Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until 

8:30 a.m. (EST) Thursday, January 14, 2010 

Technical information: (202) 691-7101 • MXPinfo@bls.gov • www.bls.gov/mxp

Media contact: (202) 691-5902 • PressOffice@bls.gov 

USDL-10-0010

U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES – DECEMBER 2009 

The U.S. Import Price Index was unchanged in December, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 

today, as a decline in fuel prices offset rising nonfuel prices. Import prices increased 8.6 percent in 2009. 

U.S. export prices advanced 0.6 percent in December and rose 3.4 percent in 2009. 

Chart 1. One-month percent change in the Import Price Index: December 2008 – December 2009 

 Percent change 

-4.6

0.0

0.5

1.1

1.7

2.7

-0.6

1.5

0.2

0.9

1.6

0.0

-1.3

-6

-4

-2

0

2

4

Dec'08 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec'09

Chart 2. 12-month percent change in the Import Price Index: December 2008 – December 2009 

 Percent change 

-10.1

-12.5 -12.7

-14.9 -16.4 -17.3 -17.5 -19.1

-15.3

-12.0

-5.6

3.7

8.6

-25

-20

-15

-10

-5

0

5

10

15

Dec'08 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec'09
All Imports: Import prices were unchanged in December following increases in each of the four previous 

months. Prices for U.S. imports trended up over most of 2009, rising 8.6 percent overall for the year. In 

2009, prices rebounded from a 10.1 percent decline in 2008, the largest calendar-year drop since the index 

was first published in 1982. Fuel prices were the primary contributor to both the decline in overall import 

prices for 2008 and the subsequent increase in 2009. 

Fuel Imports: Fuel prices fell 1.4 percent in December after advancing 2.9 percent in October and 7.1 

percent in November. The decrease in December, the first since a 1.3 percent drop in September, was led by 

a 2.0 percent drop in petroleum prices which more than offset a 6.9 percent increase in natural gas prices. 

Despite the December drop, fuel prices jumped 61.4 percent in 2009 following a 47.0 percent decline the 

previous year. Petroleum prices rose 78.4 percent for the year ended in December while natural gas prices 

fell 28.4 percent. 

All Imports Excluding Fuel: The price index for nonfuel import prices increased 0.4 percent for the fifth 

consecutive month in December. Higher prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials, food, capital 

goods, and automotive vehicles all contributed to the overall advance in December. Nonfuel prices, which 

fell 1.8 percent in the first quarter of 2009, also rose 0.4 percent over the past 12 months. The index 

advanced 1.2 percent in 2008. 

Table A. Percent changes 

2
Chart 3. One-month percent change in the Export Price Index: December 2008 – December 2009 

 Percent change 

-2.2

-0.3

-0.7

0.5 0.4

1.0

-0.3

0.6

-0.2

0.0

0.9

0.7 0.6

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

Dec'08 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec'09

Chart 4. 12-month percent change in the Export Price Index: December 2008 – December 2009 

 Percent change 

-2.9 -3.4

-4.5

-6.7 -6.7 -6.6 -6.6

-8.3

-6.2 -5.6

-3.6

0.5

3.4

-10

-8

-6

-4

-2

0

2

4

6

Dec'08 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec'09

All Exports: Export prices increased 0.6 percent in December after rising 0.9 percent the previous month. 

Rising prices for both agricultural exports and nonagricultural exports contributed to the increase. The price 

index for U.S. exports advanced 3.4 percent in 2009. The 2009 increase in export prices followed a 2.9 

percent decline for 2008. 

Agricultural Exports: Agricultural prices rose 2.0 percent in December following a 4.0 percent advance in 

November. Rising wheat prices led the December increase. Although the price trend for agricultural exports 

was mixed in 2009, the index increased 9.6 percent overall after falling 10.9 percent in 2008. The 2008 drop 

was the largest calendar-year decline in agricultural prices since the index began in 1985. Higher prices for 

soybeans and corn drove the increase in overall export prices in 2009. 

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: The price index for nonagricultural exports advanced 0.5 percent in 

December after rising 0.6 percent in November. The December increase was driven by higher prices for 

nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials. Prices for nonagricultural exports increased 2.9 percent 

over the past year following a 2.2 percent decline in 2008. 

 

3
4

SELECTED DECEMBER HIGHLIGHTS 

Import Prices 

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonfuel industrial supplies and materials prices rose 1.9 

percent in December, primarily driven up by a 3.9 percent advance in the price index for unfinished metals. 

A 19.4 percent increase in unfinished metals prices in 2009 was also the main contributor to a 2.4 percent 

increase for the price index of nonfuel industrial supplies and materials for the year. 

