Technical Information:
 Jim Thomas     (202) 606-7155                        USDL-99-128
 Bill Alterman  (202) 606-7108                        Transmission of This
Media contact                                         Material is Embargoed
 Kathryn Hoyle  (202) 606-5902                        Until: 10:00 A.M. E.D.T.
Internet Address: http://stats.bls.gov/ipphome.htm    Wednesday,  May 12, 1999
                                               
                                               
                       U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES
                                   -APRIL 1999-

        The U.S. Import Price Index rose 0.8 percent in April, the Bureau of Labor
Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today.  The increase was
attributable to the upswing in imported petroleum prices and followed a 0.1
percent rise in March.  The price index for U.S. exports also rose in April,
increasing 0.2 percent after decreasing in each of the prior two months.

                Percent changes in import and export price indexes
                              by End Use category
                            not seasonally adjusted

                          IMPORTS                          EXPORTS             
                                                                               
   Month                              Non-                  Agri-      Nonagri- 
                 All     Petroleum  petroleum     All      cultural    cultural 
               Imports    Imports    Imports    Exports    Exports     Exports 
                                                                               
                                                                               
1998                                                                           
April             -0.3        0.4       -0.3       -0.4       -1.6        -0.2 
May               -0.1        0.5       -0.2        0.1        1.0        -0.1 
June              -0.6       -4.4       -0.4       -0.5        0.0        -0.5 
July              -0.9       -5.4       -0.4       -0.3        0.3        -0.4 
August            -0.4       -0.6       -0.4       -0.5       -4.1        -0.1 
September          0.2        6.4       -0.2       -0.5       -2.9        -0.2 
October            0.2        2.3        0.1       -0.1        0.1        -0.1 
November          -0.5       -9.7        0.1        0.2        1.7         0.0 
December          -1.0      -13.3       -0.2       -0.1        0.7        -0.2 
1999                                                                           
January            0.4        4.2        0.1        0.0        0.0         0.0 
February          -0.1       -0.5 r      0.0       -0.2       -2.4         0.1 
March              0.1       10.7 r     -0.5 r     -0.3       -3.0        -0.1 
April              0.8       17.7       -0.3        0.2        0.4         0.3 
                                                                               
April 1997-98     -5.1      -26.8       -3.1       -3.2      -11.9        -2.0 
April 1998-99     -1.9        4.1       -2.4       -2.1       -8.0        -1.3 
                                                                               
r = revised to reflect late reports and corrections by respondents

                                          
Import Goods

      The recent increases in import prices were attributable to sharply higher
petroleum prices, up 17.7 percent in April and 10.7 percent in March.  The double-
digit gains in petroleum prices, however, came only two months after the index for
petroleum reached its lowest level since the series began publication in 1983.  In
contrast, nonpetroleum import prices continued to move lower and were down 0.3
percent in April, after falling 0.5 percent in March.  For the 12 months ended in
April, the index was down 2.4 percent.

      The decline in nonpetroleum import prices was again led by a drop in the
price index for imported capital goods, which fell 1.0 percent in April and 0.8
percent in March, as computer prices continued to move lower.  For the year ended
in April, capital goods prices were down 4.0 percent.  Consumer goods, led by
falling prices for home entertainment equipment, fell 0.3 percent in April.  The
index for industrial supplies and materials excluding petroleum decreased 0.2
percent last month, with paper and chemicals having the largest impact.

      In contrast, the indexes for foods, feeds, and beverages as well as
automotives, parts, and engines both increased in April, 0.8 percent and 0.1
percent, respectively, after declining in March.  Despite the recent gain for
foods, feeds, and beverages, the index declined 3.8 percent over the past twelve
months.  The index for autos has been relatively stable, edging up 0.2 percent for
the year ended in April.


Export Goods

      The modest April upturn in export prices was the first increase recorded for
this index since November.  Prices for both agricultural exports and
nonagricultural exports contributed to the April increase, gaining 0.4 percent and
0.3 percent, respectively.  The rise in agricultural export prices, however,
followed declines of  3.0 percent in March and 2.4 percent in February.  Overall
export prices were down 2.1 percent for the year ended in April.

       The index for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials led the
increase in prices for nonagricultural exports, increasing 0.6 percent in April,
largely attributable to increasing prices for fuels and lubricants.  Despite the
increase, the nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials index fell 4.3
percent for the year ended in April.  Capital goods also rose last month,
increasing 0.2 percent.   The index had little movement over the previous seven
months and was down 1.0 percent over the April 1998-1999 period.

      In contrast, the indexes for consumer goods and automotive vehicles, parts,
and engines fell 0.2 percent and 0.1 percent in April, respectively, after dipping
0.1 percent in March.


Imports by Locality of Origin

      The import price index for the Asian Newly Industrialized Countries
decreased 0.5 percent for the second consecutive month. The index was down 6.7
percent over the past 12 months after falling 7.7 percent in the prior year.
Prices of imports from Japan also fell in April, down 0.2 percent, after a decline
of 0.4 percent in March.  For the year ended in April, import prices from Japan
were down 1.2 percent.
      
      In contrast, the price indexes for imports from Canada and Latin America
increased for the second consecutive month, rising 0.5 and 2.3 percent,
respectively.  Recent gains for both indexes were led by rising prices for
petroleum and petroleum products.  Prices of imports from Canada were still down
1.0 percent for the year ended in April.  Import prices from Latin America also
fell 1.0 percent, on average, over the past 12 months.
      
      Prices of imports from the European Union were unchanged in April, as an 11.3
percent increase in non-manufactured goods was countered by a 0.3 percent drop in
manufactured goods.  Over the April 1998-1999 period the index rose 0.6 percent.
      


                                CONTENTS OF RELEASE
                                         
This news release includes the following tables:

Table 1   Import Price Indexes, by End Use
Table 2   Export Price Indexes, by End Use
Table 3   Import Price Indexes, by SITC
Table 4   Export Price Indexes, by SITC
Table 5   Import Price Indexes, by Harmonized System
Table 6   Export Price Indexes, by Harmonized System
Table 7   Import Price Indexes, by Locality of Origin
Table 8   U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes for Services
Table 9   U.S. International Price Indexes for Services
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Import and Export Price Index data for May are scheduled for release on June 10 at
10:00 A.M. (E.D.T).



Table 1    U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods,
              April 1998-April 1999     1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                              Index                      Percent Change
                                                             Relative
                                                              Import-                    Annual          Monthly
                                                               ance                      April    Dec.     Jan.     Feb.    March
 END                         Description                                                  1998    1998     1999     1999     1999
 USE                                                          March    March     April     to      to       to       to       to
                                                               1999    1999      1999    April    Jan.     Feb.    March    April
                                                                1/      2/                1999    1999     1999     1999     1999

         ALL COMMODITIES..............................       100.000      90.8    91.5      -1.9     0.4     -0.1      0.1   0.8
         ALL IMPORTS EXCLUDING PETROLEUM..............        94.125      92.3    92.0      -2.4     0.1      0.0     -0.5   -0.3

0         FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES...................         4.799      93.0    93.7      -3.8     0.8     -2.7     -0.3   0.8

00         Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,
               excluding distilled beverages..........         3.332      88.7    88.8      -5.8     1.1     -4.4     -0.6   0.1

01         Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled
               beverages).............................         1.467     104.4   106.5       0.9     0.5      1.2      0.6   2.0

