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                    U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES
                              - DECEMBER 2004 -

                               
     The U.S. Import Price Index declined 1.3 percent in December, the Bureau
of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today.  The
decrease followed a 0.2 percent decline in November and was led by lower
petroleum prices.  Export prices were up 0.2 percent in December after rising
0.3 percent the previous month.
     
             Percent changes in import and export price indexes
                             by End Use category
                          -not seasonally adjusted-

                           IMPORTS                          EXPORTS             
                                                                                
     Month                              Non-                  Agri-    Nonagri- 
                   All     Petroleum  petroleum     All      cultural  cultural 
                 Imports    Imports    Imports    Exports    Exports   Exports 
                                                                                                                                                                
2003                                                                            
December           0.7        5.1        0.3        0.3        0.4       0.3     
                                                                                 
2004                                                                             
January            1.5        7.3        0.8        0.7        0.7       0.7     
February           0.4        0.5        0.4        0.7        1.5       0.6     
March              0.8        5.1        0.2        0.8        3.5       0.5     
April              0.2       -0.2        0.3        0.7        2.5       0.5     
May                1.5        9.4        0.2        0.4        0.5       0.3     
June              -0.2       -1.1        0.1       -0.7       -4.7      -0.2     
July               0.4        2.3        0.0        0.5       -1.0       0.7     
August             1.5        8.8        0.3       -0.5       -8.4       0.3     
September          0.5        3.3 r      0.1        0.4        1.8 r     0.3     
October            1.6       11.3 r     -0.1        0.6 r     -1.2 r     0.8 r
November          -0.2 r     -5.7 r      0.9 r      0.3        0.2 r     0.3 r
December          -1.3      -11.5        0.5        0.2        0.2       0.1     
                                                                                 
December 2002-03   2.4       12.8        1.2        2.2       13.4       1.3     
December 2003-04   6.9       30.8        3.8        4.1       -5.0       4.9 

r = revised to reflect late reports and corrections by respondents.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        


Import Goods
     
     Import prices fell 1.3 percent in December, the largest monthly decline
for the index since April 2003.  Despite the December decrease, import prices
were up 6.9 percent over the past year compared with a more modest 2.4
percent increase for the year ended in December 2003.  The December drop in
overall import prices was led by lower petroleum prices, which fell 11.5
percent in December and 5.7 percent in November following sharp increases
over much of 2004.  For the year ended in December, petroleum prices were up
30.8 percent after increasing 12.8 percent over the previous 12-month period.
In contrast to petroleum prices, the index for nonpetroleum import prices was
up 0.5 percent in December.  For the December 2003-2004 period, the index
rose 3.8 percent following a 1.2 percent increase over the previous year.
     
     Higher prices for each of the major goods categories contributed to the
December increase in nonpetroleum import prices.  The price index for
nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials had the largest impact, up 1.3
percent in December and led primarily by higher prices for building materials
and metals.  Nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials prices trended
upward throughout 2004, increasing 17.1 percent for the year ended in
December.

     The price indexes for consumer goods and for capital goods were each up
0.3 percent in December.  The advance in consumer goods prices was the
largest monthly gain since January, while the rise in capital goods prices
was the largest monthly advance since November 2003.  For the year ended in
December, prices of consumer goods rose 0.7 percent, whereas capital goods
prices were down 0.9 percent.  Prices for automotive vehicles were up 0.2
percent in December and 2.1 percent over the past year.  Prices for foods,
feeds, and beverages also increased in December, up 1.0 percent for the month
and 7.8 percent over the past 12 months.
     

Export Goods

     Export prices rose 0.2 percent in December as both agricultural and
nonagricultural prices increased.  The price index for overall exports grew
over much of the past 12 months and was up 4.1 percent for that period
following a 2.2 percent increase from December 2002-2003.  Agricultural
prices were up in December, rising 0.2 percent for the second consecutive
month.  Higher corn prices were somewhat offset by declining prices for
export fruit.  Despite the recent increases in agricultural prices, the index
was down 5.0 percent for the year ended in December, contrasting with a 13.4
percent increase over the previous year.  Nonagricultural prices increased
0.1 percent in December, continuing their upward trend over 2004.  The index
was up 4.9 percent over the past year after rising 1.3 percent for the year
ended in December 2003.
     
     The December rise in nonagricultural prices was led by increases in each
of the major finished goods categories.  The price index for consumer goods
rose 0.3 percent in December, the largest gain for the index since July.
Consumer goods prices were up 1.5 percent over the December 2003-2004 period.
December prices for capital goods and for automotive vehicles each rose 0.1
percent, the third consecutive monthly increase for both indexes.  For the
year ended in December, capital goods prices were up 0.7 percent while prices
for automotive vehicles increased 1.1 percent.
     
     Prices for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials were
unchanged in December as falling fuel prices offset continued price increases
for chemicals and metals.  Nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials
prices trended up over much of the past year and increased 16.2 percent
overall in 2004.
                                      
                 Summary of December-to-December Percent Changes
                                      
                        1995  1996  1997  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004
All Commodity Imports    2.6   1.5  -5.2  -6.4   7.0   3.2  -9.1   4.2   2.4   6.9
  Excluding Petroleum    2.4  -1.8  -2.8  -3.3   0.0   1.3  -4.5   0.3   1.2   3.8
  Petroleum              6.0  33.7 -25.5 -40.8 137.2  17.6 -39.5  56.9  12.8  30.8
All Commodity Exports    3.3  -1.1  -1.2  -3.4   0.5   1.1  -2.5   1.0   2.2   4.1
  Excluding Agricultural 1.7  -0.4  -1.0  -2.7   1.2   0.9  -2.5   0.4   1.3   4.9
  Agricultural           17.3 -6.9  -2.9  -9.3  -6.8   3.1  -1.8   8.0  13.4  -5.0
                                      

Imports by Locality of Origin

     Import prices from Japan and from the European Union each increased 0.3
percent in December, paralleling the recent depreciation of the dollar
against the yen and the euro.  For the year ended in December, import prices
from Japan were up 1.3 percent and import prices from the European Union rose
6.7 percent.
     
     In contrast, the price indexes for imports from Canada and from Latin
America, led by lower petroleum prices, were each down in December,
decreasing 0.1 percent and 2.9 percent respectively.  Notwithstanding the
December declines, import prices from Canada were up 12.0 percent and prices
of imports from Latin America rose 10.7 percent over the past 12 months.
     
     Prices for imports from the Asian Newly Industrialized Countries also
declined in December, down 0.2 percent after reporting no change over the
previous two months.  The index dipped 0.1 percent over the past year.
     
     
Import and Export Services

     The price index for import air passenger fares increased 3.4 percent in
December after declining in each of the three previous months.  Higher fares
from Europe, Asia, and Latin America all contributed to the increase.  Export
air passenger fares were up in December as well, rising 3.1 percent following
a 1.9 percent increase in November.  For the year ended in December, import
air passenger fares rose 7.0 percent and export air passenger fares increased
13.2 percent.

     Import air freight prices rose 5.7 percent in the quarter ended in
December.  Increasing air freight prices from Europe and Asia both
contributed to the overall increase.  The index rose in each quarter of 2004
and was up 10.4 percent for the year.  Export air freight was up for the
fifth consecutive quarter, increasing 6.8 percent between September and
December.  The index was up 12.3 percent over the past 12 months.