Finished Goods: Prices for import finished goods ticked up in December, as the price indexes for capital 

goods and automotive vehicles advanced 0.1 percent and consumer goods prices were unchanged. For the 

year ended in December, prices for capital goods and consumer goods fell 0.5 percent and 0.2 percent, 

respectively, while prices for automotive vehicles advanced 1.2 percent. 

 

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Foods, feeds, and beverages prices rose 0.9 percent in December and 1.0 

percent in 2009. Rising coffee prices led both the December and 2009 advances while a drop in fruit and 

vegetable prices over the past year tempered the overall increase in foods, feeds, and beverages in 2009. 

Imports by Locality of Origin: Import prices from Japan and China both increased in December, rising 0.3 

percent and 0.1 percent, respectively. In 2009, prices for imports from Japan advanced 1.9 percent, while the 

price index for imports from China declined 1.9 percent. Led in part by higher petroleum prices over the 

past year, imports from Canada, Mexico, and the European Union all rose in 2009, increasing 6.0 percent, 

4.5 percent, and 2.2 percent, respectively. 

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares advanced 3.3 percent for the month. Despite the 

increase, the index fell 3.2 percent over the past 12 months. The price index for import air freight rose 7.5 

percent in December and 18.3 percent in 2009. Both advances were driven by higher Asian air freight 

prices, up 10.1 percent in December and 24.2 percent over the past year. 

Export Prices 

Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: The price index for nonagricultural industrial 

supplies and materials increased 1.9 percent in December and 6.9 percent over the past 12 months. The 

December advance was led by higher prices for metals, fuels and chemicals. 

Finished Goods: Prices for each of the major finished goods categories were unchanged in December. In 

2009, capital goods prices rose 1.9 percent. Contributing to the increase was a 0.8 percent rise in computers, 

peripherals, and semi-conductors prices, the first calendar year advance for the index since a 0.1 percent rise 

in 1988 and the largest calendar year increase since the index advanced 6.1 percent in 1981. The price 

indexes for consumer goods and automotive vehicles also rose in 2009, increasing 0.4 percent and 0.2 

percent, respectively. 

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares rose 7.3 percent in December, but remained down 7.7 

percent in 2009. The price index for export air freight advanced 0.9 percent in December after rising 0.6 

percent the previous month. Despite the recent increases, the index fell 8.8 percent over the past 12 months. 

 

Import and Export Price Index data for January 2010 are scheduled for release on Wednesday, 

February 17, 2010 at 8:30 a.m. (EST). 
Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2008 to

December 2009

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Nov.

20091

Index Percent change

Nov.

2009

Dec.

2009

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2008 to

Dec.

2009

Aug.

2009 to

Sept.

2009

Sept.

2009 to

Oct. 2009

Oct. 2009

to Nov.

2009

Nov.

2009 to

Dec.

2009

All commodities..................................... 100.000 124.4 124.4 8.6 0.2 0.9 1.6 0.0

All imports excluding petroleum................ 81.182 109.1 109.7 -0.2 0.3 0.5 0.6 0.5

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)... 79.662 112.7 113.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 4.629 142.4 143.7 1.0 0.4 0.4 0.9 0.9

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 3.608 159.5 161.2 1.1 0.7 0.3 1.4 1.1

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 1.021 103.7 104.2 0.4 -0.4 0.2 -0.6 0.5

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 34.387 195.9 195.8 30.2 0.3 2.3 4.6 -0.1

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum..................................... 15.568 141.3 144.4 -1.1 1.4 2.2 2.8 2.2

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)....................... 14.048 155.9 158.8 2.4 2.5 1.5 1.3 1.9

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 8.945 149.1 152.4 7.5 3.3 1.0 1.3 2.2

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum......................... 5.104 132.1 134.8 -10.6 -1.4 3.9 5.1 2.0

Fuels & lubricants............................... 10 20.339 252.0 248.4 61.4 -1.3 2.9 7.1 -1.4

Petroleum & petroleum products........... 100 18.819 274.5 269.1 78.4 -0.6 2.4 6.3 -2.0

Crude.......................................... 10000 13.703 282.2 274.4 78.2 -0.4 3.7 5.5 -2.8

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................... 101 1.346 127.8 135.3 -24.3 -11.9 13.9 21.8 5.9

Gas-natural................................... 10110 1.149 113.7 121.5 -28.4 -14.2 17.4 26.6 6.9

Paper & paper base stocks................... 11 0.674 102.4 102.8 -9.2 0.7 1.4 1.9 0.4

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials......................... 12 4.507 139.6 141.3 -4.8 1.1 2.3 1.2 1.2

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.609 118.4 120.8 2.3 -0.3 -0.3 -0.2 2.0

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods.......................................... 14 3.898 213.4 221.8 19.4 7.0 2.1 2.5 3.9

Finished metals related to durable goods. .. 15 1.843 138.7 139.5 -0.9 1.6 0.5 0.7 0.6

