Technical Information:                          USDL-06-1586 
   (202) 691-7101                               Transmission of This
Media contact:                                  Material Is Embargoed
   (202) 691-5902                               Until 8:30 A.M. E.D.T.
Internet Address: http://www.bls.gov/mxp        Thursday, September 14, 2006


                     U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES
                                - AUGUST 2006 -


     The U.S. Import Price Index rose 0.8 percent in August, the Bureau of 
Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today.  The August 
increase was led by a 2.3 percent advance in petroleum prices, although a 0.5 
percent rise in nonpetroleum prices was also a contributing factor.  Export 
prices increased 0.4 percent for the second consecutive month in August.   
        
             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


2005
August              1.4       7.4       0.1      -0.2      -0.6       -0.1
September           2.1       6.9       0.9       0.8      -1.4        1.0
October             0.1      -3.1       1.0       0.7       0.3        0.8
November           -1.9      -9.4      -0.1      -0.6      -0.2       -0.7
December            0.0      -0.3       0.0       0.1      -0.5        0.2

2006
January             1.2       5.8       0.3       0.7       0.6        0.7
February           -0.8      -1.0      -0.7       0.1      -0.7        0.2
March              -0.1       0.6      -0.3       0.2      -0.1        0.2
April               2.1      11.3       0.1       0.7      -0.4        0.7
May                 1.8       6.4       0.7       0.7 r     0.6        0.7
June                0.1 r    -1.1 r     0.4       0.7       2.5        0.6 r
July                1.0 r     5.1 r     0.0 r     0.4       1.9        0.3 r
August              0.8       2.3       0.5       0.4       1.0        0.4

August 2004-05      8.2      45.4       1.9       3.1       6.7        2.8
August 2005-06      6.6      24.3       2.7       5.2       3.5        5.3

r = revised to reflect late reports and corrections by respondents.


Import Goods
        
     Import prices increased 0.8 percent in August, compared to a 1.0 
percent rise in July.  Petroleum prices rose 2.3 percent in August, and were up 
25.9 percent over the past five months.  Nonpetroleum prices also increased in 
August, rising 0.5 percent.  For the year ended in August, prices for 
nonpetroleum imports rose 2.7 percent while overall import prices advanced 
6.6 percent.                
        
     The August increase in nonpetroleum prices was led by a 1.8 percent 
rise in the price index for nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials, 
which resumed an upward trend following a 0.9 percent downturn in July.  The 
index increased 11.4 percent over the past 12 months.  The August increase in 
nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials prices was driven by higher 
natural gas and unfinished metals prices which more than offset declining 
prices for chemicals and building materials.  A 2.5 percent advance in foods, 
feeds, and beverages prices in August also contributed to the rise in 
nonpetroleum prices.  The increase was the largest one-month jump in the 
index since March 2005, and prices for foods, feeds, and beverages rose 6.0 
percent over the past year.                
                  
     Price indexes for each of the major finished goods areas recorded little 
movement in August.  Capital goods prices rose a modest 0.1 percent while the 
price indexes for consumer goods and automotive vehicles were both 
unchanged.  For the August 2005-2006 period, consumer goods prices and 
prices for automotive vehicles increased, up 0.7 percent and 0.6 percent, 
respectively, while capital goods prices decreased 0.3 percent.      


Export Goods 

     Export prices rose 0.4 percent in August as higher prices for both 
agricultural exports and nonagricultural exports contributed to the increase.  
Prices for agricultural exports advanced for the fourth consecutive month, 
rising 1.0 percent in August.  Higher prices for cotton, corn, and other 
agricultural foods more than offset lower wheat and soybean prices.  Led by 
the increases in the past four months, agricultural prices rose 3.5 percent for 
the year ended in August.  Nonagricultural prices continued a steady upward 
trend, rising 0.4 percent in August and 5.3 percent over the past 12 months.  
Overall export prices advanced a similar 5.2 percent for the year ended in 
August.                 
        
     The August increase in nonagricultural prices was mostly driven by a 
1.5 percent advance in the price index for nonagricultural industrial supplies 
and materials, which was attributable to higher prices for metals, fuels, and 
chemicals.  Nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials prices rose 15.4 
percent for the year ended in August.  A 0.2 percent increase in consumer 
goods prices also contributed to the August rise in nonagricultural prices.  
Prices for consumer goods advanced 2.4 percent over the past year.       
                  
     In contrast, capital goods prices fell 0.3 percent in August as prices for 
computers, peripherals, and semi-conductors declined 1.8 percent.  Excluding 
computers, capital goods prices rose 0.2 percent.  Despite the August decline, 
overall capital goods prices increased 0.5 percent over the past 12 months.

     The price index for automotive vehicles was unchanged in August and up 1.4 
percent for the August 2005-2006 period.


Imports by Locality of Origin 
   
     Import prices from Canada and from Mexico both rose 1.7 percent in 
August.  In each case, the increase was led by higher fuel prices.  The price 
index for imports from Canada rose 8.3 percent for the year ended in August, 
while prices for imports from Mexico increased 9.5 percent over the same 
period.  
        
     Prices for imports from Japan and from China also advanced in August, 
each rising 0.1 percent for the month.  The upturn in import prices from Japan 
partially offset a 0.2 percent decrease in July, although the index was down 1.3 
percent over the past 12 months.  Import prices from China recorded a second 
consecutive 0.1 percent increase after trending downward over most of the past 
year.  The index declined 1.0 percent over the August 2005-2006 period.      
        
     The price index for imports from the European Union was unchanged 
in August after rising in each of the previous three months.  Prices for imports 
from the European Union increased 5.9 percent over the past year.         
   

Import and Export Services

     Import air passenger fares declined 0.8 percent in August, the first monthly 
decrease for the index since February.  Despite the August decrease, import air 
passenger fares rose 5.6 percent over the past year.  In contrast, export air 
passenger fares increased 5.2 percent for the second consecutive month.  The 
August rise was driven by a sharp advance in Japanese fares.  Notwithstanding 
the recent increases, overall export air passenger fares fell 0.5 percent for the 
year ended in August.      

     The price indexes for import air freight and export air freight moved in 
opposite directions in August, declining 0.7 percent in the case of import air 
freight prices while prices for export air freight increased 0.9 percent.  The 
August movement for both indexes followed declines in July.  


                               CONTENTS OF RELEASE

This news release includes the following tables:

Table 1    U.S. Import Price Indexes, by End Use
Table 2    U.S. Export Price Indexes, by End Use
Table 3    U.S. Import Price Indexes, by NAICS
Table 4    U.S. Export Price Indexes, by NAICS
Table 5    U.S. Import Price Indexes, by Harmonized System
Table 6    U.S. Export Price Indexes, by Harmonized System
Table 7    U.S. Import Price Indexes, by Locality of Origin
Table 8    U.S. International Price Indexes for Selected Transportation Services
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Import and Export Price Index data for September are scheduled for release on October 13 at 
8:30 A.M. (E.D.T.).  


