -6.8
10          Cereals                                       2.512     92.1        94.1    -14.3    -8.0      -2.6       4.0       2.2
12          Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds,                                                                                      
               fruits, plants, straw and fodder           1.477    119.1       119.9     -7.2    -1.2      -3.5      -6.1       0.7
                                                                                                                                   
III        ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE FATS AND OILS              0.468     93.4        95.6     -5.1     1.0      -1.2      -0.2       2.4
                                                                                                                                   
IV         PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND                                                                                     
              TOBACCO                                     3.518    103.6       103.1     -3.0    -0.1      -1.2      -0.7      -0.5
20          Preparations of vegetables, fruit,                                                                                     
               nuts, or other parts of plants             0.348     98.2        89.4    -14.0    -0.1      -3.1      -5.4      -9.0
21          Miscellaneous edible preparations             0.360    105.9       107.2      3.7    -0.3       0.2       1.0       1.2
22          Beverages, spirits, and vinegar               0.327     99.4        99.8     -2.2    -0.1      -0.2       0.2       0.4
23          Residues and waste from the food                                                                                       
               industries; prepared animal feed           0.748    116.3       116.3     -8.6    -0.9      -4.8      -0.7       0.0
24          Tobacco and manufactured tobacco                                                                                       
               substitutes                                1.237    100.8       101.0      0.5     0.5       0.4      -0.5       0.2
       3/   Other prepared foods                          0.500    101.4       102.3      0.7     0.3       0.3       0.6       0.9
                                                                                                                                   
V          MINERAL PRODUCTS                               2.823    112.0       112.0      3.6     0.4       2.1       0.6       0.0
27          Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,                                                                                     
               bituminous substances and mineral wax      2.203    113.2       113.4     -0.2    -0.1       0.2       0.3       0.2
                                                                                                                                   
VI         PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED                                                                                      
              INDUSTRIES                                  8.744     96.8        96.6     -0.4    -0.1       0.3      -0.6      -0.2
28          Inorganic chemicals                           0.909    100.6       100.1     -2.2    -0.5       1.1      -1.9      -0.5
29          Organic chemicals                             2.849     88.1        87.7     -0.7    -0.4       0.1      -0.7      -0.5
30          Pharmaceutical products                       0.871    100.4       100.6     -0.4     0.0      -0.3       0.0       0.2
31          Fertilizers (9612=100)                        0.612     94.6        95.1     n.a.     1.5       0.7      -2.3       0.5
32          Tanning or dyeing extracts; dyes and                                                                                   
               pigments; paints & varnish; putty;ink      0.496    101.4       102.3      1.4     0.4       0.2      -0.4       0.9
33          Essential oils and resinoids;                                                                                          
               perfumery, cosmetic or toilet              0.526    103.4       104.2      2.8     0.1       0.2      -0.5       0.8
34          Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or                                                                                  
               scouring products; candles, pastes         0.306    101.5       103.0      1.9     0.0       0.2       0.0       1.5
37          Photographic or cinematographic goods         0.432     97.0        96.1     -0.9     1.4       1.5      -0.2      -0.9
38          Miscellaneous chemical products               1.522    103.6       103.1     -0.1    -0.4       0.1       0.0      -0.5
                                                                                                                                   
VII        PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER                                                                                   
              AND ARTICLES THEREOF                        4.279     96.6        96.4     -1.5    -0.2      -0.4      -1.3      -0.2
39          Plastics and articles thereof                 3.398     96.2        96.0     -1.3    -0.1      -0.6      -1.2      -0.2
40          Rubber and articles thereof                   0.881     98.2        98.0     -2.0    -0.5       0.0      -1.5      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
VIII       RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,                                                                                    
              TRAVEL GOODS, ETC.                          0.546     94.6        95.9     -6.5    -6.8      -2.0       1.0       1.4
41          Raw hides and skins (other than                                                                                        
               furskins) and leather                      0.397     92.4        94.2     -3.6    -5.5      -2.8       0.9       1.9
                                                                                                                                   
