Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until 

8:30 a.m. (EST) Wednesday, February 13, 2013 

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

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

USDL-13-0235

U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES – JANUARY 2013 

The price index for U.S. imports increased 0.6 percent in January, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 

reported today, following declines of 0.5 percent and 0.7 percent the previous two months. The January 

upturn was primarily led by higher fuel prices. U.S. export prices rose 0.3 percent in January after declining 

0.1 percent in December and 0.6 percent in November. 

Chart 1. One-month percent change in the Import Price Index: January 2012 – January 2013 

 Percent change 

0.0 0.0

1.4

-0.1

-1.5

-2.3

-0.7

1.2

1.0

0.3

-0.7 -0.5

0.6

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

Jan'12 Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan'13

Chart 2. 12-month percent change in the Import Price Index: January 2012 – January 2013

 Percent change

6.9

5.1

3.5

0.8

-0.8

-2.5

-3.3

-1.8

-0.6

0.0

-1.4 -1.9 -1.3

-6

-4

-2

0

2

4

6

8

10

Jan'12 Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan'13
 

All Imports: Import prices increased 0.6 percent in January, the first monthly advance since a 0.3 percent 

rise in October. Higher fuel prices were the largest contributor to the January advance, although nonfuel 

prices also increased. Despite the January rise, import prices declined 1.3 percent over the past year and 

have not risen on a 12-month basis since the index increased 0.8 percent between April 2011 and April 

2012. 

Fuel Imports: Prices for fuel imports rose 2.4 percent in January after falling 2.0 percent in December and 

2.2 percent in November. The upturn was the largest monthly increase since a 3.9 percent advance in 

September. The January rise was led by a 2.9 percent increase in petroleum prices, which more than offset a 

6.4 percent decline in natural gas prices. The price index for overall fuel imports decreased 5.2 percent for 

the year ended in January. A 5.9 percent drop in petroleum prices drove the 12-month decline in fuel prices. 

In contrast, natural gas prices increased 18.0 percent over the past year, despite the decline in January. 

All Imports Excluding Fuel: Nonfuel import prices advanced 0.2 percent in January, following declines of 

0.1 percent and 0.2 percent over the previous two months. Higher prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and 

materials; foods, feeds and beverages; consumer goods; and automotive vehicles all contributed to the 

January increase in nonfuel import prices. The price index for capital goods recorded no change. Prices for 

nonfuel imports were unchanged over the past year as rising prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and 

materials, automotive vehicles, and consumer goods offset decreasing prices for capital goods and foods, 

feeds, and beverages. 

Table A. Percent changes 

2
Chart 3. One-month percent change in the Export Price Index: January 2012 – January 2013

 Percent change 

0.3 0.5

0.8

0.4

-0.5

-1.7

0.4

0.9 0.8

0.1

-0.6

-0.1

0.3

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

Jan'12 Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan'13

Chart 4. 12-month percent change in the Export Price Index: January 2012 – January 2013 

 Percent change

2.6

1.8

1.1

0.7

-0.2

-2.1

-1.3 -0.9

-0.6

1.5

0.8

1.1 1.1

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

Jan'12 Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan'13

All Exports: Export prices increased 0.3 percent in January, the first monthly advance since a 0.1 percent 

uptick in October. Higher nonagricultural prices more than offset declining agricultural prices. The price 

index for overall exports increased 1.1 percent for the year ended in January and was driven by a 10.7 

percent advance in agricultural prices. 

Agricultural Exports: The price index for agricultural exports decreased 1.3 percent in January following 

increases of 0.2 percent in December and 0.5 percent in November. The January downturn was led by lower 

prices for corn, wheat, and soybeans which fell 8.5 percent, 7.9 percent, and 3.5 percent, respectively. 

Despite the January drop, agricultural prices rose over the past 12 months, primarily driven by higher 

soybeans, wheat, and corn prices in the summer of 2012. 

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: Prices for nonagricultural exports advanced 0.5 percent in January 

after decreasing in each of the past two months. Rising prices for capital goods, nonagricultural industrial 

supplies and materials, and automotive vehicles all contributed to the January increase. Prices for overall 

nonagricultural exports were unchanged over the past year. Increases of 1.0 percent in the price indexes for 

capital goods and automotive vehicles were offset by a 1.5 percent decline in nonagricultural industrial 

supplies and materials prices and a 0.1 percent drop in prices for consumer goods. 

 

3
4

SELECTED JANUARY HIGHLIGHTS 

Import Prices 

Imports by Locality of Origin: Prices for imports from China edged down 0.1 percent in January after 

recording no change the previous month. Import prices from China have not recorded a monthly increase 

since February 2012, after rising 3.6 percent in 2011. The price index for imports from Japan also declined 

in January, falling 0.2 percent, the largest one-month decrease since September 2008. In contrast, import 

prices from the European Union rose 1.1 percent, the largest monthly increase since a 1.2 percent advance in 

March 2011. Prices for imports from Canada and Mexico also increased in January, rising 0.9 percent and 

0.6 percent, respectively. 

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonfuel industrial supplies and materials prices advanced 0.4 

percent in January following a 0.3 percent rise in December. The January increase was led by a 2.9 percent 

advance in the price index for building materials which increased 12.5 percent over the past 12 months. 