Table  1     U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods
                  August 2005-August 2006          2000=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                                    Index                     Percent Change
                                                                   Relative
                                                                    Import-                      Annual         Monthly
                                                                     ance                         Aug.   April    May     June    July
 END                            Description                                                       2005    2006    2006    2006    2006
 USE                                                                 July      July     August     to      to      to      to      to
                                                                     2006      2006      2006     Aug.    May     June    July    Aug.
                                                                      1/                          2006    2006    2006    2006    2006

         ALL COMMODITIES.......................................... 100.000    118.5      119.5     6.6     1.8     0.1     1.0     0.8
         ALL IMPORTS EXCLUDING PETROLEUM..........................  78.820    104.2      104.7     2.7     0.7     0.4     0.0     0.5
         ALL IMPORTS EXCLUDING FUELS
                (Dec. 2001=100)...................................  76.719    107.2      107.4     2.8     0.8     0.6     0.0     0.2

0          FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES..............................   4.184    118.0      120.9     6.0     1.6    -0.1     0.0     2.5

00               Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,
                        excluding distilled beverages.............   3.127    126.4      130.3     6.5     2.0    -0.2    -0.3     3.1

01               Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)   1.057     99.4      100.1     4.7     0.5     0.4     0.9     0.7

1          INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS........................  38.088    182.3      186.0    17.7     4.8     0.0     2.3     2.0
              INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS
                    EXCLUDING PETROLEUM...........................  16.908    132.7      135.1    11.4     2.8     1.2    -0.9     1.8
              INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS
                    EXCLUDING FUELS (Dec. 2001=100)...............  14.807    142.3      143.0    12.7     3.2     2.4    -1.0     0.5
              INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                    DURABLE.......................................   9.606    136.7      138.3    17.2     4.7     3.1    -1.8     1.2
              INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                    NONDURABLE EXCLUDING PETROLEUM................   7.303    126.8      130.3     4.2     0.6    -1.2     0.1     2.8

10               Fuels & lubricants...............................  23.281    240.7      248.0    21.2     5.8    -1.5     4.5     3.0
100                  Petroleum & petroleum products...............  21.180    255.0      260.9    24.3     6.4    -1.1     5.1     2.3
10000                        Crude................................  15.521    257.7      259.3    20.5     5.3    -0.7     6.0     0.6

11               Paper & paper base stocks........................   0.914    111.6      112.5     7.9     1.0     0.8     0.3     0.8

12               Materials associated with nondurable
                        supplies & materials......................   4.380    121.2      120.2     4.4     0.4     0.9     0.5    -0.8

13               Selected building materials......................   1.965    116.8      115.3     0.6     1.6    -2.3    -0.4    -1.3

14               Unfinished metals related to durable goods.......   4.419    184.8      190.0    38.6     8.9     7.3    -4.4     2.8

15               Finished metals related to durable goods.........   1.615    128.4      128.9    10.0     2.1     1.8     2.5     0.4

16               Nonmetals related to durable goods...............   1.514    101.1      101.3     0.7     0.0     0.1     0.0     0.2

2          CAPITAL GOODS..........................................  20.702     91.3       91.4    -0.3     0.0     0.2     0.1     0.1

20               Electric generating equipment....................   2.482    102.2      102.1     3.7     0.6     1.2     0.1    -0.1

21               Nonelectrical machinery..........................  16.597     87.9       88.0    -1.1    -0.1     0.2     0.0     0.1

22               Transportation equipment excluding
                        motor vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)............   1.624    108.1      108.2     1.6     0.2     0.3     0.2     0.1

3          AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES...................  14.092    104.1      104.1     0.6     0.1     0.2     0.2     0.0

4          CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING
                  AUTOMOTIVES.....................................  22.934    100.2      100.2     0.7     0.2     0.1     0.4     0.0

40               Nondurables, manufactured........................  10.851    102.6      102.7    -0.2    -0.1     0.1     0.0     0.1

41               Durables, manufactured...........................  10.952     97.7       97.5     1.6     0.5     0.0     0.8    -0.2

42               Nonmanufactured consumer goods...................   1.132     99.7      100.1     1.2     0.0     0.2     1.1     0.4


     1   Relative importance figures are based on 2004 trade values.

     NOTES:  Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.
             n.a.  Not available


Table  2     U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods
                  August 2005-August 2006          2000=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                                       Index                     Percent Change
                                                                      Relative
                                                                       Import-                      Annual         Monthly
                                                                        ance                         Aug.   April    May     June    July
 END                             Description                                                         2005    2006    2006    2006    2006
 USE                                                                    July      July     August     to      to      to      to      to
                                                                        2006      2006      2006     Aug.    May     June    July    Aug.
                                                                         1/                          2006    2006    2006    2006    2006

         ALL COMMODITIES............................................. 100.000    111.6      112.1     5.2     0.7     0.7     0.4     0.4
         AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES....................................   7.656    126.2      127.5     3.5     0.6     2.5     1.9     1.0
         NONAGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES.................................  92.344    110.6      111.0     5.3     0.7     0.6     0.3     0.4

0          FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES.................................   6.952    128.2      129.1     3.4     0.8     2.7     2.3     0.7

00               Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,
                        excluding distilled beverages................   6.204    128.5      129.4     3.6     0.9     2.8     2.6     0.7

01               Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)...   0.748    125.2      126.2     1.3     0.3     1.7     0.2     0.8

1          INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS...........................  30.558    139.4      141.6    14.7     1.9     1.7     0.4     1.6
              INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                    DURABLE..........................................  11.054    145.4      147.7    20.5     2.4     2.7    -0.5     1.6
              INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                    NONDURABLE.......................................  19.504    136.4      138.5    11.8     1.7     1.2     1.0     1.5

10               Agricultural industrial supplies & materials........   1.452    116.5      119.0     3.4    -0.7     0.8    -0.7     2.1

           NONAGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES
                        & MATERIALS..................................  29.107    141.0      143.1    15.4     2.1     1.7     0.5     1.5

11               Fuels & lubricants..................................   4.994    198.9      207.6    32.5     4.2     0.7     1.3     4.4

12               Nonagricultural supplies & materials
                        excluding fuels & building materials.........  22.969    135.2      136.5    12.8     1.7     2.0     0.4     1.0