      
      ANNOUNCEMENT OF CHANGES IN THE U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES

     Beginning with the release of January 2005 data on February 17, the
Import Price Indexes by Locality of Origin, found in Table 7, will be
expanded to include indexes from the following regions: France, Germany, the
United Kingdom, Mexico, the Pacific Rim, China, the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations, and the Asia Near East Countries. Each new index series will
be published back to December 2003, which will be set equal to 100.  In
addition, the Inbound Ocean Liner Freight Indexes found in Table 10 will be
published on a monthly basis rather than a quarterly basis and will be moved
to Table 11.
          
     
                             CONTENTS OF RELEASE

This news release includes the following tables:

Table 1    Import Price Indexes, by End Use
Table 2    Export Price Indexes, by End Use
Table 3    Import Price Indexes, by SITC
Table 4    Export Price Indexes, by SITC
Table 5    Import Price Indexes, by Harmonized System
Table 6    Export Price Indexes, by Harmonized System
Table 7    Import Price Indexes, by Locality of Origin
Table 8    U.S. Import and Export Quarterly Price Indexes for Services
Table 9    U.S. Import and Export Monthly Price Indexes for Services
Table 10   U.S. International Quarterly Price Indexes for Services
Table 11   U.S. International Monthly Price Indexes for Services
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Import and Export Price Index data for January 2005 are scheduled for release
on February 17 at 8:30 A.M. (E.S.T.).


Table  1     U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods
                  December 2003-December 2004          2000=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                                    Index                     Percent Change
                                                                   Relative
                                                                    Import-                      Annual         Monthly
                                                                     ance                         Dec.    Aug.    Sept.   Oct.    Nov.
 END                            Description                                                       2003    2004    2004    2004    2004
 USE                                                               November  November  December    to      to      to      to      to
                                                                     2004      2004      2004     Dec.    Sept.   Oct.    Nov.    Dec.
                                                                      1/                          2004    2004    2004    2004    2004

         ALL COMMODITIES.......................................... 100.000    105.6      104.2     6.9     0.5     1.6    -0.2    -1.3
         ALL IMPORTS EXCLUDING PETROLEUM..........................  84.507    100.9      101.4     3.8     0.1    -0.1     0.9     0.5
         ALL IMPORTS EXCLUDING FUELS
                (Dec. 2001=100)...................................  82.247    103.5      104.0     3.0     0.2    -0.1     0.2     0.5

0          FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES..............................   4.546    110.2      111.3     7.8     1.3     1.2     0.2     1.0

00               Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,
                        excluding distilled beverages.............   3.387    119.0      120.4     8.6     2.0     1.7     0.5     1.2

01               Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)   1.159     90.5       90.7     5.5    -1.0    -0.4    -0.5     0.2

1          INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS........................  32.208    133.6      127.2    22.8     1.5     5.1    -1.0    -4.8
              INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS
                    EXCLUDING PETROLEUM...........................  16.715    118.1      119.6    17.1     0.0    -0.7     4.0     1.3
              INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS
                    EXCLUDING FUELS (Dec. 2001=100)...............  14.455    123.3      125.0    13.5     1.1    -0.9     0.2     1.4
              INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                    DURABLE.......................................   8.957    115.9      118.2    18.8     1.6    -1.6     0.0     2.0
              INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                    NONDURABLE EXCLUDING PETROLEUM................   7.757    120.5      121.3    15.5    -2.0     0.5     8.8     0.7

10               Fuels & lubricants...............................  17.753    158.0      142.4    32.8     2.0    10.2    -1.9    -9.9
100                  Petroleum & petroleum products...............  15.493    156.7      138.7    30.8     3.3    11.3    -5.7   -11.5
10000                        Crude................................  11.293    156.4      135.9    26.9     3.9    10.9    -7.2   -13.1

11               Paper & paper base stocks........................   1.055    101.1      101.4     8.0     0.7     0.3    -0.3     0.3

12               Materials associated with nondurable
                        supplies & materials......................   4.565    109.4      109.9     5.3     0.3     0.6     0.7     0.5

13               Selected building materials......................   2.058    110.9      115.2     6.7     1.3    -8.2    -3.8     3.9

14               Unfinished metals related to durable goods.......   3.772    136.9      138.9    40.0     2.5     0.8     2.0     1.5

15               Finished metals related to durable goods.........   1.465    113.3      115.6    14.5     1.3     0.4     0.4     2.0

16               Nonmetals related to durable goods...............   1.540     99.2       99.7     1.5     0.3     0.0     0.4     0.5

2          CAPITAL GOODS..........................................  21.999     91.8       92.1    -0.9    -0.1    -0.3     0.1     0.3

20               Electric generating equipment....................   2.710     97.5       98.1     1.3    -0.3     0.0     0.1     0.6

21               Nonelectrical machinery..........................  17.125     89.5       89.8    -1.4    -0.1    -0.4     0.1     0.3

22               Transportation equipment excluding
                        motor vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)............   2.164    104.2      104.4     1.6     0.1     0.2     0.1     0.2

3          AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES...................  16.721    103.3      103.5     2.1     0.2     0.4     0.2     0.2

4          CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING
                  AUTOMOTIVES.....................................  24.526     98.5       98.8     0.7     0.0     0.0     0.1     0.3

40               Nondurables, manufactured........................  11.976    100.8      101.1     1.0    -0.1    -0.1     0.1     0.3

41               Durables, manufactured...........................  11.323     96.1       96.4     0.2     0.0     0.1     0.1     0.3

42               Nonmanufactured consumer goods...................   1.227     98.0       98.1     2.0     0.0     0.0     0.1     0.1


     1   Relative importance figures are based on 2002 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
                  December 2003-December 2004          2000=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                                       Index                     Percent Change
                                                                      Relative
                                                                       Import-                      Annual         Monthly
                                                                        ance                         Dec.    Aug.    Sept.   Oct.    Nov.
 END                             Description                                                         2003    2004    2004    2004    2004
 USE                                                                  November  November  December    to      to      to      to      to
                                                                        2004      2004      2004     Dec.    Sept.   Oct.    Nov.    Dec.
                                                                         1/                          2004    2004    2004    2004    2004

         ALL COMMODITIES............................................. 100.000    104.7      104.9     4.1     0.4     0.6     0.3     0.2
         AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES....................................   8.723    116.4      116.6    -5.0     1.8    -1.2     0.2     0.2
         NONAGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES.................................  91.277    103.9      104.0     4.9     0.3     0.8     0.3     0.1

0          FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES.................................   8.021    118.1      118.6    -3.1     1.9    -0.9     0.4     0.4

00               Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,
                        excluding distilled beverages................   7.257    118.3      118.5    -4.3     2.0    -1.3     0.4     0.2

01               Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)...   0.764    115.3      118.9     9.6     1.9     1.2     0.8     3.1

1          INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS...........................  27.942    117.5      117.5    14.6     0.8     2.3     0.8     0.0
              INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                    DURABLE..........................................  10.584    119.7      120.1    16.3     0.2     1.5     1.7     0.3
              INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                    NONDURABLE.......................................  17.359    116.3      116.1    13.6     1.2     2.8     0.2    -0.2

10               Agricultural industrial supplies & materials........   1.466    107.2      107.7    -8.3     0.9    -0.6    -1.4     0.5

           NONAGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES
                        & MATERIALS..................................  26.476    118.2      118.2    16.2     0.7     2.5     0.9     0.0

11               Fuels & lubricants..................................   3.119    128.6      120.5    21.7     0.9     9.1    -2.9    -6.3