Higher lumber prices were the primary contributor to both the increase in January and over the past year. 

Finished Goods: The price indexes for automotive vehicles and consumer goods each edged up 0.1 percent 

in January, and capital goods prices were unchanged. The increase in automotive vehicle prices was led by a 

0.5 percent advance in passenger car prices, which more than offset lower parts prices. Consumer goods 

prices were primarily impacted by prices for medicinal, dental, and pharmaceutical products which rose 1.4 

percent and cotton apparel prices which fell 0.8 percent. 

 

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Prices for foods, feeds, and beverages rose 0.5 percent in January, the first 

monthly advance for the index since a 1.4 percent rise in September. Despite the January upturn, foods, 

feeds, and beverages prices declined 3.6 percent over the past year. 

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares declined 3.7 percent in January following a 6.8 

percent increase in December. The January decrease was primarily led by a 7.7 percent drop in Asian fares. 

Despite the January downturn, overall import air passenger fares advanced 3.9 percent over the past year. 

Prices for import air freight increased 0.2 percent in January and 2.9 percent over the past 12 months. 

Export Prices 

 

Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials 

prices rose 0.3 percent in January after decreasing 0.4 percent the previous month. The increase in January 

was mostly driven by a 0.9 percent rise in fuels, a 3.4 percent advance in paper prices, and a 0.6 percent rise 

in chemicals prices. In contrast, nonferrous metals prices fell 1.2 percent. 

 

Finished Goods: Finished goods prices increased overall in January. The price index for capital goods rose 

0.8 percent, the largest one-month advance for the index since a similar 0.8 percent rise in January 2012. 

Prices for automotive vehicles increased 0.3 percent in January, led by higher parts prices and prices for 

transportation vehicles. Consumer goods prices recorded no change in January. 

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares advanced 9.3 percent in January and 8.4 percent over 

the past 12 months. The January increase was driven by higher Asian and Latin American/Caribbean fares. 

The price index for export air freight rose 1.6 percent in January and 2.0 percent over the past year. 

 

Import and Export Price Index data for February 2013 are scheduled for release on Wednesday, 

March 13, 2013 at 8:30 a.m. (EDT). 
Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: January 2012 to

January 2013

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Dec.

20121

Index Percent change

Dec.

2012

Jan.

2013

Annual Monthly

Jan.

2012 to

Jan.

2013

Sept.

2012 to

Oct. 2012

Oct. 2012

to Nov.

2012

Nov.

2012 to

Dec.

2012

Dec.

2012 to

Jan.

2013

All commodities..................................... 100.000 139.5 140.4 -1.3 0.3 -0.7 -0.5 0.6

All imports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100).......................................... 74.335 103.4 103.6 0.3 0.3 -0.2 0.0 0.2

All imports excluding petroleum................ 80.304 116.5 116.6 0.2 0.3 -0.1 0.2 0.1

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)... 79.273 120.4 120.6 0.0 0.2 -0.2 -0.1 0.2

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 4.938 169.1 170.0 -3.6 0.0 -1.2 -0.3 0.5

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 3.852 190.6 191.6 -3.6 -0.1 -1.7 -0.2 0.5

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 1.086 120.4 121.3 -3.3 0.2 0.8 -0.8 0.7

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 34.350 249.8 253.8 -3.3 0.4 -1.6 -1.2 1.6

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum..................................... 14.654 168.0 167.9 1.3 1.2 0.6 1.1 -0.1

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)....................... 13.623 188.7 189.4 0.6 1.1 -0.5 0.3 0.4

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 8.091 177.5 178.4 0.2 2.3 -0.5 -0.3 0.5

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum......................... 5.532 156.4 155.1 2.6 0.0 1.9 2.9 -0.8

Fuels & lubricants............................... 10 20.727 329.0 337.0 -5.2 0.1 -2.2 -2.0 2.4

Petroleum & petroleum products........... 100 19.695 363.9 374.4 -5.9 -0.1 -2.9 -2.7 2.9

Crude.......................................... 10000 14.924 373.3 384.5 -5.5 -0.3 -2.7 -2.8 3.0

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................... 101 0.804 133.4 126.1 16.1 6.0 19.5 14.8 -5.5

Gas-natural................................... 10110 0.672 119.5 111.9 18.0 7.7 23.4 16.7 -6.4

Paper & paper base stocks................... 11 0.554 111.5 111.9 -0.5 -0.3 -0.1 -0.6 0.4

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials......................... 12 5.057 176.2 176.5 1.0 -0.6 -0.5 1.2 0.2

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.017 143.6 147.7 12.5 0.2 -0.1 1.5 2.9

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods.......................................... 14 3.839 264.0 264.1 -2.5 4.4 -0.9 -0.7 0.0

Finished metals related to durable goods. .. 15 1.616 161.7 162.2 0.3 1.4 -0.5 -0.8 0.3

Nonmetals related to durable goods......... 16 1.540 114.4 114.5 -0.2 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.1

Capital goods..................................... 2 24.150 93.1 93.1 -0.4 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

Electric generating equipment................ 20 3.009 119.7 119.7 0.7 0.1 -0.1 0.2 0.0

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 19.289 85.9 86.0 -0.8 -0.2 -0.1 -0.2 0.1

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 1.852 134.8 135.1 2.7 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.2

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 12.282 114.9 115.0 1.5 0.2 0.0 -0.1 0.1

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 24.280 107.6 107.7 0.2 0.5 -0.1 -0.1 0.1

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 11.756 115.3 115.7 1.0 0.5 0.1 -0.1 0.3

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 11.214 99.7 99.7 -0.3 0.4 -0.2 -0.1 0.0

Nonmanufactured consumer goods.......... 42 1.310 115.3 115.3 -2.8 0.1 0.1 -0.3 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2011 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

5
Table 2. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: January 2012 to

January 2013

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Dec.

