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                    U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES
                               - MARCH 2004 -

     The U.S. Import Price Index rose 0.9 percent in March, the Bureau of Labor 
Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today.  Higher prices for 
both petroleum and nonpetroleum imports contributed to the overall increase.  
Export prices also rose 0.9 percent in March, the largest monthly increase in 
this index in nine years.   
     
              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                                                                            
March              0.6       -1.1        1.0        0.2       -0.4       0.3     
April             -3.1      -18.8       -1.0       -0.1        0.4      -0.1     
May               -0.7       -5.0       -0.2        0.1        2.5      -0.2     
June               0.9        5.4        0.4       -0.2       -0.5      -0.1     
July               0.5        5.2        0.0       -0.1       -0.1      -0.1     
August             0.0        1.8       -0.3        0.0       -1.0       0.1     
September         -0.5       -5.8        0.3        0.4        5.4      -0.1     
October            0.1        1.6       -0.1        0.2        2.4       0.1     
November           0.5        2.1        0.2        0.5        4.0       0.1     
December           0.7 r      5.1 r      0.3 r      0.3 r      0.4 r     0.3 r     
2004                                                                             
January            1.5        7.4 r      0.8        0.7 r      0.7 r     0.7 r     
February           0.4        0.1 r      0.4        0.7 r      1.6 r     0.6
March              0.9        6.1        0.2        0.9        3.3       0.6
                                                                                 
March 2002-03      6.8       54.2        2.4        2.2        8.7       1.6     
March 2003-04      1.2        1.9        1.0        3.4       20.7       1.9     
                                                                                
r = revised to reflect late reports and corrections by respondents.


Import Goods
     
     Import prices continued an upward trend in March, rising 0.9 percent for the 
month and 2.9 percent over the first quarter of 2004.  Higher prices for import 
petroleum accounted for most of the increase, rising 6.1 percent in March.  
Petroleum prices have advanced in 9 of the past 10 months, after falling sharply 
last spring.  Over the past 12 months, the index was up 1.9 percent.  Nonpetroleum 
import prices were up a modest 0.2 percent in March, after rising 0.4 percent and 
0.8 percent in the first two months of 2004.  For the year ended in March, 
nonpetroleum import prices were up 1.0 percent, while prices of overall imports 
rose 1.2 percent.   
          
     The March increase in nonpetroleum import prices was led by a continued 
advance in the price index for nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials, up 
1.1 percent.  Higher prices for building materials and unfinished metals were the 
primary contributors to the increase.  Nonpetroleum industrial supplies and 
materials prices were up 3.8 percent for the year ended in March.  

     The price index for foods, feeds, and beverages also rose in March, up 0.8 
percent.  The increase continued a recent upward trend and was led by higher seafood 
prices.  Foods, feeds, and beverages prices were up 3.1 percent over the past 12 
months.  Prices for automotive vehicles increased 0.1 percent last month and 1.3 
percent over the March 2003-2004 period.   

     Import prices for capital goods and consumer goods continued to register little 
movement, as both were unchanged in March.  Over the past year, capital goods prices 
fell 0.6 percent, while prices for consumer goods rose 0.8 percent.  


Export Goods

     Export prices were up 0.9 percent in March and 2.3 percent over the first 
quarter of 2004, the largest 3-month jump in export prices since the second quarter 
of 1988.  Prices for both agricultural and nonagricultural exports contributed to the 
recent increase in overall export prices.  The price index for agricultural exports 
rose 3.3 percent in March, led by a sharp increase in soybean prices.  Agricultural 
prices have been trending upward since the middle of 2003 and were up 20.7 percent 
over the past 12 months.  Nonagricultural export prices rose 0.6 percent last month, 
following increases of 0.6 percent and 0.7 percent in February and January.  Prices 
for nonagricultural exports were up 1.9 percent for the year ended in March, while 
overall export prices rose 3.4 percent over the same period.  

     A 1.7 percent increase in the price index for nonagricultural industrial supplies 
and materials was the primary contributor to the March increase in export prices.  
Nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials prices were up 6.0 percent over the 
past three months and 7.5 percent for the year ended in March.  Prices for capital 
goods, which account for approximately 42 percent of exports, rose 0.3 percent for the 
second consecutive month.  The increase was mainly attributable to higher prices for 
computer peripherals and semiconductors.  Notwithstanding the recent increases, capital 
goods prices were down 0.2 percent over the past 12 months.    

     The price indexes for both automotive vehicles and consumer goods were unchanged 
in March, and each was up 0.5 percent over the past 12 months.


Imports by Locality of Origin

     The price indexes for imports from Latin America and from the European Union both 
increased in March, led by higher petroleum prices.  Prices for imports from Latin 
America were up 1.6 percent last month and 2.1 percent for the year ended in March, 
while prices for imports from Europe rose 0.6 percent in March and 4.1 percent over the 
past 12 months.      

     Import prices from Canada also increased in March, rising 1.3 percent.  A 1.6 
percent rise in prices for manufactured goods more than offset a 0.7 percent decline in 
nonmanufactured goods prices.  For the March 2003-2004 period, overall import prices 
from Canada were up 3.7 percent.

     Prices for imports from Japan and the Asian Newly Industrialized Countries were 
unchanged last month.  Import prices from Japan were up 0.7 percent for the year ended in 
March, whereas prices of imports from the Asian Newly Industrialized Countries fell 1.8 
percent over the past year.
     

Import and Export Services

     The price indexes for both import and export air passenger fares posted declines in 
March, decreasing 0.3 percent and 0.1 percent, respectively.  The modest decreases followed 
February drops of 2.7 percent for import air passenger fares and 3.5 percent for export air 
passenger fares.  For the year ended in March, import fares declined 4.6 percent, whereas 
export fares were up 13.7 percent over the same period.  

     Import air freight prices rose 1.9 percent during the first quarter of 2004, after 
declining 1.6 percent for the previous three months.  For the year ended in March, import 
air freight prices were up 6.3 percent.  Export air freight prices rose by a similar amount 
in March, rising 1.8 percent.  Over the past 12 months, the index was up 0.8 percent.



                             CONTENTS OF RELEASE

This news release includes the following tables:

Table 1    U.S. Import Price Indexes, by End Use
Table 2    U.S. Export Price Indexes, by End Use
Table 3    U.S. Import Price Indexes, by SITC
Table 4    U.S. Export Price Indexes, by SITC
Table 5    U.S. Import Price Indexes, by Harmonized System
Table 6    U.S. Export Price Indexes, by Harmonized System
Table 7    U.S. Import Price Indexes, by Locality of Origin
Table 8    U.S. Import and Export Quarterly Price Indexes for Services
Table 9    U.S. Import and Export Monthly Price Indexes for Services
Table 10   U.S. Inbound and Outbound Quarterly Price Indexes for Services
Table 11   U.S. Inbound and Outbound Monthly Price Indexes for Services
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Import and Export Price Index data for April are scheduled for release on May 12 at 
8:30 A.M. (E.D.T.).