12               Nonagricultural supplies & materials
                        excluding fuels & building materials.........  22.167    118.0      119.1    16.2     0.8     1.7     1.4     0.9

13               Selected building materials.........................   1.190    104.0      104.1     4.6     0.7    -0.1     0.1     0.1

2          CAPITAL GOODS.............................................  40.722     98.1       98.2     0.7     0.0     0.2     0.1     0.1

20               Electrical generating equipment.....................   3.990    103.4      103.4     1.7     0.2     0.9     0.1     0.0

21               Nonelectrical machinery.............................  29.097     93.9       93.9    -0.2    -0.1     0.0     0.0     0.0

22               Transportation equipment excluding
                        motor vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)...............   7.635    109.2      109.4     3.5     0.3     0.3     0.6     0.2

3          AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES......................  11.378    102.8      102.9     1.1    -0.1     0.2     0.1     0.1

4          CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING
                  AUTOMOTIVES........................................  11.888    101.1      101.4     1.5    -0.1     0.0     0.1     0.3

40               Nondurables, manufactured...........................   5.829    100.9      101.3     2.1     0.0    -0.3     0.2     0.4

41               Durables, manufactured..............................   5.312    101.0      101.1     0.8    -0.1    -0.1     0.2     0.1

42               Nonmanufactured consumer goods (Dec. 2001=100)......   0.747    102.9      102.9     1.2     0.1     1.5     0.1     0.0


     1   Relative importance figures are based on 2002 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
                  December 2003-December 2004          2000=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                                       Index                     Percent Change
                                                                      Relative
                                                                       Import-                      Annual         Monthly
                                                                        ance                         Dec.    Aug.    Sept.   Oct.    Nov.
SITC                             Description                                                         2003    2004    2004    2004    2004
Rev. 3                                                                November  November  December    to      to      to      to      to
                                                                        2004      2004      2004     Dec.    Sept.   Oct.    Nov.    Dec.
                                                                         1/                          2004    2004    2004    2004    2004

         ALL COMMODITIES............................................. 100.000    105.6      104.2     6.9     0.5     1.6    -0.2    -1.3

0          FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS.....................................   3.622    110.9      111.7    10.6     1.7     1.6    -0.1     0.7
01               Meat and meat preparations..........................   0.431    131.8      132.9    10.4     0.5    -0.6    -1.7     0.8
03               Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates
                        and preparations thereof.....................   0.836     84.4       84.7     6.9    -1.0    -0.6    -1.3     0.4
05               Vegetables, fruit and nuts, fresh or dried..........   0.912    116.1      111.5     1.9     8.5     4.9     1.4    -4.0
07               Coffee, tea, cocoa, spices and manufactures thereof.   0.424    108.9      114.4    19.2     2.1    -1.0     4.2     5.1
      2/   Other food and live animals...............................   1.018    127.3      132.1    18.9    -1.2     3.0    -1.7     3.8

1          BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO.....................................   0.903    106.6      107.1     2.6     0.1     0.3     0.1     0.5
11               Beverages...........................................   0.796    107.0      107.5     3.1     0.1     0.2     0.1     0.5

2          CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS...................   2.026    121.7      125.4    16.2     0.8    -7.4    -2.7     3.0
24               Cork and wood.......................................   0.744    117.2      124.9    15.6     1.5   -16.5    -7.1     6.6
25               Woodpulp and recovered paper........................   0.239     98.0       99.5     7.2    -2.0    -5.4    -1.8     1.5
28               Metalliferous ores and metal scrap..................   0.434    167.0      167.1    44.9     1.1     2.2     0.5     0.1
29               Crude animal and vegetable materials, n.e.s.........   0.209     96.5       98.3    -1.3     1.1    -2.4     0.2     1.9

3          MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED
                     MATERIALS.......................................  17.300    158.4      141.9    31.1     1.8    10.0    -1.9   -10.4
33               Petroleum, petroleum products and related materials.  15.128    156.4      137.6    28.7     3.2    11.0    -5.7   -12.0
34               Gas, natural and manufactured.......................   2.172    168.0      170.2    49.4   -10.6     2.3    34.7     1.3

5          CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.....................   7.713    108.4      108.9     7.7     1.5     1.4     0.2     0.5
51               Organic chemicals...................................   2.710    108.8      108.1    10.9     4.3     3.6    -1.0    -0.6
52               Inorganic chemicals.................................   0.617    126.5      126.8    11.2     0.2     1.2     0.7     0.2
53               Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials..............   0.194     98.7       98.7    -0.9     0.0     0.1     0.2     0.0
54               Medicinal and pharmaceutical products...............   2.170    106.7      108.0     4.4    -0.7    -0.5     0.6     1.2
55               Essential oils; polishing and cleansing preps.......   0.317     93.2       93.3     1.9     0.0    -0.1    -0.1     0.1
57               Plastics in primary forms...........................   0.620    113.7      116.7    10.6     1.1     0.7     3.0     2.6
58               Plastics in nonprimary forms........................   0.368    105.4      105.9     4.0     0.6     0.6     1.0     0.5
59               Chemical materials and products, n.e.s..............   0.508     95.3       95.6     2.5     0.3     0.4     0.5     0.3

6          MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY
                     BY MATERIAL.....................................  12.044    109.3      110.4    12.9     1.1     0.0     0.4     1.0
62               Rubber manufactures, n.e.s..........................   0.639    101.3      101.7     2.9     0.0     0.2     0.3     0.4
63               Cork and wood manufactures other than furniture.....   0.739    106.1      112.3     0.3     2.1    -5.7    -3.5     5.8
64               Paper and paperboard, cut to size...................   1.245     99.4       99.2     5.9     1.0     1.3     0.2    -0.2
65               Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up
                        articles, n.e.s., and related prod...........   1.385    103.9      104.1     2.3    -0.3    -0.1     0.0     0.2
66               Nonmetallic mineral manufactures, n.e.s.............   2.114    100.7      100.7     2.7     0.2     0.2     0.1     0.0
67               Iron and steel......................................   1.960    160.2      161.2    53.4     4.4     1.1     0.7     0.6
68               Nonferrous metals...................................   1.883    108.8      111.3    26.9     0.7     0.3     2.1     2.3
69               Manufactures of metals, n.e.s.......................   1.976    104.7      105.7     6.2     0.6     0.2     0.6     1.0

7          MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT.........................  39.649     95.1       95.2    -0.1     0.0     0.0     0.1     0.1
71               Power generating machinery and equipment............   2.810    102.0      102.1     1.7     0.1     0.0     0.6     0.1
72               Machinery specialized for particular industries.....   1.584    108.1      109.1     5.3    -0.2     0.3     0.4     0.9
73               Metalworking machinery..............................   0.439    109.1      109.7     4.5     0.3     0.7     0.3     0.5
74               General industrial machinery,
                        equipment, & machine parts, n.e.s............   3.037    104.8      105.2     4.0     0.2     0.3     0.2     0.4
75               Computer equipment and office machines..............   5.192     72.8       72.6    -7.2    -0.5    -1.2    -0.3    -0.3
76               Telecommunications & sound recording
                        & reproducing apparatus & equipment..........   4.753     83.5       83.2    -4.0    -0.2    -0.4     0.0    -0.4
77               Electrical machinery and equipment..................   6.418     94.6       94.8    -0.5    -0.1    -0.2     0.2     0.2
78               Road vehicles.......................................  13.940    103.8      103.9     2.3     0.3     0.5     0.2     0.1