20121

Index Percent change

Dec.

2012

Jan.

2013

Annual Monthly

Jan.

2012 to

Jan.

2013

Sept.

2012 to

Oct. 2012

Oct. 2012

to Nov.

2012

Nov.

2012 to

Dec.

2012

Dec.

2012 to

Jan.

2013

All commodities..................................... 100.000 133.6 134.0 1.1 0.1 -0.6 -0.1 0.3

Agricultural commodities......................... 10.703 227.5 224.5 10.7 -1.7 0.5 0.2 -1.3

All exports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100).......................................... 80.855 102.7 103.1 0.6 0.3 -0.2 0.0 0.4

Nonagricultural commodities.................... 89.298 126.9 127.5 0.0 0.3 -0.7 -0.2 0.5

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 10.016 229.3 225.9 12.1 -1.5 0.6 -0.1 -1.5

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 9.338 233.9 229.8 12.8 -1.6 0.8 0.0 -1.8

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 0.678 187.5 192.4 3.5 1.0 -2.1 -1.7 2.6

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 34.117 180.6 181.3 -1.4 0.5 -1.9 -0.3 0.4

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 12.451 186.1 184.8 -0.1 2.0 -0.8 0.3 -0.7

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................... 21.667 178.3 180.2 -2.1 -0.2 -2.5 -0.7 1.1

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials... 10 1.365 196.4 200.2 -0.2 -1.9 -1.6 1.2 1.9

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials........................................ 32.753 180.2 180.8 -1.5 0.7 -1.8 -0.4 0.3

Fuels & lubricants............................... 11 9.130 253.6 256.0 -6.5 -0.4 -5.5 -1.2 0.9

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . . . .. 12 22.636 172.4 172.6 0.3 1.1 -0.6 -0.1 0.1

Selected building materials.................... 13 0.987 117.9 118.8 2.6 -0.8 0.0 0.0 0.8

Capital goods..................................... 2 34.981 105.7 106.5 1.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.8

Electrical generating equipment.............. 20 3.461 114.2 114.8 2.2 0.4 -0.1 -0.1 0.5

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 25.473 94.9 95.6 0.4 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.7

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 6.047 149.0 150.1 2.2 -0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.7

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 8.867 112.9 113.2 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 12.019 116.6 116.6 -0.1 0.2 -0.2 -0.1 0.0

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 5.479 115.6 115.8 1.0 0.4 0.0 -0.2 0.2

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 5.174 114.3 114.0 0.5 -0.3 -0.3 0.0 -0.3

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2011 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

6
Table 3. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: January 2012 to

January 2013

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Dec.

20121

Index Percent change

Dec.

2012

Jan.

2013

Annual Monthly

Jan.

2012 to

Jan.

2013

Sept.

2012 to

Oct. 2012

Oct. 2012

to Nov.

2012

Nov.

2012 to

Dec.

2012

Dec.

2012 to

Jan.

2013

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 17.967 161.7 165.3 -4.7 0.1 -1.8 -1.9 2.2

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 1.749 165.3 166.7 -5.9 1.2 -4.9 -0.4 0.8

Crop production................................. 111 1.232 170.8 170.6 -8.6 0.9 -6.5 -0.2 -0.1

Forestry and logging (Dec. 2012=100). . . . .. 113 0.194 100.0 105.9 – – – – 5.9

Mining.............................................. 21 16.218 160.9 164.9 -4.6 0.1 -1.4 -2.2 2.5

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)..................................... 212 0.337 139.4 135.2 -8.0 -3.0 -0.9 0.3 -3.0

Manufactured articles.............................. 81.579 117.4 117.7 -0.3 0.3 -0.4 -0.2 0.3

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 10.532 123.7 123.6 -1.0 -0.3 0.1 0.2 -0.1

Food manufacturing............................ 311 2.873 154.8 155.2 -2.9 -1.0 0.0 0.8 0.3

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.865 112.0 113.2 1.0 0.1 0.4 -0.3 1.1

Textile mills (Dec. 2011=100)................. 313 0.392 102.3 101.9 0.7 0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.4

Textile product mills............................ 314 0.792 115.9 115.6 -1.9 0.1 0.1 0.1 -0.3

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 3.959 111.0 110.4 -1.3 -0.2 0.1 0.0 -0.5

Leather and allied product manufacturing. .. 316 1.652 120.8 121.0 2.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.2