Nonmetals related to durable goods......... 16 1.517 105.3 105.6 -3.1 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.3

Capital goods..................................... 2 22.875 92.1 92.2 -0.5 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.1

Electric generating equipment................ 20 2.968 111.3 111.4 0.0 0.0 0.5 0.5 0.1

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 17.865 86.6 86.7 -0.9 0.0 -0.1 0.2 0.1

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 2.041 122.8 122.5 1.9 0.0 -0.1 -0.2 -0.2

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 13.625 109.0 109.1 1.2 0.2 0.3 0.1 0.1

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 24.485 104.2 104.2 -0.2 0.0 0.2 -0.1 0.0

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 11.259 107.7 107.7 -0.5 0.0 0.0 -0.1 0.0

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 12.056 100.9 100.8 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.0 -0.1

Nonmanufactured consumer goods.......... 42 1.170 101.1 102.1 -1.4 0.4 0.4 -0.5 1.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

5
Table 2. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2008 to

December 2009

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Nov.

20091

Index Percent change

Nov.

2009

Dec.

2009

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2008 to

Dec.

2009

Aug.

2009 to

Sept.

2009

Sept.

2009 to

Oct. 2009

Oct. 2009

to Nov.

2009

Nov.

2009 to

Dec.

2009

All commodities..................................... 100.000 119.0 119.7 3.4 -0.2 0.0 0.9 0.6

Agricultural commodities......................... 8.757 162.1 165.3 9.6 -2.9 -0.7 4.0 2.0

Nonagricultural commodities.................... 91.243 115.9 116.5 2.9 0.1 0.1 0.6 0.5

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 7.967 162.3 165.6 6.8 -3.8 -1.1 3.7 2.0

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 7.329 165.0 168.6 7.7 -3.9 -1.1 3.8 2.2

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 0.638 140.0 140.4 -2.2 -2.5 -1.7 3.7 0.3

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 28.069 147.4 150.0 7.4 0.2 0.7 1.7 1.8

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 11.105 154.1 158.0 11.7 1.8 1.1 1.1 2.5

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................... 16.965 144.0 146.0 5.0 -0.8 0.4 2.1 1.4

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials... 10 1.428 152.1 153.0 21.3 3.0 1.3 5.6 0.6

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials........................................ 26.642 147.4 150.2 6.9 0.1 0.6 1.5 1.9

Fuels & lubricants............................... 11 4.047 184.7 189.6 13.7 -5.3 2.1 5.2 2.7

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . . . .. 12 21.581 144.6 147.2 6.1 1.1 0.5 0.8 1.8

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.014 113.2 113.9 -1.0 0.3 -1.1 0.4 0.6

Capital goods..................................... 2 40.903 103.4 103.4 1.9 0.1 -0.3 0.2 0.0

Electrical generating equipment.............. 20 3.717 108.1 107.9 -1.0 0.1 0.5 0.2 -0.2

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 28.364 94.9 94.9 1.7 0.2 -0.4 0.4 0.0

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 8.822 136.5 136.2 3.6 -0.2 -0.1 -0.4 -0.2

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 10.249 108.2 108.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 12.811 109.4 109.4 0.4 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 5.722 109.8 110.0 2.6 0.4 -0.1 0.5 0.2

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 5.993 109.4 109.2 -0.5 -0.1 0.1 -0.2 -0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

6
Table 3. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2008 to

December 2009

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Nov.

20091

Index Percent change

Nov.

2009

Dec.

2009

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2008 to

Dec.

2009

Aug.

2009 to

Sept.

2009

Sept.

2009 to

Oct. 2009

Oct. 2009

to Nov.

2009

Nov.

2009 to

Dec.

2009

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 17.407 124.9 123.0 48.0 -0.6 3.8 6.5 -1.5

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 1.702 135.2 137.5 -1.7 1.1 -0.2 2.1 1.7

Crop production................................. 111 1.228 143.3 146.3 -5.0 1.4 -0.1 2.6 2.1

Mining.............................................. 21 15.705 123.6 121.3 57.1 -0.8 4.3 6.9 -1.9

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)..................................... 212 0.437 130.2 129.0 0.8 0.8 1.4 -1.0 -0.9

Manufactured articles.............................. 82.050 108.7 109.1 2.8 0.2 0.3 0.6 0.4

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 10.159 107.6 108.1 0.7 0.1 0.3 0.3 0.5

Food manufacturing............................ 311 2.423 119.9 121.4 2.2 0.5 0.7 1.0 1.3

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.919 108.2 108.9 2.4 0.1 0.3 0.5 0.6

Textile mills...................................... 313 0.443 114.3 117.6 6.2 -0.2 1.2 0.4 2.9

Textile product mills............................ 314 0.786 100.3 100.3 -1.5 0.0 1.0 -0.1 0.0