Table  1     U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods,
                  March 2003-March 2004         2000=100,  unless otherwise noted
                                                                                           Index                                  Percent Change
                                                                   Relative
                                                                    Import-                                  Annual               Monthly
                                                                      ance                                   March       Nov.       Dec.       Jan.       Feb.
 END                            Description                                                                   2003       2003       2003       2004       2004
 USE                                                               February      February       March          to         to         to         to         to
                                                                     2004          2004          2004        March       Dec.       Jan.       Feb.      March
                                                                      1/                                      2004       2003       2004       2004       2004

         ALL COMMODITIES..........................................  100.000         99.4         100.3         1.2        0.7        1.5        0.4        0.9
         ALL IMPORTS EXCLUDING PETROLEUM..........................   88.032         98.9          99.1         1.0        0.3        0.8        0.4        0.2
         ALL IMPORTS EXCLUDING FUELS
                (200112=100)......................................   86.105        102.0         102.4         2.1        0.1        0.5        0.5        0.4

0          FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES..............................    4.605        105.0         105.8         3.1        0.8        0.5        1.3        0.8

00               Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,
                        excluding distilled beverages.............    3.422        113.1         112.4         2.6        1.1        1.0        1.0       -0.6

01               Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)    1.183         87.0          90.9         4.6        0.0       -0.9        2.1        4.5

1          INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS........................   28.092        109.7         113.3         3.3        2.9        4.8        1.0        3.3
              INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS
                    EXCLUDING PETROLEUM...........................   16.123        107.1         108.3         3.8        1.4        3.1        1.7        1.1
              INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS
                    EXCLUDING FUELS (200112=100)..................   14.196        113.9         116.7        10.3        0.8        1.3        2.2        2.5
              INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                    DURABLE.......................................    8.614        104.9         108.5        15.9        1.3        1.8        3.6        3.4
              INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                    NONDURABLE EXCLUDING PETROLEUM................    7.510        109.5         108.0        -7.8        1.4        4.8       -0.5       -1.4

10               Fuels & lubricants...............................   13.896        116.3         121.1        -3.3        5.1        8.8       -0.3        4.1
100                  Petroleum & petroleum products...............   11.970        113.9         120.8         1.9        5.1        7.4        0.1        6.1
10000                        Crude................................    8.797        114.6         121.9         5.9        3.8        6.6        0.4        6.4

11               Paper & paper base stocks........................    1.044         94.2          94.9         4.3        0.0        0.1        0.2        0.7

12               Materials associated with nondurable
                        supplies & materials......................    4.668        105.2         106.0         1.7        0.2        0.5        0.3        0.8

13               Selected building materials......................    2.239        113.6         118.8        23.4       -0.1       -1.3        6.6        4.6

14               Unfinished metals related to durable goods.......    3.210        109.6         115.6        24.6        2.9        5.5        4.7        5.5

15               Finished metals related to durable goods.........    1.399        101.9         102.8         7.0        1.3        0.6        0.3        0.9

16               Nonmetals related to durable goods...............    1.636         99.2          99.6         1.7        0.1        0.3        0.7        0.4

2          CAPITAL GOODS..........................................   23.700         93.1          93.1        -0.6       -0.4        0.2        0.0        0.0

20               Electric generating equipment....................    2.905         98.4          98.6         3.2        0.3        0.8        0.8        0.2

21               Nonelectrical machinery..........................   18.513         91.1          91.1        -1.5       -0.5        0.1       -0.1        0.0

22               Transportation equipment excluding
                        motor vehicles (200112=100)...............    2.283        103.4         103.6         2.0        0.2        0.4        0.2        0.2

3          AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES...................   17.486        101.7         101.8         1.3        0.2        0.2        0.1        0.1

4          CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING
                  AUTOMOTIVES.....................................   26.118         98.7          98.7         0.8        0.0        0.6        0.0        0.0

40               Nondurables, manufactured........................   12.790        101.3         101.3         1.6        0.1        1.1        0.1        0.0

41               Durables, manufactured...........................   12.047         96.2          96.3         0.1        0.0        0.1       -0.1        0.1

42               Nonmanufactured consumer goods...................    1.281         96.2          96.3         0.6        0.4       -0.3        0.3        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,
                  March 2003-March 2004         2000=100,  unless otherwise noted
                                                                                              Index                                  Percent Change
                                                                      Relative
                                                                       Import-                                  Annual               Monthly
                                                                         ance                                   March       Nov.       Dec.       Jan.       Feb.
 END                             Description                                                                     2003       2003       2003       2004       2004
 USE                                                                  February      February       March          to         to         to         to         to
                                                                        2004          2004          2004        March       Dec.       Jan.       Feb.      March
                                                                         1/                                      2004       2003       2004       2004       2004

         ALL COMMODITIES.............................................  100.000        102.2         103.1         3.4        0.3        0.7        0.7        0.9
         AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES....................................    9.651        125.6         129.7        20.7        0.4        0.7        1.6        3.3
         NONAGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES.................................   90.350        100.4         101.0         1.9        0.3        0.7        0.6        0.6

0          FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES.................................    8.769        126.0         130.5        20.6        0.8        0.7        2.3        3.6

00               Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,
                        excluding distilled beverages................    8.022        127.6         132.5        22.6        0.8        0.7        2.3        3.8

01               Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)...    0.747        110.1         110.8         0.7        0.9        0.4        1.1        0.6

1          INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS...........................   25.961        106.5         108.2         7.6        0.8        2.4        1.4        1.6
              INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                    DURABLE..........................................    9.805        107.8         109.9        10.8        1.0        2.1        2.2        1.9
              INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                    NONDURABLE.......................................   16.154        105.9         107.4         5.6        0.7        2.6        1.0        1.4

10               Agricultural industrial supplies & materials........    1.629        116.3         116.5        11.2       -1.3        0.9       -1.9        0.2

           NONAGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES
                        & MATERIALS..................................   24.332        106.0         107.8         7.5        0.9        2.6        1.6        1.7

11               Fuels & lubricants..................................    2.628        105.7         109.1         1.0        2.7        6.3        0.5        3.2

12               Nonagricultural supplies & materials
                        excluding fuels & building materials.........   20.526        106.6         108.3         8.4        0.8        2.2        1.7        1.6

13               Selected building materials.........................    1.178        100.5         101.7         5.5        0.4       -0.9        1.9        1.2

2          CAPITAL GOODS.............................................   41.625         97.8          98.1        -0.2        0.2        0.0        0.3        0.3

20               Electrical generating equipment.....................    4.041        102.2         102.4         0.8        0.0        0.4        0.1        0.2

21               Nonelectrical machinery.............................   29.958         94.3          94.6        -1.0        0.2       -0.2        0.4        0.3

22               Transportation equipment excluding
                        motor vehicles (200112=100)..................    7.627        106.5         106.6         3.0        0.2        0.7        0.1        0.1