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 17.963 137.8 139.1 -0.9 0.2 -1.3 -0.4 0.9

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.608 123.4 128.6 19.0 0.1 0.4 2.5 4.2

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.031 110.1 109.0 -1.2 -0.1 0.2 -0.5 -1.0

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 4.261 163.9 168.2 -7.8 0.3 -4.9 -1.9 2.6

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 9.178 135.1 135.8 1.7 0.4 0.0 0.1 0.5

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 1.966 127.6 126.7 -0.4 0.1 -0.1 0.1 -0.7

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.835 129.1 129.5 0.4 -0.5 -0.2 -0.2 0.3

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 53.084 109.8 109.9 0.0 0.5 -0.3 -0.1 0.1

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.477 173.0 173.4 -2.3 4.2 -1.1 -1.0 0.2

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.699 130.1 129.9 0.5 0.4 -0.2 -0.2 -0.2

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 6.638 121.8 122.3 1.7 0.2 -0.1 0.0 0.4

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 16.169 81.7 81.6 -1.8 -0.2 -0.5 -0.1 -0.1

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 4.028 119.8 119.7 1.6 0.3 0.4 0.3 -0.1

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 12.988 112.3 112.6 2.0 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.3

Furniture and related product

manufacturing................................ 337 1.249 113.8 114.0 0.9 -0.3 0.0 0.0 0.2

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 4.835 120.7 120.6 -1.1 0.2 0.1 -0.5 -0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2011 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

7
Table 4. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: January 2012 to

January 2013

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Dec.

20121

Index Percent change

Dec.

2012

Jan.

2013

Annual Monthly

Jan.

2012 to

Jan.

2013

Sept.

2012 to

Oct. 2012

Oct. 2012

to Nov.

2012

Nov.

2012 to

Dec.

2012

Dec.

2012 to

Jan.

2013

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 8.055 175.5 172.4 3.6 -2.9 0.1 -0.2 -1.8

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 5.920 217.0 212.5 11.5 -3.5 -0.1 -0.3 -2.1

Crop production................................. 111 5.486 226.4 221.6 12.0 -3.8 0.2 -0.2 -2.1

Mining.............................................. 21 2.135 94.5 93.6 -17.9 -1.0 1.0 0.3 -1.0

Mining (except oil and gas).................... 212 1.460 109.0 108.0 -21.8 -4.9 -3.8 1.5 -0.9

Manufactured articles.............................. 89.381 120.7 121.2 0.7 0.3 -0.7 -0.2 0.4

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 7.038 152.3 152.6 6.9 1.0 0.4 0.0 0.2

Food manufacturing............................ 311 4.963 175.2 175.3 7.7 1.5 0.5 -0.1 0.1

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.564 126.3 127.8 11.9 -0.5 -1.4 0.3 1.2

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 26.133 132.1 133.1 -0.2 0.1 -2.1 -0.6 0.8

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.404 113.3 113.6 -0.5 -0.7 0.4 -0.4 0.3

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.773 118.9 120.3 1.3 -0.1 -0.5 -0.1 1.2

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 6.837 161.8 163.8 -2.3 -0.1 -7.6 -1.3 1.2

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 14.134 130.4 131.0 -0.1 0.2 -0.5 -0.5 0.5

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 2.206 119.4 120.1 2.9 0.0 0.1 0.5 0.6

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.779 110.8 110.2 -0.8 -0.3 -0.2 -0.4 -0.5

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 56.210 113.2 113.6 0.5 0.4 -0.1 -0.1 0.4

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 5.299 172.6 170.2 -1.6 4.0 -1.1 -0.5 -1.4

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.753 131.8 131.7 1.7 0.3 0.0 -0.2 -0.1

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 11.499 121.1 121.9 1.8 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.7

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 14.168 88.9 89.3 -1.4 0.1 0.0 -0.2 0.4

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.271 113.0 113.7 2.4 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.6

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 13.972 116.8 117.2 1.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3

Furniture and related product manufacturing

(Dec. 2011=100)............................. 337 0.312 104.8 105.1 5.1 1.4 0.2 0.1 0.3

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 4.936 121.9 123.3 0.7 -0.2 0.0 -0.2 1.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2011 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

8
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: January 2012 to

January 2013

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Dec.

20121

Index Percent change

Dec.

2012

Jan.

2013

Annual Monthly

Jan.

2012 to

Jan.

2013

Sept.

2012 to

Oct. 2012

Oct. 2012

to Nov.

2012

Nov.

2012 to

Dec.

2012

Dec.

2012 to

Jan.

2013

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.050 163.1 165.0 -2.8 0.2 1.5 -0.7 1.2

Meat and edible meat offal....................... 02 0.250 217.2 220.4 -0.2 -0.7 0.4 -0.6 1.5

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.546 113.1 115.2 -7.2 0.2 1.6 -1.3 1.9

Vegetable products................................ II 1.605 205.8 207.7 -4.8 -1.5 -4.3 1.9 0.9

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers............ 07 0.360 349.8 357.6 -2.3 -3.7 -2.6 -0.2 2.2

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.403 108.7 111.0 -5.0 -2.3 -3.0 -0.7 2.1

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................... 09 0.359 232.1 233.1 -22.0 4.0 -11.4 -0.3 0.4

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.254 118.4 120.4 -11.3 -2.5 -2.0 -2.5 1.7

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.407 157.6 157.6 -0.3 0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.0

Sugars and sugar confectionary (Dec.