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 4.068 101.7 101.6 -0.8 -0.1 -0.2 0.0 -0.1

Leather and allied product manufacturing. .. 316 1.521 107.2 107.2 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 17.839 117.6 118.0 9.8 -0.4 0.1 2.1 0.3

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.974 93.8 96.1 3.6 -0.4 -0.3 -0.3 2.5

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.190 100.5 100.7 -8.4 0.7 0.4 1.1 0.2

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 4.253 123.8 123.8 76.1 -2.8 -1.5 7.8 0.0

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 8.383 120.8 121.2 -2.3 0.4 0.8 0.5 0.3

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 1.810 112.9 113.4 0.2 -0.1 0.1 0.7 0.4

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 1.124 119.2 119.2 1.4 0.0 -0.3 -0.1 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 54.052 106.1 106.5 1.0 0.5 0.3 0.3 0.4

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.400 140.6 145.7 11.9 5.9 1.4 2.3 3.6

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.724 116.1 116.2 -2.4 -0.1 0.3 0.0 0.1

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 6.777 112.9 113.2 2.4 0.3 0.4 0.0 0.3

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 14.760 89.1 89.2 -1.7 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.929 113.0 113.1 -0.8 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.1

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 14.802 106.4 106.4 1.5 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.0

Furniture and related product

manufacturing................................ 337 1.515 108.0 108.4 -1.7 0.3 -0.7 -0.3 0.4

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 5.146 112.6 112.5 1.6 0.1 0.4 0.3 -0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

7
Table 4. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2008 to

December 2009

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Nov.

20091

Index Percent change

Nov.

2009

Dec.

2009

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2008 to

Dec.

2009

Aug.

2009 to

Sept.

2009

Sept.

2009 to

Oct. 2009

Oct. 2009

to Nov.

2009

Nov.

2009 to

Dec.

2009

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 6.145 122.5 126.8 11.1 -5.2 3.1 3.5 3.5

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 4.788 140.0 143.5 11.4 -6.5 0.5 6.1 2.5

Crop production................................. 111 4.442 144.2 148.1 12.4 -6.9 0.7 6.3 2.7

Mining.............................................. 21 1.357 83.6 89.4 9.7 -0.3 12.3 -4.7 6.9

Mining (except oil and gas).................... 212 0.998 92.3 93.6 3.1 1.0 3.7 -0.5 1.4

Manufactured articles.............................. 91.882 109.6 110.0 2.5 0.1 -0.1 0.6 0.4

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 6.609 121.9 122.9 5.0 0.9 -0.7 1.0 0.8

Food manufacturing............................ 311 4.446 136.8 138.0 7.0 1.1 -1.2 1.3 0.9

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.518 108.1 108.2 4.6 0.0 0.9 0.1 0.1

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 0.387 102.8 102.4 0.8 0.1 0.1 0.0 -0.4

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 21.974 112.2 112.9 2.8 -0.5 -0.6 1.6 0.6

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.461 108.5 109.3 -1.0 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.879 111.0 112.4 -1.7 0.5 0.9 0.2 1.3

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 2.477 113.0 113.4 16.4 -7.0 0.7 9.9 0.4

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 14.179 113.7 114.5 2.3 0.2 -1.1 0.8 0.7

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 2.132 107.2 107.3 -1.8 0.0 -0.6 0.1 0.1

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.845 112.0 112.0 -0.2 0.5 -0.2 0.3 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 63.299 107.3 107.6 2.2 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.3

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.553 132.5 138.5 15.8 2.8 3.0 2.7 4.5

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.808 121.4 121.7 2.4 0.2 -0.3 0.1 0.2

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 12.689 113.0 113.2 1.7 0.2 0.3 0.0 0.2

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 16.354 93.7 93.5 0.6 0.3 -0.9 0.5 -0.2

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.572 107.2 107.2 0.4 -0.1 -0.2 0.2 0.0

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 18.075 110.1 110.0 1.9 -0.1 0.1 -0.2 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 4.895 110.3 110.4 -1.0 0.1 -0.3 -0.1 0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

8
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2008 to

December 2009

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Nov.

20091

Index Percent change

Nov.

2009

Dec.

2009

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2008 to

Dec.

2009

Aug.

2009 to

Sept.

2009

Sept.

2009 to

Oct. 2009

Oct. 2009

to Nov.

2009

Nov.

2009 to

Dec.