3          AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES......................   11.571        102.0         102.0         0.5       -0.1        0.1        0.1        0.0

4          CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING
                  AUTOMOTIVES........................................   12.028         99.9          99.9         0.5       -0.1        0.0        0.0        0.0

40               Nondurables, manufactured...........................    5.885         99.4          99.4         0.7       -0.2        0.2        0.0        0.0

41               Durables, manufactured..............................    5.389        100.0         100.1         0.4        0.0       -0.2       -0.1        0.1

42               Nonmanufactured consumer goods (200112=100).........    0.754        101.4         101.1        -0.5        0.8       -0.3        0.0       -0.3



     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,
                  March 2003-March 2004         2000=100,  unless otherwise noted
                                                                                              Index                                  Percent Change
                                                                      Relative
                                                                       Import-                                  Annual               Monthly
                                                                         ance                                   March       Nov.       Dec.       Jan.       Feb.
SITC                             Description                                                                     2003       2003       2003       2004       2004
Rev. 3                                                                February      February       March          to         to         to         to         to
                                                                        2004          2004          2004        March       Dec.       Jan.       Feb.      March
                                                                         1/                                      2004       2003       2004       2004       2004

         ALL COMMODITIES.............................................  100.000         99.4         100.3         1.2        0.7        1.5        0.4        0.9

0          FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS.....................................    3.633        104.6         105.4         4.2        1.0        1.1        2.4        0.8
01               Meat and meat preparations..........................    0.408        117.3         117.1         7.9        2.7       -2.9        0.3       -0.2
03               Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates
                        and preparations thereof.....................    0.841         79.9          84.0         3.2       -0.1       -1.1        2.0        5.1
05               Vegetables, fruit and nuts, fresh or dried..........    0.964        115.4         111.4         0.6        0.5        2.8        2.6       -3.5
07               Coffee, tea, cocoa, spices and manufactures thereof.    0.422        101.9         101.6         1.4        3.1        4.3        1.8       -0.3
      2/   Other food and live animals...............................    0.998        117.4         119.9         8.1        0.7        1.9        3.7        2.1

1          BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO.....................................    0.946        105.1         105.2         1.2        0.0        0.4        0.3        0.1
11               Beverages...........................................    0.832        105.3         105.3         2.2        0.0        0.7        0.3        0.0

2          CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS...................    2.029        114.6         121.2        23.0        3.3        1.9        4.2        5.8
24               Cork and wood.......................................    0.782        115.7         123.4        29.9        4.7        0.8        6.2        6.7
25               Woodpulp and recovered paper........................    0.238         91.9          95.5        10.4        1.0        0.5       -1.5        3.9
28               Metalliferous ores and metal scrap..................    0.386        139.5         155.5        55.7        6.1       10.1        9.9       11.5
29               Crude animal and vegetable materials, n.e.s.........    0.229         99.5          99.7        -2.8        5.1       -0.7        0.6        0.2

3          MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED
                     MATERIALS.......................................   13.589        117.0         121.8        -3.3        4.7        8.4       -0.3        4.1
33               Petroleum, petroleum products and related materials.   11.746        114.2         120.8         2.3        4.5        6.7        0.1        5.8
34               Gas, natural and manufactured.......................    1.843        134.0         125.5       -32.5        6.8       21.2       -2.9       -6.3

5          CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.....................    7.863        103.9         104.3         3.2        0.3        2.1        0.7        0.4
51               Organic chemicals...................................    2.648        100.0         100.2         0.8        0.0        1.5        1.0        0.2
52               Inorganic chemicals.................................    0.624        120.4         120.3         8.6        1.9        4.4        1.2       -0.1
53               Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials..............    0.209         99.9          99.9         2.4        0.6        0.3        0.0        0.0
54               Medicinal and pharmaceutical products...............    2.330        107.7         107.8         6.4        0.0        3.6        0.6        0.1
55               Essential oils; polishing and cleansing preps.......    0.337         93.3          93.6        -4.9        0.0        1.2        0.6        0.3
57               Plastics in primary forms...........................    0.612        105.5         107.1         7.9       -0.1       -0.8        0.8        1.5
58               Plastics in nonprimary forms........................    0.380        102.4         102.8         2.4        0.1        0.3        0.3        0.4
59               Chemical materials and products, n.e.s..............    0.539         95.1          96.3        -1.3        0.2        1.1        0.8        1.3

6          MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY
                     BY MATERIAL.....................................   11.839        101.1         103.2         9.7        0.4        1.0        2.3        2.1
62               Rubber manufactures, n.e.s..........................    0.666         99.2          99.5         0.5        0.2        0.2        0.2        0.3
63               Cork and wood manufactures other than furniture.....    0.882        119.1         129.1        36.8       -5.6       -7.3       14.7        8.4
64               Paper and paperboard, cut to size...................    1.259         94.5          94.4         1.5       -0.5        0.4        0.4       -0.1
65               Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up
                        articles, n.e.s., and related prod...........    1.469        103.7         103.9         3.6        0.0        1.3        0.6        0.2
66               Nonmetallic mineral manufactures, n.e.s.............    2.201         98.6          98.6         1.0        0.0        0.2        0.3        0.0
67               Iron and steel......................................    1.470        113.0         116.9        18.1        2.4        4.6        2.8        3.5
68               Nonferrous metals...................................    1.786         97.0         103.0        28.8        3.1        5.2        5.1        6.2
69               Manufactures of metals, n.e.s.......................    1.999         99.6         100.2         2.3        0.4       -0.2        0.3        0.6

7          MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT.........................   42.340         95.5          95.5        -0.3       -0.1        0.1        0.1        0.0
71               Power generating machinery and equipment............    2.970        101.4         101.4         2.3        0.1        0.6        0.4        0.0
72               Machinery specialized for particular industries.....    1.658        106.4         106.7         6.0        0.3        1.3        1.4        0.3
73               Metalworking machinery..............................    0.460        107.4         107.7         3.6        0.0        1.3        0.9        0.3
74               General industrial machinery,
                        equipment, & machine parts, n.e.s............    3.157        102.5         103.2         3.4        0.3        0.6        0.7        0.7
75               Computer equipment and office machines..............    5.917         78.0          77.7        -6.0       -0.4       -0.3        0.0       -0.4
76               Telecommunications & sound recording
                        & reproducing apparatus & equipment..........    5.178         85.5          85.3        -5.2       -0.9       -0.2       -1.2       -0.2
77               Electrical machinery and equipment..................    6.888         95.5          95.4         0.1       -0.7        0.0        0.2       -0.1
78               Road vehicles.......................................   14.561        101.9         102.0         1.4        0.2        0.3        0.0        0.1