13               Selected building materials.........................   1.144    109.8      110.1     4.1     0.4     0.7     0.0     0.3

2          CAPITAL GOODS.............................................  39.531     98.4       98.1     0.5     0.0     0.0     0.0    -0.3

20               Electrical generating equipment.....................   3.829    104.8      105.0     2.4     0.1     0.2     0.0     0.2

21               Nonelectrical machinery.............................  29.148     92.6       92.1    -0.6     0.0    -0.1     0.0    -0.5

22               Transportation equipment excluding
                        motor vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)...............   6.554    117.1      117.4     4.6     0.2     0.2     0.0     0.3

3          AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES......................  10.693    105.1      105.1     1.4     0.1     0.2     0.2     0.0

4          CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING
                  AUTOMOTIVES........................................  12.265    103.8      104.0     2.4     0.6     0.3     0.3     0.2

40               Nondurables, manufactured...........................   6.015    103.7      103.8     2.6     0.3     0.3     0.4     0.1

41               Durables, manufactured..............................   5.240    102.5      102.8     1.3     0.8     0.2     0.1     0.3


     1   Relative importance figures are based on 2004 trade values.

     NOTES:  Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.
             n.a.  Not available


Table  3     U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods
                  August 2005-August 2006          2005=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                                         Index                     Percent Change
                                                                        Relative
                                                                         Import-                      Annual         Monthly
                                                                          ance                         Aug.   April    May     June    July
NAICS                             Description                                                          2005    2006    2006    2006    2006
                                                                          July      July     August     to      to      to      to      to
                                                                          2006      2006      2006     Aug.    May     June    July    Aug.
                                                                           1/                          2006    2006    2006    2006    2006

         Nonmanufactured Articles......................................  19.236    116.5      119.2    n.a.     4.7    -1.2     4.9     2.3

11               AGRICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS....................   1.352     99.4      105.8    n.a.     5.1     2.0     0.9     6.4
111                  Agricultural products.............................   0.903     91.3      101.5    n.a.     6.3    -0.1    -0.3    11.2

21               OIL, GAS, MINERALS AND ORES...........................  17.884    118.1      120.4    n.a.     4.7    -1.4     5.3     1.9

         Manufactured Articles.........................................  80.141    103.5      104.1    n.a.     1.3     0.4     0.2     0.6

31               MANUFACTURED GOODS, PART 1............................  10.256    101.1      101.3    n.a.     0.1     0.1     0.3     0.2
311                  Food and kindred products.........................   2.450    102.7      103.2    n.a.     0.7    -0.1     0.3     0.5
312                  Beverages and tobacco products....................   0.799    101.6      101.8    n.a.     0.1     0.2     0.6     0.2
313                  Textiles and fabrics..............................   0.510    103.5      103.7    n.a.     0.0     1.2     0.0     0.2
314                  Textile mill products.............................   0.722    100.8      101.0    n.a.     0.0     0.0     0.5     0.2
315                  Apparel and accessories...........................   4.322     99.9      100.0    n.a.    -0.3    -0.1     0.2     0.1
316                  Leather and allied products.......................   1.454    100.9      100.9    n.a.     0.2     0.3     0.4     0.0

32               MANUFACTURED GOODS, PART 2............................  17.727    106.8      109.0    n.a.     3.0    -0.7     0.8     2.1
321                  Wood products.....................................   1.298     97.4       95.2    n.a.     2.5    -4.2    -0.8    -2.3
322                  Paper.............................................   1.445    104.2      104.7    n.a.     0.7     0.6     0.5     0.5
324                  Petroleum and coal products.......................   4.840    123.4      130.6    n.a.    10.0    -2.3     2.1     5.8
325                  Chemicals.........................................   7.397    101.7      102.9    n.a.     0.3     0.4     0.5     1.2
326                  Plastics and rubber products......................   1.572    101.7      102.3    n.a.     0.1     0.3     0.2     0.6
327                  Nonmetallic mineral products......................   1.072    103.5      103.5    n.a.     0.1     0.5     0.3     0.0

33               MANUFACTURED GOODS, PART 3............................  52.158    102.8      103.1    n.a.     1.0     0.8    -0.1     0.3
331                  Primary metals....................................   5.083    128.7      132.0    n.a.     9.7     7.1    -3.2     2.6
332                  Fabricated metal products, nesoi..................   2.414    103.5      104.2    n.a.     0.4     0.5     0.5     0.7
333                  Machinery, except electrical......................   6.201    102.4      102.3    n.a.     0.4     0.5     0.1    -0.1
334                  Computer and electronic products..................  13.797     97.8       97.7    n.a.    -0.3    -0.2    -0.3    -0.1
335                  Electrical equipment, appliances, and components..   3.470    102.7      102.6    n.a.     0.6     1.0     0.2    -0.1
336                  Transportation equipment..........................  14.965    100.5      100.5    n.a.     0.0     0.2     0.2     0.0
337                  Furniture and fixtures............................   1.458    100.4      100.5    n.a.    -0.1     0.3     0.1     0.1
339                  Miscellaneous manufactured commodities............   4.771    104.5      104.5    n.a.     1.1     0.3     2.2     0.0


     1   Relative importance figures are based on 2004 trade values.

     NOTES:   Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.
              n.a.  Not available


Table  4     U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods
                  August 2005-August 2006          2005=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                                         Index                     Percent Change
                                                                        Relative
                                                                         Import-                      Annual         Monthly
                                                                          ance                         Aug.   April    May     June    July
NAICS                             Description                                                          2005    2006    2006    2006    2006
                                                                          July      July     August     to      to      to      to      to
                                                                          2006      2006      2006     Aug.    May     June    July    Aug.
                                                                           1/                          2006    2006    2006    2006    2006

         Nonmanufactured Articles......................................   5.986    105.4      107.3    n.a.    -0.2     2.6     0.0     1.8

11               AGRICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS....................   4.176    106.7      107.3    n.a.     0.4     3.9     1.7     0.6
111                  Agricultural products.............................   3.736    106.6      107.1    n.a.     0.4     4.5     1.8     0.5

21               OIL, GAS, MINERALS AND ORES...........................   1.810    102.3      107.2    n.a.    -1.2     0.1    -4.1     4.8
211                  Oil and gas.......................................   0.447     80.6       95.7    n.a.    -5.0    -2.2    -0.5    18.7
212                  Minerals and ores.................................   1.363    112.2      112.5    n.a.     0.2     0.8    -5.2     0.3

         Manufactured Articles.........................................  91.689    102.9      103.3    n.a.     0.7     0.6     0.2     0.4