IX         WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW, BASKET                                                                                
              AND WICKER                                  1.269     93.0        92.1     -3.5    -0.7      -0.1      -0.1      -1.0
                                                                                                                                   
X          WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER                                                                                 
              AND ARTICLES THEREOF                        2.998     79.8        79.2      0.8     2.5       1.8       0.9      -0.8
47          Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic                                                                                  
               material; waste paper/paperboard           0.734     66.7        65.0      9.6     8.7       4.6       1.8      -2.5
48          Paper and paperboard; articles of paper                                                                                
               pulp, paper or paperboard                  1.481     85.4        85.0     -3.3     0.8       1.4       0.9      -0.5
49          Printed material                              0.783    106.5       106.7      1.2     0.9      -0.1       0.0       0.2
                                                                                                                                   
XI         TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES                   3.222     93.9        93.8     -1.0     0.1       0.1       0.3      -0.1
52          Cotton, including yarns and woven                                                                                      
               fabrics thereof                            0.717     84.3        83.6     -3.6     0.0       1.2       0.4      -0.8
                                                                                                                                   
XIII       STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,                                                                                       
              CERAMIC, GLASS ETC.                         0.836    102.8       102.8      1.1     0.1       0.3      -0.8       0.0
70          Glass and glassware                           0.482    101.3       101.4      0.6     0.2       0.0       0.1       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
XIV        PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,                                                                                        
              IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS                1.865     97.3        96.9     -4.5     1.6       0.4      -1.2      -0.4
                                                                                                                                   
XV         BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METALS        4.606     96.9        96.7      2.5     0.7      -0.3       0.1      -0.2
72          Iron and steel                                0.976     95.0        93.9     -1.3     1.1       0.4       0.1      -1.2
73          Articles of iron or steel                     1.227    106.6       106.7      5.1     0.2       0.0       0.2       0.1
74          Copper and articles thereof                   0.439     85.0        82.6      4.8     0.5      -1.4      -2.0      -2.8
76          Aluminum and articles thereof                 0.877     89.4        90.1      4.4     0.6      -0.7       0.7       0.8
82          Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and                                                                                 
               forks, of base metal; parts thereof        0.407    103.3       103.3      0.7     0.4      -0.1       0.0       0.0
83          Miscellaneous articles of base metal          0.372    101.3       101.3      1.6     1.6      -0.1       0.0       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                   
XVI        MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV                                                                                     
              IMAGE AND SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC      36.755     97.4        96.7     -2.1    -0.1      -0.3       0.1      -0.7
84          Specialized machinery & computer                                                                                       
               equipment                                 20.303     97.7        97.5     -1.5    -0.2      -0.3       0.2      -0.2
85          Electrical machinery and equip, sound                                                                                  
               & tv recorders & reproducers, parts       16.452     97.1        95.9     -2.6    -0.2      -0.2       0.0      -1.2
                                                                                                                                   
XVII       VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND                                                                                         
              ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT             13.513    104.7       104.7      1.9     0.8       0.2      -0.1       0.0
87          Motor vehicles and their parts                9.374    102.0       101.9      0.8     0.2       0.1      -0.1      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
XVIII      OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &                                                                                    
              MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; CLOCKS & WATCHES       5.310    102.1       102.0      0.6     0.4      -0.3      -0.1      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                   
XX         MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES            1.755    102.4       102.4      1.2    -0.1       0.2       0.1       0.0
94          Furniture; stuffed furnishings;                                                                                        
               lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;         0.861    103.9       103.9      1.7    -0.2      -0.1       0.2       0.0
95          Toys, games and sports equipment; parts                                                                                
               and accessories thereof                    0.723    100.9       101.0      0.8    -0.2       0.7      -0.1       0.1
                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                       n.a.      Not available         
            1995 trade values.                                                                                                            
        2  Data for June, July and August 1997                                                                                            
            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 1996-September 1997                         
          1995=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                           
                                                                  Index                    Percent Change                    
                                                   Percentage                                                                                          
                                                      of                            Annual                  Monthly                                     
                                                    US Imports                    Sept.   May          June        July     Aug.   
    Description 1/                                                                1996    1997         1997        1997     1997   
                                                    1995       Aug.      Sept.    to      to           to          to       to     
                                                               1997      1997     Sept.   June         July        Aug.     Sept.  
                                                               2/                 1997    1997         1997        1997     1997   
                                                                                                                                   