8          MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.......................   17.292        100.0         100.0         0.5        0.1        0.1        0.0        0.0
81               Prefabricated buildings; plumbing, heat
                        & lighting fixtures, n.e.s...................    0.455         93.2          93.3        -2.6       -1.4        0.0        0.0        0.1
82               Furniture and parts thereof.........................    1.875        100.3         100.7         1.2       -0.4        0.1        0.1        0.4
83               Travel goods, handbags and similar containers.......    0.393        103.6         103.7         2.2        1.0       -0.2        0.0        0.1
84               Articles of apparel and clothing accessories........    5.512        100.6         100.4        -0.4        0.2        0.1       -0.2       -0.2
85               Footwear............................................    1.335        100.4         100.4         0.6        0.0        0.4       -0.1        0.0
87               Professional, scientific and controlling
                        instruments and apparatus, n.e.s.............    1.814         99.6          99.6         1.1        0.4       -0.3       -0.1        0.0
88               Photographic apparatus, equipment and
                        supplies and optical goods, n.e.s............    0.999        100.3         100.1         0.7        0.1        0.1        0.3       -0.2
89               Miscellaneous manufactured articles, n.e.s..........    4.909         99.3          99.4         1.3        0.2        0.4        0.1        0.1


     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,
                  March 2003-March 2004         2000=100,  unless otherwise noted
                                                                                              Index                                  Percent Change
                                                                      Relative
                                                                       Import-                                  Annual               Monthly
                                                                         ance                                   March       Nov.       Dec.       Jan.       Feb.
SITC                             Description                                                                     2003       2003       2003       2004       2004
Rev. 3                                                                February      February       March          to         to         to         to         to
                                                                        2004          2004          2004        March       Dec.       Jan.       Feb.      March
                                                                         1/                                      2004       2003       2004       2004       2004

         ALL COMMODITIES.............................................  100.000        102.2         103.1         3.4        0.3        0.7        0.7        0.9

0          FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS.....................................    6.881        119.7         121.8        15.0        1.1        0.3        2.4        1.8
01               Meat and meat preparations..........................    1.320        125.1         126.5        31.2       -2.1       -0.2        1.9        1.1
03               Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates
                        and preparations thereof.....................    0.500        104.7         104.9        -3.0        2.0        0.4        1.2        0.2
04               Cereals and cereal preparations.....................    2.029        135.1         139.4        14.1        4.1        0.7        2.6        3.2
05               Vegetables, fruit and nuts, fresh or dried..........    1.315        108.1         109.9        15.6        0.4       -0.2        5.0        1.7
08               Feeding stuff for animals (not
                        including unmilled cereals)..................    0.754        128.4         130.9        24.1        1.4        1.9        2.2        1.9
09               Miscellaneous edible products and preparations......    0.466        101.1         101.7         0.7       -0.8        0.4        0.4        0.6
      2/   Other food and live animals...............................    0.497        104.1         104.2         3.4        0.3       -1.2        0.3        0.1

1          BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO.....................................    0.710        101.6         101.6         4.3        0.2        0.3        0.7        0.0
12               Tobacco and tobacco manufactures....................    0.459        100.6         100.5         4.8        0.1        0.1        0.8       -0.1

2          CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS...................    5.392        122.5         128.7        25.8        0.5        3.0        1.7        5.1
22               Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits.....................    1.392        160.9         181.6        55.7        1.1        3.1        2.4       12.9
24               Cork and wood.......................................    0.539         95.3          96.0         5.3        1.3        0.7        1.0        0.7
25               Woodpulp and recovered paper........................    0.634         92.5          94.2         6.0       -0.2        0.0        0.9        1.8
26               Textile fibers and their waste......................    0.653        122.2         122.9        17.0       -5.7        2.1       -1.2        0.6
28               Metalliferous ores and metal scrap..................    1.140        156.3         167.2        58.0        5.4        9.0        5.0        7.0
      2/   Other crude materials, inedible, except fuels.............    1.034        111.7         110.9         1.9       -0.2        0.5        0.4       -0.7

3          MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED
                     MATERIALS.......................................    2.112        118.9         123.5        -5.1        4.1        7.8       -0.3        3.9
33               Petroleum, petroleum products and related materials.    1.496        114.1         120.7        -7.3        4.9        9.5       -1.9        5.8

5          CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.....................   13.395        104.1         105.0         4.4        0.5        1.5        1.2        0.9
51               Organic chemicals...................................    2.947        108.4         110.3         6.7        1.6        2.8        2.1        1.8
52               Inorganic chemicals.................................    0.821         99.0          98.6         0.5        0.0        0.0       -0.1       -0.4
53               Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials..............    0.586         97.3          97.3        -1.1       -0.8       -0.2       -0.6        0.0
54               Medicinal and pharmaceutical products...............    2.483        105.4         105.5         1.3       -0.7       -0.3       -0.1        0.1
55               Essential oils; polishing and cleansing preps.......    0.939        101.5         101.6         5.6        0.7        1.0        0.4        0.1
56               Fertilizers.........................................    0.445        133.1         146.4        35.3        2.3        3.2        4.7       10.0
57               Plastics in primary forms...........................    2.269        101.2         101.8         2.3        0.7        1.9        3.0        0.6
58               Plastics in nonprimary forms........................    0.890         97.4          99.0         1.9        0.1       -0.3        0.5        1.6
59               Chemical materials and products, n.e.s..............    2.015        106.3         106.3         5.6        0.1        3.2        0.4        0.0

6          MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY
                     BY MATERIAL.....................................   10.019        102.9         103.9         4.5        0.1        0.8        1.3        1.0
62               Rubber manufactures, n.e.s..........................    0.780        110.9         111.1         2.5        0.0        0.4        0.5        0.2
64               Uncoated Paper/paperboard, and linerboard...........    1.489         97.4          97.6         0.9       -0.3       -0.1       -0.1        0.2
65               Textile yarn, fabrics, and made-up articles, n.e.s..    1.635        104.0         104.7         2.6        0.0        1.5        0.0        0.7
66               Nonmetallic mineral manufactures, n.e.s.............    1.488         99.5          99.7        -0.5        0.1       -0.1       -0.2        0.2
67               Iron and steel......................................    0.988        119.0         121.2        16.0        0.9        5.0        3.4        1.8
68               Nonferrous metals...................................    1.059         90.9          94.3        11.9        1.3        1.7        5.8        3.7
69               Manufactures of metals, n.e.s.......................    2.124        105.5         105.7         2.1       -0.2        0.7        0.4        0.2
      2/   Other manufactured goods classified
                  chiefly by material (200112=100)...................    0.456        117.9         120.1        15.0       -1.2       -4.8        6.9        1.9

7          MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT.........................   49.108         98.1          98.3        -0.2        0.1        0.1        0.2        0.2
71               Power generating machinery and equipment............    4.979        109.4         109.4         2.3        0.2        0.6        0.1        0.0
72               Machinery specialized for particular industries.....    3.709        104.0         104.1         1.9        0.1        0.5        0.1        0.1
73               Metalworking machinery..............................    0.644        101.0         101.0        -0.7        0.0        0.1        0.2        0.0
74               General industrial machinery,
                        equipment, & parts, n.e.s....................    4.718        103.3         103.6         1.5        0.0        0.5        0.0        0.3
75               Computer equipment and office machines..............    5.681         88.6          89.2         0.7        0.7       -0.9        0.9        0.7
76               Telecommunications & sound recording
                        & reproducing apparatus & equipment..........    3.477         92.5          92.5        -2.6       -0.2        0.5        0.0        0.0
77               Electrical machinery and equipment..................   11.399         88.3          88.6        -3.9       -0.1       -0.1        0.3        0.3
78               Road vehicles.......................................    8.872        101.8         101.8         0.9       -0.1        0.2        0.1        0.0

