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                     U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES
                                - JULY 2006 -

     The U.S. Import Price Index increased 0.9 percent in July, the Bureau 
of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today.  A 4.7 
percent advance in petroleum prices more than offset a modest 0.1 percent 
decline in nonpetroleum prices.  The price index of overall exports rose 0.4 
percent in July following a 0.7 percent increase in June.   
        
              Percent changes in import and export price indexes
                             by End Use category
                          -not seasonally adjusted-


                            IMPORTS                       EXPORTS

  Month                                Non-                Agri-     Nonagri-
                    All    Petroleum petroleum    All     cultural   cultural
                  Imports   Imports   Imports   Exports   Exports    Exports

2005
July                1.2       7.7      -0.2       0.1       0.0        0.1
August              1.4       7.4       0.1      -0.2      -0.6       -0.1
September           2.1       6.9       0.9       0.8      -1.4        1.0
October             0.1      -3.1       1.0       0.7       0.3        0.8
November           -1.9      -9.4      -0.1      -0.6      -0.2       -0.7
December            0.0      -0.3       0.0       0.1      -0.5        0.2

2006
January             1.2       5.8       0.3       0.7       0.6        0.7
February           -0.8      -1.0      -0.7       0.1      -0.7        0.2
March              -0.1       0.6      -0.3       0.2      -0.1        0.2
April               2.1 r    11.3 r     0.1       0.7      -0.4 r      0.7
May                 1.8 r     6.4 r     0.7       0.6       0.6        0.7
June                0.0 r    -1.4       0.4       0.7 r     2.5 r      0.5 r
July                0.9       4.7      -0.1       0.4       1.9        0.2

July 2004-05        8.2      47.3       2.1       2.8      -1.7        3.2
July 2005-06        7.0      29.6       2.3       4.4       1.9        4.6

r = revised to reflect late reports and corrections by respondents.


Import Goods
        
     Import prices rose 0.9 percent in July, led up for the third time in the 
past four months by rising petroleum prices.  The price index for import 
petroleum, which advanced 11.3 percent in April and 6.4 percent in May, 
increased 4.7 percent in July following a 1.4 downturn in June.  For the year, 
petroleum prices rose 29.6 percent.  In contrast, nonpetroleum prices edged 
down a modest 0.1 percent in July after increasing in each of the previous three 
months.  Prices for nonpetroleum imports advanced 2.3 percent over the past 
12 months, while overall import prices rose 7.0 percent for the same period.              
        
     The small July decrease in nonpetroleum prices was led by a downturn 
in the price index for nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials, which 
fell 0.9 percent following increases of 2.8 percent and 1.3 percent, 
respectively, in May and June.  The drop in nonpetroleum industrial supplies 
and materials prices was driven by a turnaround in unfinished metal prices, 
although lower prices for natural gas and building materials also contributed to 
the July decline.  Higher chemicals and finished metal prices, however, served 
to offset some of the decline in nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials.  
        
     A modest 0.1 percent decrease in consumer goods prices also 
contributed to lower July prices for nonpetroleum imports.  Consumer goods 
prices were unchanged over the past 12 months.             
                  
     In contrast, the price indexes for automotive vehicles, capital goods, and 
foods, feeds, and beverages all rose in July.  Automotive vehicle prices 
increased 0.2 percent for the second consecutive month, and advanced 0.7 
percent for the year ended in July.  Capital goods prices and prices for foods, 
feeds, and beverages each ticked up 0.1 percent for the month.  The increase in 
capital goods prices followed a 0.3 percent rise in June, but despite those 
increases, the index declined 0.4 percent over the past year.  Prices for foods, 
feeds, and beverages rose 3.9 percent for the July 2005-2006 period.      


Export Goods 

     Export prices increased 0.4 percent in July, as both agricultural prices 
and nonagricultural prices contributed to the advance.  Prices for agricultural 
exports rose 1.9 percent after a 2.5 percent increase in June.  Higher prices for 
wheat, fruit, and soybeans all contributed to the increase.  Agricultural prices 
advanced 1.9 percent over the past year, as the recent increases more than 
offset lower prices at the end of 2005 and the beginning of 2006.  
Nonagricultural prices continued a steady upward trend in July, rising 0.2 
percent.  Over the past 12 months, nonagricultural prices increased 4.6 percent, 
and overall export prices rose a similar 4.4 percent.                
        