8          MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.......................  16.300    100.3      100.6     0.7     0.1     0.1     0.1     0.3
81               Prefabricated buildings; plumbing, heat
                        & lighting fixtures, n.e.s...................   0.434     94.3       94.8     1.7     0.0     0.6     0.2     0.5
82               Furniture and parts thereof.........................   1.826    103.9      104.4     4.3     0.4     0.4     0.4     0.5
83               Travel goods, handbags and similar containers.......   0.370    103.7      104.6     0.8     0.2     0.1     0.0     0.9
84               Articles of apparel and clothing accessories........   5.195    100.9      100.9     0.2     0.0     0.1     0.0     0.0
85               Footwear............................................   1.257    100.6      100.7     0.6     0.4     0.0     0.1     0.1
87               Professional, scientific and controlling
                        instruments and apparatus, n.e.s.............   1.711     99.9      100.1     0.1     0.1    -0.1     0.1     0.2
88               Photographic apparatus, equipment and
                        supplies and optical goods, n.e.s............   0.922     98.5       99.3    -0.6     0.0     0.0     0.3     0.8
89               Miscellaneous manufactured articles, n.e.s..........   4.586     98.6       99.1     0.3     0.0    -0.1     0.1     0.5


     1   Relative importance figures are based on 2002 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  4     U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods
                  December 2003-December 2004          2000=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                                       Index                     Percent Change
                                                                      Relative
                                                                       Import-                      Annual         Monthly
                                                                        ance                         Dec.    Aug.    Sept.   Oct.    Nov.
SITC                             Description                                                         2003    2004    2004    2004    2004
Rev. 3                                                                November  November  December    to      to      to      to      to
                                                                        2004      2004      2004     Dec.    Sept.   Oct.    Nov.    Dec.
                                                                         1/                          2004    2004    2004    2004    2004

         ALL COMMODITIES............................................. 100.000    104.7      104.9     4.1     0.4     0.6     0.3     0.2

0          FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS.....................................   6.637    118.5      119.8     2.8     1.0     0.5     0.3     1.1
01               Meat and meat preparations..........................   1.289    125.4      124.4     1.1    -1.0     1.7    -1.2    -0.8
03               Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates
                        and preparations thereof.....................   0.504    108.2      110.8     7.5     1.1    -0.6     0.0     2.4
04               Cereals and cereal preparations.....................   1.654    113.0      116.3   -11.1     1.2    -5.3    -2.2     2.9
05               Vegetables, fruit and nuts, fresh or dried..........   1.621    136.7      138.5    34.2     5.8     9.0     4.7     1.3
08               Feeding stuff for animals (not
                        including unmilled cereals)..................   0.600    104.8      106.2   -13.8    -3.4    -3.0    -1.6     1.3
09               Miscellaneous edible products and preparations......   0.462    102.7      102.7     2.4     0.5     0.5     0.1     0.0
      2/   Other food and live animals...............................   0.508    109.0      107.4     2.2    -0.5    -0.6     0.6    -1.5

1          BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO.....................................   0.695    102.0      102.1     1.5    -0.1     0.2     0.1     0.1
12               Tobacco and tobacco manufactures....................   0.447    100.4      100.6     0.9     0.0     0.1     0.0     0.2

2          CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS...................   5.153    120.1      119.0     1.8     1.2    -1.0     1.6    -0.9
22               Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits.....................   0.930    110.3      111.1   -27.1     6.6   -12.8     1.1     0.7
24               Cork and wood.......................................   0.542     98.4       98.8     5.4     0.3     0.0    -0.7     0.4
25               Woodpulp and recovered paper........................   0.657     98.2       98.9     7.9    -0.8    -0.6     0.1     0.7
26               Textile fibers and their waste......................   0.508     97.5       96.4   -20.5     1.0    -1.9    -2.7    -1.1
28               Metalliferous ores and metal scrap..................   1.424    200.4      192.4    40.8    -2.8     6.7     5.3    -4.0
      2/   Other crude materials, inedible, except fuels.............   1.091    120.9      121.1     9.4     2.9     1.4     1.5     0.2

3          MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED
                     MATERIALS.......................................   2.622    151.4      141.3    27.6     1.1    10.6    -3.0    -6.7
33               Petroleum, petroleum products and related materials.   1.930    151.0      135.1    27.2     1.3    13.3    -3.5   -10.5

5          CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.....................  14.129    112.6      113.7    12.1     1.0     1.6     1.0     1.0
51               Organic chemicals...................................   3.350    126.4      128.5    24.4     1.7     4.5     0.4     1.7
52               Inorganic chemicals.................................   0.891    110.2      110.6    11.6     3.0     2.5    -0.1     0.4
53               Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials..............   0.595    101.3      101.4     3.4     0.3     0.4     2.0     0.1
54               Medicinal and pharmaceutical products...............   2.465    107.3      107.7     1.8    -0.1    -0.8     0.2     0.4
55               Essential oils; polishing and cleansing preps.......   0.953    105.7      106.4     6.3     0.5     0.4    -0.3     0.7
56               Fertilizers.........................................   0.494    151.8      151.6    23.2     3.2     0.7     4.8    -0.1
57               Plastics in primary forms...........................   2.550    116.6      119.2    23.5     2.4     3.0     3.0     2.2
58               Plastics in nonprimary forms........................   0.881     98.8       99.2     2.1     0.3     0.8     0.6     0.4
59               Chemical materials and products, n.e.s..............   1.950    105.5      106.0     3.3    -0.7    -0.3     0.3     0.5

6          MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY
                     BY MATERIAL.....................................  10.621    111.9      112.3    11.4     0.8     0.8     0.4     0.4
62               Rubber manufactures, n.e.s..........................   0.771    112.4      112.9     2.7    -0.5     0.2     0.7     0.4
64               Uncoated Paper/paperboard, and linerboard...........   1.543    103.5      103.8     6.4     0.8     1.3    -0.5     0.3
65               Textile yarn, fabrics, and made-up articles, n.e.s..   1.655    108.0      107.8     5.2     0.3     0.9     1.3    -0.2
66               Nonmetallic mineral manufactures, n.e.s.............   1.477    101.3      101.7     1.9     0.2     0.7     0.2     0.4
67               Iron and steel......................................   1.381    170.7      171.9    56.8     2.0     1.6     0.8     0.7
68               Nonferrous metals...................................   1.144    100.6      101.5    20.1     2.6     0.1     1.5     0.9
69               Manufactures of metals, n.e.s.......................   2.208    112.5      112.9     8.1     0.5     0.7     0.1     0.4
      2/   Other manufactured goods classified
                  chiefly by material (Dec. 2001=100)................   0.443    117.4      115.6    -0.3     1.7    -1.0     0.7    -1.5

7          MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT.........................  48.015     98.4       98.5     0.7     0.0     0.2     0.0     0.1
71               Power generating machinery and equipment............   4.891    110.2      110.3     1.5     0.0     0.5     0.6     0.1
72               Machinery specialized for particular industries.....   3.736    107.5      108.0     4.4     0.2     1.0     0.3     0.5
73               Metalworking machinery..............................   0.632    101.8      101.8     1.1     1.0     0.4     0.4     0.0
74               General industrial machinery,
                        equipment, & parts, n.e.s....................   4.745    106.6      106.8     3.9     0.0     1.0     0.2     0.2
75               Computer equipment and office machines..............   5.293     84.7       84.5    -4.6    -0.5    -0.7    -0.8    -0.2
76               Telecommunications & sound recording
                        & reproducing apparatus & equipment..........   3.314     90.4       90.4    -1.7     0.0    -0.3     0.0     0.0
77               Electrical machinery and equipment..................  11.036     87.7       87.6    -0.6    -0.1    -0.2    -0.2    -0.1
78               Road vehicles.......................................   8.732    102.8      103.0     1.5    -0.1     0.4     0.0     0.2