2009

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.120 132.2 132.0 5.2 0.2 0.8 0.3 -0.2

Meat and edible meat offal....................... 02 0.256 157.9 159.1 7.4 0.8 -1.3 1.7 0.8

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.545 100.2 100.3 0.9 -0.5 1.5 -0.5 0.1

Vegetable products................................ II 1.404 159.7 162.8 -6.9 1.3 -0.2 0.9 1.9

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers............ 07 0.423 298.7 300.8 -15.1 5.0 0.4 1.4 0.7

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.399 98.3 96.4 -15.1 0.3 2.9 -3.4 -1.9

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................... 09 0.261 160.9 167.4 15.5 -4.5 1.4 2.4 4.0

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.262 137.7 138.8 3.1 0.4 0.0 1.0 0.8

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100).............. 19 0.243 112.0 112.8 5.5 0.9 -1.9 1.2 0.7

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or other

parts of plants................................... 20 0.274 126.6 126.8 -4.7 0.1 0.2 0.5 0.2

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.................. 22 0.927 118.1 118.8 3.6 0.3 0.3 0.9 0.6

Mineral products.................................... V 20.458 253.8 250.2 58.9 -1.2 3.0 6.9 -1.4

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 20.088 250.8 247.2 60.9 -1.2 3.1 7.0 -1.4

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 7.687 133.9 134.8 -1.2 0.5 1.4 0.8 0.7

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 0.864 248.7 253.7 -1.7 10.0 12.1 3.1 2.0

Organic chemicals................................. 29 2.439 128.3 129.1 6.0 -0.6 0.3 0.9 0.6

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 2.656 114.2 114.2 0.8 0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.0

Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye & pigments;

varnish & paints; putty......................... 32 0.168 105.7 107.3 1.8 1.9 -0.5 -0.3 1.5

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec.

2001=100)....................................... 33 0.410 119.4 119.7 -0.7 0.4 0.6 -1.9 0.3

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 0.414 90.3 90.7 -6.4 0.4 -0.1 0.3 0.4

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 2.866 128.9 130.4 0.1 0.6 0.6 0.8 1.2

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 1.849 125.2 126.6 -1.3 0.1 0.5 0.6 1.1

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.017 135.9 137.6 2.7 1.3 1.0 1.0 1.3

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.607 113.7 113.7 -0.3 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0

Articles of leather; travel goods, bags, etc. of

various materials................................ 42 0.564 114.7 114.7 -0.1 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.0

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.996 113.9 116.5 2.6 -0.4 -0.6 -0.3 2.3

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 1.364 105.8 106.1 -6.7 0.4 0.3 0.9 0.3

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 0.915 101.3 101.6 -10.6 -0.2 -0.3 0.2 0.3

Printed matter...................................... 49 0.277 120.0 120.6 1.1 0.0 0.0 -0.1 0.5

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 5.133 103.1 103.3 -0.1 0.0 0.3 -0.1 0.2

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted............................ 61 1.926 99.4 99.4 -0.4 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted........................ 62 1.951 102.6 102.7 -0.9 -0.1 -0.3 0.0 0.1

Made-up or worn textile articles................. 63 0.531 91.7 91.9 -3.4 0.0 1.2 -0.1 0.2

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.. .. XII 1.238 107.5 107.6 0.7 -0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.1

Footwear and parts of such articles............ 64 1.043 106.6 106.6 0.7 -0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.0

See footnotes at end of table.

9
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2008 to

December 2009 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Nov.

20091

Index Percent change

Nov.

2009

Dec.

2009

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2008 to

Dec.

2009

Aug.

2009 to

Sept.

2009

Sept.

2009 to

Oct. 2009

Oct. 2009

to Nov.

2009

Nov.

2009 to

Dec.

2009

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 1.003 124.5 124.6 2.0 0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.1

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or

mica (Dec. 2001=100)......................... 68 0.374 118.0 118.0 -0.7 0.2 0.3 0.0 0.0

Ceramic products.................................. 69 0.318 139.6 139.6 5.8 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.311 115.9 115.9 1.6 0.1 -0.4 -0.3 0.0

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 2.719 149.6 155.8 19.1 1.4 3.0 2.1 4.1

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.754 164.9 166.4 1.6 4.0 0.6 1.1 0.9

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.277 198.3 197.8 -9.8 3.8 1.2 2.2 -0.3

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.705 138.1 138.2 -11.9 0.4 1.1 0.2 0.1

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.696 302.5 316.9 68.5 11.1 1.1 2.5 4.8

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.776 123.0 125.8 6.3 7.2 -1.8 1.6 2.3

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.380 116.6 116.6 0.2 0.0 -0.3 -0.2 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.452 127.5 127.5 -3.0 0.0 -0.5 -0.4 0.0

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 25.345 87.4 87.5 -0.2 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 12.753 88.4 88.7 0.8 0.0 -0.1 0.1 0.3

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and TV

recorders & reproducers, parts............... 85 12.592 86.5 86.5 -1.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.0

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 12.583 110.6 110.6 1.4 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.0

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 11.421 109.5 109.5 1.4 0.2 0.3 0.1 0.0

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)....................................... 88 1.050 115.6 115.3 -0.2 0.0 0.0 -0.1 -0.3

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 3.134 102.5 102.5 1.4 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical

instruments...................................... 90 2.811 100.1 100.1 1.0 0.1 0.1 -0.1 0.0

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . . . .. 91 0.245 124.9 125.1 3.3 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 4.114 107.3 107.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.5 -0.1 -0.2

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs........... 94 2.232 111.2 111.0 -1.5 0.1 -0.6 -0.2 -0.2

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 1.672 101.1 100.8 1.1 -0.3 -0.2 -0.1 -0.3

Miscellaneous manufactured articles........... 96 0.210 116.7 116.9 4.1 0.0 0.3 0.3 0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

10
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2008 to

December 2009

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Nov.