31               MANUFACTURED GOODS, PART 1............................   6.542    100.3      101.5    n.a.     0.5     0.5     0.8     1.2
311                  Food and kindred products.........................   3.728    101.1      103.2    n.a.     0.7     0.9     1.3     2.1
312                  Beverages and tobacco products....................   0.569    101.1      101.2    n.a.     0.1    -0.5     0.5     0.1
313                  Textiles and fabrics..............................   1.044     96.6       96.7    n.a.     0.2     0.3     0.1     0.1
315                  Apparel and accessories...........................   0.623    100.0      100.2    n.a.     0.0     0.1     0.0     0.2

32               MANUFACTURED GOODS, PART 2............................  24.234    106.7      107.7    n.a.     1.6     1.1     0.9     0.9
321                  Wood products.....................................   0.558    103.3      104.0    n.a.     1.0     0.8     0.4     0.7
322                  Paper.............................................   2.139    106.6      107.0    n.a.     0.3     0.9     0.9     0.4
324                  Petroleum and coal products.......................   2.929    125.0      129.6    n.a.     5.3     0.2     0.7     3.7
325                  Chemicals.........................................  15.167    104.7      105.4    n.a.     1.4     1.4     1.0     0.7
326                  Plastics and rubber products......................   2.443    103.0      103.5    n.a.     0.4     0.2     0.5     0.5
327                  Nonmetallic mineral products......................   0.895    102.4      102.4    n.a.     0.3     2.9     0.1     0.0

33               MANUFACTURED GOODS, PART 3............................  60.913    101.8      101.8    n.a.     0.4     0.3     0.0     0.0
331                  Primary metals....................................   3.879    116.7      119.6    n.a.     4.7     4.9    -1.8     2.5
332                  Fabricated metal products, nesoi..................   2.760    106.7      106.9    n.a.     0.3     0.2     1.3     0.2
333                  Machinery, except electrical......................  12.079    102.1      102.2    n.a.     0.0     0.1     0.7     0.1
334                  Computer and electronic products..................  18.011     98.2       97.3    n.a.    -0.1    -0.3    -0.5    -0.9
335                  Electrical equipment, appliances, and components..   3.472    101.4      101.8    n.a.     0.0     0.3     0.1     0.4
336                  Transportation equipment..........................  16.162    101.8      101.9    n.a.     0.1     0.1     0.2     0.1
339                  Miscellaneous manufactured commodities............   4.230    102.2      102.3    n.a.     1.2     0.3     0.2     0.1


     1   Relative importance figures are based on 2004 trade values.

     NOTES:   Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.
              n.a.  Not available


Table  5     U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods
                  August 2005-August 2006          2000=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                                       Index                     Percent Change
                                                                      Relative
                                                                       Import-                      Annual         Monthly
Harmo-                                                                  ance                         Aug.   April    May     June    July
nized                            Description                                                         2005    2006    2006    2006    2006
System                                                                  July      July     August     to      to      to      to      to
                                                                        2006      2006      2006     Aug.    May     June    July    Aug.
                                                                         1/                          2006    2006    2006    2006    2006

I          LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS.............................   1.193    120.0      120.6     4.6     2.0     0.3     1.5     0.5
02               Meat and edible meat offal..........................   0.336    138.6      140.7     1.2     0.3    -0.7     1.0     1.5
03               Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and
                        other aquatic invertebrates..................   0.628     97.9       98.7     6.9     1.2     0.9     1.3     0.8
      2/         Other live animals; animal products.................   0.230    156.5      153.6     3.5     6.8    -0.1     3.0    -1.9

II         VEGETABLE PRODUCTS........................................   1.041    109.4      119.4     8.6     4.2    -0.3     0.7     9.1
07               Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers................   0.272    137.2      162.4    14.9    12.0     3.7    -4.5    18.4
08               Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus
                        fruit or melons..............................   0.265     79.7       89.0     1.9     2.6    -1.9    -2.4    11.7
09               Coffee, tea, mate and spices........................   0.224    116.9      123.5    11.4     0.8    -4.7     3.1     5.6
      2/         Other vegetable products............................   0.280    116.8      117.3     6.8     1.2     1.5     7.9     0.4

IV         PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND
                     TOBACCO.........................................   2.015    119.8      119.5     4.3     0.1     0.6     0.0    -0.3
      2/         Other prepared foodstuffs...........................   0.782    128.6      127.8     2.6    -0.1     0.8    -0.6    -0.6
20               Preparations of vegetables, fruit,
                        nuts, or other parts of plants...............   0.251    117.6      118.2    16.3     0.4     0.9    -0.3     0.5
22               Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.....................   0.768    111.1      110.9     3.5     0.0     0.5     0.8    -0.2

V          MINERAL PRODUCTS..........................................  23.090    239.9      246.4    20.5     5.7    -1.6     4.6     2.7
27               Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,
                        bituminous substances and mineral wax........  22.760    239.8      246.4    20.7     5.8    -1.6     4.6     2.8
      2/         Other mineral products (Dec. 2001=100)..............   0.330    140.1      140.9    13.0     0.1     1.5     1.7     0.6

VI         PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED
                     INDUSTRIES......................................   6.791    114.5      114.1     1.2     0.5     1.0    -0.1    -0.3
28               Inorganic chemicals.................................   0.690    154.1      152.9     8.7    -0.1     0.1     1.6    -0.8
29               Organic chemicals...................................   2.746    119.2      117.6     4.6     1.1     2.2     0.8    -1.3
30               Pharmaceutical products.............................   1.888    105.0      105.0    -5.6     0.1     0.5    -1.4     0.0
32               Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye &
                        pigments; varnish & paints; putty............   0.167     98.7       98.4    -2.4    -2.0     0.3    -0.1    -0.3
33               Essential oils and resinoids (Dec. 2001=100)........   0.370    107.9      108.5     1.0     0.3     0.0     0.9     0.6
38               Miscellaneous chemical products.....................   0.385     92.9       93.8     1.2     0.1     0.7     0.5     1.0

VII        PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER
                     AND ARTICLES THEREOF............................   2.791    121.1      121.4     7.2     0.2     1.5     0.8     0.2
39               Plastics and articles thereof.......................   1.799    117.1      118.4     4.9     0.0     0.3     0.1     1.1
40               Rubber and articles thereof.........................   0.992    129.0      127.1    11.7     0.6     3.8     2.1    -1.5

VIII       RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,
                     TRAVEL GOODS, ETC...............................   0.610    105.5      105.6     1.7     0.6     0.6     0.3     0.1
42               Articles of leather; travel goods, bags,
                        etc. of various materials....................   0.523    105.5      105.6     1.7     0.7     0.6     0.4     0.1

IX         WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW,
                     BASKETWARE AND WICKERWORK.......................   1.384    119.9      117.5    -1.1     2.2    -3.3    -0.7    -2.0