2012=100)....................................... 17 0.211 100.0 100.9 – – – – 0.9

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec.

2009=100)....................................... 18 0.206 91.7 91.0 6.6 2.8 1.6 3.9 -0.8

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100).............. 19 0.236 129.0 129.3 2.8 0.2 0.0 -0.1 0.2

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or other

parts of plants................................... 20 0.320 166.9 163.0 -7.8 -0.8 0.4 -1.2 -2.3

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.................. 22 0.852 122.4 124.0 1.0 0.2 0.3 -0.2 1.3

Mineral products.................................... V 20.640 331.0 339.3 -5.0 0.1 -2.4 -1.9 2.5

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 20.342 327.5 336.0 -4.9 0.1 -2.4 -1.9 2.6

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 8.671 151.1 151.9 2.4 0.5 0.2 -0.3 0.5

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 0.871 386.1 380.0 3.5 -1.0 -0.1 -1.6 -1.6

Organic chemicals................................. 29 2.696 139.8 141.4 2.8 0.2 1.0 -0.2 1.1

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 3.261 119.8 121.0 4.6 2.2 0.1 0.1 1.0

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)...................... 31 0.414 130.6 128.7 -7.7 -1.5 -2.0 -0.5 -1.5

Tanning extracts; dye, pigments, varnish,

paints & putty (Dec. 2011=100)............... 32 0.163 93.1 93.8 -9.0 -10.0 0.0 -0.1 0.8

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 0.487 102.7 102.1 -1.3 -0.5 0.6 0.8 -0.6

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 3.217 152.5 153.1 0.8 0.3 -0.5 0.7 0.4

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 1.943 146.2 147.5 3.0 0.4 -0.2 1.5 0.9

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.274 164.8 164.3 -2.6 0.1 -0.9 -0.5 -0.3

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.599 126.1 126.3 0.6 0.0 0.0 -0.1 0.2

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

various materials................................ 42 0.552 126.8 127.1 0.6 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.2

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.642 149.5 156.1 19.4 0.4 0.1 2.3 4.4

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 1.128 113.1 112.1 -0.7 -0.1 0.0 -0.3 -0.9

Pulp wood, waste paper, and paperboard

(Dec. 2011=100)................................ 47 0.169 97.5 98.4 2.9 -1.2 -0.8 -0.3 0.9

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 0.759 108.1 106.5 -2.3 0.2 0.2 -0.5 -1.5

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 4.985 114.6 114.0 -1.6 -0.1 0.2 -0.1 -0.5

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted............................ 61 1.968 104.8 104.0 -2.6 -0.4 0.2 0.0 -0.8

See footnotes at end of table.

9
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: January 2012 to

January 2013 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Dec.

20121

Index Percent change

Dec.

2012

Jan.

2013

Annual Monthly

Jan.

2012 to

Jan.

2013

Sept.

2012 to

Oct. 2012

Oct. 2012

to Nov.

2012

Nov.

2012 to

Dec.

2012

Dec.

2012 to

Jan.

2013

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted........................ 62 1.825 117.3 116.7 -0.7 0.0 0.1 -0.2 -0.5

Made-up or worn textile articles................. 63 0.552 108.6 108.1 -3.5 0.0 0.2 -0.1 -0.5

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.. .. XII 1.357 120.5 120.7 2.3 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.2

Footwear and parts of such articles............ 64 1.144 119.8 119.8 2.5 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 0.764 131.4 132.3 0.8 -0.2 -0.2 -0.3 0.7

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or

mica (Dec. 2001=100)......................... 68 0.246 124.5 124.8 0.6 -1.0 0.4 -0.6 0.2

Ceramic products.................................. 69 0.241 141.0 140.6 -0.4 0.1 -1.0 0.1 -0.3

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.277 126.9 129.3 2.2 0.0 0.1 -0.2 1.9

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 3.402 205.8 204.2 0.6 4.5 -0.7 -0.6 -0.8

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.025 183.3 185.0 -2.4 0.7 -0.5 -0.5 0.9

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.143 218.5 216.7 -12.2 -2.7 0.2 -1.2 -0.8

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.494 157.0 156.9 -2.9 -0.4 -0.4 -0.6 -0.1

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.487 355.0 364.6 4.5 5.0 -3.2 0.3 2.7

Nickel and articles thereof (Dec. 2009=100). .. 75 0.142 97.2 102.4 -2.4 6.9 2.5 -6.6 5.3

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.670 137.5 140.2 1.4 4.1 -1.0 0.5 2.0

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.380 128.0 131.5 3.7 -0.5 0.2 -0.1 2.7

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.430 136.3 136.6 3.3 -0.4 -0.1 0.1 0.2

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 26.653 85.7 85.7 -0.6 0.0 -0.2 0.0 0.0

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 13.734 90.0 90.0 0.3 0.0 -0.2 0.0 0.0