1         INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS.............        24.338      84.3    87.7      -2.2     1.0     -0.1      2.2   4.0
            INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS
                  EXCLUDING PETROLEUM.................        18.463      90.3    90.1      -4.5     0.0      0.0     -0.3   -0.2
            INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                  DURABLE.............................         9.837      92.1    92.0      -3.8     0.3      0.7      0.1   -0.1
            INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                  NONDURABLE EXCLUDING PETROLEUM......         8.625      88.3    87.9      -5.3    -0.1     -0.9     -0.8   -0.5

10         Fuels & lubricants.........................         6.979      72.2    82.9       2.1     4.0     -1.3      7.4   14.8

100         Petroleum & petroleum products............         5.875      68.3    80.4       4.1     4.2     -0.5     10.7   17.7

10000         Crude...................................         4.637      67.9    81.2       8.3     7.0     -0.3     14.1   19.6

11         Paper & paper base stocks..................         1.831      78.2    77.4      -4.9    -0.6      0.4     -0.5   -1.0

12         Materials associated with nondurable
               supplies & materials...................         5.908      87.6    87.3      -4.4    -0.5     -0.3      0.5   -0.3

13         Selected building materials................         2.270     108.0   108.4       3.9     1.4      3.5      0.2   0.4

14         Unfinished metals associated with
               durable goods..........................         4.398      86.9    87.0      -7.5    -0.2      0.0      0.3   0.1

15         Finished metals associated with durable
               goods..................................         1.478      91.7    91.7      -2.2     0.1     -0.1     -0.5   0.0

16         Nonmetals associated with durable goods....         1.474      88.2    87.2      -4.8     0.3     -0.2     -0.5   -1.1

2         CAPITAL GOODS...............................        28.283      83.8    83.0      -4.0     0.0      0.0     -0.8   -1.0

20         Electric & electrical generating
               equipment..............................         3.444      92.7    92.4      -2.7    -0.2      0.1     -1.0   -0.3

21         Nonelectrical machinery....................        23.002      80.7    79.9      -4.5     0.0      0.0     -1.0   -1.0

3         AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES........        19.178     101.4   101.5       0.2     0.1      0.1     -0.1   0.1

4         CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING
               AUTOMOTIVES............................        23.402      98.0    97.7      -0.6     0.2      0.3     -0.4   -0.3

40         Nondurables, manufactured..................        11.706     100.9   100.7       0.0     0.2      0.2     -0.3   -0.2

41         Durables, manufactured.....................        10.538      94.8    94.5      -1.5     0.2      0.0     -0.4   -0.3

42         Nonmanufactured consumer goods.............         1.157      99.0    98.9       1.4     0.6      3.3     -1.9   -0.1



     1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available
         1995 trade values.
     2  Data for January, February and March 1999
         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,
              April 1998-April 1999     1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                              Index                      Percent Change
                                                             Relative
                                                              Import-                    Annual          Monthly
                                                               ance                      April    Dec.     Jan.     Feb.    March
 END                         Description                                                  1998    1998     1999     1999     1999
 USE                                                          March    March     April     to      to       to       to       to
                                                               1999    1999      1999    April    Jan.     Feb.    March    April
                                                                1/      2/                1999    1999     1999     1999     1999

         ALL COMMODITIES..............................       100.000      94.3    94.5      -2.1     0.0     -0.2     -0.3      0.2
         AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES.....................         9.316      84.5    84.8      -8.0     0.0     -2.4     -3.0      0.4
         NONAGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES..................        90.682      95.4    95.7      -1.3     0.0      0.1     -0.1      0.3

0         FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES...................         8.572      87.3    88.1      -5.2     0.3     -2.3     -2.3      0.9

00         Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,
               excluding distilled beverages..........         7.715      85.9    86.4      -7.8     0.1     -2.6     -3.2      0.6

01         Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled
               beverages).............................         0.857     103.5   108.6      26.7     2.7      1.2      4.9      4.9

1         INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS.............        24.185      86.5    86.9      -4.5    -0.3      0.0     -0.3      0.5
            INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                  DURABLE.............................         9.463      87.8    87.4      -5.0    -0.3      0.0     -0.3     -0.5
            INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                  NONDURABLE..........................        14.721      85.7    86.6      -4.2    -0.2      0.0     -0.3      1.1

10         Agricultural industrial supplies &
               materials..............................         1.601      79.8    79.6      -8.5    -0.4     -0.6     -2.6     -0.3

            NONAGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES
               & MATERIALS............................        22.583      87.0    87.5      -4.3    -0.2      0.0     -0.2      0.6

11         Fuels & lubricants.........................         2.145      92.8    99.4      -2.7     0.0     -0.1      0.1      7.1

12         Nonagricultural supplies & materials
               excluding fuels & building materials...        18.923      85.4    85.2      -4.8    -0.3      0.0     -0.4     -0.2

13         Selected building materials................         1.515      87.3    87.7       0.2     0.2      0.6      0.6      0.5

2         CAPITAL GOODS...............................        44.772      97.1    97.3      -1.0     0.0      0.0      0.0      0.2

20         Electric & electrical generating
               Equipment..............................         4.499      99.1    99.1      -1.7    -0.4      0.0      0.0      0.0

21         Nonelectrical machinery....................        34.506      93.7    93.9      -1.4    -0.1      0.0      0.1      0.2

3         AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES........        10.179     103.0   102.9       0.6     0.1      0.2     -0.1     -0.1

4         CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING
               AUTOMOTIVES............................        12.291     101.8   101.6      -0.6     0.1      0.0     -0.1     -0.2

40         Nondurables, manufactured..................         6.517     102.1   101.6      -0.5     0.3      0.2     -0.2     -0.5

41         Durables, manufactured.....................         5.186     100.3   100.5      -0.6    -0.1     -0.3      0.0      0.2



     1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available
         1995 trade values.
     2  Data for January, February and March 1999
         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,
              April 1998-April 1999     1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                              Index                      Percent Change
                                                             Relative
                                                              Import-                    Annual          Monthly
                                                               ance                      April    Dec.     Jan.     Feb.    March
SITC                         Description                                                  1998    1998     1999     1999     1999
Rev. 3                                                        March    March     April     to      to       to       to       to
                                                               1999    1999      1999    April    Jan.     Feb.    March    April
                                                                1/      2/                1999    1999     1999     1999     1999

         ALL COMMODITIES..............................       100.000      90.8    91.5      -1.9     0.4     -0.1      0.1      0.8

0         FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS.......................         4.067      93.2    93.8      -5.6     1.2     -3.2      0.0      0.6
01         Meat and meat preparations.................         0.347      94.0    94.5      -7.1     0.1      0.3      2.0      0.5
03         Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates
              and preparations thereof................         1.093     103.3   106.0      -1.3     0.8      1.8      0.6      2.6
05         Vegetables, fruit and nuts,
              fresh or dried..........................         1.149     101.7   102.3       1.5     2.0     -9.5     -0.4      0.6
07         Coffee, tea, cocoa, spices and
              manufactures thereof....................         0.533      71.0    69.5     -25.2     1.6     -5.1     -1.8     -2.1
      3/ Other food and live animals (9612=100).......         0.945      93.6    93.6      -4.4     0.5     -0.6      0.4      0.0

1         BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO.......................         0.928     110.5   110.6       1.3     0.5     -0.3      0.4      0.1
11         Beverages..................................         0.781     106.9   107.2       1.3     0.1      0.0      0.2      0.3