X          WOODPULP, RECOVERED PAPER, AND
                 PAPER PRODUCTS......................................   1.634    108.6      109.1     5.5     0.6     0.6     0.6     0.5
47               Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic
                        material; waste paper/paperboard.............   0.216    119.4      123.4    20.5     3.8     1.0     2.8     3.4
48               Paper and paperboard; articles of paper
                        pulp, paper or paperboard....................   1.155    106.7      106.7     3.9     0.2     0.7     0.2     0.0
49               Printed matter......................................   0.263    113.9      113.9     1.3     0.1     0.2     0.5     0.0

XI         TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES..............................   5.360    100.9      101.1     0.7    -0.2     0.0     0.3     0.2
61               Articles of apparel and clothing
                        accessories, knitted or crocheted............   1.946    100.0      100.4     0.6    -0.6     0.0    -0.1     0.4
62               Articles of apparel and clothing
                        accessories, not knitted or crocheted........   2.161     99.6       99.5    -0.3     0.0    -0.2     0.5    -0.1
63               Made-up or worn textile articles....................   0.483     94.8       94.8     2.4     0.1     0.0     1.1     0.0
      2/         Other textile & textile articles....................   0.770    110.0      110.3     2.8     0.4     0.6     0.5     0.3

XII        HEADGEAR, UMBRELLAS,
                 ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS, ETC.............................   1.218    100.8      100.8     0.7     0.1     0.3     0.2     0.0
64               Footwear and  parts of such articles................   1.025    101.3      101.3     0.7     0.0     0.3     0.3     0.0
      2/         Other footwear, headgear, umbrellas,
                       whips, art. flowers, etc......................   0.193     97.7       97.7     0.4     0.6     0.5    -0.5     0.0

XIII       STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,
                 CERAMICS, GLASS ETC.................................   0.944    109.0      109.1     3.7     0.1     0.4     0.3     0.1
68               Articles of stone, plaster, cement,
                        asbestos, or mica (Dec. 2001=100)............   0.314    103.5      103.4     4.0     0.1     0.3     0.2    -0.1
69               Ceramic products....................................   0.300    113.1      113.1     1.6     0.2     0.4     1.2     0.0
70               Glass and glassware.................................   0.330    109.3      109.5     5.4     0.0     0.4    -0.4     0.2

XIV        PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,
                 IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS........................   2.670    123.4      125.5    27.2     6.3     2.2    -1.4     1.7

XV         BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METAL....................   6.302    157.2      159.7    22.3     5.2     5.1    -0.4     1.6
72               Iron and steel......................................   1.635    178.9      181.3    11.4     2.8     4.7     2.9     1.3
73               Articles of iron or steel...........................   1.405    125.9      126.1     2.4     0.2     0.7     0.7     0.2
74               Copper and articles thereof.........................   0.807    288.2      303.8    95.0    22.0    15.1    -1.2     5.4
76               Aluminum and articles thereof.......................   1.016    142.7      141.3    25.6     3.8     5.4    -4.9    -1.0
82               Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and
                        forks, of base metal; parts thereof..........   0.369    106.8      106.8     2.1     0.2     0.3    -0.8     0.0
83               Miscellaneous articles of base metal................   0.445    119.4      120.5     7.9     0.3     0.9     0.7     0.9
      2/         Other base metals and articles of base metals.......   0.623    203.5      216.1    72.3    17.2     9.7    -3.6     6.2

XVI        MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV
                 IMAGE & SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC.................  22.982     88.1       88.0    -1.0     0.0     0.2     0.0    -0.1
84               Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof..  11.937     88.4       88.4    -1.0    -0.1     0.1     0.1     0.0
85               Electrical machinery and equip, sound
                        and TV recorders & reproducers, parts........  11.045     87.9       87.7    -1.0     0.0     0.2     0.0    -0.2

XVII       VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND
                 ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT......................  13.015    105.0      105.0     0.5     0.1     0.2     0.1     0.0
87               Motor vehicles and their parts......................  11.991    104.4      104.4     0.4     0.0     0.2     0.1     0.0
88               Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts
                        thereof (Dec. 2002=100)......................   0.889    106.6      106.7     0.7     0.3     0.4     0.1     0.1

XVIII      OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &
                 MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES...................   3.048     99.4       99.4    -0.3     0.1     0.2    -0.2     0.0
90               Optical, photographic, measuring and
                        medical instruments..........................   2.710     98.0       98.0    -0.8     0.0     0.2    -0.3     0.0
91               Clocks and watches and parts thereof................   0.243    111.9      111.8     4.6     1.1     0.1     0.0    -0.1

XX         MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.......................   3.700     99.6       99.6     0.1     0.0     0.2     0.2     0.0
94               Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &
                        lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldg........   2.148    103.4      103.4    -0.1     0.0     0.4     0.1     0.0
95               Toys, games and sports equipment; parts
                        and accessories thereof......................   1.342     94.4       94.5     0.0    -0.1     0.0     0.1     0.1
96               Miscellaneous manufactured articles.................   0.210    102.8      102.9     2.0     0.3     0.5     0.1     0.1


     1   Relative importance figures are based on 2004 trade values.
     2   Product categories included in this group have been modified due to concordance or coverage limitations.

     NOTES:   Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.
              n.a.  Not available


Table  6     U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods
                  August 2005-August 2006          2000=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                                       Index                     Percent Change
                                                                      Relative
                                                                       Import-                      Annual         Monthly
Harmo-                                                                  ance                         Aug.   April    May     June    July
nized                            Description                                                         2005    2006    2006    2006    2006
System                                                                  July      July     August     to      to      to      to      to
                                                                        2006      2006      2006     Aug.    May     June    July    Aug.
                                                                         1/                          2006    2006    2006    2006    2006

I          LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS.............................   1.338    130.2      135.0     2.3     1.5     2.6     4.2     3.7
03               Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and
                        other aquatic invertebrates..................   0.450    122.7      123.9     2.6     0.2     1.2     0.0     1.0

II         VEGETABLE PRODUCTS........................................   3.699    133.3      135.9     5.3     0.5     4.5     1.9     2.0
08               Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus
                        fruit or melons..............................   0.706    122.3      121.5    -0.3    -0.8     3.0     7.4    -0.7
10               Cereals.............................................   1.653    140.1      138.6    17.6     0.5     5.4     2.3    -1.1
12               Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds,
                        fruits, plants, straw and fodder.............   0.861    124.4      122.1   -10.0     4.7    -0.1     2.4    -1.8