20091

Index Percent change

Nov.

2009

Dec.

2009

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2008 to

Dec.

2009

Aug.

2009 to

Sept.

2009

Sept.

2009 to

Oct. 2009

Oct. 2009

to Nov.

2009

Nov.

2009 to

Dec.

2009

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.462 153.0 156.7 1.0 -1.6 -2.0 1.8 2.4

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100). . .. 02 0.762 123.5 128.6 7.9 -2.1 -2.7 2.4 4.1

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.367 135.5 136.6 -9.1 -3.2 -2.2 3.2 0.8

Vegetable products................................ II 4.507 184.3 186.6 8.8 -5.8 -0.7 4.9 1.2

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.603 107.9 112.1 4.5 1.3 3.5 -3.0 3.9

Cereals.............................................. 10 1.837 187.2 193.1 8.7 -8.4 2.3 8.8 3.2

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder....................... 12 1.436 209.5 209.6 17.5 -7.5 -6.0 5.4 0.0

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.496 140.7 142.0 7.3 0.2 -0.7 1.1 0.9

Miscellaneous edible preparations.............. 21 0.368 119.8 119.9 -1.6 0.2 1.4 0.1 0.1

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar

(Dec.2008=100)................................. 22 0.286 103.7 103.8 3.8 0.0 1.6 0.2 0.1

Residues and waste from the food industries;

prepared animal feed........................... 23 0.526 197.3 200.6 18.6 0.1 -7.4 3.3 1.7

Mineral products.................................... V 4.040 219.5 225.8 11.7 -4.2 5.3 4.1 2.9

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 3.493 213.3 219.5 14.1 -5.2 5.2 5.1 2.9

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 11.611 136.0 137.0 1.3 -0.4 -1.0 1.0 0.7

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 1.094 166.9 167.1 -17.4 -6.3 -5.4 -0.4 0.1

Organic chemicals................................. 29 3.349 142.6 143.9 9.0 0.1 -1.4 3.0 0.9

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 2.680 117.1 117.5 3.3 0.3 -0.1 0.6 0.3

Tanning or dyeing extracts, dyes, paints,

varnish, putty, & inks........................... 32 0.540 115.1 114.8 0.6 0.3 0.3 0.2 -0.3

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations................ 33 0.741 127.0 127.1 1.8 0.2 0.1 0.6 0.1

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or scouring

products; candles, pastes..................... 34 0.415 117.3 117.5 -3.5 0.7 0.4 0.6 0.2

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 1.808 133.3 134.3 3.8 0.6 0.2 0.2 0.8

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 5.306 133.6 134.0 -1.3 0.9 -1.0 0.1 0.3

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 4.281 127.7 128.1 -0.5 0.5 -1.3 0.0 0.3

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.025 159.9 160.1 -4.0 2.6 0.1 0.4 0.1

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.336 101.2 106.1 12.3 4.9 0.4 2.6 4.8

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.567 103.8 105.0 -3.6 0.3 0.4 0.6 1.2

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 2.387 109.0 110.2 2.7 0.5 0.5 0.6 1.1

Woodpulp and recovered paper................. 47 0.569 104.9 109.8 20.8 2.8 3.3 2.0 4.7

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 1.290 109.7 109.8 -3.3 -0.5 0.2 -0.1 0.1

Printed material.................................... 49 0.528 116.3 116.3 0.8 0.4 -1.8 0.6 0.0

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 2.076 109.1 109.2 5.1 0.5 2.0 3.4 0.1

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof............................................ 52 0.662 113.8 114.3 23.8 1.3 6.6 11.1 0.4

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc. (Dec.2008=100)...................... XIII 0.823 114.6 114.6 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.430 97.7 97.7 -2.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 4.113 186.8 196.9 22.2 1.7 2.8 2.7 5.4

See footnotes at end of table.

11
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: December 2008 to

December 2009 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Nov.

20091

Index Percent change

Nov.

2009

Dec.

2009

Annual Monthly

Dec.

2008 to

Dec.

2009

Aug.

2009 to

Sept.

2009

Sept.

2009 to

Oct. 2009

Oct. 2009

to Nov.