2         CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS.....         2.864      86.3    85.9      -4.3     0.2      3.7     -1.3     -0.5
24         Cork and wood..............................         1.109     113.2   113.5       3.1     1.6      4.7     -0.4      0.3
25         Pulp and waste paper.......................         0.343      57.6    57.3     -10.0    -1.0      1.2     -0.5     -0.5
28         Metalliferous ores and metal scrap.........         0.590      89.9    89.5     -11.1    -2.0     -0.6     -0.6     -0.4
29         Crude animal and vegetable materials,
              n.e.s. (9612=100).......................         0.303     109.4   108.6       6.5     4.0     16.7     -9.4     -0.7
      3/ Other crude materials, inedible, except
            fuels (9612=100)..........................         0.336      87.0    86.8      -6.6    -1.1      0.5      2.8     -0.2

3         MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED
             MATERIALS................................         6.681      71.5    82.3       2.2     4.5     -1.5      7.5     15.1
33         Petroleum, petroleum products and
              related materials.......................         5.581      68.2    80.5       5.2     5.1     -0.6     11.3     18.0
34         Gas, natural and manufactured..............         0.970      97.7    98.2     -13.2     2.5     -5.5     -8.9      0.5

5         CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.......         5.655      90.9    90.6      -2.6     0.3     -0.3     -0.2     -0.3
51         Organic chemicals..........................         1.610      90.6    90.6      -0.4     1.2     -0.1     -0.1      0.0
52         Inorganic chemicals........................         0.648      88.4    86.6      -9.3    -0.9     -1.8     -0.1     -2.0
53         Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials.....         0.301      94.3    92.6      -2.2    -1.9     -0.7      0.3     -1.8
54         Medicinal and pharmaceutical products......         0.980      96.7    96.4       0.9     1.4      0.4     -0.7     -0.3
55         Essential oils; polishing and cleansing
              preps...................................         0.330      93.4    92.8      -1.4    -0.6     -0.3     -1.0     -0.6
57         Plastics in primary forms..................         0.395      92.3    92.4      -1.8     0.5      0.4      0.1      0.1
58         Plastics in nonprimary forms...............         0.498      73.1    73.2      -8.7    -0.3     -0.7      0.1      0.1
59         Chemical materials and products, n.e.s.....         0.667      97.9    98.5      -2.8    -0.6     -0.7     -0.2      0.6

6         MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY
             BY MATERIAL..............................        12.837      91.8    91.8      -3.0    -0.1      0.2      0.0      0.0
62         Rubber manufactures, n.e.s.................         0.762      94.5    94.2      -0.5     0.2      0.1     -0.2     -0.3
63         Cork and wood manufactures other than
              furniture...............................         0.608     100.5   101.3       9.8     1.6      2.3      1.6      0.8
64         Paper, paperboard, and articles of
              paper pulp, paper or paper board........         1.666      85.5    84.9      -3.4    -0.6      0.1     -0.2     -0.7
65         Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up
              articles, n.e.s., and related prod......         1.452      95.6    95.5      -2.6    -0.2     -1.0      0.4     -0.1
66         Nonmetallic mineral manufactures,
              n.e.s...................................         2.272     101.4   101.2       0.4     0.1      0.3      0.4     -0.2
67         Iron and steel.............................         1.935      85.1    85.5      -9.4    -0.7     -0.5     -1.3      0.5
68         Nonferrous metals..........................         1.906      85.9    85.7      -6.6    -0.1      1.8      1.8     -0.2
69         Manufactures of metals, n.e.s..............         2.064      95.9    95.9      -1.0     0.5     -0.3     -0.9      0.0

7         MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT...........        48.131      90.9    90.5      -2.2     0.0      0.1     -0.4     -0.4
71         Power generating machinery and
              equipment (9612=100)....................         3.184      98.6    98.4       0.3    -0.1      0.6      0.2     -0.2
72         Machinery specialized for particular
              industries..............................         2.864      98.3    98.1       0.5     0.1      0.3     -0.5     -0.2
73         Metalworking machinery.....................         0.866      96.1    95.9      -1.1    -0.1     -0.2     -1.2     -0.2
74         General industrial machinery,
              equipment, & machine parts, n.e.s.......         3.699      98.4    97.9       1.7     0.2      0.5     -0.7     -0.5
75         Computer equipment and office machines.....         6.237      64.4    63.1     -12.2    -0.1     -1.1     -2.3     -2.0
76         Telecommunications & sound recording
              & reproducing apparatus & equipment.....         4.664      88.4    87.9      -3.1     0.0      0.2     -0.1     -0.6
77         Electrical machinery and equipment.........         9.684      83.8    83.3      -2.6    -0.5      0.5     -0.4     -0.6
78         Road vehicles..............................        15.808     101.9   102.0       0.5     0.4      0.1     -0.1      0.1

8         MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.........        18.399      98.2    98.0      -0.8     0.2      0.0     -0.2     -0.2
81         Prefabricated buildings; plumbing, heat
              & lighting fixtures, n.e.s..............         0.400      93.3    92.7      -3.3     0.4     -1.7      0.2     -0.6
82         Furniture and parts thereof................         1.320     100.2    99.6      -3.1     0.0     -0.2      0.1     -0.6
83         Travel goods, handbags and similar
              containers..............................         0.538     100.7   100.7       1.2     0.1      0.1     -0.5      0.0
84         Articles of apparel and clothing
              accessories.............................         6.223     102.1   101.9      -0.7    -0.1      0.3     -0.2     -0.2
85         Footwear...................................         1.902     101.1   101.2       0.6     0.4      0.1     -0.3      0.1
87         Professional, scientific and controlling
              instruments and apparatus, n.e.s........         1.667      94.6    94.5      -0.1     0.0      0.0     -0.4     -0.1
88         Photographic apparatus, equipment and
              supplies and optical goods, n.e.s.;.....         1.407      91.8    91.4      -0.2     0.9      0.2     -0.3     -0.4
89         Miscellaneous manufactured articles,
              n.e.s...................................         4.941      95.5    95.2      -1.3     0.3     -0.1     -0.2     -0.3




     1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available.
         1995 trade values.
     2  Data for January, February and March 1999
         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,
              April 1998-April 1999     1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                              Index                      Percent Change
                                                             Relative
                                                              Import-                    Annual          Monthly
                                                               ance                      April    Dec.     Jan.     Feb.    March
SITC                         Description                                                  1998    1998     1999     1999     1999
Rev. 3                                                        March    March     April     to      to       to       to       to
                                                               1999    1999      1999    April    Jan.     Feb.    March    April
                                                                1/      2/                1999    1999     1999     1999     1999

         ALL COMMODITIES..............................       100.000      94.3    94.5      -2.1     0.0     -0.2     -0.3      0.2

0         FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS.......................         7.114      87.8    88.2      -2.9     1.0     -1.3     -1.6      0.5
01         Meat and meat preparations.................         1.120      90.0    88.6      -3.9     0.3      3.4     -3.5     -1.6
03         Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates
              and preparations thereof................         0.669     105.6   113.2      37.4     1.8      1.3      7.0      7.2
04         Cereals and cereal preparations............         2.339      75.8    76.7     -11.0     0.5     -1.9     -2.6      1.2
05         Vegetables, fruit and nuts,
              fresh or dried..........................         1.404      94.9    94.7       1.9     3.5     -5.1     -3.1     -0.2
08         Feeding stuff for animals (not
              including unmilled cereals).............         0.662      90.7    88.7      -9.1    -0.9     -0.5     -0.2     -2.2
09         Miscellaneous edible products and
              preparations............................         0.414     106.8   106.8       1.8     0.0      0.0      0.0      0.0
      3/ Other food and live animals (9612=100).......         0.506      91.4    89.7      -7.4     0.4     -3.6     -1.0     -1.9