IV         PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND
                     TOBACCO.........................................   2.270    112.4      112.9     1.8     0.2     0.0     0.1     0.4
21               Miscellaneous edible preparations...................   0.433    108.5      108.5    -0.5     0.0     0.1     0.4     0.0
23               Residues and waste from the food
                        industries; prepared animal feed.............   0.409    125.6      125.9     3.5    -0.2     0.7    -1.0     0.2
      2/         Other prepared foods................................   0.795    110.0      111.4     1.7     0.1     0.3     0.6     1.3

V          MINERAL PRODUCTS..........................................   4.756    236.3      245.1    28.5     2.3    -0.1    -0.9     3.7
27               Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,
                        bituminous substances and mineral wax........   3.912    221.4      230.9    26.4     2.7    -0.5     0.8     4.3

VI         PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED
                     INDUSTRIES......................................  12.379    124.3      124.7     7.0     1.3     1.5     1.1     0.3
28               Inorganic chemicals.................................   1.212    156.9      156.9    21.9     2.4     2.3     1.0     0.0
29               Organic chemicals...................................   4.425    141.5      142.4    10.5     2.5     3.0     2.8     0.6
30               Pharmaceutical products.............................   2.430    109.4      109.4     2.3     0.5     0.6     0.3     0.0
31               Fertilizers.........................................   0.370    147.5      146.5    -3.2    -0.3    -0.5     0.6    -0.7
32               Tanning or dyeing extracts, dyes,
                        paints, varnish, putty, & inks...............   0.632    109.1      109.4     3.1     1.2     0.2    -1.4     0.3
33               Essential oils and resinoids;
                        perfumery, cosmetic or toilet................   0.713    115.1      115.1     1.6     0.5     0.5     0.3     0.0
34               Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or
                        scouring products; candles, pastes...........   0.414    109.5      109.6     5.4     0.9     0.5     0.0     0.1
37               Photographic or cinematographic goods...............   0.369    104.6      104.4     0.5     0.3    -0.8     2.2    -0.2
38               Miscellaneous chemical products.....................   1.610    111.4      111.8     4.2     0.3     0.7    -0.3     0.4

VII        PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER
                     AND ARTICLES THEREOF............................   5.977    129.7      130.9     9.7     1.2     0.7     0.9     0.9
39               Plastics and articles thereof.......................   4.827    126.2      127.5     8.7     1.2     0.8     0.6     1.0
40               Rubber and articles thereof.........................   1.150    144.0      145.0    14.3     1.0     0.4     1.7     0.7

VIII       RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,
                     TRAVEL GOODS, ETC...............................   0.483    116.6      116.7     3.2     0.5    -0.1    -0.2     0.1
41               Raw hides and skins (other than
                        furskins) and leather........................   0.344    110.6      110.7     2.5     0.6     0.5    -0.2     0.1

IX         WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW,
                     BASKETWARE AND WICKERWORK.......................   0.748    107.8      108.7     4.5     0.7     0.5     0.0     0.8

X          WOODPULP, RECOVERED PAPER, AND
                 PAPER PRODUCTS......................................   2.693    106.4      106.7     5.4     0.4     1.1     0.9     0.3
47               Woodpulp and recovered paper........................   0.582     98.7       99.9     5.5     1.3     0.8     1.8     1.2
48               Paper and paperboard; articles of paper
                        pulp, paper or paperboard....................   1.503    106.3      106.5     6.4     0.2     1.3     0.4     0.2
49               Printed material....................................   0.608    118.3      118.1     3.5     0.3     0.4     1.0    -0.2

XI         TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES..............................   2.703    101.3      102.4     2.0    -0.3     0.8    -0.6     1.1
52               Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics thereof...   0.726     92.2       95.5     4.8    -1.7     1.9    -2.1     3.6
61               Apparel & clothing knitted
                        or crocheted (Dec. 2001=100).................   0.320     94.6       94.6     0.1     0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0
      2/         Other textile and textile articles (Dec. 2001=100)..   1.657    114.6      114.8     1.1     0.3     0.4     0.0     0.2

XIII       STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,
                 CERAMICS, GLASS ETC.................................   0.824    104.1      104.1     0.7     0.1     0.9     0.0     0.0
70               Glass and glassware.................................   0.464     95.5       95.5    -0.8     0.2     0.3     0.1     0.0

XIV        PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,
                 IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS........................   2.841    135.4      138.2    28.3     5.5     4.9    -4.6     2.1

XV         BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METALS...................   5.617    155.0      157.5    20.5     2.5     2.2     2.0     1.6
72               Iron and steel......................................   1.192    176.7      183.1    22.4     1.3     3.2     1.6     3.6
73               Articles of iron or steel...........................   1.332    137.6      138.0    10.0     0.4     0.1     2.2     0.3
74               Copper and articles thereof.........................   0.795    241.2      250.8    62.4     9.1     1.7     4.6     4.0
76               Aluminum and articles thereof.......................   0.926    139.7      141.9    25.4     4.2     6.5    -4.3     1.6
82               Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and
                        forks, of base metal; parts thereof..........   0.417    111.3      111.3     6.3     0.3     0.0     0.6     0.0
83               Miscellaneous articles of base metal................   0.448    125.7      125.7     7.6     0.6     0.7     1.5     0.0

XVI        MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV
                 IMAGE AND SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC...............  32.270     93.8       93.4    -0.4     0.0    -0.1     0.1    -0.4
84               Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof..  17.993    101.7      101.4     1.3     0.2    -0.1     0.3    -0.3
85               Electrical machinery and equipment
                        and parts and accessories thereof............  14.277     85.0       84.6    -2.5    -0.1    -0.1    -0.4    -0.5

XVII       VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND
                 ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT......................  13.341    111.7      111.8     2.4     0.1     0.1     0.2     0.1
87               Motor vehicles and their parts......................   8.820    104.8      104.8     1.3     0.1     0.0     0.2     0.0

XVIII      OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &
                 MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES...................   6.283    102.2      102.3     0.7     0.3     0.1    -0.2     0.1

XX         MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.......................   1.427    101.5      101.7     1.0     0.1     0.1     0.4     0.2
94               Furniture; stuffed furnishings;
                        lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;...........   0.782    107.8      108.2     1.8    -0.1     0.1     0.8     0.4
95               Toys, games and sports equipment; parts
                        and accessories thereof......................   0.505     94.3       94.3     0.0     0.1     0.2    -0.1     0.0


     1   Relative importance figures are based on 2004 trade values.
     2   Product categories included in this group have been modified due to concordance or coverage limitations.