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and TV

recorders & reproducers, parts............... 85 12.919 81.6 81.5 -1.6 -0.1 -0.2 0.0 -0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 10.739 116.5 116.7 1.8 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.2

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 9.807 115.3 115.6 1.7 0.3 -0.1 -0.2 0.3

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)....................................... 88 0.865 119.3 119.4 2.8 0.0 0.3 0.7 0.1

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 3.348 104.0 103.6 -0.3 0.7 0.0 -0.8 -0.4

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical

instruments...................................... 90 3.037 100.8 100.4 -1.0 0.2 0.0 -0.9 -0.4

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . . . .. 91 0.252 140.8 141.7 10.9 6.4 0.1 -0.1 0.6

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . ...... XX 3.457 112.8 113.2 1.4 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.4

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs........... 94 1.932 116.7 117.0 1.7 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.3

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 1.334 105.1 105.3 0.5 0.4 0.1 0.0 0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles........... 96 0.190 135.5 141.4 6.6 0.1 0.0 -0.3 4.4

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2011 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

10
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: January 2012 to

January 2013

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Dec.

20121

Index Percent change

Dec.

2012

Jan.

2013

Annual Monthly

Jan.

2012 to

Jan.

2013

Sept.

2012 to

Oct. 2012

Oct. 2012

to Nov.

2012

Nov.

2012 to

Dec.

2012

Dec.

2012 to

Jan.

2013

Live animals; animal products................... I 2.123 224.7 219.1 6.4 4.2 1.9 2.1 -2.5

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100). . .. 02 1.186 169.1 167.7 -0.7 1.6 -0.2 0.1 -0.8

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.404 203.4 206.9 2.1 1.3 -2.4 -2.3 1.7

Vegetable products................................ II 5.512 278.1 274.2 16.2 -3.7 0.5 -0.1 -1.4

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.989 155.1 158.6 20.0 4.2 3.8 3.8 2.3

Cereals.............................................. 10 2.281 336.2 309.8 10.7 -1.0 0.6 0.5 -7.9

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder....................... 12 1.730 295.5 287.6 18.2 -9.2 -0.5 -2.4 -2.7

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.299 131.7 132.0 -10.4 -2.6 -6.7 -1.6 0.2

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.979 166.2 166.8 12.0 0.4 0.5 -1.2 0.4

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other

parts of plants (Dec. 2009=100).............. 20 0.339 110.8 111.2 1.5 -1.4 0.1 -0.2 0.4

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar (Dec.

2008=100)....................................... 22 0.615 110.3 113.2 6.6 0.7 0.0 -0.4 2.6

Residues and waste from the food industries;

prepared animal feed........................... 23 0.808 279.2 271.3 33.7 1.3 1.2 -3.2 -2.8

Mineral products.................................... V 9.068 296.9 299.0 -6.9 -0.4 -5.8 -1.1 0.7

Ores, slag and ash (Dec. 2012=100)........... 26 0.483 100.0 97.7 – – – – -2.3

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 8.403 292.9 295.4 -7.2 -0.5 -6.0 -1.3 0.9

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 11.482 154.5 154.6 0.1 0.2 -0.2 -0.2 0.1

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 1.016 184.2 184.4 -0.5 -0.9 0.7 -0.6 0.1

Organic chemicals................................. 29 3.247 166.3 164.6 -1.4 0.5 -0.4 0.1 -1.0

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 2.710 124.7 125.7 1.0 0.4 -0.1 -0.2 0.8

Fertilizers (Dec. 2012=100)...................... 31 0.393 100.0 97.8 – – – – -2.2

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations................ 33 0.709 136.5 137.2 1.9 -0.4 0.1 0.0 0.5

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or scouring

products; candles, pastes..................... 34 0.458 122.8 120.9 -2.6 0.0 -0.1 -0.1 -1.5

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 1.740 153.1 154.9 1.6 0.1 -0.6 0.1 1.2

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 5.180 147.4 149.1 0.9 -0.1 -0.4 -0.5 1.2

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 4.126 138.8 140.7 1.2 -0.1 -0.4 -0.6 1.4

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.054 187.7 187.9 -0.5 -0.3 -0.1 -0.5 0.1

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.377 136.8 141.6 14.7 0.8 1.5 1.3 3.5

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.564 110.0 110.1 3.8 -0.3 0.0 0.0 0.1

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 2.171 117.3 120.5 2.8 1.1 0.8 0.2 2.7

Woodpulp and recovered paper................. 47 0.571 119.0 128.5 4.9 2.0 2.9 1.0 8.0

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 1.170 117.0 118.2 0.7 0.2 0.0 -0.3 1.0

Printed material.................................... 49 0.430 125.8 126.2 5.5 2.8 0.1 0.2 0.3

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 1.758 126.0 127.4 -4.1 -0.8 0.2 0.4 1.1

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof............................................ 52 0.484 132.5 135.3 -19.2 -3.1 0.2 1.5 2.1

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 0.757 118.2 117.8 0.9 0.4 0.0 -0.1 -0.3

See footnotes at end of table.

11
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: January 2012 to

January 2013 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Dec.

20121

Index Percent change

Dec.

2012

Jan.

2013

Annual Monthly

Jan.

2012 to

Jan.

2013

Sept.