8          MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.......................   11.329        101.0         101.0         0.5        0.1       -0.3        0.2        0.0
82               Furniture and parts thereof.........................    0.644        102.4         102.4         1.3        0.0       -0.3        0.2        0.0
84               Articles of apparel and clothing accessories........    0.874         96.8          96.8        -0.7        0.0       -0.3        0.0        0.0
87               Professional, scientific and controlling
                        instruments and apparatus, n.e.s.............    4.310        102.3         102.3         0.8        0.0       -0.1        0.1        0.0
88               Photographic apparatus, equipment and
                        supplies and optical goods, n.e.s............    0.972         95.5          95.2        -2.0        0.1       -0.8        0.7       -0.3
89               Miscellaneous manufactured articles, n.e.s..........    4.142        101.4         101.5         0.6        0.2       -0.2        0.0        0.1
      2/   Other miscellaneous manufactured articles.................    0.388        106.1         106.2         3.0        0.2       -0.8        0.0        0.1


     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,
                  March 2003-March 2004         2000=100,  unless otherwise noted
                                                                                              Index                                  Percent Change
                                                                      Relative
                                                                       Import-                                  Annual               Monthly
Harmo-                                                                   ance                                   March       Nov.       Dec.       Jan.       Feb.
nized                            Description                                                                     2003       2003       2003       2004       2004
System                                                                February      February       March          to         to         to         to         to
                                                                        2004          2004          2004        March       Dec.       Jan.       Feb.      March
                                                                         1/                                      2004       2003       2004       2004       2004

I          LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS.............................    1.459         98.5         102.5         7.3        1.2       -1.3        4.0        4.1
02               Meat and edible meat offal..........................    0.365        118.6         118.5         8.0        2.5       -2.5        0.3       -0.1
03               Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and
                        other aquatic invertebrates..................    0.667         79.6          83.8         2.2       -0.4       -1.1        2.2        5.3
      2/         Other live animals; animal products.................    0.427        130.7         137.8        14.5        2.2       -0.3       10.8        5.4
II         VEGETABLE PRODUCTS........................................    1.241        108.4         105.7         1.7        1.0        3.0        3.2       -2.5
07               Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers................    0.342        144.3         136.6         8.0       -0.4       10.2        8.9       -5.3
08               Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus
                        fruit or melons..............................    0.351         95.0          91.2        -6.7        0.8       -3.0       -0.1       -4.0
09               Coffee, tea, mate and spices........................    0.229         90.7          90.9        14.3        1.2        7.8        2.8        0.2
      2/         Other vegetable products............................    0.320        109.2         109.4        -2.5        1.9        0.6        1.6        0.2
IV         PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND
                     TOBACCO.........................................    2.160        107.0         107.3        -0.1        0.7        0.7       -0.1        0.3
20               Preparations of vegetables, fruit,
                        nuts, or other parts of plants...............    0.244        100.1         100.1         1.6        0.0        0.7       -1.7        0.0
22               Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.....................    0.842        103.2         103.3         1.1       -0.4        0.5        0.3        0.1
      2/         Other prepared foodstuffs...........................    1.074        112.2         112.7        -1.2        1.6        0.9       -0.1        0.4

V          MINERAL PRODUCTS..........................................   13.977        116.8         121.4        -0.6        5.5        8.2       -0.2        3.9
27               Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,
                        bituminous substances and mineral wax........   13.662        115.9         120.5        -0.6        5.6        8.3       -0.2        4.0
      2/         Other mineral products (200112=100).................    0.315        105.7         105.7         5.7        0.4        2.9        0.5        0.0

VI         PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED
                     INDUSTRIES......................................    7.163        103.5         103.8         3.5        0.3        2.4        0.6        0.3
28               Inorganic chemicals.................................    0.700        119.3         119.6        10.5        2.1        5.9        0.3        0.3
29               Organic chemicals...................................    2.918         99.8          99.8         1.5        0.1        1.6        0.9        0.0
30               Pharmaceutical products.............................    2.007        107.6         107.6         6.9        0.1        3.7        0.7        0.0
32               Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye &
                        pigments; varnish & paints; putty............    0.208         98.1          98.1         0.2        0.3        0.2        0.0        0.0
33               Essential oils and resinoids (200112=100)...........    0.294        105.3         105.8         4.0        0.0        1.7        0.8        0.5
37               Photographic or cinematographic goods...............    0.177         96.2          96.8        -0.2       -0.2       -0.3       -0.1        0.6
38               Miscellaneous chemical products.....................    0.409         93.8          93.8        -2.1       -0.4        0.5        0.2        0.0
      2/         Other products of the chemical or allied industries.    0.450        108.6         111.1         3.0        0.2        1.1        0.3        2.3

VII        PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER
                     AND ARTICLES THEREOF............................    2.785        105.3         106.1         3.7       -0.2        0.0        0.4        0.8
39               Plastics and articles thereof.......................    1.859        105.1         105.7         4.4        0.0        0.1        0.8        0.6
40               Rubber and articles thereof.........................    0.926        105.8         106.7         2.2       -0.7       -0.3       -0.2        0.9

VIII       RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,
                     TRAVEL GOODS, ETC...............................    0.738        101.4         101.5         1.8        0.5        0.0        0.1        0.1
42               Articles of leather; travel goods, bags,
                        etc. of various materials....................    0.626        101.9         102.0         1.4        0.6       -0.1        0.0        0.1
IX         WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW,
                     BASKETWARE AND WICKERWORK.......................    1.713        120.5         128.4        34.7       -1.0       -2.0        8.5        6.6

X          WOODPULP, RECOVERED PAPER, AND
                 PAPER PRODUCTS......................................    1.837         95.7          96.2         3.1       -0.2        0.4        0.2        0.5
47               Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic
                        material; waste paper/paperboard.............    0.237         91.5          95.1        11.1        0.9        0.5       -1.5        3.9
48               Paper and paperboard; articles of paper
                        pulp, paper or paperboard....................    1.275         93.7          93.7         1.6       -0.4        0.4        0.3        0.0
49               Printed matter......................................    0.326        113.1         113.1         2.2       -0.3        0.7        0.5        0.0