1         BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO.......................         1.571     101.2   101.1       1.1     0.6      0.1     -0.2     -0.1
12         Tobacco and tobacco manufactures...........         1.296     101.2   101.1       1.2     0.9      0.2     -0.3     -0.1

2         CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS.....         4.991      74.0    74.1     -10.9    -0.9     -0.8     -1.3      0.1
21         Hides, skins and furskins, raw.............         0.277      81.5    78.9     -10.2    -3.5     -1.6      0.1     -3.2
22         Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits............         0.887      78.3    80.4     -23.7    -4.4     -7.1     -7.8      2.7
24         Cork and wood..............................         0.882      81.4    82.0      -2.4     0.0      0.1     -0.1      0.7
25         Pulp and waste paper.......................         0.745      62.0    61.6      -4.0     3.5      2.7      1.1     -0.6
26         Textile fibers and their waste.............         0.721      69.7    69.8      -8.2    -0.3      0.6     -1.6      0.1
27         Crude fertilizers and crude minerals.......         0.333      93.6    93.5      -3.7    -1.8      0.0      0.2     -0.1
28         Metalliferous ores and metal scrap.........         0.751      69.8    68.6     -14.6    -0.3      1.6      1.5     -1.7
      3/ Other crude materials, inedible, except
            fuels (9612=100)..........................         0.395      89.9    90.2     -10.0     0.0     -0.1     -0.3      0.3

3         MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED
             MATERIALS................................         1.873      93.1   101.4      -3.2    -0.4      0.1     -0.3      8.9
32         Coal, coke and briquettes..................         0.758      99.3    98.7      -1.4    -0.1      0.0      0.0     -0.6
33         Petroleum, petroleum products and
              related materials.......................         1.115      90.9   104.8      -3.6    -0.9      0.0     -0.5     15.3

4         ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE OILS, FATS AND
             WAXES....................................         0.404      82.6    83.4     -17.8    -1.7     -7.6     -8.8      1.0

5         CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.......        10.657      90.5    90.5      -3.2    -0.4      0.0     -0.1      0.0
51         Organic chemicals..........................         2.318      73.6    73.2      -6.4    -0.4     -0.3     -0.1     -0.5
52         Inorganic chemicals........................         0.899     102.9   102.8      -1.2    -0.1     -0.1     -0.3     -0.1
53         Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials.....         0.510     101.4   101.4      -0.7     0.7      0.4      0.2      0.0
54         Medicinal and pharmaceutical products......         1.263     100.4   100.6      -1.0    -0.5      0.0      0.3      0.2
55         Essential oils; polishing and cleansing
              preps...................................         0.775     101.5   101.5       0.3    -0.3      0.1      0.1      0.0
56         Fertilizers (9612=100).....................         0.575      94.0    92.0      -1.4    -0.2     -0.5     -1.3     -2.1
57         Plastics in primary forms..................         1.713      84.4    85.6      -5.8    -1.2     -0.2      0.0      1.4
58         Plastics in nonprimary forms...............         0.836      96.4    96.0      -3.8     0.5     -0.5      1.0     -0.4
59         Chemical materials and products, n.e.s.....         1.768     100.4   100.2      -1.6    -0.8      0.4     -0.4     -0.2

6         MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY
             BY MATERIAL..............................         9.887      96.3    96.4      -1.9     0.3      0.1     -0.5      0.1
62         Rubber manufactures, n.e.s.................         0.723     106.8   105.9       3.9     0.5      1.0     -0.7     -0.8
63         Cork and wood manufactures other than
              furniture...............................         0.316      95.8    96.2       5.6    -0.3      2.1      1.6      0.4
64         Paper, paperboard, and articles of
              paper pulp, paper or paperboard.........         1.515      80.9    81.9      -3.2    -1.2      0.6      0.1      1.2
65         Textile yarn, fabrics, and
              made-up articles, n.e.s.................         1.414      99.6    99.7      -3.8    -0.1     -1.3      0.0      0.1
66         Nonmetallic mineral manufactures,
              n.e.s...................................         1.373     106.5   106.5      -0.5    -0.4      0.0     -0.4      0.0
67         Iron and steel.............................         1.066      95.6    94.9      -5.8     0.8     -0.9     -1.3     -0.7
68         Nonferrous metals..........................         1.213      84.0    83.9      -8.3     0.7      1.1     -1.6     -0.1
69         Manufactures of metals, n.e.s..............         2.118     107.9   107.7       2.8     1.6      0.0     -0.2     -0.2

7         MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT...........        51.220      98.1    98.2      -0.9    -0.1      0.0      0.0      0.1
71         Power generating machinery and
              equipment...............................         4.551     109.5   109.6       2.4     0.6      0.2      0.2      0.1
72         Machinery specialized for particular
              industries..............................         4.898     105.8   105.8       1.0     0.5     -0.1      0.2      0.0
73         Metalworking machinery.....................         1.033     109.0   109.5       1.6     0.2      0.0     -0.1      0.5
74         General industrial machinery,
              equipment, & parts, n.e.s...............         5.282     107.2   107.3       1.3     0.5      0.4     -0.2      0.1
75         Computer equipment and office machines.....         5.958      73.0    72.6      -8.2    -1.1     -0.4     -0.4     -0.5
76         Telecommunications & sound recording
              & reproducing apparatus & equipment.....         3.862      97.6    97.6      -0.7     0.0     -0.2      0.2      0.0
77         Electrical machinery and equipment.........        11.501      90.1    90.6      -2.3    -0.8      0.0      0.2      0.6
78         Road vehicles..............................         9.427     102.2   102.2       0.3     0.0      0.2     -0.1      0.0

8         MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.........        11.554     101.0   100.8      -0.5     0.3      0.1      0.0     -0.2
82         Furniture and parts thereof................         0.659     104.2   104.5       0.0    -0.3      0.0      0.3      0.3
84         Articles of apparel and clothing
              accessories.............................         1.292     101.1    98.8      -4.8    -0.2      0.5     -0.1     -2.3
87         Professional, scientific and controlling
              instruments and apparatus, n.e.s........         3.898     105.2   105.3       1.6     0.7      0.0      0.4      0.1
88         Photographic apparatus, equipment and
              supplies and optical goods, n.e.s.......         0.943      95.1    94.6      -0.7     0.5      0.5     -0.3     -0.5
89         Miscellaneous manufactured articles,
              n.e.s...................................         4.282      98.0    98.0      -1.0     0.1      0.0     -0.2      0.0
      3/ Other miscellaneous manufactured
            articles (9612=100).......................         0.479     102.4   102.5       0.1     0.5      0.0     -0.2      0.1




     1  Relative importance figures are based on                                   n.a.      Not available.
         1995 trade values.
     2  Data for January, February and March 1999
         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,
              April 1998-April 1999     1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                              Index                      Percent Change
                                                             Relative
                                                              Import-                    Annual          Monthly
Harmo-                                                         ance                      April    Dec.     Jan.     Feb.    March
nized                        Description                                                  1998    1998     1999     1999     1999
System                                                        March    March     April     to      to       to       to       to
                                                               1999    1999      1999    April    Jan.     Feb.    March    April
                                                                1/      2/                1999    1999     1999     1999     1999