     NOTES:   Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.
              n.a.  Not available


Table  7     U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes by Locality of Origin
                  August 2005-August 2006          2000=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                        Index                           Percent Change

                                                                                        Annual            Monthly
                                                       Percentage                        Aug.     April     May      June     July
                        Description                        of                            2005      2006     2006     2006     2006
                                                          U.S.     July      August       to        to       to       to       to
                                                        Imports    2006       2006       Aug.      May      June     July     Aug.
                                                           1/                            2006      2006     2006     2006     2006

 2/ Industrialized Countries............................ 46.371   117.6      118.6        6.3       1.9      0.4      0.2      0.9
         Nonmanufactured Articles.......................  3.994   200.0      208.3       13.9       6.6     -2.4      5.3      4.2
         Manufactured Articles.......................... 41.944   111.2      111.8        5.2       1.4      0.8     -0.5      0.5

 3/ Other Countries..................................... 53.651   117.4      117.9        6.3       1.6      0.0      1.6      0.4
         Nonmanufactured Articles.......................  9.299   225.1      228.9       19.2       3.8     -0.6      4.6      1.7
         Manufactured Articles.......................... 44.152   102.0      101.9        2.5       0.9      0.2      0.7     -0.1

    Canada.............................................. 17.089   131.5      133.8        8.3       2.7     -0.5      0.8      1.7
         Nonmanufactured Articles.......................  3.239   199.9      210.2       12.0       7.3     -2.8      5.7      5.2
         Manufactured Articles.......................... 13.575   119.1      119.8        6.9       1.3      0.3     -0.7      0.6

 4/ European Union...................................... 18.654   121.1      121.1        5.9       1.5      1.7      0.2      0.0
         Nonmanufactured Articles.......................  0.367   242.5      245.0       25.1      -1.1      3.1      4.6      1.0
         Manufactured Articles.......................... 18.150   118.6      118.7        5.1       1.6      1.5      0.1      0.1

    France (Dec. 2003=100)..............................  1.971   104.0      104.1        2.2       0.7      0.5      0.1      0.1

    Germany (Dec. 2003=100).............................  5.187   104.5      104.6        1.5       0.6      0.5      0.8      0.1

    United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)......................  2.947   120.4      120.5        6.3       0.6      1.4      0.4      0.1

 5/ Latin America....................................... 17.406   146.4      147.3       12.2       2.1      0.5      2.2      0.6
         Nonmanufactured Articles.......................  4.158   229.8      235.5       21.9       2.2     -1.5      6.0      2.5
         Manufactured Articles.......................... 13.173   130.3      129.9        8.3       2.0      1.4      0.5     -0.3

    Mexico (Dec. 2003=100).............................. 10.594   121.7      123.8        9.5       1.4     -0.4      2.1      1.7

 6/ Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)......................... 34.090    98.8       98.9       -1.0       0.0      0.2      0.1      0.1

    China (Dec. 2003=100)............................... 13.773    97.5       97.6       -1.0      -0.1     -0.2      0.1      0.1

    Japan...............................................  8.920    94.5       94.6       -1.3       0.1      0.2     -0.2      0.1

 7/ Asian NICs..........................................  7.216    89.5       89.5       -0.3       0.1      0.1      0.3      0.0

 8/ ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)...............................  6.086    99.0       98.7        0.7       0.1      0.4      1.4     -0.3

 9/ Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)......................  3.547   193.3      194.5       11.5       3.9      2.0      2.6      0.6


1   Percentage of trade figures are based on 2004 trade values.
2   Includes Western Europe, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
3   Includes Eastern Europe, Latin America, OPEC countries, and other countries in Asia, Africa and the Western Hemisphere.
4   Includes European Union countries.
5   Includes Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean.
6   Includes China, Japan, Asia Newly Industrialized Countries, Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Macao, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Philippines.
7   Asia Newly Industrialized Countries. Includes Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan.
8   Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
9   Includes Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

    NOTES:  Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.
            Regions are not mutually exclusive.
            n.a.  Not available


Table  8     U.S. International Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Transportation Services
                  August 2005-August 2006          2000=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                         Index                         Percent Change
                                                        Relative
                                                         import-                       Annual            Monthly
                                                          ance                          Aug.     April     May      June     July
                        Description                                                     2005      2006     2006     2006     2006
                                                          July      July     August      to        to       to       to       to
                                                          2006      2006      2006      Aug.      May      June     July     Aug.
                                                           1/                           2006      2006     2006     2006     2006

    AIR FREIGHT
      Import Air Freight................................ 100.000    133.5     132.6      n.a.      1.1      3.0     -1.3     -0.7
           Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................  38.904    130.4     130.5      n.a.      2.6      5.4     -0.8      0.1
           Asia.........................................  49.204    117.5     115.7      n.a.      0.0      2.0     -1.9     -1.5

      Export Air Freight................................ 100.000    115.6     116.6      n.a.      1.0      1.0     -0.3      0.9

      Inbound Air Freight............................... 100.000    128.1     128.4      n.a.      1.9      1.7     -0.9      0.2
           Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................  39.178    124.8     126.1      n.a.      3.5      3.3     -0.8      1.0
           Asia.........................................  48.515    111.5     110.9      n.a.      1.0      0.7     -1.1     -0.5

      Outbound Air Freight.............................. 100.000    116.5     116.2      n.a.      1.8      1.4     -0.6     -0.3
           Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................  42.030    131.8     132.6      n.a.      3.1      1.4     -1.6      0.6
           Asia.........................................  42.786    109.4     108.0      n.a.      1.6      1.7      0.2     -1.3

    AIR PASSENGER FARES
      Import Air Passenger Fares........................ 100.000    139.4     138.3       5.6      1.1     11.4      2.0     -0.8
           Europe.......................................  61.249    133.6     133.0       4.6      0.9     13.8      0.3     -0.4
           Asia.........................................  14.768    137.9     133.2       2.3      2.0     16.7      4.2     -3.4
           Latin America/Caribbean......................   9.577    122.6     123.2       4.6      2.7      1.0      5.1      0.5

      Export Air Passenger Fares........................ 100.000    146.5     154.1      -0.5      5.6      0.1      5.2      5.2
           Europe.......................................  32.762    185.1     189.7       0.3      2.2      3.2      9.2      2.5
           Asia.........................................  34.080    116.2     134.9      -4.7     11.0     -3.6      2.7     16.1
           Latin America/Caribbean......................  17.726    158.3     151.0       4.6      1.2      0.5      6.2     -4.6

      Inbound Air Passenger Fares (Dec. 2003=100)....... 100.000    128.6     133.9       3.2      5.5      1.2      6.3      4.1
           Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................  43.128    136.7     140.0       3.2      2.4      4.1     10.7      2.4
           Asia (Dec. 2003=100).........................  28.301    113.2     128.9      -1.2     11.8     -3.4      2.5     13.9
           Latin America/Caribbean (Dec. 2003=100)......  13.963    123.6     119.3       7.3      1.6      1.0      5.3     -3.5
           Canada (Dec. 2003=100).......................   9.532    162.7     158.2      13.6      6.9      3.8      0.7     -2.8