     The advance in nonagricultural prices was again led by rising prices for 
nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials, which increased 0.6 percent.  
The latter increase was led by higher prices for chemicals, plastic materials, 
and fuels.  However, lower metals prices were an offsetting factor and prices 
for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials rose at a smaller rate than 
in the previous three months, when the increases ranged between 1.7 and 2.0 
percent.  The index increased 13.5 percent for the year ended in July.  Prices 
for consumer goods and automotive vehicles rose 0.4 percent and 0.3 percent, 
respectively, contributing to the overall increase in nonagricultural prices.  
Consumer goods prices increased 2.5 percent over the past year, while prices 
for automotive vehicles advanced 1.6 percent.       
                  
     Capital goods prices fell a modest 0.1 percent for the second consecutive 
month, but increased 0.3 percent over the past 12 months.


Imports by Locality of Origin 
   
     Prices for imports from Canada and from the European Union 
increased 0.2 percent in July after each index recorded little movement the 
previous month.  Both increases were driven by higher petroleum prices.  
Import prices from Canada resumed an upward trend following a 0.1 percent 
downturn in June, and increased 8.0 percent over the past 12 months.  The 
price index for imports from Europe was up 5.5 percent for the year ended in 
July.
        
     Rising petroleum prices also led the 1.7 percent advance in import 
prices from Mexico.  The increase followed a 0.3 percent downturn in June, 
and contributed to an 8.4 percent rise in the price index of imports from 
Mexico over the past year.   
        
     Import prices from both Japan and from China declined 0.2 percent in 
July.  The drop in prices from Japan resumed a downward trend after the index 
rose 0.2 percent in June and remained unchanged in May.  Prices for imports 
from Japan declined 1.8 percent over the past 12 months.  The price index for 
imports from China fell for the fifth consecutive month and decreased 1.3 
percent over the past year.         

   
Import and Export Services

     Import air passenger fares increased 2.0 percent in July following an 11.4 
percent jump in June.  The July increase was led by higher Asian and Latin 
American fares.  Export air passenger fares rose 5.0 percent in July after a 0.1 
percent uptick in June.   For the year ended in July, import air passenger fares 
advanced 5.6 percent, while export air passenger fares declined 0.7 percent.    

     Both import and export air freight prices decreased in July following three 
consecutive increases.  Prices for import air freight declined 1.2 percent as air 
freight prices from both Asia and Europe fell.  Export air freight prices edged 
down 0.2 percent.  


ANNOUNCEMENT OF CHANGES IN THE U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES
	
     Due to budget constraints, the U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes classified by 
the Standard International Classification System (SITC), previously found in Tables 7 
and 8, will no longer be published beginning with this release of the July 2006 data.  


                   CONTENTS OF RELEASE

This news release includes the following tables:

Table 1    U.S. Import Price Indexes, by End Use
Table 2    U.S. Export Price Indexes, by End Use
Table 3    U.S. Import Price Indexes, by NAICS
Table 4    U.S. Export Price Indexes, by NAICS
Table 5    U.S. Import Price Indexes, by Harmonized System
Table 6    U.S. Export Price Indexes, by Harmonized System
Table 7    U.S. Import Price Indexes, by Locality of Origin
Table 8    U.S. International Price Indexes for Selected Transportation Services
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Import and Export Price Index data for August are scheduled for release on September 14 at 
8:30 A.M. (E.D.T.).  


Table  1     U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods
                  July 2005-July 2006          2000=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                                    Index                     Percent Change
                                                                   Relative
                                                                    Import-                      Annual         Monthly
                                                                     ance                         July   March   April    May     June
 END                            Description                                                       2005    2006    2006    2006    2006
 USE                                                                 June      June      July      to      to      to      to      to
                                                                     2006      2006      2006     July   April    May     June    July
                                                                      1/                          2006    2006    2006    2006    2006

         ALL COMMODITIES.......................................... 100.000    117.2      118.2     7.0     2.1     1.8     0.0     0.9
         ALL IMPORTS EXCLUDING PETROLEUM..........................  79.691    104.2      104.1     2.3     0.1     0.7     0.4    -0.1
         ALL IMPORTS EXCLUDING FUELS
                (Dec. 2001=100)...................................  77.556    107.2      107.1     2.4     0.1     0.7     0.7    -0.1

0          FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES..............................   4.228    118.0      118.1     3.9    -0.7     1.6    -0.1     0.1