3/  Developed Countries                                55.6     97.6      97.3     -3.0     0.1         -0.1         0.3     -0.3  
      Manufactured Goods                               52.2     97.4      97.1     -2.4     0.1          0.0         0.3     -0.3  
      Nonmanufactured Goods                             3.1    104.5     103.9    -10.1    -1.1         -1.4         1.2     -0.6  
                                                                                                                                   
3/  Developing Countries                               42.7    101.6     100.9     -2.8    -0.2         -0.6         0.3     -0.7  
      Manufactured Goods                               35.4     99.2      98.9     -0.9    -0.1         -0.3        -0.2     -0.3  
      Nonmanufactured Goods                             7.1    108.0     105.5    -11.6    -0.6         -2.1         3.1     -2.3  
                                                                                                                                   
    Canada                                             18.9     99.2      99.5     -0.8    -0.1         -0.1         0.2      0.3  
      Manufactured Goods                               16.5     98.8      99.1      0.7     0.1          0.0         0.1      0.3  
      Nonmanufactured Goods                             2.2    106.1     105.9    -10.3    -1.8         -0.6         1.0     -0.2  
                                                                                                                                   
4/  European Union                                     17.0    100.7     100.3     -2.4     0.2         -0.5         0.1     -0.4  
      Manufactured Goods                               16.4    100.5     100.1     -2.2     0.1         -0.3         0.0     -0.4  
      Nonmanufactured Goods                             0.5    109.8     107.4     -9.5     2.4         -6.8         3.5     -2.2  
                                                                                                                                   
    Japan                                              16.6     92.7      92.5     -4.7     0.2          0.0        -0.3     -0.2  
                                                                                                                                   
5/  Asian Newly Industrialized Countries               10.9     94.7      93.9     -3.8    -0.6         -0.6         0.0     -0.8  
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
1    Regions are not mutually exclusive.                                              
                                                                                      
2    Data for  June, July and August 1997                                             
     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  9    U.S. International Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services.                                   
        September 1996-September 1997    1995 = 100                                                                                                                  
                                                                 Index                             Percent Change                    
                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                  Annual          Quarterly                                   
                                                    Trade                         Sept.   Sept.    Dec.        March    June   
    Description                                     (Mil.                         1996    1996     1996        1997     1997   
                                                    of         June      Sept.    to      to       to          to       to     
                                                    Dollars)   1997      1997     Sept.   Dec.     March       June     Sept.  
                                                                                  1997    1996     1997        1997     1997   
                                                                                                                               
     Air Freight (Inbound)                          5495        89.9      88.5     -7.4    -0.6     -5.8         0.4     -1.6  
      Atlantic                                      1880        88.9      85.6     -9.8     1.8     -7.1        -0.9     -3.7  
      Pacific                                       3151        91.1      91.0     -4.8    -1.7     -4.5         1.4     -0.1  
                                                                                                                               
     Air Freight (Outbound)                         5835        99.2      98.8     -0.1     0.3      0.6        -0.6     -0.4  
      Atlantic                                      2080        99.4      99.0      0.3     0.3      0.9        -0.5     -0.4  
      Pacific                                       3222       100.0      99.7     -0.1     0.4      0.1        -0.3     -0.3  
                                                                                                                               
     Air Passenger Fares (U.S. Carrier)             30673      112.1     109.2      1.8    -5.3     -4.4        15.4     -2.6  
1/    Atlantic                                      8811       118.3     119.0      3.4   -13.5     -2.1        21.3      0.6  
1/    Pacific                                       15900      102.1      95.9     -2.7    -3.7     -9.1        18.2     -6.1  
1/    Latin American / Caribbean                    4542       109.6     110.5      7.4     0.0      3.8         2.6      0.8  
      Canadian                                      1367       161.2     162.2     31.2    24.3      1.4         3.5      0.6  
                                                                                                                               