I         LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS...............         1.652     100.3   101.8      -2.4     0.8      0.6      1.4      1.5
02       Meat and edible meat offal...................         0.287      95.8    96.4      -2.9     0.0      0.1      3.3      0.6
03       Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and...........
            other aquatic invertebrates...............         0.973     105.3   107.7       0.7     1.3      1.3      0.8      2.3
      3/ Other live animals and animal................
            products (9612=100).......................         0.392      94.7    94.9      -8.9     0.4     -0.4      1.5      0.2

II        VEGETABLE PRODUCTS..........................         1.584      86.0    86.0      -4.1     1.7     -5.5     -0.9      0.0
07       Edible vegetables and certain roots and......
            tubers....................................         0.296     102.3   106.7       0.3    -1.8    -26.6     -3.1      4.3
08       Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus........
            fruit or melons...........................         0.498     103.6   101.7       2.2     3.8      0.5      2.0     -1.8
09       Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................         0.364      70.1    69.7     -20.7     2.8     -4.6     -1.1     -0.6
      3/ Other vegetable products.....................         0.426      91.9    91.5       3.7     1.8      7.9     -2.2     -0.4

IV        PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND.........
            TOBACCO...................................         2.192     100.5   100.2      -0.8     0.5     -0.2     -0.1     -0.3
20       Preparations of vegetables, fruit,...........
            nuts, or other parts of plants............         0.303      94.3    95.0       8.0     2.9     -1.3      0.7      0.7
22       Beverages, spirits, and vinegar..............         0.805     104.9   105.2       1.5     0.2     -0.1     -0.1      0.3
      3/ Other prepared foodstuffs (9612=100).........         1.084      96.7    95.8      -4.7    -0.1      0.0     -0.3     -0.9

V         MINERAL PRODUCTS............................         7.334      73.4    83.4       1.7     3.6     -1.2      6.8     13.6
26       Ores, slag and ash...........................         0.311     101.1   100.6      -2.0    -0.6      0.1      0.0     -0.5
27       Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,...........
            bituminous substances and mineral wax.....         6.787      71.8    82.4       2.0     4.0     -1.2      7.3     14.8

VI        PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED..........
            INDUSTRIES................................         5.306      93.7    93.3      -2.9    -0.1     -0.3     -0.3     -0.4
28       Inorganic chemicals..........................         0.812      91.5    89.7      -9.8    -1.3     -2.0     -0.2     -2.0
29       Organic chemicals............................         2.016      90.0    90.4      -2.1     0.3      0.0     -0.4      0.4
30       Pharmaceutical products......................         0.608     104.5   104.2       3.0     1.2      0.3     -0.6     -0.3
32       Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye &.............
            pigments; varnish & paints; putty.........         0.298      92.4    90.8      -2.3    -1.7     -0.8      0.1     -1.7
37       Photographic or cinematographic goods........         0.370      95.7    96.0      -0.2     0.0      0.3      0.3      0.3
38       Miscellaneous chemical products..............
            (9612=100)................................         0.410      90.6    89.4      -6.3    -0.5     -1.3     -0.4     -1.3
      3/ Other products of the chemical or............
            allied industries (9612=100)..............         0.792      94.6    94.5      -1.9    -0.5      0.5     -0.5     -0.1

VII       PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER.......
            AND ARTICLES THEREOF......................         2.787      85.6    85.2      -3.7     0.1      0.0      0.0     -0.5
39       Plastics and articles thereof................         1.754      89.2    89.1      -3.2     0.3     -0.2      0.2     -0.1
40       Rubber and articles thereof..................         1.033      80.2    79.3      -4.8     0.0      0.4     -0.5     -1.1

VIII      RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,........
            TRAVEL GOODS, ETC.........................         1.065     102.1   101.9       0.7    -0.1      0.1     -0.5     -0.2
42       Articles of leather; travel goods, bags,.....
            etc. of various materials.................         0.897     100.5   100.3       0.4     0.0      0.1     -0.3     -0.2

IX        WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW, BASKET....
            AND WICKER................................         1.753     106.2   106.7       4.0     1.6      3.8      0.0      0.5

X         WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER.....
            AND ARTICLES THEREOF......................         2.404      81.0    80.5      -3.8    -0.4      0.2     -0.2     -0.6
47       Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic........
            material; waste paper/paperboard..........         0.343      57.9    57.7      -9.8    -1.0      1.2     -0.5     -0.3
48       Paper and paperboard; articles of paper......
            pulp, paper or paperboard.................         1.688      86.5    85.9      -3.3    -0.5      0.2     -0.3     -0.7
49       Printed matter...............................         0.374      98.8    98.5      -1.0     0.4     -0.2     -0.4     -0.3

XI        TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES................         7.273      99.8    99.8      -1.3     0.0     -0.2     -0.1      0.0
61       Articles of apparel and clothing.............
            accessories, knitted or crocheted.........         2.138      99.3    99.6      -2.3     0.1     -0.2     -0.5      0.3
62       Articles of apparel and clothing.............
            accessories, not knitted or crocheted.....         3.576     104.0   103.8       0.5     0.0      0.3     -0.1     -0.2
63       Made-up or worn textile articles and.........
            clothing; needlecraft sets; rags..........         0.352      93.4    92.9      -1.5     0.6      0.1     -0.2     -0.5
      3/ Other textile & textile......................
            articles (9612=100).......................         1.207      93.9    93.7      -4.6    -0.4     -1.5      0.4     -0.2

XII       FOOTWEAR, HEADGEAR, UMBRELLAS, WHIPS,.......
            ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS, ETC...................         2.227     101.4   101.4       0.6     0.4      0.1     -0.2      0.0
64       Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts........
            of such articles..........................         1.913     100.8   100.9       0.6     0.4      0.1     -0.2      0.1
      3/ Other footwear, headgear, umbrellas,.........
            whips, art. flowers, etc. (9612=100)......         0.314     103.1   102.9       1.0     0.1     -0.1     -0.1     -0.2

XIII      STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,CERAMIC....
            GLASS ETC.................................         1.221     101.9   101.7       0.8     0.2      0.3      0.4     -0.2
69       Ceramic products.............................         0.461      98.6    98.5       0.6     0.4      0.8     -0.1     -0.1
70       Glass and glassware..........................         0.472     101.7   101.6       0.8     0.1     -0.1      1.4     -0.1

XIV       PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,............
            IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS..............         2.428     101.6   101.1       0.9     0.8      1.1      1.3     -0.5

XV        BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METAL......         5.564      83.9    84.1      -7.7    -0.8      0.0     -0.6      0.2
72       Iron and steel...............................         1.660      84.1    84.6      -9.6    -0.5     -0.8     -1.1      0.6
73       Articles of iron or steel....................         1.316      92.5    92.5      -2.7    -0.2     -0.1     -0.4      0.0
74       Copper and articles thereof..................         0.386      66.7    66.1      -7.7    -2.4     -1.2     -1.0     -0.9
76       Aluminum and articles thereof................         0.889      79.3    78.8     -10.8    -0.9     -0.6     -0.8     -0.6
83       Miscellaneous articles of base metal.........         0.435     100.0   100.4       0.0    -0.7      0.3      0.0      0.4
      3/ Miscellaneous nonferrous metals and..........
            articles, including scrap (9612=100)......         0.410      76.4    78.3     -20.4    -4.3      7.8      2.0      2.5

XVI       MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV.........
            IMAGE & SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC.......        30.210      83.5    82.8      -3.9    -0.1      0.1     -0.7     -0.8
84       Specialized machinery & computer.............
            equipment.................................        15.569      82.9    82.1      -4.9     0.0     -0.2     -1.1     -1.0
85       Electrical machinery and equip, sound........
            and TV recorders & reproducers, parts.....        14.641      84.0    83.5      -3.0    -0.2      0.5     -0.4     -0.6