      Outbound Air Passenger Fares (Dec. 2003=100)...... 100.000    131.0     131.3       5.7      1.2      9.1      1.8      0.2
           Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................  53.074    139.6     139.3       4.3      0.8     14.0      0.4     -0.2
           Asia (Dec. 2003=100).........................  15.604    124.8     127.2       2.7      3.9     10.0      3.2      1.9
           Latin America/Caribbean (Dec. 2003=100)......  18.042    112.7     113.3       7.8      1.2      0.2      2.5      0.5
           Canada (Dec. 2003=100).......................   8.208    158.3     163.9      24.4      2.9      1.3      1.9      3.5

    CRUDE OIL TANKER FREIGHT
 2/   Inbound Crude Oil Tanker Freight.................. 100.000     n.a.      n.a.      n.a.    -18.0     12.2     n.a.     n.a.

    OCEAN LINER FREIGHT
      Inbound Ocean Liner Freight....................... 100.000    112.7     113.9     -11.4     -6.2     -2.3     -1.9      1.1
           U.S. East Coast..............................  40.728    118.2     118.9      -5.5     -4.3     -0.7     -1.7      0.6
                 From Atlantic..........................  18.056    120.3     120.4      -2.7     -8.0     -0.9      0.0      0.1
                 From Pacific...........................  16.776    119.9     120.8      -4.1     -1.7     -0.1     -0.2      0.8
           U.S. West Coast..............................  59.272    109.7     111.4     -15.0     -7.4     -3.3     -2.1      1.5


    1   Relative importance figures are based on 2000 trade values.
    2   Publication of the Crude Oil Tanker Freight Indexes is lagged two months, as are the relative importance figures.

    NOTES:  Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.
            n.a.  Not available
	
                                        
						TECHNICAL NOTE


Import and Export Merchandise and Services Price Indexes -- All indexes use a modified Laspeyres formula and 
are not seasonally adjusted.  Price indexes for merchandise goods are reweighted annually, with a two-year lag 
in the weights.  Published series use a base year of 2000=100 where possible.  More detailed index series and 
additional information may be obtained at http://www.bls.gov/mxp, or by calling (202) 691-7101.

Merchandise Goods Classification Systems -- The merchandise price indexes are published using three 
classification systems.  Items are classified, respectively, by end use for the Bureau of Economic Analysis 
System, industry for the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), and product category for the 
Harmonized System (HS).  While classification by end use and product category are self-explanatory, a couple 
of notes are in order for classifying items by industry.  In the NAICS tables, for both imports and exports, 
items are classified by output industry, not input industry.  As an example, NAICS import index 326 (plastics 
and rubber products) would include outputs such as manufactured plastic rather than inputs such as petroleum.  
The NAICS classification structure also matches the classification system used by the PPI to produce the NAICS 
primary products indexes.

Import Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States 
Annotated (TSUSA).  Import prices are based on U.S. dollar prices paid by the U.S. importer.  The prices are 
generally either "free on board" (f.o.b.) foreign port or "cost, insurance, and freight" (c.i.f.) U.S. port 
transaction prices, depending on the practices of the individual industry.  The index for crude petroleum is 
calculated from data collected by the U.S. Department of Energy.  

Export Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the Harmonized Schedule B classification system of 
the U.S. Bureau of the Census.  The prices used are generally either "free alongside ship" (f.a.s.) factory or 
"free on board" (f.o.b.) transaction prices, depending on the practices of the individual industry.  Prices 
used in the grain index, excluding rice, are obtained from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Import Indexes by Locality of Origin -- Prices used in these indexes are a subset of the data collected for 
the Import Price Indexes.  Beginning with January 2002, the indexes are defined by locality of origin using a 
nomenclature based upon the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).  Nonmanufactured goods are 
defined as NAICS 11 and 21, and manufactured goods are defined as NAICS 31-33.  

Services Price Indexes -- Price indexes for internationally traded services are presented using two 
definitions: Balance of Payments (which represent transactions between U.S. and foreign residents) and 
International (which represent transactions inbound to and outbound from the U.S.).  The Air Passenger Fares 
Indexes are calculated from data collected from a commercial airline reservation system.  These data exclude 
frequent flyer tickets and those sold by consolidators. The Crude Oil Tanker Freight Indexes are calculated 
from data collected by the U. S. Department of Energy, and the publication of these indexes is lagged two 
months. The Air Freight and Ocean Liner Freight Indexes are calculated from data collected directly from 
companies.  Fact sheets specifying detailed information for each services industry are available at 
http://www.bls.gov/mxp under "Publications and Other Documentation."   

Revision Policy -- To reflect the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents, monthly data 
may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.  After three months, no further data 
revisions take place.  So, for example, data released in the January release will be subject to revision in the 
releases for February, March, and April.

Uses of the Data -- The primary use of the indexes is to deflate trade statistics, notably the foreign trade 
sector of the National Income and Product Accounts constructed by the Department of Commerce.  Other published 
indexes are useful for general market analysis.  For trade in international services, Balance of Payments indexes 
are used for deflating National Income and Product Accounts, 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.

Mailing List -- If you wish to be added to the mailing list to receive a copy of the U.S. Import and Export Price 
Index News Release, please either call the IPP information line at (202) 691-7101 or send e-mail to 
(mxpinfo@bls.gov) to provide your name and mailing address.  You may also contact the IPP at the following address:

				Division of International Prices
				Bureau of Labor Statistics
				PSB Building, Rm. 3955 
				2 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E.
				Washington, DC 20212-0001

The information you provide will be used to register you for delivery of selected publications.  The Bureau of 
Labor Statistics (BLS) is authorized to request this information under 5 United States Code (USC) Section 301.  
Furnishing such information is voluntary, however, BLS may not be able to register you for the subscription service 
if you fail to do so.  As part of helping us assess the quality of our customer service, BLS may contact 
subscribers with a customer service survey.

In addition, the IPP news release is now available through an e-mail subscription service at 
(http://www.bls.gov/mxp) or (http://www.bls.gov/bls/newsrels.htm).
 
Additional Information -- More detailed IPP data are available on the IPP home page at (http://www.bls.gov/mxp).  
To access data using Anonymous FTP, use the Internet address at (ftp://ftp.bls.gov).  For technical assistance in 
using the BLS Internet site, send e-mail to (labstat.helpdesk@bls.gov).  For IPP data requests, send e-mail to 
(mxpinfo@bls.gov).