00               Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,
                        excluding distilled beverages.............   3.169    126.8      126.5     3.6    -0.6     2.0    -0.2    -0.2

01               Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)   1.059     98.5       99.4     4.9    -0.7     0.5     0.4     0.9

1          INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS........................  37.568    177.9      181.7    19.8     6.0     4.8    -0.2     2.1
              INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS
                    EXCLUDING PETROLEUM...........................  17.259    134.0      132.8    10.0     0.5     2.8     1.3    -0.9
              INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS
                    EXCLUDING FUELS (Dec. 2001=100)...............  15.124    143.8      142.6    12.2     0.9     3.2     2.4    -0.8
              INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                    DURABLE.......................................   9.881    139.2      136.9    15.4     1.4     4.6     3.2    -1.7
              INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                    NONDURABLE EXCLUDING PETROLEUM................   7.378    126.8      126.9     3.1    -0.7     0.7    -1.2     0.1

10               Fuels & lubricants...............................  22.443    229.6      239.1    25.1     9.7     5.8    -1.9     4.1
100                  Petroleum & petroleum products...............  20.308    241.9      253.3    29.6    11.3     6.4    -1.4     4.7
10000                        Crude................................  14.738    242.2      256.3    29.4    11.4     5.3    -1.1     5.8

11               Paper & paper base stocks........................   0.918    111.0      111.6     6.5     1.5     1.0     0.5     0.5

12               Materials associated with nondurable
                        supplies & materials......................   4.418    120.9      121.6     6.3    -0.3     0.5     1.1     0.6

13               Selected building materials......................   1.994    117.3      116.4     1.3     0.1     1.7    -2.3    -0.8

14               Unfinished metals related to durable goods.......   4.673    193.4      185.8    33.9     2.7     8.8     7.4    -3.9

15               Finished metals related to durable goods.........   1.592    125.3      128.3     9.6     1.2     2.1     1.8     2.4

16               Nonmetals related to durable goods...............   1.529    101.0      101.0     0.4     0.2     0.0     0.0     0.0

2          CAPITAL GOODS..........................................  20.895     91.2       91.3    -0.4    -0.1    -0.1     0.3     0.1

20               Electric generating equipment....................   2.502    102.0      102.0     3.7     0.2     0.4     1.3     0.0

21               Nonelectrical machinery..........................  16.756     87.8       87.9    -1.3    -0.2    -0.1     0.1     0.1

22               Transportation equipment excluding
                        motor vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)............   1.637    107.9      108.0     1.5     0.4     0.2     0.3     0.1

3          AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES...................  14.216    103.9      104.1     0.7     0.1     0.1     0.2     0.2

4          CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING
                  AUTOMOTIVES.....................................  23.093     99.8       99.7     0.0    -0.1     0.2     0.1    -0.1

40               Nondurables, manufactured........................  10.966    102.6      102.5    -0.5    -0.2    -0.1     0.1    -0.1

41               Durables, manufactured...........................  10.996     97.0       96.9     0.7     0.1     0.5     0.1    -0.1

42               Nonmanufactured consumer goods...................   1.131     98.6       99.7    -0.4     0.2     0.0     0.2     1.1


     1   Relative importance figures are based on 2004 trade values.

     NOTES:  Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.
             n.a.  Not available


Table  2     U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods
                  July 2005-July 2006          2000=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                                       Index                     Percent Change
                                                                      Relative
                                                                       Import-                      Annual         Monthly
                                                                        ance                         July   March   April    May     June
 END                             Description                                                         2005    2006    2006    2006    2006
 USE                                                                    June      June      July      to      to      to      to      to
                                                                        2006      2006      2006     July   April    May     June    July
                                                                         1/                          2006    2006    2006    2006    2006

         ALL COMMODITIES............................................. 100.000    111.1      111.5     4.4     0.7     0.6     0.7     0.4
         AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES....................................   7.544    123.9      126.3     1.9    -0.4     0.6     2.5     1.9
         NONAGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES.................................  92.457    110.2      110.4     4.6     0.7     0.7     0.5     0.2

0          FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES.................................   6.828    125.4      128.3     2.3    -0.6     0.9     2.7     2.3

00               Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,
                        excluding distilled beverages................   6.077    125.4      128.6     2.4    -0.6     0.9     2.9     2.6

01               Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)...   0.751    125.3      125.4     2.5    -0.6     0.5     1.8     0.1