XI         TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES..............................    6.526        100.4         100.4         0.2        0.2        0.2        0.1        0.0
61               Articles of apparel and clothing
                        accessories, knitted or crocheted............    2.417         99.9          99.7        -1.1        0.0       -0.1       -0.1       -0.2
62               Articles of apparel and clothing
                        accessories, not knitted or crocheted........    2.643        100.2          99.9        -0.3        0.4        0.2        0.0       -0.3
63               Made-up or worn textile articles....................    0.480         95.9          96.2         1.9       -0.1        1.5        0.5        0.3
      2/         Other textile & textile articles....................    0.986        104.5         105.1         3.8        0.3        0.8        0.8        0.6

XII        HEADGEAR, UMBRELLAS,
                 ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS, ETC.............................    1.563         99.9          99.8         0.5        0.0        0.3       -0.1       -0.1
64               Footwear and  parts of such articles................    1.328        100.2         100.2         0.4        0.0        0.3       -0.1        0.0
      2/         Other footwear, headgear, umbrellas,
                       whips, art. flowers, etc......................    0.235         97.7          97.4         1.0       -0.1       -0.2       -0.1       -0.3

XIII       STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,
                 CERAMICS, GLASS ETC.................................    1.046        103.5         103.4         1.4        0.3        0.1        0.5       -0.1
68               Articles of stone, plaster, cement,
                        asbestos, or mica (200112=100)...............    0.316         98.1          98.1        -1.4       -0.3       -0.9        0.1        0.0
69               Ceramic products....................................    0.360        107.3         107.2         4.7        1.0        0.9        0.6       -0.1
70               Glass and glassware.................................    0.370        104.1         104.0         0.9        0.0        0.3        0.8       -0.1

XIV        PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,
                 IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS........................    2.449         93.7          93.8         6.5        0.9        1.8        1.3        0.1

XV         BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METAL....................    5.140        107.3         111.0        15.6        2.2        2.6        2.5        3.4
72               Iron and steel......................................    1.259        120.1         127.0        24.3        3.4        5.0        4.9        5.7
73               Articles of iron or steel...........................    1.298        101.5         102.4         7.1        1.4        0.0        0.4        0.9
74               Copper and articles thereof.........................    0.449        114.8         125.5        36.1        2.2        5.5        3.8        9.3
76               Aluminum and articles thereof.......................    0.831        103.9         106.9         8.0        1.3        1.4        1.7        2.9
82               Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and
                        forks, of base metal; parts thereof..........    0.406        100.6         102.1         3.1        0.3        1.0        0.2        1.5
83               Miscellaneous articles of base metal................    0.455        104.4         105.2         2.8       -0.1        0.5        0.5        0.8
      2/         Miscellaneous nonferrous metals and
                       articles, including scrap.....................    0.442        102.6         107.5        47.9        7.3        8.6        5.9        4.8

XVI        MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV
                 IMAGE & SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC.................   25.978         91.8          91.7        -1.3       -0.3        0.1        0.1       -0.1
84               Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof..   13.451         92.0          92.1        -0.9        0.0        0.2        0.3        0.1
85               Electrical machinery and equip, sound
                        and TV recorders & reproducers, parts........   12.527         91.5          91.4        -1.6       -0.8        0.0       -0.3       -0.1

XVII       VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND
                 ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT......................   16.243        102.3         102.4         1.4        0.3        0.2        0.1        0.1
87               Motor vehicles and their parts......................   14.775        101.9         102.0         1.4        0.3        0.2        0.1        0.1
88               Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts
                        thereof (200212=100).........................    1.344        102.1         102.2         1.4        0.3        0.1        0.1        0.1

XVIII      OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &
                 MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES...................    3.419         99.9          99.9         1.1        0.3        0.0        0.1        0.0
90               Optical, photographic, measuring and
                        medical instruments..........................    3.019         99.1          99.0         0.9        0.3        0.0        0.0       -0.1
91               Clocks and watches and parts thereof................    0.288        108.0         108.2         2.2       -0.2        1.1        0.5        0.2

XX         MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.......................    4.349         97.1          97.4         0.0       -0.2       -0.2        0.0        0.3
94               Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &
                        lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldg........    2.298         98.2          98.6         0.9       -0.5        0.1        0.1        0.4
95               Toys, games and sports equipment; parts
                        and accessories thereof......................    1.807         95.7          95.8        -1.4        0.2       -0.6       -0.3        0.1
96               Miscellaneous manufactured articles.................    0.244         97.9          98.3         1.1        0.4        0.4        0.5        0.4


     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,
                  March 2003-March 2004         2000=100,  unless otherwise noted
                                                                                              Index                                  Percent Change
                                                                      Relative
                                                                       Import-                                  Annual               Monthly
Harmo-                                                                   ance                                   March       Nov.       Dec.       Jan.       Feb.
nized                            Description                                                                     2003       2003       2003       2004       2004
System                                                                February      February       March          to         to         to         to         to
                                                                        2004          2004          2004        March       Dec.       Jan.       Feb.      March
                                                                         1/                                      2004       2003       2004       2004       2004

I          LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS.............................    1.970        119.2         120.2        20.1       -1.6       -0.3        1.7        0.8
03               Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and
                        other aquatic invertebrates..................    0.440        104.3         104.7        -4.0        1.4        0.0        1.2        0.4
      2/         Other live animals and animal products..............    0.314        111.0         110.4        12.0       -2.1       -1.2        0.1       -0.5
II         VEGETABLE PRODUCTS........................................    4.548        135.0         143.3        26.3        2.5        1.0        3.5        6.1
08               Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus
                        fruit or melons..............................    0.631         98.5         102.1        17.6        0.2       -1.5        4.0        3.7
10               Cereals.............................................    1.749        136.7         141.5        14.6        4.6        0.1        2.9        3.5
12               Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds,
                        fruits, plants, straw and fodder.............    1.561        154.3         172.0        48.0        0.9        2.8        2.1       11.5
III        ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE FATS AND OILS.........................    0.388        175.5         178.6        23.5        2.0        2.7       -6.1        1.8
IV         PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND
                     TOBACCO.........................................    2.744        109.2         109.9         8.7        0.4        0.9        0.8        0.6
20               Preparations of vegetables, fruit,
                        nuts, or other parts of plants...............    0.327        106.4         106.2         1.1       -0.7       -0.1       -0.4       -0.2
21               Miscellaneous edible preparations...................    0.419        100.8         101.5         0.4       -0.8        0.4        0.4        0.7
23               Residues and waste from the food
                        industries; prepared animal feed.............    0.695        135.3         138.4        30.0        1.8        2.5        2.4        2.3
      2/         Other prepared foods................................    0.845        105.9         105.8         3.6        0.4        0.9        0.3       -0.1

V          MINERAL PRODUCTS..........................................    2.618        117.7         121.0         1.9        2.6        7.5        0.1        2.8
27               Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,
                        bituminous substances and mineral wax........    2.081        115.5         119.9        -2.4        3.4        7.9       -0.2        3.8