     Air Passenger Fares (Foreign Carrier)          31694      106.1     104.2     -1.2    -4.5     -2.2         7.7     -1.8  
1/    Atlantic                                      13572      110.2     110.8      0.6    -8.9     -3.2        13.5      0.5  
1/    Pacific                                       12570       96.4      91.0     -3.6    -0.2     -2.0         4.4     -5.6  
1/    Latin American / Caribbean                    4224       104.8     104.4      1.0     0.2      0.9         0.3     -0.4  
                                                                                                                               
1/   Crude Oil Tanker Freight (Inbound)             1949       108.2      n.a.     n.a.     8.1      7.2         0.8     n.a.  
                                                                                                                               
     Ocean Liner Freight (Inbound)                  12253       96.8      94.9     -3.2     0.4     -0.8        -0.8     -2.0  
      U.S. East Coast                               5410        99.6      97.0     -3.7     1.0     -1.9        -0.2     -2.6  
       from Atlantic                                2647        98.7      96.0     -5.0     0.3     -2.0        -0.7     -2.7  
       from Pacific                                 1874        98.9      95.2     -3.3     0.1     -0.1         0.5     -3.7  
      U.S. West Coast                               6844        94.1      92.8     -2.7     0.0      0.0        -1.4     -1.4  
       from Pacific                                 6347        93.9      92.7     -2.4    -0.2      0.3        -1.3     -1.3  
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
    1     Detailed data available upon request.                          n.a.    N                                             
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                  Table  8     U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services.                              
        September 1996-September 1997  1995 = 100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                            
                                                                 Index                             Percent Change                    
                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                  Annual          Quarterly                                   
                                                    Trade                         Sept.   Sept.    Dec.        March    June   
    Description                                     (Mil.                         1996    1996     1996        1997     1997   
                                                    of         June      Sept.    to      to       to          to       to     
                                                    Dollars)   1997      1997     Sept.   Dec.     March       June     Sept.  
                                                                                  1997    1996     1997        1997     1997   
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
    IMPORT                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                               
    Air Freight                                     3188        90.4      88.6     -8.5    -1.2     -5.8         0.3     -2.0  
      Atlantic                                      1278        90.3      86.4    -12.2    -0.2     -7.1        -1.0     -4.3  
      Pacific                                       1674        91.8      91.5     -5.4    -2.0     -4.5         1.4     -0.3  
                                                                                                                               
     Air Passenger Fares                            11127      113.2     111.1      7.9    -2.9      0.5        12.6     -1.9  
1/    Atlantic                                      4922       121.2     121.2     14.6    -7.0      1.9        20.8      0.0  
1/    Pacific                                       2340       111.4     100.5      9.1     7.5     -0.9        13.6     -9.8  
1/    Latin American / Caribbean                    3021       106.1     105.9      1.8     0.1      1.0         1.0     -0.2  
                                                                                                                               
1/   Crude Oil Tanker Freight                       1346       101.9      n.a.     n.a.     6.3      5.8         2.2     n.a.  
                                                                                                                               
     Ocean Liner Freight                            9868        97.1      95.3     -3.6    -0.3     -0.6        -0.9     -1.9  
      U.S. East Coast                               4271       100.6      98.3     -3.2     0.1     -1.2         0.1     -2.3  
       from Atlantic                                1952        99.9      98.3     -4.6    -0.1     -2.4        -0.5     -1.6  
       from Pacific                                 1774       100.8      97.0     -3.2     0.2     -0.2         0.6     -3.8  
      U.S. West Coast                               5596        93.9      92.4     -4.0    -0.6     -0.3        -1.6     -1.6  
       from Pacific                                 5126        93.5      92.2     -3.7    -0.8      0.1        -1.6     -1.4  
                                                                                                                               
    EXPORT                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                               
     Air Freight (9612 = 100)                       2562        97.8      96.6     n.a.    n.a.     -1.5        -0.7     -1.2  
                                                                                                                               