2009

Nov.

2009 to

Dec.

2009

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.294 153.0 154.5 6.3 1.4 0.1 0.6 1.0

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.371 174.3 175.1 3.3 3.3 0.2 -0.3 0.5

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.434 157.5 157.4 -1.8 -1.4 -0.4 0.3 -0.1

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.549 203.8 215.3 68.6 4.0 0.5 4.4 5.6

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.773 113.5 115.8 13.8 4.2 -0.4 1.0 2.0

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.404 123.8 123.8 1.5 0.0 0.6 0.0 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.336 122.2 122.3 -4.5 0.0 0.3 0.1 0.1

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 31.095 95.7 95.7 1.2 0.2 -0.3 0.3 0.0

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 18.051 106.5 106.6 2.2 0.3 0.2 0.5 0.1

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts

and accessories thereof....................... 85 13.044 84.0 83.9 -0.2 0.1 -1.1 0.1 -0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 15.648 120.1 120.0 1.7 -0.2 0.2 -0.3 -0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 9.008 107.8 107.9 0.4 -0.1 0.3 0.0 0.1

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 6.254 108.5 108.6 2.4 0.2 -0.1 0.0 0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 1.571 108.3 107.5 0.9 0.6 0.0 0.1 -0.7

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;........................... 94 0.776 119.3 117.6 1.8 1.2 0.3 0.2 -1.4

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 0.672 93.0 93.0 -0.3 0.0 -0.3 0.0 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

12
Table 7. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes by locality of origin: December 2008 to December 2009

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Percent of

U.S.

imports1

Index Percent change

Nov.

2009

Dec.

2009

Annual Monthly

Dec. 2008

to Dec.

2009

Aug. 2009

to Sept.

2009

Sept. 2009

to Oct.

2009

Oct. 2009

to Nov.

2009

Nov. 2009

to Dec.

2009

Industrialized Countries2

..................... 42.434 123.1 123.9 4.0 0.4 0.9 1.3 0.6

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 4.390 196.0 196.5 27.2 -0.5 5.9 9.4 0.3

Manufactured articles......................... 37.621 117.2 118.0 2.0 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.7

Other Countries3

............................... 57.566 122.3 122.2 9.9 -0.2 0.7 1.2 -0.1

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 12.442 251.9 246.6 53.9 -0.6 3.2 5.5 -2.1

Manufactured articles......................... 44.910 104.1 104.7 1.3 0.0 -0.2 0.0 0.6

Canada............................................ 15.963 136.5 137.6 6.0 1.1 1.1 2.9 0.8

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 3.979 190.0 190.3 26.2 -0.7 6.4 10.5 0.2

Manufactured articles......................... 11.678 126.5 127.7 0.7 1.5 -0.2 0.7 0.9

European Union4

............................... 17.447 126.8 127.0 2.2 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.2

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 0.222 244.3 239.7 3.9 -2.0 3.8 0.0 -1.9

Manufactured articles......................... 17.133 124.3 124.6 2.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.2

France (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 1.954 124.0 124.1 5.2 0.8 0.1 0.7 0.1

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)..................... 4.735 111.5 111.9 3.4 0.4 0.7 0.5 0.4

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)........... 2.660 123.5 124.2 4.8 0.2 1.0 0.4 0.6

Latin America5

.................................. 17.808 154.6 154.5 14.1 0.1 1.8 2.2 -0.1

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 5.160 280.3 274.3 51.1 -0.8 3.2 5.6 -2.1

Manufactured articles......................... 12.547 128.6 129.9 1.7 0.5 1.0 0.6 1.0

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 10.785 136.6 135.4 4.5 0.5 1.1 1.0 -0.9

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec.

2008=100)................................... 1.947 149.2 144.0 44.0 0.1 4.6 5.0 -3.5

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100). . .. 8.788 96.2 96.2 -3.8 0.7 0.1 -0.3 0.0

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6

................ 33.590 99.9 100.3 -0.5 0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.4

China (Dec. 2003=100)......................... 16.852 100.4 100.5 -1.9 -0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.1

Japan.............................................. 7.488 97.5 97.8 1.9 0.1 0.3 0.0 0.3

Asian NICs7

..................................... 5.647 85.8 86.6 -2.9 0.2 -0.3 0.0 0.9

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8

..................... 5.729 96.9 97.5 0.2 -0.1 -0.6 0.4 0.6

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9........... 3.992 202.0 198.2 40.1 0.2 3.3 1.3 -1.9

1 Percentage of trade figures are based on 2007 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, Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Macao, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines and Asian Newly Industrialized

Countries.

7 Asian 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.

Dash = Not available

13
Table 8. U.S. international price indexes and percent changes for selected transportation services: December

2008 to December 2009

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Nov.

20091

Index Percent change

Nov.