1          INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS...........................  30.462    138.4      139.1    12.8     2.0     1.6     1.7     0.5
              INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                    DURABLE..........................................  11.186    146.6      145.9    19.0     2.4     2.5     2.9    -0.5
              INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                    NONDURABLE.......................................  19.275    134.2      135.6     9.4     1.7     1.2     1.1     1.0

10               Agricultural industrial supplies & materials........   1.467    117.3      116.4     0.3     0.3    -0.7     0.8    -0.8

           NONAGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES
                        & MATERIALS..................................  28.995    139.8      140.6    13.5     2.0     1.9     1.7     0.6

11               Fuels & lubricants..................................   4.843    192.1      194.7    23.2     7.8     2.6     0.2     1.4

12               Nonagricultural supplies & materials
                        excluding fuels & building materials.........  23.005    134.8      135.4    12.2     1.0     1.7     2.1     0.4

13               Selected building materials.........................   1.147    109.6      109.6     3.4     0.1     0.3     0.6     0.0

2          CAPITAL GOODS.............................................  39.709     98.4       98.3     0.3     0.2     0.1    -0.1    -0.1

20               Electrical generating equipment.....................   3.847    104.8      104.9     1.9     0.1     0.1     0.2     0.1

21               Nonelectrical machinery.............................  29.283     92.7       92.4    -1.0     0.0     0.0     0.0    -0.3

22               Transportation equipment excluding
                        motor vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)...............   6.579    117.1      117.1     4.6     0.6     0.2     0.2     0.0

3          AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES......................  10.715    104.9      105.2     1.6     0.2     0.2     0.1     0.3

4          CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING
                  AUTOMOTIVES........................................  12.287    103.6      104.0     2.5     0.3     0.6     0.4     0.4

40               Nondurables, manufactured...........................   6.008    103.1      103.4     2.3     0.3     0.2     0.2     0.3

41               Durables, manufactured..............................   5.248    102.3      102.3     0.8     0.1     0.8     0.1     0.0


     1   Relative importance figures are based on 2004 trade values.

     NOTES:  Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.
             n.a.  Not available


Table  3     U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods
                  July 2005-July 2006          2005=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                                         Index                     Percent Change
                                                                        Relative
                                                                         Import-                      Annual         Monthly
                                                                          ance                         July   March   April    May     June
NAICS                             Description                                                          2005    2006    2006    2006    2006
                                                                          June      June      July      to      to      to      to      to
                                                                          2006      2006      2006     July   April    May     June    July
                                                                           1/                          2006    2006    2006    2006    2006

         Nonmanufactured Articles......................................  18.488    110.8      115.9    n.a.     8.3     4.7    -1.4     4.6

11               AGRICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS....................   1.354     98.5       99.8    n.a.    -2.5     5.1     2.0     1.3
111                  Agricultural products.............................   0.916     91.6       91.8    n.a.    -2.9     6.3    -0.1     0.2

21               OIL, GAS, MINERALS AND ORES...........................  17.134    111.9      117.3    n.a.     9.1     4.7    -1.7     4.8

         Manufactured Articles.........................................  80.890    103.3      103.2    n.a.     0.8     1.3     0.4    -0.1

31               MANUFACTURED GOODS, PART 1............................  10.333    100.7      100.8    n.a.     0.2     0.1     0.0     0.1
311                  Food and kindred products.........................   2.469    102.3      102.6    n.a.    -0.1     0.6    -0.1     0.3
312                  Beverages and tobacco products....................   0.803    101.0      101.6    n.a.     0.1     0.2     0.1     0.6
313                  Textiles and fabrics..............................   0.517    103.8      103.7    n.a.     2.6     0.0     1.5    -0.1
314                  Textile mill products.............................   0.726    100.3      100.9    n.a.     0.1     0.0     0.0     0.6
315                  Apparel and accessories...........................   4.360     99.7       99.7    n.a.     0.3    -0.3    -0.1     0.0
316                  Leather and allied products.......................   1.459    100.1      100.1    n.a.     0.0     0.1     0.0     0.0