VI         PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED
                     INDUSTRIES......................................   10.775        105.7         106.7         5.3        0.5        1.6        0.9        0.9
28               Inorganic chemicals.................................    0.903        101.9         101.5         1.7       -0.2        0.0       -0.3       -0.4
29               Organic chemicals...................................    3.357        109.1         111.0         6.5        1.4        2.7        2.1        1.7
30               Pharmaceutical products.............................    2.025        104.9         105.0         2.4       -0.4        0.1       -0.2        0.1
31               Fertilizers.........................................    0.428        129.0         141.9        32.6        2.7        3.3        4.7       10.0
32               Tanning or dyeing extracts, dyes,
                        paints, varnish, putty, & inks...............    0.596         97.5          97.5        -1.0       -0.7       -0.3       -0.6        0.0
33               Essential oils and resinoids;
                        perfumery, cosmetic or toilet................    0.676        102.7         102.7         6.6        0.4        0.9        0.4        0.0
34               Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or
                        scouring products; candles, pastes...........    0.378        103.1         103.2         3.9        0.7        1.1        0.4        0.1
37               Photographic or cinematographic goods...............    0.445        101.2         100.9         3.0       -0.2        0.7        0.9       -0.3
38               Miscellaneous chemical products.....................    1.688        105.7         105.7         6.0        0.0        3.3        0.3        0.0

VII        PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER
                     AND ARTICLES THEREOF............................    5.319        104.5         105.2         3.1        0.3        0.8        1.6        0.7
39               Plastics and articles thereof.......................    4.294        102.7         103.5         3.3        0.4        1.1        1.7        0.8
40               Rubber and articles thereof.........................    1.025        110.9         111.1         2.3       -0.3        0.0        0.5        0.2

VIII       RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,
                     TRAVEL GOODS, ETC...............................    0.522        111.6         112.1         4.5        0.6        1.9        0.5        0.4
41               Raw hides and skins (other than
                        furskins) and leather........................    0.483        110.9         107.9        -3.1        0.6        2.1        0.5       -2.7
IX         WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW,
                     BASKETWARE AND WICKERWORK.......................    0.832        100.7         102.3         9.6        0.7       -1.1        2.5        1.6

X          WOODPULP, RECOVERED PAPER, AND
                 PAPER PRODUCTS......................................    2.841         96.0          96.4         3.7        0.2        0.0        0.3        0.4
47               Woodpulp and recovered paper........................    0.634         88.9          90.6         6.8       -0.2        0.1        1.0        1.9
48               Paper and paperboard; articles of paper
                        pulp, paper or paperboard....................    1.548         94.8          95.1         1.4       -0.1       -0.3        0.0        0.3
49               Printed material....................................    0.659        109.8         109.2         5.7        1.2        0.3        0.3       -0.5

XI         TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES..............................    3.001        100.6         101.0         3.8       -1.1        1.1       -0.4        0.4
52               Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics thereof...    0.847        105.0         105.4        19.0       -4.7        3.8       -0.6        0.4
61               Apparel & clothing knitted
                        or crocheted (200112=100)....................    0.501         94.9          94.9        -0.8        0.0       -0.8        0.0        0.0
62               Apparel Articles & Accessories, not knitted.........    0.381         95.6          95.6        -1.0        0.0        0.0        0.0        0.0
      2/         Other textile and textile articles (200112=100).....    1.272        105.1         105.8        -0.3       -0.2        0.3       -0.5        0.7

XIII       STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,
                 CERAMICS, GLASS ETC.................................    0.810         98.7          99.2        -0.3        0.0        0.1        0.1        0.5
70               Glass and glassware.................................    0.493         96.6          96.5        -0.4        0.0        0.1        0.1       -0.1

XIV        PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,
                 IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS........................    2.254        100.5         100.0         6.4        1.7        2.0        0.9       -0.5

XV         BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METALS...................    4.641        112.0         115.5        15.7        1.4        3.0        3.8        3.1
72               Iron and steel......................................    1.024        134.6         140.6        39.1        5.4        8.0        6.4        4.5
73               Articles of iron or steel...........................    1.225        106.6         108.1         3.9        0.0        1.3        0.7        1.4
74               Copper and articles thereof.........................    0.403        119.6         132.4        41.9        1.6        6.9        7.3       10.7
76               Aluminum and articles thereof.......................    0.793        103.7         107.1        11.4        1.2        1.9        3.5        3.3
82               Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and
                        forks, of base metal; parts thereof..........    0.405        101.2         100.8         0.6        0.0        0.0        0.0       -0.4
83               Miscellaneous articles of base metal................    0.461        108.5         108.5         3.3        0.0        0.4        0.2        0.0

XVI        MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV
                 IMAGE AND SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC...............   34.156         95.1          95.3        -1.0        0.1        0.0        0.3        0.2
84               Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof..   18.878        100.0         100.3         1.2        0.3        0.0        0.3        0.3
85               Electrical machinery and equipment
                        and parts and accessories thereof............   15.278         89.5          89.8        -3.5       -0.1       -0.1        0.2        0.3

XVII       VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND
                 ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT......................   14.737        105.9         105.9         1.7        0.1        0.3        0.1        0.0
87               Motor vehicles and their parts......................    9.197        101.9         101.8         0.9       -0.1        0.3        0.1       -0.1

XVIII      OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &
                 MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES...................    6.187        101.5         101.5         0.7        0.0       -0.2        0.2        0.0

XX         MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.......................    1.502         99.4          99.4        -1.1        0.0       -1.3       -0.1        0.0
94               Furniture; stuffed furnishings;
                        lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;...........    0.846        102.7         102.7         1.2        0.0       -0.3        0.1        0.0
95               Toys, games and sports equipment; parts
                        and accessories thereof......................    0.507         96.1          95.9        -3.0        0.0       -1.9       -0.3       -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,
                March 2003-March 2004         2000=100,  unless otherwise noted
                                                                          Index                           Percent Change

                                                                                        Annual            Monthly
                                                       Percentage                       March      Nov.     Dec.     Jan.     Feb.
                        Description                        of                            2003      2003     2003     2004     2004
                                                          U.S.   February    March        to        to       to       to       to
                                                        Imports    2004       2004      March      Dec.     Jan.     Feb.    March
                                                           1/                            2004      2003     2004     2004     2004

 2/ Industrialized Countries............................ 49.276   102.9      103.6        3.6       0.6      1.5      1.4      0.7
         Manufactured Goods............................. 45.418   101.6      102.2        4.5       0.2      0.7      1.5      0.6
         Nonmanufactured Goods..........................  3.591   124.1      124.8       -7.1       4.1      9.6      0.7      0.6


 3/ Other Countries..................................... 50.724    95.5       96.7        0.0       0.6      1.4      0.1      1.3
         Manufactured Goods............................. 43.453    95.0       95.4       -1.1       0.0      0.6     -0.1      0.4
         Nonmanufactured Goods..........................  7.173   113.5      119.4        5.4       3.2      5.5      1.0      5.2


    Canada.............................................. 17.463   109.1      110.5        3.7       0.4      1.9      2.5      1.3
         Manufactured Goods............................. 14.664   105.8      107.5        6.5      -0.5     -0.3      2.7      1.6
         Nonmanufactured Goods..........................  2.611   129.7      128.8      -10.0       4.7     11.9      1.6     -0.7