8          MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.......................  11.126    101.7      102.4     1.3     0.0     0.2     0.3     0.7
82               Furniture and parts thereof.........................   0.640    104.4      104.4     1.9     0.0    -0.1     1.7     0.0
84               Articles of apparel and clothing accessories........   0.852     96.9       97.1     0.0    -0.1    -0.1     0.1     0.2
87               Professional, scientific and controlling
                        instruments and apparatus, n.e.s.............   4.202    102.3      102.6     0.3    -0.1     0.4     0.1     0.3
88               Photographic apparatus, equipment and
                        supplies and optical goods, n.e.s............   0.954     96.1       96.9     1.4    -0.4     0.1     0.3     0.8
89               Miscellaneous manufactured articles, n.e.s..........   4.091    102.7      104.0     2.4     0.1     0.2     0.2     1.3
      2/   Other miscellaneous manufactured articles.................   0.387    108.6      108.6     1.5     0.2     0.2     0.0     0.0


     1   Relative importance figures are based on 2002 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  5     U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods
                  December 2003-December 2004          2000=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                                       Index                     Percent Change
                                                                      Relative
                                                                       Import-                      Annual         Monthly
Harmo-                                                                  ance                         Dec.    Aug.    Sept.   Oct.    Nov.
nized                            Description                                                         2003    2004    2004    2004    2004
System                                                                November  November  December    to      to      to      to      to
                                                                        2004      2004      2004     Dec.    Sept.   Oct.    Nov.    Dec.
                                                                         1/                          2004    2004    2004    2004    2004

I          LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS.............................   1.519    109.3      112.4    17.2    -2.2     1.6    -2.5     2.8
02               Meat and edible meat offal..........................   0.389    134.6      135.2    11.5     0.4    -1.0    -1.5     0.4
03               Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and
                        other aquatic invertebrates..................   0.654     83.1       83.7     6.2    -2.0    -0.4    -1.4     0.7
      2/         Other live animals; animal products.................   0.476    155.1      167.6    41.7    -4.6     6.8    -4.8     8.1

II         VEGETABLE PRODUCTS........................................   1.189    110.6      110.2     8.1     8.1     3.0     1.8    -0.4
07               Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers................   0.336    151.2      139.9    16.4    32.9    13.8     5.0    -7.5
08               Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus
                        fruit or melons..............................   0.330     95.3       94.6    -3.5    -0.9    -0.1    -1.3    -0.7
09               Coffee, tea, mate and spices........................   0.225     95.0      102.9    25.8     5.5    -0.5     4.2     8.3
      2/         Other vegetable products............................   0.298    108.2      109.6     2.5     2.2    -0.8     0.5     1.3

IV         PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND
                     TOBACCO.........................................   2.111    111.4      111.7     5.0     0.5     0.0     0.3     0.3
20               Preparations of vegetables, fruit,
                        nuts, or other parts of plants...............   0.235    102.5      100.2    -0.9     1.7    -0.2     0.0    -2.2
22               Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.....................   0.807    105.3      105.8     3.3     0.3     0.2     0.2     0.5
      2/         Other prepared foodstuffs...........................   1.069    119.0      119.8     7.6     0.4    -0.2     0.5     0.7

V          MINERAL PRODUCTS..........................................  17.715    157.7      141.7    31.1     2.0     9.6    -1.5   -10.1
27               Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,
                        bituminous substances and mineral wax........  17.401    157.1      140.9    31.4     2.0     9.8    -1.6   -10.3
      2/         Other mineral products (Dec. 2001=100)..............   0.314    112.4      112.5    10.1     0.1     0.5     0.9     0.1

VI         PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED
                     INDUSTRIES......................................   7.026    108.2      108.3     7.8     1.3     1.7    -0.1     0.1
28               Inorganic chemicals.................................   0.682    123.8      124.0    10.3     0.1     1.4     0.6     0.2
29               Organic chemicals...................................   2.986    108.7      108.1    11.1     3.8     3.3    -0.9    -0.6
30               Pharmaceutical products.............................   1.863    106.3      107.7     4.5    -0.8    -0.1     0.6     1.3
32               Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye &
                        pigments; varnish & paints; putty............   0.196     98.4       98.4     0.5     0.1     0.1     0.3     0.0
33               Essential oils and resinoids (Dec. 2001=100)........   0.276    105.1      105.2     2.3     0.1     0.0    -0.2     0.1
37               Photographic or cinematographic goods...............   0.167     97.0       97.0     0.4     0.0     0.1     0.0     0.0
38               Miscellaneous chemical products.....................   0.380     92.7       93.0    -0.1    -0.1     0.1     0.3     0.3
      2/         Other products of the chemical or allied industries.   0.477    122.4      122.6    14.5     0.3     2.5     0.2     0.2

VII        PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER
                     AND ARTICLES THEREOF............................   2.707    109.0      109.8     4.7     0.5     0.5     1.0     0.7
39               Plastics and articles thereof.......................   1.810    109.0      110.1     5.7     0.6     0.7     1.4     1.0
40               Rubber and articles thereof.........................   0.897    109.2      109.0     2.5     0.2     0.3     0.4    -0.2

VIII       RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,
                     TRAVEL GOODS, ETC...............................   0.698    102.2      102.6     1.3     0.2     0.5     0.1     0.4
42               Articles of leather; travel goods, bags,
                        etc. of various materials....................   0.588    102.1      102.6     0.6     0.2     0.0     0.1     0.5

IX         WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW,
                     BASKETWARE AND WICKERWORK.......................   1.541    115.4      121.6     7.2     1.7   -10.2    -4.9     5.4

X          WOODPULP, RECOVERED PAPER, AND
                 PAPER PRODUCTS......................................   1.795     99.6       99.7     4.8     0.4     0.1    -0.1     0.1
47               Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic
                        material; waste paper/paperboard.............   0.237     97.5       99.0     7.1    -2.1    -5.3    -1.9     1.5
48               Paper and paperboard; articles of paper
                        pulp, paper or paperboard....................   1.256     98.3       98.2     5.6     1.0     1.3     0.1    -0.1
49               Printed matter......................................   0.302    111.7      111.8     0.1    -0.3    -0.3     0.1     0.1

XI         TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES..............................   6.138    100.6      100.8     0.7     0.0    -0.1     0.1     0.2
61               Articles of apparel and clothing
                        accessories, knitted or crocheted............   2.275    100.1      100.1     0.0     0.0     0.1     0.0     0.0
62               Articles of apparel and clothing
                        accessories, not knitted or crocheted........   2.474     99.9       99.9    -0.1     0.0    -0.1     0.0     0.0
63               Made-up or worn textile articles....................   0.441     93.9       93.8    -0.2     0.0     0.0    -0.1    -0.1
      2/         Other textile & textile articles....................   0.948    106.9      108.2     5.2     0.0    -0.3     0.4     1.2

XII        HEADGEAR, UMBRELLAS,
                 ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS, ETC.............................   1.467     99.8      100.0     0.3     0.4     0.1    -0.2     0.2
64               Footwear and  parts of such articles................   1.248    100.3      100.5     0.5     0.4     0.0     0.0     0.2
      2/         Other footwear, headgear, umbrellas,
                       whips, art. flowers, etc......................   0.219     97.1       97.1    -0.9     0.3     0.4    -1.0     0.0