32               MANUFACTURED GOODS, PART 2............................  17.774    105.9      106.4    n.a.     2.8     3.1    -0.8     0.5
321                  Wood products.....................................   1.323     98.2       96.9    n.a.    -0.7     2.5    -4.2    -1.3
322                  Paper.............................................   1.452    103.6      104.1    n.a.     1.0     0.7     0.5     0.5
324                  Petroleum and coal products.......................   4.782    120.6      122.4    n.a.    12.6    10.0    -2.6     1.5
325                  Chemicals.........................................   7.446    101.3      101.5    n.a.    -0.8     0.4     0.4     0.2
326                  Plastics and rubber products......................   1.587    101.6      101.8    n.a.     0.5     0.1     0.4     0.2
327                  Nonmetallic mineral products......................   1.081    103.2      103.5    n.a.     2.0     0.1     0.5     0.3

33               MANUFACTURED GOODS, PART 3............................  52.783    102.9      102.7    n.a.     0.3     0.9     0.9    -0.2
331                  Primary metals....................................   5.312    133.0      129.2    n.a.     3.0     9.5     7.3    -2.9
332                  Fabricated metal products, nesoi..................   2.428    103.0      103.4    n.a.     0.2     0.4     0.5     0.4
333                  Machinery, except electrical......................   6.257    102.2      102.2    n.a.     0.3     0.3     0.5     0.0
334                  Computer and electronic products..................  13.987     98.1       97.9    n.a.    -0.5    -0.4    -0.1    -0.2
335                  Electrical equipment, appliances, and components..   3.500    102.4      102.6    n.a.     0.1     0.5     1.0     0.2
336                  Transportation equipment..........................  15.102    100.3      100.5    n.a.     0.2     0.0     0.2     0.2
337                  Furniture and fixtures............................   1.472    100.3      100.5    n.a.     0.1    -0.1     0.3     0.2
339                  Miscellaneous manufactured commodities............   4.725    102.4      102.4    n.a.     0.3     1.1     0.4     0.0


     1   Relative importance figures are based on 2004 trade values.

     NOTES:   Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.
              n.a.  Not available


Table  4     U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods
                  July 2005-July 2006          2005=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                                         Index                     Percent Change
                                                                        Relative
                                                                         Import-                      Annual         Monthly
                                                                          ance                         July   March   April    May     June
NAICS                             Description                                                          2005    2006    2006    2006    2006
                                                                          June      June      July      to      to      to      to      to
                                                                          2006      2006      2006     July   April    May     June    July
                                                                           1/                          2006    2006    2006    2006    2006

         Nonmanufactured Articles......................................   6.045    106.2      106.5    n.a.     1.2     0.2     3.0     0.3

11               AGRICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS....................   4.112    104.9      106.8    n.a.    -0.4     0.4     3.9     1.8
111                  Agricultural products.............................   3.675    104.7      106.6    n.a.    -0.1     0.4     4.5     1.8

21               OIL, GAS, MINERALS AND ORES...........................   1.933    109.1      105.9    n.a.     4.5    -0.1     1.2    -2.9
211                  Oil and gas.......................................   0.449     81.0       80.6    n.a.    11.2    -5.0    -2.2    -0.5
212                  Minerals and ores.................................   1.484    121.9      117.4    n.a.     2.4     1.6     2.3    -3.7

         Manufactured Articles.........................................  91.610    102.6      102.9    n.a.     0.4     0.7     0.5     0.3

31               MANUFACTURED GOODS, PART 1............................   6.508     99.6      100.5    n.a.    -0.9     0.5     0.6     0.9
311                  Food and kindred products.........................   3.684     99.7      101.3    n.a.    -0.8     0.7     0.8     1.6
312                  Beverages and tobacco products....................   0.570    101.0      101.7    n.a.     1.3     0.3    -0.3     0.7
313                  Textiles and fabrics..............................   1.045     96.5       96.6    n.a.    -3.5     0.2     0.3     0.1
315                  Apparel and accessories...........................   0.624    100.0      100.0    n.a.    -0.1     0.0     0.1     0.0

32               MANUFACTURED GOODS, PART 2............................  24.001    105.4      106.5    n.a.     1.1     1.4     1.0     1.0
321                  Wood products.....................................   0.556    102.7      103.0    n.a.     0.0     0.9     0.7     0.3
322                  Paper.............................................   2.125    105.7      106.7    n.a.     2.3     0.3     0.9     0.9
324                  Petroleum and coal products.......................   2.913    124.1      125.0    n.a.     8.5     5.3     0.2     0.7
325                  Chemicals.........................................  14.973    103.1      104.4    n.a.    -0.1     1.0     1.2     1.3
326                  Plastics and rubber products......................   2.435    102.4      102.9    n.a.     0.2     0.4     0.1     0.5
327                  Nonmetallic mineral products......................   0.896    102.3      102.3    n.a.     0.0     0.3     2.9     0.0