 4/ European Union...................................... 18.739   106.8      107.4        4.1       0.4      1.6      0.8      0.6
         Manufactured Goods............................. 18.224   107.0      107.4        4.0       0.3      1.5      0.8      0.4
         Nonmanufactured Goods..........................  0.458   121.8      127.7        7.5       2.0      4.7     -2.1      4.8


 5/ Latin America....................................... 17.761   105.3      107.0        2.1       2.0      2.3      0.3      1.6
         Manufactured Goods............................. 14.150   107.2      108.0       -0.2       1.6      1.2      0.1      0.7
         Nonmanufactured Goods..........................  3.575   117.4      122.2        9.4       3.6      5.6      1.2      4.1


    Japan............................................... 10.651    95.1       95.1        0.7       0.5      0.3      0.1      0.0


 6/ Asian Newly Industrialized Countries................  8.019    89.6       89.6       -1.8       0.0     -1.0     -0.4      0.0



    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
                       March 2003-March 2004          2000 = 100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                            Index                             Percent Change

                                                                                          Annual              Quarterly
                                                           Trade                           March      March     June      Sept.     Dec.
                        Description                        (Mil.                           2003       2003      2003      2003      2003
                                                            of      December    March       to         to        to        to        to
                                                         Dollars)     2003      2004       March      June      Sept.     Dec.      March
                                                            1/                             2004       2003      2003      2003      2004


    IMPORT

      Air Freight.......................................    4168     114.9      117.1        6.3       1.2       4.8      -1.6       1.9
             Europe (200312=100)........................    1407     100.0      106.0       n.a.      n.a.      n.a.      n.a.       6.0
             Asia.......................................    2329     110.4      110.0        4.3      -1.4      10.8      -4.2      -0.4

    EXPORT

      Air Freight.......................................    2836      95.4       97.1        0.8      -1.1      -0.1       0.3       1.8


    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
                      March 2003-March 2004         2000 = 100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                           Index                         Percent Change

                                                                                       Annual            Monthly
                                                           Trade                        March     Nov.     Dec.     Jan.     Feb.
                        Description                        (Mil.                        2003      2003     2003     2004     2004
                                                            of    February    March      to        to       to       to       to
                                                         Dollars)   2004      2004      March     Dec.     Jan.     Feb.     March
                                                            1/                          2004      2003     2004     2004     2004


    IMPORT

      Air Passenger Fares...............................   18253    103.9     103.6      -4.6      0.9     -0.2     -2.7     -0.3
             Europe.....................................   11250     96.1      96.6      -5.5     -1.5      0.1      0.1      0.5
             Asia.......................................    2626    102.8     100.8      -6.2      8.7     -7.3     -6.6     -1.9
             Latin America / Caribbean..................    1916    107.7     109.6       0.4      1.7      6.7     -6.8      1.8

    EXPORT


      Air Passenger Fares...............................   20319    123.3     123.2      13.7      0.0      7.9     -3.5     -0.1
             Europe.....................................    5394    148.8     151.0      19.8      0.5      5.6      0.7      1.5
             Asia.......................................    8936    107.5     107.1      10.1     -1.1     11.0     -6.4     -0.4
             Latin America / Caribbean..................    3413    132.2     128.9      10.5      0.6     10.4     -5.8     -2.5


    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
                       March 2003-March 2004          2000 = 100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                           Index                         Percent Change

                                                                                       Annual            Quarterly
                                                           Trade                        March    March     June     Sept.    Dec.
                        Description                        (Mil.                        2003      2003     2003     2003     2003
                                                            of     December   March      to        to       to       to       to
                                                         Dollars)   2003      2004      March     June     Sept.    Dec.    March
                                                            1/                          2004      2003     2003     2003     2004

    INBOUND

      Air Freight.......................................    7483    112.9     116.2       6.8      0.6      2.8      0.4      2.9
           Europe (200312=100)..........................    2466    100.0     107.0      n.a.     n.a.     n.a.     n.a.      7.0
           Asia.........................................    4180    107.1     107.2       3.5     -2.5      7.1     -1.0      0.1

      Ocean Liner Freight...............................   17817    117.8     118.9      26.5     23.5      0.1      1.4      0.9
           U.S. East Coast..............................    6938    110.6     114.6      14.6      8.4     -1.3      3.4      3.6
                 From Atlantic..........................    3022    113.1     121.6      16.7      1.2      0.0      7.3      7.5
                 From Pacific...........................    2817    109.6     110.8      21.6     21.1      0.0     -0.6      1.1
           U.S. West Coast..............................   10879    123.0     122.5      35.2     34.1      1.0      0.2     -0.4

    OUTBOUND

      Air Freight.......................................    5193     94.9      96.2      -1.0     -1.9      0.1     -0.6      1.4
           Europe (200312=100)..........................    1998    100.0     102.0      n.a.     n.a.     n.a.     n.a.      2.0
           Asia.........................................    2365     95.4      96.0      -1.6     -2.4      0.4     -0.3      0.6


    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
                          March 2003-March 2004         2000 = 100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                           Index                         Percent Change

                                                                                       Annual            Monthly
                                                           Trade                        March     Nov.     Dec.     Jan.     Feb.
                        Description                        (Mil.                        2003      2003     2003     2004     2004
                                                            of    February    March      to        to       to       to       to
                                                         Dollars)   2004      2004      March     Dec.     Jan.     Feb.     March
                                                            1/                          2004      2003     2004     2004     2004

    INBOUND

      Air Passenger Fares (200312=100)..................   38589    104.4     105.1      n.a.     n.a.      7.7     -3.1      0.7
           Europe (200312=100)..........................   15654    106.3     108.0      n.a.     n.a.      5.8      0.5      1.6
           Asia (200312=100)............................   12401    103.6     105.1      n.a.     n.a.     10.8     -6.5      1.4
           Latin America / Caribbean (200312=100).......    5604    103.8     101.2      n.a.     n.a.     10.0     -5.6     -2.5
           Canada (200312=100)..........................    2905     99.3      97.8      n.a.     n.a.      0.3     -1.0     -1.5

      Crude Oil Tanker Freight..........................    3434     n.a.      n.a.      n.a.      8.5     47.0     n.a.     n.a.

    OUTBOUND

      Air Passenger Fares (200312=100)..................   43898     99.8      99.3      n.a.     n.a.      1.0     -1.2     -0.5
           Europe (200312=100)..........................   21857    101.3     101.2      n.a.     n.a.      0.2      1.1     -0.1
           Asia (200312=100)............................    7190     94.4      94.6      n.a.     n.a.     -0.9     -4.7      0.2
           Latin America / Caribbean (200312=100).......    9206     99.9      99.5      n.a.     n.a.      2.3     -2.3     -0.4
           Canada (200312=100)..........................    2982     99.1      99.1      n.a.     n.a.      4.2     -4.9      0.0


    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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