XVII      VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND.............
            ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT............        17.127     102.0   102.1       0.6     0.4      0.1     -0.1      0.1
87       Motor vehicles and their parts...............        16.176     101.7   101.8       0.6     0.4      0.1     -0.1      0.1

XVIII     OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &........
            MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES.........         3.715      91.8    91.8      -0.5     0.2      0.0     -0.3      0.0
90       Optical, photographic, measuring and.........
            medical instruments.......................         3.162      91.4    91.5      -0.7     0.2      0.0     -0.3      0.1
91       Clocks and watches and parts thereof.........         0.405      94.9    93.9       1.0     0.8     -0.3      0.2     -1.1

XX        MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.........         3.892      97.6    97.3      -1.5     0.2     -0.3     -0.2     -0.3
94       Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps........
            and lighting fittings nes;................         1.685      98.5    98.0      -2.0     0.3     -0.3      0.0     -0.5
95       Toys, games and sports equipment; parts......
            and accessories thereof...................         1.900      97.3    97.2      -1.5     0.1     -0.2     -0.5     -0.1
96       Miscellaneous manufactured articles..........         0.307      94.4    93.5       0.3     0.9     -1.1     -0.4     -1.0



     1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available
         1995 trade values.
     2  Data for January, February and March 1999
         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,
              April 1998-April 1999     1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                              Index                      Percent Change
                                                             Relative
                                                              Import-                    Annual          Monthly
Harmo-                                                         ance                      April    Dec.     Jan.     Feb.    March
nized                        Description                                                  1998    1998     1999     1999     1999
System                                                        March    March     April     to      to       to       to       to
                                                               1999    1999      1999    April    Jan.     Feb.    March    April
                                                                1/      2/                1999    1999     1999     1999     1999


I         LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS...............         1.931      92.5    92.4       2.9     1.1      1.9     -1.1     -0.1
02       Meat & edible meat offal.....................         1.009      85.1    84.0      -5.8    -0.6      3.4     -4.0     -1.3
03       Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and...........
            other aquatic invertebrates...............         0.586     101.4   106.6      33.4     5.1      1.9      4.9      5.1
      3/ Other live animals and animal................
            products (9612=100).......................         0.336      88.3    83.0     -10.6     0.4     -2.8     -1.8     -6.0

II        VEGETABLE PRODUCTS..........................         4.516      80.8    82.1     -10.8     0.1     -3.6     -3.2      1.6
07       Edible vegetables and certain roots and......
            tubers....................................         0.306      92.6    93.4      -1.4     7.8    -15.8     -0.1      0.9
08       Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus........
            fruit or melons...........................         0.758      99.0   101.7       9.2     1.9      0.1     -2.0      2.7
10       Cereals......................................         2.119      73.8    74.7     -11.7     0.8     -1.8     -2.9      1.2
12       Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds,............
            fruits, plants, straw and fodder..........         1.094      83.8    85.6     -21.1    -3.4     -5.7     -6.4      2.1

III       ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE FATS AND OILS...........         0.437      83.0    82.8     -19.9    -2.2     -7.2     -9.4     -0.2

IV        PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND.........
            TOBACCO...................................         3.484      97.5    97.1      -1.5    -0.3     -0.5     -0.6     -0.4
20       Preparations of vegetables, fruit,...........
            nuts, or other parts of plants............         0.346      93.0    94.4      -0.8    -2.6     -2.1     -4.3      1.5
21       Miscellaneous edible preparations............         0.383     107.0   107.0       1.0     0.0      0.0      0.0      0.0
22       Beverages, spirits, and vinegar..............         0.343      99.1    98.4       0.2    -1.1     -0.3      0.2     -0.7
23       Residues and waste from the food.............
            industries; prepared animal feed..........         0.588      86.8    85.0      -9.0    -1.4     -1.7     -0.5     -2.1
24       Tobacco and manufactured tobacco.............
            substitutes...............................         1.306     101.2   101.0       1.0     0.7      0.2     -0.2     -0.2
      3/ Other prepared foods.........................         0.518      99.9    99.3      -2.5    -0.1     -0.1     -0.1     -0.6

V         MINERAL PRODUCTS............................         2.441      92.0    97.8      -4.4    -0.8      0.9      0.0      6.3
26       Ores, slag and ash (9812=100)................         0.260     107.8   105.9     n.a.     -2.4      8.0      2.3     -1.8
27       Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,...........
            bituminous substances and mineral wax.....         1.918      93.6   101.5      -3.9    -0.5      0.0     -0.3      8.4

VI        PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED..........
            INDUSTRIES................................         8.740      91.9    91.5      -2.5    -0.3      0.0     -0.2     -0.4
28       Inorganic chemicals..........................         0.962     101.1   101.1      -1.8     0.1     -0.5     -0.6      0.0
29       Organic chemicals............................         2.609      76.6    76.3      -6.2    -0.8     -0.3      0.0     -0.4
30       Pharmaceutical products......................         0.946     103.5   103.8      -0.1     0.2      0.1      0.3      0.3
31       Fertilizers (9612=100).......................         0.640      94.0    92.0      -1.4    -0.2     -0.5     -1.3     -2.1
32       Tanning or dyeing extracts; dyes and.........
            pigments; paints & varnish; putty;ink.....         0.524     101.7   101.7       0.0     0.6      0.3      0.3      0.0
33       Essential oils and resinoids;................
            perfumery, cosmetic or toilet.............         0.555     103.6   103.6       0.7    -0.4      0.0      0.3      0.0
34       Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or........
            scouring products; candles, pastes........         0.330     104.1   104.0       1.5     0.1      0.5     -0.2     -0.1
37       Photographic or cinematographic goods........         0.410      87.6    86.6       0.0     1.3      1.2     -1.7     -1.1
38       Miscellaneous chemical products..............         1.535      99.3    98.9      -1.7    -1.1      0.3     -0.2     -0.4

VII       PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER.......
            AND ARTICLES THEREOF......................         4.214      90.4    90.5      -4.7    -0.3      0.0      0.0      0.1
39       Plastics and articles thereof................         3.267      87.9    88.3      -6.4    -0.5     -0.2      0.2      0.5
40       Rubber and articles thereof..................         0.947     100.2    99.3       1.8     0.4      0.8     -0.8     -0.9

VIII      RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,........
            TRAVEL GOODS, ETC.........................         0.505      83.1    81.9      -7.6    -1.6     -1.4     -0.5     -1.4
41       Raw hides and skins (other than..............
            furskins) and leather.....................         0.349      77.2    75.4     -11.6    -2.7     -2.2      0.1     -2.3

IX        WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW,...........
            BASKET AND WICKER.........................         1.225      85.2    85.8      -0.3     0.0      0.7      0.2      0.7

X         WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER.....
            AND ARTICLES THEREOF......................         3.006      76.0    76.7      -2.0     0.1      0.8     -0.1      0.9
47       Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic........
            material; waste paper/paperboard..........         0.680      58.7    58.8      -3.9     2.7      2.5      0.3      0.2
48       Paper and paperboard; articles of paper......
            pulp, paper or paperboard.................         1.480      81.1    82.5      -3.3    -1.3      0.6     -0.1      1.7
49       Printed material.............................         0.846     109.2   109.2       2.1     0.7      0.0     -0.5      0.0