33               MANUFACTURED GOODS, PART 3............................  61.101    101.9      101.8    n.a.     0.3     0.4     0.4    -0.1
331                  Primary metals....................................   3.966    119.0      116.7    n.a.     1.4     4.6     5.2    -1.9
332                  Fabricated metal products, nesoi..................   2.730    105.3      106.0    n.a.     1.1     0.3     0.2     0.7
333                  Machinery, except electrical......................  12.045    101.6      102.3    n.a.     0.4     0.1     0.2     0.7
334                  Computer and electronic products..................  18.128     98.7       97.8    n.a.    -0.3    -0.1    -0.3    -0.9
335                  Electrical equipment, appliances, and components..   3.478    101.3      101.4    n.a.     0.0     0.1     0.2     0.1
336                  Transportation equipment..........................  16.178    101.7      101.8    n.a.     0.4     0.1     0.2     0.1
339                  Miscellaneous manufactured commodities............   4.259    102.7      103.3    n.a.     0.5     1.4     0.8     0.6


     1   Relative importance figures are based on 2004 trade values.

     NOTES:   Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.
              n.a.  Not available


Table  5     U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods
                  July 2005-July 2006          2000=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                                       Index                     Percent Change
                                                                      Relative
                                                                       Import-                      Annual         Monthly
Harmo-                                                                  ance                         July   March   April    May     June
nized                            Description                                                         2005    2006    2006    2006    2006
System                                                                  June      June      July      to      to      to      to      to
                                                                        2006      2006      2006     July   April    May     June    July
                                                                         1/                          2006    2006    2006    2006    2006

I          LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS.............................   1.187    118.2      120.0     4.6    -1.2     2.0     0.3     1.5
02               Meat and edible meat offal..........................   0.335    137.2      138.6    -0.7    -0.2     0.3    -0.7     1.0
03               Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and
                        other aquatic invertebrates..................   0.626     96.6       97.8     7.5    -0.7     1.2     0.9     1.2
      2/         Other live animals; animal products.................   0.225    151.9      156.5     5.1    -4.1     6.8    -0.1     3.0

II         VEGETABLE PRODUCTS........................................   1.044    108.6      109.7    -0.6    -2.9     4.1    -0.2     1.0
07               Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers................   0.288    143.6      137.7     3.6    -8.1    12.0     3.7    -4.1
08               Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus
                        fruit or melons..............................   0.275     81.7       80.3    -7.4    -0.4     2.7    -2.0    -1.7
09               Coffee, tea, mate and spices........................   0.220    113.4      116.9     2.7    -2.6     0.8    -4.7     3.1
      2/         Other vegetable products............................   0.261    107.9      116.3    -1.0    -0.4     1.0     1.4     7.8

IV         PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND
                     TOBACCO.........................................   2.037    119.8      119.8     4.6     0.5     0.1     0.6     0.0
      2/         Other prepared foodstuffs...........................   0.795    129.4      128.7     3.5     1.1    -0.1     0.8    -0.5
20               Preparations of vegetables, fruit,
                        nuts, or other parts of plants...............   0.254    117.8      117.4    15.9     0.4     0.4     0.8    -0.3
22               Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.....................   0.771    110.3      111.1     3.8     0.3     0.1     0.5     0.7

V          MINERAL PRODUCTS..........................................  22.254    228.6      238.1    24.7     9.6     5.7    -1.9     4.2
27               Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,
                        bituminous substances and mineral wax........  21.928    228.5      238.0    24.9     9.7     5.8    -2.0     4.2
      2/         Other mineral products (Dec. 2001=100)..............   0.326    137.1      139.2    11.8     2.0     0.1     1.0     1.5

VI         PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED
                     INDUSTRIES......................................   6.885    114.7      114.5     2.0    -0.5     0.5     1.1    -0.2
28               Inorganic chemicals.................................   0.686    151.5      153.9    12.8     0.5    -0.2     0.1     1.6
29               Organic chemicals...................................   2.762    118.6      120.2     7.7    -0.2     1.1     2.5     1.3
30               Pharmaceutical products.............................   1.938    106.6      105.0    -5.9    -1.6     0.1     0.6    -1.5
32               Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye &
                        pigments; varnish & paints; putty............   0.173    100.8      100.8    -0.5    -0.3     0.2     0.1     0.0
33               Essential oils and resinoids (Dec. 2001=100)........   0.371    106.9      107.9     1.7     0.2     0.3     0.0     0.9
38               Miscellaneous chemical products.....................   0.386     92.2       92.6    -0.4     0.0     0.2     0.3     0.4