XIII       STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,
                 CERAMICS, GLASS ETC.................................   0.991    104.5      104.6     1.7     0.2     0.2     0.3     0.1
68               Articles of stone, plaster, cement,
                        asbestos, or mica (Dec. 2001=100)............   0.297     98.2       98.4    -0.5     0.0     0.1     0.0     0.2
69               Ceramic products....................................   0.346    110.1      110.3     4.4     0.6     0.6     0.5     0.2
70               Glass and glassware.................................   0.348    104.1      104.1     1.1    -0.2     0.0     0.4     0.0

XIV        PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,
                 IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS........................   2.377     96.8       98.5     8.4     0.8     0.0     0.8     1.8

XV         BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METAL....................   5.760    128.0      129.2    26.7     1.7     1.0     1.3     0.9
72               Iron and steel......................................   1.747    177.4      177.6    62.9     4.9     2.3     1.4     0.1
73               Articles of iron or steel...........................   1.391    115.8      117.6    16.3     1.5     0.3     0.7     1.6
74               Copper and articles thereof.........................   0.478    130.3      136.2    30.0     0.3     2.5     0.5     4.5
76               Aluminum and articles thereof.......................   0.844    112.5      112.8    11.9     0.7     0.4     1.6     0.3
82               Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and
                        forks, of base metal; parts thereof..........   0.399    105.2      105.5     6.1     0.2     0.1     0.9     0.3
83               Miscellaneous articles of base metal................   0.441    107.7      108.4     4.8    -0.1     0.1     0.2     0.6
      2/         Miscellaneous nonferrous metals and
                       articles, including scrap.....................   0.460    113.7      114.5    28.4    -2.7    -0.8     4.4     0.7

XVI        MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV
                 IMAGE & SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC.................  23.929     90.0       90.1    -1.6    -0.2    -0.3     0.1     0.1
84               Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof..  12.374     90.2       90.3    -1.3    -0.2    -0.3     0.2     0.1
85               Electrical machinery and equip, sound
                        and TV recorders & reproducers, parts........  11.555     89.9       89.9    -2.1    -0.1    -0.3     0.1     0.0

XVII       VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND
                 ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT......................  15.518    104.1      104.3     2.3     0.2     0.5     0.2     0.2
87               Motor vehicles and their parts......................  14.122    103.7      103.9     2.3     0.2     0.5     0.2     0.2
88               Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts
                        thereof (Dec. 2002=100)......................   1.275    103.2      103.5     1.6     0.1     0.2     0.2     0.3

XVIII      OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &
                 MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES...................   3.186     99.2       99.6    -0.2     0.0     0.0     0.2     0.4
90               Optical, photographic, measuring and
                        medical instruments..........................   2.808     98.2       98.6    -0.5     0.0     0.0     0.1     0.4
91               Clocks and watches and parts thereof................   0.270    108.0      108.7     2.3    -0.2    -0.1     0.4     0.6

XX         MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.......................   4.124     98.1       98.4     1.1     0.2     0.1     0.2     0.3
94               Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &
                        lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldg........   2.221    101.1      101.7     3.8     0.3     0.4     0.3     0.6
95               Toys, games and sports equipment; parts
                        and accessories thereof......................   1.674     94.4       94.5    -2.2     0.0    -0.3     0.0     0.1
96               Miscellaneous manufactured articles.................   0.229     97.9       98.1     1.1    -0.1    -0.4     0.1     0.2


     1   Relative importance figures are based on 2002 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
                  December 2003-December 2004          2000=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                                       Index                     Percent Change
                                                                      Relative
                                                                       Import-                      Annual         Monthly
Harmo-                                                                  ance                         Dec.    Aug.    Sept.   Oct.    Nov.
nized                            Description                                                         2003    2004    2004    2004    2004
System                                                                November  November  December    to      to      to      to      to
                                                                        2004      2004      2004     Dec.    Sept.   Oct.    Nov.    Dec.
                                                                         1/                          2004    2004    2004    2004    2004

I          LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS.............................   1.969    122.3      122.4     4.2     0.4     2.4     0.0     0.1
03               Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and
                        other aquatic invertebrates..................   0.456    110.9      115.5    12.0     2.6     1.5     1.0     4.1
      2/         Other live animals and animal products..............   0.342    124.0      121.5     8.2     2.4     5.4     3.3    -2.0

II         VEGETABLE PRODUCTS........................................   4.117    125.4      127.9    -0.9     4.9    -1.8     2.2     2.0
08               Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus
                        fruit or melons..............................   0.821    131.5      132.7    38.1     4.1     9.8     6.7     0.9
10               Cereals.............................................   1.392    111.6      115.3   -13.1     1.5    -6.2    -2.5     3.3
12               Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds,
                        fruits, plants, straw and fodder.............   1.107    112.3      113.1   -23.1     6.1   -10.8     1.0     0.7

III        ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE FATS AND OILS.........................   0.330    152.9      156.2   -14.2     3.8    -7.8    -1.2     2.2

IV         PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND
                     TOBACCO.........................................   2.548    104.1      104.5    -2.6    -1.1    -0.7    -0.2     0.4
20               Preparations of vegetables, fruit,
                        nuts, or other parts of plants...............   0.335    112.1      112.0     4.8     0.0     0.4     1.8    -0.1
21               Miscellaneous edible preparations...................   0.419    103.5      103.5     3.5     0.4     0.5     0.1     0.0
23               Residues and waste from the food
                        industries; prepared animal feed.............   0.516    103.0      104.7   -18.8    -4.4    -3.8    -2.3     1.7
      2/         Other prepared foods................................   0.832    106.9      106.9     2.1    -0.6     0.0     0.0     0.0

V          MINERAL PRODUCTS..........................................   3.244    149.6      143.0    30.7     1.2     9.0    -2.1    -4.4
27               Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,
                        bituminous substances and mineral wax........   2.580    146.9      137.4    28.2     1.2    10.3    -2.8    -6.5

VI         PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED
                     INDUSTRIES......................................  11.213    112.9      114.0    10.5     0.7     1.4     0.3     1.0
28               Inorganic chemicals.................................   0.970    112.3      112.9    10.5     2.5     1.8    -0.2     0.5
29               Organic chemicals...................................   3.754    125.2      128.0    23.0     1.6     4.1    -0.4     2.2
30               Pharmaceutical products.............................   2.011    106.9      107.3     2.2    -0.1    -1.0     0.2     0.4
31               Fertilizers.........................................   0.475    147.1      146.9    23.1     3.3     0.7     4.8    -0.1
32               Tanning or dyeing extracts, dyes,
                        paints, varnish, putty, & inks...............   0.611    102.5      102.6     4.3     0.4     0.5     2.7     0.1
33               Essential oils and resinoids;
                        perfumery, cosmetic or toilet................   0.695    108.4      108.9     7.4     0.6     0.6     0.5     0.5
34               Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or
                        scouring products; candles, pastes...........   0.367    102.9      103.7     2.1     0.0    -0.4    -1.3     0.8
37               Photographic or cinematographic goods...............   0.426     99.5      100.7     1.1    -0.3     0.1     0.3     1.2
38               Miscellaneous chemical products.....................   1.634    105.1      105.5     3.4    -0.7    -0.2     0.4     0.4