2009

Dec.

2009

Annual Monthly

Dec. 2008

to Dec.

2009

Aug. 2009

to Sept.

2009

Sept.

2009 to

Oct. 2009

Oct. 2009

to Nov.

2009

Nov. 2009

to Dec.

2009

Air Freight

Import Air Freight..................................... 100.000 152.5 163.9 18.3 1.0 8.4 4.4 7.5

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 21.324 137.8 140.7 6.8 1.1 2.1 1.4 2.1

Asia.................................................... 69.854 137.1 150.9 24.2 1.1 11.7 5.5 10.1

Export Air Freight..................................... 100.000 122.0 123.1 -8.8 1.3 -0.2 0.6 0.9

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)............................ 41.332 111.0 112.9 -9.5 2.5 0.0 0.0 1.7

Inbound Air Freight................................... 100.000 140.3 147.3 7.7 1.2 5.8 4.1 5.0

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 23.329 127.7 129.5 -1.8 1.1 1.4 1.0 1.4

Asia.................................................... 65.784 127.0 136.0 14.4 1.7 8.7 5.7 7.1

Outbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 113.3 114.7 -12.0 0.8 0.4 0.8 1.2

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 39.714 129.7 131.6 -13.5 1.1 0.0 0.2 1.5

Asia.................................................... 41.455 104.1 105.1 -7.7 0.6 0.2 1.1 1.0

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 147.5 152.3 -3.2 -1.1 6.4 0.5 3.3

Europe................................................. 45.257 159.6 156.0 6.1 2.8 8.6 0.0 -2.3

Asia.................................................... 26.714 126.5 140.4 -7.8 -4.3 4.1 -2.3 11.0

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 12.017 130.2 146.6 -7.2 -8.3 2.3 8.2 12.6

Export Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 141.6 152.0 -7.7 -9.1 1.2 -1.0 7.3

Europe................................................. 33.072 175.8 183.8 -1.6 -10.1 2.3 3.0 4.6

Asia.................................................... 32.441 113.9 128.6 -11.4 -11.4 1.1 -7.8 12.9

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 21.199 147.9 163.8 -8.4 -7.3 -1.0 3.6 10.8

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

14
TECHNICAL NOTE

Import and Export Merchandise and Services Price Indexes -- All indexes use a modified Laspeyres 

formula and are not seasonally adjusted. Price indexes 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 by end use according to the Bureau of Economic 

Analysis Classification System, by industry according to the North American Industry Classification 

System (NAICS), and by product category according to the Harmonized System (HS). While 

classification by end use and product category are self-explanatory, some notes are in order for 

classifying items by industry. In the NAICS imports and exports tables, items are classified by output 

industry, not input industry. As an example, NAICS import index 326 (plastics and rubber products 

manufacturing) 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 (Producer Price 

Index) 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. 

Services Price Indexes -- Starting in September 2008 the Import Air Passenger Fares Indexes represent 

changes in the average revenue per passenger received by foreign carriers from U.S. residents and are 

calculated from data obtained from an airline consulting service. These data include tickets sold by 

travel agencies and travel websites. Tickets sold directly by the airlines are excluded, as are frequent 

flyer tickets generally. Starting in January 2008 the Export Air Passenger Fares Indexes represent 

changes in the average revenue per passenger received by U.S. carriers from foreign residents and are 

calculated from data collected directly from airlines. These data include frequent flyer tickets and those 

sold by consolidators. Taxes and fees are included in the Import Air Passenger Fares Index and excluded 

from the Export Air Passenger Fares Index. The Air Freight Indexes are calculated from data collected 

directly from airlines. These data exclude mail and passenger baggage. The scope of the service being 

priced is the movement of freight from airport to airport only, and does not include any ground 

transportation or port service. The Air Freight Indexes 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.). Fact sheets specifying detailed 

information for each services industry are available at http://www.bls.gov/mxp under "MXP 

Publications."

15
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. 

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 to compute price elasticities, and the merchandise import 

indexes by country or region of origin are useful in terms of trade analysis. 

E-Mail Subscription -- The U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes news release is available through an 

e-mail subscription service at (http://www.bls.gov/bls/list.htm). 

 

Additional Information -- More detailed data are available on the Import/Export Price Indexes home 

page at (http://www.bls.gov/mxp). Flat Files and the FTP server are available for users requiring access 

to either a large volume of time series data or other related documentation. The FTP site can be accessed 

at ftp://ftp.bls.gov. For technical assistance in using the BLS Internet site, send e-mail to 

(labstat.helpdesk@bls.gov). For Import/Export Price Index data requests, send e-mail to 

(mxpinfo@bls.gov). 

Information from this release will be made available to sensory impaired individuals upon request. 

Voice phone: 202-691-5200; Federal Relay Service: 1-800-877-8339. 

16