VII        PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER
                     AND ARTICLES THEREOF............................   2.801    120.1      121.2     6.7    -0.1     0.2     1.5     0.9
39               Plastics and articles thereof.......................   1.818    117.0      117.3     3.2    -0.5     0.0     0.3     0.3
40               Rubber and articles thereof.........................   0.983    126.3      129.0    14.0     0.5     0.6     3.8     2.1

VIII       RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,
                     TRAVEL GOODS, ETC...............................   0.611    104.4      104.4     0.6     0.1     0.2     0.2     0.0
42               Articles of leather; travel goods, bags,
                        etc. of various materials....................   0.523    104.3      104.3     0.3     0.1     0.3     0.2     0.0

IX         WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW,
                     BASKETWARE AND WICKERWORK.......................   1.409    120.8      119.4     0.3    -0.4     2.2    -3.3    -1.2

X          WOODPULP, RECOVERED PAPER, AND
                 PAPER PRODUCTS......................................   1.641    107.8      108.4     4.5     0.9     0.6     0.5     0.6
47               Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic
                        material; waste paper/paperboard.............   0.212    116.2      120.1    15.8     2.7     3.8     1.0     3.4
48               Paper and paperboard; articles of paper
                        pulp, paper or paperboard....................   1.164    106.3      106.4     3.4     0.7     0.3     0.4     0.1
49               Printed matter......................................   0.265    113.3      113.9     1.4     0.1     0.1     0.2     0.5

XI         TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES..............................   5.405    100.6      100.8     0.4     0.3    -0.2     0.0     0.2
61               Articles of apparel and clothing
                        accessories, knitted or crocheted............   1.968    100.1       99.9     0.2     0.8    -0.6     0.0    -0.2
62               Articles of apparel and clothing
                        accessories, not knitted or crocheted........   2.178     99.2       99.3    -0.5    -0.3     0.0    -0.1     0.1
63               Made-up or worn textile articles....................   0.483     93.8       94.8     2.4     0.1     0.1     0.0     1.1
      2/         Other textile & textile articles....................   0.776    109.6      109.7     1.9     0.9     0.4     0.7     0.1

XII        HEADGEAR, UMBRELLAS,
                 ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS, ETC.............................   1.226    100.3      100.2     0.0     0.1     0.0     0.1    -0.1
64               Footwear and  parts of such articles................   1.030    100.6      100.6    -0.1     0.1     0.0    -0.1     0.0
      2/         Other footwear, headgear, umbrellas,
                       whips, art. flowers, etc......................   0.196     98.2       97.7     0.2    -0.2     0.6     0.5    -0.5

XIII       STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,
                 CERAMICS, GLASS ETC.................................   0.951    108.7      109.0     3.5     2.5     0.1     0.4     0.3
68               Articles of stone, plaster, cement,
                        asbestos, or mica (Dec. 2001=100)............   0.317    103.3      103.4     4.1     0.9     0.1     0.3     0.1
69               Ceramic products....................................   0.300    111.8      113.1     1.5     1.1     0.2     0.4     1.2
70               Glass and glassware.................................   0.334    109.7      109.3     5.0     5.4     0.0     0.4    -0.4

XIV        PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,
                 IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS........................   2.730    124.8      119.2    20.5     2.4     6.1     2.2    -4.5

XV         BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METAL....................   6.409    158.1      157.5    19.8     1.6     5.2     5.2    -0.4
72               Iron and steel......................................   1.614    174.6      180.4     9.4     3.0     3.0     5.0     3.3
73               Articles of iron or steel...........................   1.410    125.0      125.9     2.3     0.1     0.2     0.7     0.7
74               Copper and articles thereof.........................   0.826    291.6      288.4    91.1     5.1    22.0    15.1    -1.1
76               Aluminum and articles thereof.......................   1.081    150.0      142.7    27.4     0.1     3.8     5.4    -4.9
82               Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and
                        forks, of base metal; parts thereof..........   0.377    107.7      106.5     0.9     0.1     0.2     0.3    -1.1
83               Miscellaneous articles of base metal................   0.448    118.6      119.3     6.7     0.4     0.3     0.9     0.6
      2/         Other base metals and articles of base metals.......   0.654    211.0      204.4    51.9     2.8    17.2     9.7    -3.1