VII        PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER
                     AND ARTICLES THEREOF............................   5.618    113.2      115.4    13.0     1.2     1.6     1.7     1.9
39               Plastics and articles thereof.......................   4.553    111.7      114.2    14.3     1.5     1.9     1.7     2.2
40               Rubber and articles thereof.........................   1.065    118.2      118.9     7.8     0.3     0.4     1.4     0.6

VIII       RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,
                     TRAVEL GOODS, ETC...............................   0.508    111.3      110.7     1.7    -0.1     0.0     0.1    -0.5
41               Raw hides and skins (other than
                        furskins) and leather........................   0.458    107.8      107.1    -0.8    -0.2     0.1     0.1    -0.6

IX         WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW,
                     BASKETWARE AND WICKERWORK.......................   0.835    103.6      103.1     3.8     0.8    -0.2    -0.1    -0.5

X          WOODPULP, RECOVERED PAPER, AND
                 PAPER PRODUCTS......................................   2.893    100.3      100.8     5.3     0.2     0.6     0.1     0.5
47               Woodpulp and recovered paper........................   0.655     94.3       94.8     7.8    -0.7    -0.5     0.2     0.5
48               Paper and paperboard; articles of paper
                        pulp, paper or paperboard....................   1.592    100.1      100.5     5.7     0.7     1.0    -0.3     0.4
49               Printed material....................................   0.646    110.4      111.5     2.1     0.2     0.5     0.8     1.0

XI         TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES..............................   2.851     98.1       97.9    -2.0     0.3    -0.2     0.4    -0.2
52               Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics thereof...   0.699     88.9       88.1   -13.4     0.8    -1.5    -2.1    -0.9
61               Apparel & clothing knitted
                        or crocheted (Dec. 2001=100).................   0.489     95.1       95.5    -0.2    -0.2    -0.1     0.1     0.4
62               Apparel Articles & Accessories, not knitted.........   0.371     95.6       95.6     0.0     0.1     0.0    -0.2     0.0
      2/         Other textile and textile articles (Dec. 2001=100)..   1.292    109.5      109.4     3.9     0.4     0.6     2.0    -0.1

XIII       STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,
                 CERAMICS, GLASS ETC.................................   0.797     99.7      100.5     2.0     0.5    -0.2     0.3     0.8
70               Glass and glassware.................................   0.474     95.5       96.6     0.2    -0.4    -0.4     0.3     1.2

XIV        PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,
                 IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS........................   2.344    107.2      109.1    11.8     0.7     2.3     1.4     1.8

XV         BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METALS...................   5.257    130.1      128.5    22.6    -0.2     1.3     1.8    -1.2
72               Iron and steel......................................   1.369    184.6      174.8    49.3    -3.3     1.8     7.7    -5.3
73               Articles of iron or steel...........................   1.395    124.5      124.4    19.0     0.7     1.1    -0.3    -0.1
74               Copper and articles thereof.........................   0.427    130.0      129.6    24.3     0.9     9.2    -3.9    -0.3
76               Aluminum and articles thereof.......................   0.833    111.8      112.2    14.1     0.5     0.1     2.3     0.4
82               Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and
                        forks, of base metal; parts thereof..........   0.402    102.9      102.9     1.7     0.1     0.5     0.0     0.0
83               Miscellaneous articles of base metal................   0.461    111.4      111.4     3.2     0.3    -0.1     0.1     0.0

XVI        MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV
                 IMAGE AND SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC...............  33.236     94.9       94.9     0.1     0.0     0.1     0.0     0.0
84               Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof..  18.448    100.3      100.4     0.7    -0.1     0.3     0.1     0.1
85               Electrical machinery and equipment
                        and parts and accessories thereof............  14.788     88.9       88.9    -0.6    -0.1    -0.1     0.0     0.0

XVII       VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND
                 ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT......................  14.594    107.6      107.9     2.3     0.1     0.3     0.2     0.3
87               Motor vehicles and their parts......................   9.049    102.9      103.1     1.6     0.0     0.3     0.1     0.2

XVIII      OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &
                 MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES...................   6.009    101.2      101.4    -0.1    -0.1     0.2    -0.2     0.2

XX         MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.......................   1.487    101.0      101.0     0.2     0.0    -0.1     1.1     0.0
94               Furniture; stuffed furnishings;
                        lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;...........   0.854    106.3      106.3     3.3     0.0    -0.1     1.7     0.0
95               Toys, games and sports equipment; parts
                        and accessories thereof......................   0.486     94.5       94.7    -3.7     0.0    -0.1     0.1     0.2


     1   Relative importance figures are based on 2002 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
                  December 2003-December 2004          2000=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                        Index                           Percent Change

                                                                                        Annual            Monthly
                                                       Percentage                        Dec.      Aug.     Sept.    Oct.     Nov.
                        Description                        of                            2003      2004     2004     2004     2004
                                                          U.S.   November   December      to        to       to       to       to
                                                        Imports    2004       2004       Dec.      Sept.    Oct.     Nov.     Dec.
                                                           1/                            2004      2004     2004     2004     2004

 2/ Industrialized Countries............................ 49.276   107.7      107.6        7.6       0.1      0.6      0.7     -0.1
         Manufactured Goods............................. 45.418   103.9      104.6        5.2       0.4     -0.1      0.0      0.7
         Nonmanufactured Goods..........................  3.591   158.4      148.9       32.5      -2.3      6.3      7.4     -6.0


 3/ Other Countries..................................... 50.724   102.5      100.1        6.4       1.0      2.3     -1.3     -2.3
         Manufactured Goods............................. 43.453    97.5       97.5        3.2       0.3      0.2      0.1      0.0
         Nonmanufactured Goods..........................  7.173   146.7      130.5       22.5       3.7     10.5     -6.1    -11.0


    Canada.............................................. 17.463   117.0      116.9       12.0      -0.1      0.8      1.5     -0.1
         Manufactured Goods............................. 14.664   109.3      110.6        7.1       0.7     -0.3     -0.6      1.2
         Nonmanufactured Goods..........................  2.611   160.7      153.6       34.7      -3.5      5.0     10.2     -4.4


 4/ European Union...................................... 19.312   111.0      111.3        6.7       0.4      0.5      0.4      0.3
         Manufactured Goods............................. 18.793   110.0      110.7        5.9       0.2      0.3      0.4      0.6
         Nonmanufactured Goods..........................  0.460   174.0      156.5       31.7       5.6      9.0      1.1    -10.1


 5/ Latin America....................................... 17.761   117.0      113.6       10.7       2.4      3.7     -1.7     -2.9
         Manufactured Goods............................. 14.150   114.0      114.2        7.9       1.4      0.7      1.1      0.2
         Nonmanufactured Goods..........................  3.575   148.1      131.4       19.7       5.1     11.7     -8.3    -11.3


    Japan............................................... 10.651    95.6       95.9        1.3      -0.1      0.2      0.1      0.3


 6/ Asian Newly Industrialized Countries................  8.019    91.0       90.8       -0.1       0.2      0.0      0.0     -0.2



    1   Percentage of trade figures are based on 2002 trade values.
    2   Defined according to the BEA definition for Industrialized Countries which includes Western Europe, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
    3   Defined according to the BEA definition for Other Countries, which 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 Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan.