XI        TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES................         3.169      87.7    87.1      -5.3    -0.3     -0.2     -0.5     -0.7
52       Cotton, including yarns and woven............
            fabrics thereof...........................         0.640      71.5    71.9      -5.0     0.0      0.7     -1.8      0.6
55       Manmade staple fibers, includ. yarns.........
            and woven fabrics (9812=100)..............         0.268      98.4    98.0     n.a.     -0.1     -1.5      0.0     -0.4
61       Apparel and clothing access.,................
            knitted or crocheted (9812=100)...........         0.485     100.9    95.8     n.a.      0.1      1.0     -0.2     -5.1
62       Apparel and clothing access.,................
            not knitted or crocheted (9812=100).......         0.668      98.9    98.9     n.a.     -1.1      0.0      0.0      0.0

XIII      STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,...........
            CERAMIC, GLASS ETC........................         0.884     103.3   103.1      -0.5     0.0     -0.1     -0.1     -0.2
70       Glass and glassware..........................         0.511     102.1   102.2       0.3    -0.3      0.0     -0.4      0.1

XIV       PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,............
            IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS..............         1.939      96.1    95.2      -2.2     0.9      1.4      0.9     -0.9

XV        BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METALS.....         4.451      89.0    88.7      -5.2     0.3     -0.2     -0.7     -0.3
72       Iron and steel...............................         0.836      77.3    76.9     -12.3     0.1     -1.5     -0.3     -0.5
73       Articles of iron or steel....................         1.327     109.4   109.0       0.4    -0.1      0.1     -0.2     -0.4
74       Copper and articles thereof..................         0.337      62.0    61.5     -13.0    -4.1     -0.5     -0.2     -0.8
76       Aluminum and articles thereof................         0.806      78.1    78.3     -10.1    -0.4      0.3     -2.3      0.3
82       Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and.......
            forks, of base metal; parts thereof.......         0.444     107.0   106.6       2.4     4.4     -0.1     -0.1     -0.4
83       Miscellaneous articles of base metal.........         0.400     103.2   101.8       1.3     0.8      0.5      1.1     -1.4


XVI       MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV.........
            IMAGE AND SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC.....        36.977      93.1    93.2      -1.9    -0.2      0.0      0.0      0.1
84       Specialized machinery & computer.............
            equipment.................................        20.701      94.6    94.5      -1.6     0.1     -0.1     -0.1     -0.1
85       Electrical machinery and equip, sound........
            & tv recorders & reproducers, parts.......        16.276      91.3    91.6      -2.1    -0.7      0.1      0.2      0.3

XVII      VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND.............
            ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT............        14.368     105.8   105.8       0.7     0.1      0.1      0.0      0.0
87       Motor vehicles and their parts...............         9.897     102.3   102.3       0.3     0.0      0.2     -0.1      0.0

XVIII     OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &........
            MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES.........         5.638     103.0   103.2       0.7     0.6     -0.1      0.2      0.2


XX        MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.........         1.847     102.4   102.6      -0.1     0.0      0.0      0.2      0.2
94       Furniture; stuffed furnishings;..............
            lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;........         0.910     104.2   104.6      -0.1    -0.2      0.0      0.2      0.4
95       Toys, games and sports equipment; parts......
            and accessories thereof...................         0.759     100.6   100.8       0.1     0.0      0.2     -0.1      0.2



     1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available
         1995 trade values.
     2  Data for January, February and March 1999
         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,  April 1998-April 1999
                1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                        Index                            Percent Change
                                                             Percentage
                                                                of                       Annual          Monthly
                                                             US Imports                  April    Dec.     Jan.     Feb.    March
                            Description 1/                                                1998    1998     1999     1999     1999
                                                               1995    March     April     to      to       to       to       to
                                                                       1999      1999    April    Jan.     Feb.    March    April
                                                                        2/                1999    1999     1999     1999     1999

      3/ Developed Countries..........................          55.6      95.0    95.2      -0.2     0.4      0.1     -0.2      0.2
           Manufactured Goods.........................          52.2      95.8    95.6      -0.4     0.4      0.2     -0.3     -0.2
           Nonmanufactured Goods......................           3.1      86.9    94.1       5.5     0.8     -0.1      1.8      8.3

      3/ Developing Countries.........................          42.7      89.6    90.8      -3.7     0.2     -0.2      0.7      1.3
           Manufactured Goods.........................          35.4      91.2    90.9      -4.5    -0.4     -0.1     -0.4     -0.3
           Nonmanufactured Goods......................           7.1      77.0    85.4       0.9     4.5     -0.6      7.4     10.9

         Canada.......................................          18.9      95.0    95.5      -1.0    -0.1      0.0      0.2      0.5
           Manufactured Goods.........................          16.5      96.3    96.0      -1.6    -0.2      0.1      0.2     -0.3
           Nonmanufactured Goods......................           2.2      90.0    96.5       5.2     0.6     -1.0      1.2      7.2

      4/ European Union...............................          17.0     100.0   100.0       0.6     0.1      0.0     -0.6      0.0
           Manufactured Goods.........................          16.4     101.0   100.7       0.9     0.2     -0.2     -0.5     -0.3
           Nonmanufactured Goods......................           0.5      74.1    82.5      -7.0    -1.5      3.6     -1.9     11.3

      5/ Latin America  (9712=100)....................          14.1      91.5    93.6      -1.0     0.3     -0.3      1.3      2.3
           Manufactured Goods  (9712=100).............          10.4      94.6    95.1      -1.8    -1.1      0.0     -0.5      0.5
           Nonmanufactured Goods (9712=100)...........           3.5      82.6    89.5       1.8     5.7     -1.4      8.1      8.4

         Japan........................................          16.6      88.5    88.3      -1.2     0.2      0.5     -0.4     -0.2

      6/ Asian Newly Industrialized Countries.........          10.9      83.4    83.0      -6.7    -0.5     -0.1     -0.5     -0.5



         1    Regions are not mutually exclusive.

         2    Data for  January, February and March 1999
              have been revised to reflect the availability
              of late reports and corrections by respondents.

         3    Defined according to the Standard Census Definition.

         4    Includes EU  15 countries.

         5    Includes Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.

         6    Includes Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan.


         Table  8     U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services.
              March 1998-March 1999  1995 = 100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                        Index                            Percent Change

                                                                                         Annual          Quarterly
                                                              Trade                      March   March     June    Sept.     Dec.
                             Description                      (Mil.                       1998    1998     1998     1998     1998
                                                                of     Dec.      March     to      to       to       to       to
                                                             Dollars)  1998      1999    March    June    Sept.     Dec.    March
                                                                                          1999    1998     1998     1998     1999


         IMPORT

          Air Freight                                            3188     86.7   87.8        9.1     1.2     -1.5      8.0      1.3
           Atlantic                                              1278     91.7   89.1        3.8     2.3     -0.5      4.9     -2.8
           Pacific                                               1674     83.8   87.9       15.2     0.5     -2.3     11.9      4.9

          Air Passenger Fares                                   11127    105.1   103.8       0.5     9.0      0.2     -6.8     -1.2
      1/   Atlantic                                              4922     98.1   97.1       -1.8    18.6      1.6    -17.7     -1.0
      1/   Pacific                                               2340    104.7   97.4       -0.9     7.7     -6.5      5.8     -7.0
      1/   Latin American / Caribbean                            3021    109.0   112.5       5.2    -0.6      2.8     -0.3      3.2

      1/  Crude Oil Tanker Freight                               1346     82.3    n.a.     n.a.    -14.6     -3.9      5.0    n.a.