     Air Passenger Fares                            17272      103.0     100.0     -2.8    -3.1     -9.9        14.7     -2.9  
1/    Atlantic                                      4120       109.7     109.5     -3.6    -7.8     -5.8        11.3     -0.2  
1/    Pacific                                       10700       91.1      86.4     -8.0    -4.6    -15.7        20.7     -5.2  
      Latin American / Caribbean                    1392       106.9     107.5      6.6     0.8      0.2         5.0      0.6  
      Canadian                                      1006       157.0     157.5     36.5    26.3      6.3         1.3      0.3  
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
    1     Detailed data available upon request.                          n.a.    N                                             
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                                                                                    
                           TECHNICAL NOTE
   
Import and Export Merchandise and Services Price Indexes -- All indexes use 
a modified Laspeyres formula and are weighted with 1995 trade weights.  The 
merchandise price indexes are published using three classifications:  the 
Harmonized System (HS), the Bureau of Economic Analysis End Use System,
and the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) system, Rev. 3.  
Price indexes for internationally traded services are presented using two 
definitions: Balance of Payments (which represents transactions between U.S. 
and foreign residents) and International (which represents all transactions
with U.S. importers or exporters, regardless of nationality).  Published
series use a base year of 1995=100 where possible.  Net transaction price
data are collected every month for over 20,000 products from over 6,000
companies and secondary sources.  Indexes are not seasonally adjusted.  More
detailed index series and additional information may be obtained from the
Division of International Prices, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2 Massachusetts
Avenue N.E., PSB 3955, Washington, DC 20212 or (202) 606-7155.

Import Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the 1995 Harmonized 
Tariff Schedule of the United States Annotated (TSUSA).  Import prices are 
based on U.S. dollar prices paid by the U.S. importer.  The prices are
generally either "free on board" (f.o.b.) foreign port or "cost, insurance,
and freight" (c.i.f.) U.S. port transaction prices, depending on the
practices of the individual industry.  The index for crude petroleum is
calculated from data collected by the U.S. Department of Energy.  

Export Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the 1995 Harmonized 
Schedule B classification system of the U.S. Bureau of the Census.  The
prices used are generally either "free alongside ship" (f.a.s.) factory
or "free on board" (f.o.b.) transaction prices, depending on the practices of
the individual industry.  Prices used in the grain index, excluding rice,
are obtained from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Import Indexes by Locality of Origin -- Prices used in these indexes are a
subset of the data collected for the Import Price Indexes.  Prior to
January 1993, nonmanufactured goods were defined as SITC 0-4 and manufactured
goods were defined as SITC 5-8.  Beginning with January 1993, the indexes are
defined by locality of origin using a nomenclature based upon the Standard
Industrial Classification (SIC-based).  Nonmanufactured goods are defined as
SIC 0-1, and manufactured goods are defined as SIC 2-3.  The indexes use 1995
weights and a base of 1995=100.

Import, Export, and International Services Indexes -- Indexes are calculated
on a quarterly basis.  The figures for services indexes will not sum up to
the aggregate dollar value because not all categories are shown in the tables.
Revenue figures for air passenger indexes exclude frequent flyer tickets and
those sold by consolidators.  Indexes for crude oil tanker freight are
calculated from data collected by the U. S. Department of Energy and the 
publication of these indexes is lagged one quarter.  

Revision policy -- Data are revised for the previous three months to reflect
the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents.

Uses of the Data -- The primary use of the indexes is to deflate trade
statistics.  For merchandise trade, the End Use classification system is the
structure used by the U.S. Department of Commerce in the construction of the
foreign trade sector of the National Income and Product Accounts.  Indexes
published using the Harmonized System and the Standard International Trade
Classification, Rev. 3, both international structures, are useful for general
market analysis.  For trade in international services, Balance of Payments
indexes are used for deflating National Accounts data, while International
indexes are more appropriate for market analysis. Merchandise and services
indexes also can be used to study U.S. competitiveness and price elasticities,
and the merchandise import indexes by country or region of origin are useful
for terms of trade analysis.



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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