    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. Import and Export Quarterly Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services
                  December 2003-December 2004          2000=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                           Index                             Percent Change

                                                                                           Annual              Quarterly
                                                           Trade                            Dec.      Dec.     March      June      Sept.
                        Description                        (Mil.                            2003      2003      2004      2004      2004
                                                             of     September  December      to        to        to        to        to
                                                          Dollars)    2004       2004       Dec.     March      June      Sept.     Dec.
                                                             1/                             2004      2004      2004      2004      2004


    IMPORT

      Air Freight.......................................    4168     120.0      126.8       10.4       1.9       0.3       2.1       5.7
             Europe (Dec. 2003=100).....................    1407     112.1      122.5       22.5       6.0       1.8       3.9       9.3
             Asia.......................................    2329     109.3      113.0        2.4      -0.4      -1.3       0.6       3.4

    EXPORT

      Air Freight.......................................    2836     100.3      107.1       12.3       1.8       2.1       1.2       6.8


    1   Trade dollar values are based on 2000 trade values.

    NOTES:  Data may be revised one quarter after original publication.
            n.a.  Not available


Table  9     U.S. Import and Export Monthly Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services
                  December 2003-December 2004          2000=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                          Index                         Percent Change

                                                                                        Annual            Monthly
                                                          Trade                          Dec.     Aug.     Sept.    Oct.     Nov.
                        Description                       (Mil.                          2003     2004     2004     2004     2004
                                                            of     November  December     to       to       to       to       to
                                                         Dollars)    2004      2004      Dec.     Sept.    Oct.     Nov.     Dec.
                                                            1/                           2004     2004     2004     2004     2004


    IMPORT

      Air Passenger Fares...............................   18253    110.7     114.5       7.0     -4.1     -4.6     -4.1      3.4
             Europe.....................................   11250    104.2     105.5      10.0     -2.5     -6.3     -5.9      1.2
             Asia.......................................    2626    106.5     120.8       1.7    -11.5     -3.5     -0.7     13.4
             Latin America / Caribbean..................    1916    112.1     114.8       6.0     -7.7     -1.9      1.2      2.4

    EXPORT


      Air Passenger Fares...............................   20319    130.0     134.0      13.2     -6.8     -1.9      1.9      3.1
             Europe.....................................    5394    152.7     158.9      13.6     -4.7      0.3      0.6      4.1
             Asia.......................................    8936    115.0     117.5      13.5    -11.5     -5.9      1.5      2.2
             Latin America / Caribbean..................    3413    135.4     135.9       6.9     -4.5     -1.3      5.5      0.4


    1   Trade dollar values are based on 2000 trade values.

    NOTES:  Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.
            n.a.  Not available


Table  10     U.S. Inbound and Outbound Quarterly Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services
                   December 2003-December 2004          2000=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                          Index                         Percent Change

                                                                                        Annual            Quarterly
                                                           Trade                         Dec.     Dec.    March     June     Sept.
                        Description                        (Mil.                         2003     2003     2004     2004     2004
                                                             of    September December     to       to       to       to       to
                                                          Dollars)   2004      2004      Dec.    March     June     Sept.    Dec.
                                                             1/                          2004     2004     2004     2004     2004

    INBOUND

      Air Freight.......................................    7483    118.7     125.2      10.9      2.9      0.3      1.8      5.5
           Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................    2466    111.6     120.0      20.0      7.0      0.9      3.3      7.5
           Asia.........................................    4180    107.8     112.1       4.7      0.2     -0.5      0.9      4.0

      Ocean Liner Freight...............................   17817    120.3     122.7       4.2      1.1      1.7     -0.7      2.0
           U.S. East Coast..............................    6938    113.5     115.0       4.0      3.8      1.0     -2.2      1.3
                 From Atlantic..........................    3022    110.5     110.8      -2.0      7.5     -2.0     -7.3      0.3
                 From Pacific...........................    2817    113.4     113.3       3.4      1.1      2.4     -0.1     -0.1
           U.S. West Coast..............................   10879    125.2     128.2       4.2     -0.4      2.0      0.2      2.4

    OUTBOUND

      Air Freight.......................................    5193    100.7     105.2      10.9      1.3      3.0      1.7      4.5
           Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................    1998    108.6     113.0      13.0      1.8      4.8      1.8      4.1
           Asia.........................................    2365     98.5     104.0       9.0      0.6      1.7      0.9      5.6


    1   Trade dollar values are based on 2000 trade values.

    NOTES:  Data may be revised one quarter after original publication.
            n.a.  Not available


Table  11     U.S. Inbound and Outbound Monthly Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services
                   December 2003-December 2004          2000=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                          Index                         Percent Change

                                                                                        Annual            Monthly
                                                          Trade                          Dec.     Aug.     Sept.    Oct.     Nov.
                        Description                       (Mil.                          2003     2004     2004     2004     2004
                                                            of     November  December     to       to       to       to       to
                                                         Dollars)    2004      2004      Dec.     Sept.    Oct.     Nov.     Dec.
                                                            1/                           2004     2004     2004     2004     2004

    INBOUND


      Air Passenger Fares (Dec. 2003=100)...............   38589    110.1     112.5      12.5     -5.9     -1.4      1.4      2.2
           Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................   15654    109.5     114.0      14.0     -5.7     -0.2     -0.3      4.1
           Asia (Dec. 2003=100).........................   12401    110.1     109.6       9.6     -9.2     -4.9      0.7     -0.5
           Latin America/Caribbean (Dec. 2003=100)......    5604    108.2     107.8       7.8     -3.3     -0.8      5.9     -0.4
           Canada (Dec. 2003=100).......................    2905    117.4     127.0      27.0      1.2      5.0      4.4      8.2

      Crude Oil Tanker Freight..........................    3434     n.a.      n.a.      n.a.     -1.4     12.9     n.a.     n.a.

    OUTBOUND

      Air Passenger Fares (Dec. 2003=100)...............   43898    106.5     108.4       8.4     -3.0     -3.9     -3.0      1.8
           Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................   21857    109.3     110.3      10.3     -2.1     -6.5     -5.8      0.9
           Asia (Dec. 2003=100).........................    7190    103.2     107.4       7.4     -9.6     -1.0     -2.5      4.1
           Latin America/Caribbean (Dec. 2003=100)......    9206    103.0     105.2       5.2     -2.8     -0.4      2.3      2.1
           Canada (Dec. 2003=100).......................    2982    111.1     110.4      10.4     -1.6      1.5      1.8     -0.6


    1   Trade dollar values are based on 2000 trade values.

    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.  The merchandise price
indexes are published using three classifications: the Harmonized
System (HS), the Bureau of Economic Analysis End Use System, and the
Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) system, Rev. 3.
Price indexes for internationally traded services are presented using
two definitions: Balance of Payments (which represent transactions
between U.S. and foreign residents) and International (which represent
transactions inbound to and outbound from the U.S.).  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.

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 -- 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.  The trade dollar figures for services indexes
will not sum up to the aggregate dollar value because not all
categories are shown in the tables.  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 and quarterly data may be
revised one quarter after original publication.

Uses of the Data -- The primary use of the indexes is to deflate trade
statistics.  For merchandise trade, the End Use classification system
is the structure used by the U.S. Department of Commerce in the
construction of the foreign trade sector of the National Income and
Product Accounts.  Indexes published using the Harmonized System and
the Standard International Trade Classification, Rev. 3, both
international structures, are useful for general market analysis.  For
trade in international services, Balance of Payments indexes are used
for deflating National Accounts data, while International indexes are
more appropriate for market analysis.  Merchandise and services
indexes also can be used to study U.S. competitiveness and price
elasticities, and the merchandise import indexes by country or region
of origin are useful for terms of trade analysis.


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