          Ocean Liner Freight                                    9868    100.6   100.6       7.7     7.9      0.4     -0.6      0.0
           U.S. East Coast                                       4271     99.0   99.0        2.6     2.8      1.1     -1.3      0.0
            from Atlantic                                        1952     97.4   97.5        0.3    -0.5      0.7      0.0      0.1
            from Pacific                                         1774    103.3   103.3       9.0     6.8      1.9      0.2      0.0
      1/   U.S. West Coast                                       5596    101.2   101.1      11.7    12.2     -0.2     -0.1     -0.1

         EXPORT

          Air Freight (9612 = 100)                               2562     96.7   90.5       -4.6    -0.4      1.2      1.2     -6.4

          Air Passenger Fares                                   17272     98.0   100.6       6.7     0.8      0.3      2.7      2.7
      1/   Atlantic                                              4120    109.0   106.5       4.7     8.8      4.1     -5.4     -2.3
      1/   Pacific                                              10700     82.0   85.1        6.9    -2.4     -1.7      7.3      3.8
           Latin American / Caribbean                            1392    113.1   111.6       4.0     1.6      3.9     -0.1     -1.3
           Canadian                                              1006    166.0   188.6      13.5    -3.6     -3.3      7.2     13.6



         1     Detailed data available upon request.                                            n.a.    Not available.


         Table  9    U.S. International Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services.
              March 1998-March 1999    1995 = 100
                                                                        Index                            Percent Change

                                                                                         Annual          Quarterly
                                                              Trade                      March   March     June    Sept.     Dec.
                             Description                      (Mil.                       1998    1998     1998     1998     1998
                                                                of     Dec.      March     to      to       to       to       to
                                                             Dollars)  1998      1999    March    June    Sept.     Dec.    March
                                                                                          1999    1998     1998     1998     1999


          Air Freight (Inbound)                                  5495     87.4   88.0        6.2     0.6     -1.9      6.8      0.7
           Atlantic                                              1880     91.6   89.1        4.3     3.5     -0.5      4.1     -2.7
           Pacific                                               3151     85.5   88.0        8.2    -1.2     -3.0      9.8      2.9

          Air Freight (Outbound)                                 5835     95.2   92.7       -4.6    -1.2     -0.2     -0.6     -2.6
           Atlantic                                              2080    104.1   104.1       3.1     1.2      1.1      0.8      0.0
           Pacific                                               3222     89.7   85.3      -10.7    -3.2     -1.1     -1.9     -4.9

          Air Passenger Fares (U.S. Carrier)                    30673    103.1   104.5       5.2     8.6     -0.5     -3.9      1.4
     1/    Atlantic                                              8811     98.0   96.9        2.9    24.0      3.1    -18.6     -1.1
     1/    Pacific                                              15900     93.4   94.6        5.2     4.1     -4.4      4.4      1.3
     1/    Latin American / Caribbean                            4542    116.7   118.4       6.9     0.7      5.0     -0.4      1.5
           Canadian                                              1367    171.9   190.5       9.7    -3.3     -3.2      5.7     10.8

          Air Passenger Fares (Foreign Carrier)                 31694    101.1   98.9        1.3     4.9      1.6     -2.8     -2.2
     1/    Atlantic                                             13572    102.9   98.3       -0.5    13.3      5.4    -12.7     -4.5
     1/    Pacific                                              12570     87.9   86.6        2.2    -2.2     -3.7     10.3     -1.5
     1/    Latin American / Caribbean                            4224    107.9   109.8       4.3    -0.2      2.5      0.2      1.8

     1/   Crude Oil Tanker Freight (Inbound)                     1949     82.7    n.a.     n.a.    -15.6     -5.1     -0.2    n.a.

          Ocean Liner Freight (Inbound)                         12253    104.2   104.1      11.9    11.0      1.7     -0.8     -0.1
           U.S. East Coast                                       5410     96.7   96.7        1.4     2.2      0.9     -1.7      0.0
            from Atlantic                                        2647     95.4   95.5        0.3    -0.4      0.6      0.0      0.1
            from Pacific                                         1874    100.7   100.7       8.2     6.1      1.8      0.1      0.0
     1/    U.S. West Coast                                       6844    109.6   109.5      20.9    18.4      2.2     -0.1     -0.1



         1     Detailed data available upon request.                                            n.a.    Not available.

                                                                     
                           TECHNICAL NOTE
   
Import and Export Merchandise and Services Price Indexes -- All indexes use 
a modified Laspeyres formula and are weighted with 1995 trade weights.  The 
merchandise price indexes are published using three classifications:  the 
Harmonized System (HS), the Bureau of Economic Analysis End Use System,
and the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) system, Rev. 3.  
Price indexes for internationally traded services are presented using two 
definitions: Balance of Payments (which represents transactions between U.S. 
and foreign residents) and International (which represents all transactions
with U.S. importers or exporters, regardless of nationality).  Published
series use a base year of 1995=100 where possible.  Net transaction price
data are collected every month for over 20,000 products from over 6,000
companies and secondary sources.  Indexes are not seasonally adjusted.  More
detailed index series and additional information may be obtained from the
Division of International Prices, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2 Massachusetts
Avenue N.E., PSB 3955, Washington, DC 20212 or (202) 606-7155.

Import Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the 1995 Harmonized 
Tariff Schedule of the United States Annotated (TSUSA).  Import prices are 
based on U.S. dollar prices paid by the U.S. importer.  The prices are
generally either "free on board" (f.o.b.) foreign port or "cost, insurance,
and freight" (c.i.f.) U.S. port transaction prices, depending on the
practices of the individual industry.  The index for crude petroleum is
calculated from data collected by the U.S. Department of Energy.  

Export Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the 1995 Harmonized 
Schedule B classification system of the U.S. Bureau of the Census.  The
prices used are generally either "free alongside ship" (f.a.s.) factory
or "free on board" (f.o.b.) transaction prices, depending on the practices of
the individual industry.  Prices used in the grain index, excluding rice,
are obtained from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Import Indexes by Locality of Origin -- Prices used in these indexes are a
subset of the data collected for the Import Price Indexes.  Prior to
January 1993, nonmanufactured goods were defined as SITC 0-4 and manufactured
goods were defined as SITC 5-8.  Beginning with January 1993, the indexes are
defined by locality of origin using a nomenclature based upon the Standard
Industrial Classification (SIC-based).  Nonmanufactured goods are defined as
SIC 0-1, and manufactured goods are defined as SIC 2-3.  The indexes use 1995
weights and a base of 1995=100.

Import, Export, and International Services Indexes -- Indexes are calculated
on a quarterly basis.  The figures for services indexes will not sum up to
the aggregate dollar value because not all categories are shown in the tables.
Revenue figures for air passenger indexes exclude frequent flyer tickets and
those sold by consolidators.  Indexes for crude oil tanker freight are
calculated from data collected by the U. S. Department of Energy and the 
publication of these indexes is lagged one quarter.  

Revision policy -- Data are revised for the previous three months to reflect
the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents.

Uses of the Data -- The primary use of the indexes is to deflate trade
statistics.  For merchandise trade, the End Use classification system is the
structure used by the U.S. Department of Commerce in the construction of the
foreign trade sector of the National Income and Product Accounts.  Indexes
published using the Harmonized System and the Standard International Trade
Classification, Rev. 3, both international structures, are useful for general
market analysis.  For trade in international services, Balance of Payments
indexes are used for deflating National Accounts data, while International
indexes are more appropriate for market analysis. Merchandise and services
indexes also can be used to study U.S. competitiveness and price elasticities,
and the merchandise import indexes by country or region of origin are useful
for terms of trade analysis.



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