2012 to

Oct. 2012

Oct. 2012

to Nov.

2012

Nov.

2012 to

Dec.

2012

Dec.

2012 to

Jan.

2013

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.392 98.6 97.1 -1.6 0.3 0.0 -0.2 -1.5

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 5.374 285.9 282.5 0.1 3.7 -1.5 -0.1 -1.2

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.465 172.0 170.6 -3.0 0.5 -0.2 0.5 -0.8

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.582 201.9 198.5 -9.8 -1.8 2.1 1.2 -1.7

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.331 171.0 168.0 -2.7 0.0 -0.6 -0.6 -1.8

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.640 253.8 254.8 2.7 4.5 -4.3 2.6 0.4

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.859 126.0 126.8 0.2 2.3 -1.0 0.2 0.6

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.404 133.1 131.7 2.1 1.1 0.0 0.0 -1.1

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.321 145.6 145.6 6.9 0.0 0.0 -0.3 0.0

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 27.730 96.9 97.5 0.4 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.6

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 16.538 110.6 111.4 1.3 0.0 0.2 -0.1 0.7

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts

and accessories thereof....................... 85 11.192 82.0 82.4 -0.8 0.2 -0.2 0.0 0.5

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 11.847 126.9 127.5 1.4 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.5

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 8.043 113.0 113.4 1.0 -0.1 0.1 0.0 0.4

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 5.821 106.2 107.4 2.6 0.1 0.0 0.0 1.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . ...... XX 1.340 111.1 111.0 2.2 0.4 0.2 0.2 -0.1

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;........................... 94 0.722 121.6 121.4 2.2 0.7 0.3 0.3 -0.2

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 0.510 90.9 90.9 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2011 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

12
Table 7. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes by locality of origin: January 2012 to January 2013

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Dec.

20121

Index Percent change

Dec.

2012

Jan.

2013

Annual Monthly

Jan. 2012

to Jan.

2013

Sept. 2012

to Oct.

2012

Oct. 2012

to Nov.

2012

Nov. 2012

to Dec.

2012

Dec. 2012

to Jan.

2013

Industrialized Countries2

..................... 100.000 131.2 131.9 -0.5 0.5 0.1 -0.6 0.5

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 11.054 215.8 217.7 -10.3 2.2 0.4 -6.1 0.9

Manufactured articles......................... 88.363 124.2 124.9 1.1 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.6

Other Countries3............................... 100.000 138.7 139.5 -1.9 -0.2 -0.9 -0.3 0.6

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 22.148 342.0 351.4 -3.2 -0.4 -2.9 -0.7 2.7

Manufactured articles......................... 77.506 110.7 110.6 -1.3 -0.2 -0.3 -0.1 -0.1

Canada............................................ 100.000 149.6 150.9 -2.3 0.7 0.3 -1.8 0.9

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 27.786 205.0 207.6 -10.6 3.1 0.7 -6.1 1.3

Manufactured articles......................... 71.163 138.9 139.8 1.6 -0.1 0.1 0.1 0.6

European Union4

............................... 100.000 133.7 135.2 0.1 0.7 0.0 -1.1 1.1

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 1.081 370.0 386.5 4.0 1.1 -2.9 -0.1 4.5

Manufactured articles......................... 98.435 130.0 131.4 -0.1 0.8 0.0 -1.1 1.1

France (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 100.000 120.4 121.0 -0.2 0.3 0.2 -0.1 0.5

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)..................... 100.000 114.6 115.5 1.2 0.3 0.2 -0.3 0.8

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)........... 100.000 132.5 133.3 -0.2 0.4 -0.6 -1.3 0.6

Latin America5.................................. 100.000 173.7 175.2 -4.1 -0.4 -2.4 0.1 0.9

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 31.009 358.3 368.3 -8.3 -1.5 -4.9 -0.3 2.8

Manufactured articles......................... 68.557 133.1 133.1 -1.6 0.1 -0.9 0.3 0.0

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 100.000 142.6 143.4 -4.0 -0.3 -1.7 -0.1 0.6

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec.

2008=100)................................... 18.118 189.8 195.3 -10.5 -1.8 -5.8 -0.9 2.9

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100). . .. 81.529 94.1 94.2 -2.1 0.1 -0.6 0.0 0.1

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6................ 100.000 104.2 104.1 -0.8 0.0 -0.2 0.1 -0.1

China (Dec. 2003=100)......................... 100.000 104.4 104.3 -1.0 -0.2 -0.1 0.0 -0.1

Japan.............................................. 100.000 102.8 102.6 0.3 0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2

Asian NICs7..................................... 100.000 90.4 90.7 0.1 0.2 -0.8 -0.1 0.3

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8..................... 100.000 104.1 104.6 -0.5 0.0 -0.7 0.2 0.5

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9

........... 100.000 270.1 276.1 1.1 1.3 -0.9 -0.7 2.2

1 Relative figures are based on 2011 trade values.

2 Western Europe, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

3 Eastern Europe, Latin America, OPEC countries, and other countries in Asia, Africa and the Western Hemisphere.

4 European Union countries.

5 Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean.

6 China, Japan, Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Macao, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines and the Asian Newly Industrialized

Countries.

7 Asian Newly Industrialized Countries - Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan.

8 Association of Southeast Asian Nations - Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

9 Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

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

Regions are not mutually exclusive.

Dash = Not available

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

2012 to January 2013

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Dec.

20121

Index Percent change

Dec.

2012

Jan.

2013

Annual Monthly

Jan. 2012

to Jan.

2013

Sept.

2012 to

Oct. 2012

Oct. 2012

to Nov.

2012

Nov. 2012

to Dec.

2012

Dec. 2012

to Jan.

2013

Air Freight

Import Air Freight..................................... 100.000 175.8 176.2 2.9 1.3 0.6 -0.7 0.2

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 21.247 162.2 165.3 0.5 3.8 1.8 -2.7 1.9

Asia.................................................... 74.465 156.7 156.3 4.0 0.5 0.2 -0.1 -0.3

Export Air Freight..................................... 100.000 147.0 149.4 2.0 1.2 -0.3 -0.7 1.6

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)............................ 35.184 129.6 133.0 1.1 -1.3 -0.4 -0.3 2.6

Inbound Air Freight................................... 100.000 167.5 165.7 5.3 1.2 1.8 -0.6 -1.1

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 21.359 149.2 151.4 2.9 3.2 1.3 -1.7 1.5

Asia.................................................... 68.349 154.3 151.1 7.2 0.6 2.3 -0.1 -2.1

Outbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 148.0 148.1 2.8 0.3 1.3 -0.8 0.1

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 27.820 161.7 161.6 -0.4 -1.3 0.3 -0.6 -0.1

Asia.................................................... 52.489 141.6 141.8 5.0 0.9 2.3 -1.0 0.1

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 194.2 187.0 3.9 2.0 -0.9 6.8 -3.7

Europe................................................. 40.999 207.2 210.8 14.1 3.7 2.4 2.1 1.7

Asia.................................................... 27.546 171.3 158.1 1.4 -0.3 -3.0 16.1 -7.7

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 9.870 185.1 163.5 -8.5 1.5 6.3 9.4 -11.7

Export Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 193.7 211.8 8.4 -0.4 -2.2 5.9 9.3

Europe................................................. 27.269 222.2 221.1 6.0 -2.2 0.6 2.6 -0.5

Asia.................................................... 31.314 183.7 205.4 8.1 -0.9 -4.1 10.9 11.8

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 24.243 223.7 244.3 15.0 -0.4 0.4 3.8 9.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2011 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

14
TECHNICAL NOTE

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

formula and are not seasonally adjusted. Price indexes are reweighted annually, with a two-year lag in 

the weights. Published series use a base year of 2000=100 where possible. More detailed index series 

and additional information may be obtained at http://www.bls.gov/mxp, or by calling (202) 691-7101. 

Merchandise Goods Classification Systems -- The merchandise price indexes are published using 

three classification systems. Items are classified by end use according to the Bureau of Economic 

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

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

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

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

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

manufacturing) include outputs such as manufactured plastic rather than inputs such as petroleum. The 

NAICS classification structure also matches the classification system used by the PPI (Producer Price 

Index) to produce the NAICS primary products indexes.

Import Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United 

States Annotated (TSUSA). Import prices are based on U.S. dollar prices paid by the U.S. importer. 

The prices are generally either "free on board" (f.o.b.) foreign port or "cost, insurance, and freight" 

(c.i.f.) U.S. port transaction prices, depending on the practices of the individual industry. The index for 

crude petroleum is calculated from data collected by the U.S. Department of Energy. 

Export Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the Harmonized Schedule B classification 

system of the U.S. Bureau of the Census. The prices used are generally either "free alongside ship" 

(f.a.s.) factory or "free on board" (f.o.b.) transaction prices, depending on the practices of the individual 

industry. Prices used in the grain index, excluding rice, are obtained from the U.S. Department of 

Agriculture. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

transportation or port service. The Air Freight Indexes are presented using two definitions: Balance of 

Payments (which represent transactions between U.S. and foreign residents) and International (which 

represent transactions inbound to and outbound from the U.S.). Fact sheets specifying detailed 

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

Publications."

15
Import Indexes by Locality of Origin -- Prices used in these indexes are a subset of the data collected 

for the Import Price Indexes. Beginning with January 2002, the indexes are defined by locality of origin 

using a nomenclature based upon the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). 

Nonmanufactured goods are defined as NAICS 11 and 21 and manufactured goods are defined as 

NAICS 31-33. 

Revision Policy -- To reflect the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents, monthly 

data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication. After three months, no 

further data revisions take place. So, for example, data released in the January release will be subject to 

revision in the releases for February, March, and April. 

Uses of the Data -- The primary use of the indexes is to deflate trade statistics, notably the foreign trade 

sector of the National Income and Product Accounts constructed by the Department of Commerce. 

Other published indexes are useful for general market analysis. For trade in international services, 

Balance of Payments indexes are used for deflating National Income and Product Accounts, while 

International indexes are more appropriate for market analysis. Merchandise and services indexes also 

can be used to study U.S. competitiveness and to compute price elasticities, and the merchandise import 

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

(mxpinfo@bls.gov). 

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

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

16