XVI        MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV
                 IMAGE & SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC.................  23.231     88.1       88.2    -1.0    -0.2     0.0     0.2     0.1
84               Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof..  12.063     88.3       88.4    -1.1    -0.1    -0.1     0.1     0.1
85               Electrical machinery and equip, sound
                        and TV recorders & reproducers, parts........  11.168     87.9       88.0    -0.8    -0.1    -0.1     0.3     0.1

XVII       VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND
                 ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT......................  13.144    104.9      105.0     0.6     0.1     0.1     0.2     0.1
87               Motor vehicles and their parts......................  12.109    104.3      104.4     0.5     0.2     0.0     0.2     0.1
88               Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts
                        thereof (Dec. 2002=100)......................   0.898    106.5      106.6     0.7     0.0     0.3     0.4     0.1

XVIII      OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &
                 MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES...................   3.086     99.5       99.2    -0.7     0.2     0.1     0.1    -0.3
90               Optical, photographic, measuring and
                        medical instruments..........................   2.744     98.1       97.9    -1.1     0.0    -0.1     0.1    -0.2
91               Clocks and watches and parts thereof................   0.246    111.9      111.8     4.3     1.0     1.1     0.1    -0.1

XX         MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.......................   3.738     99.5       99.6     0.3    -0.1     0.0     0.3     0.1
94               Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &
                        lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldg........   2.169    103.3      103.4     0.3     0.1     0.0     0.4     0.1
95               Toys, games and sports equipment; parts
                        and accessories thereof......................   1.357     94.4       94.5     0.0    -0.4     0.0     0.0     0.1
96               Miscellaneous manufactured articles.................   0.212    102.7      102.8     2.3     0.2     0.3     0.5     0.1


     1   Relative importance figures are based on 2004 trade values.
     2   Product categories included in this group have been modified due to concordance or coverage limitations.

     NOTES:   Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.
              n.a.  Not available


Table  6     U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods
                  July 2005-July 2006          2000=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                                       Index                     Percent Change
                                                                      Relative
                                                                       Import-                      Annual         Monthly
Harmo-                                                                  ance                         July   March   April    May     June
nized                            Description                                                         2005    2006    2006    2006    2006
System                                                                  June      June      July      to      to      to      to      to
                                                                        2006      2006      2006     July   April    May     June    July
                                                                         1/                          2006    2006    2006    2006    2006

I          LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS.............................   1.290    125.2      130.6     0.5    -3.5     1.6     2.7     4.3
03               Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and
                        other aquatic invertebrates..................   0.452    123.2      123.5     4.8    -1.1     0.3     1.5     0.2

II         VEGETABLE PRODUCTS........................................   3.640    130.8      133.3     2.0    -0.1     0.5     4.5     1.9
08               Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus
                        fruit or melons..............................   0.659    113.9      122.5    -1.4     3.6    -0.8     3.0     7.6
10               Cereals.............................................   1.619    136.9      140.1    16.8    -0.5     0.5     5.4     2.3
12               Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds,
                        fruits, plants, straw and fodder.............   0.843    121.5      124.4    -9.1    -5.1     4.7    -0.1     2.4

IV         PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND
                     TOBACCO.........................................   2.275    112.4      112.4     1.4     0.5     0.3     0.0     0.0
21               Miscellaneous edible preparations...................   0.433    108.1      108.5    -0.9     0.0     0.0     0.1     0.4
23               Residues and waste from the food
                        industries; prepared animal feed.............   0.415    126.9      125.3     3.1     1.1    -0.2     0.7    -1.3
      2/         Other prepared foods................................   0.795    109.6      110.1     0.6     1.0     0.3     0.4     0.5

V          MINERAL PRODUCTS..........................................   4.854    240.5      239.4    25.1     6.4     2.8     0.3    -0.5
27               Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,
                        bituminous substances and mineral wax........   3.891    219.6      221.4    20.5     7.2     2.7    -0.5     0.8

VI         PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED
                     INDUSTRIES......................................  12.193    122.2      123.9     6.8     0.4     0.8     1.4     1.4
28               Inorganic chemicals.................................   1.189    154.0      154.9    20.7     2.4     1.9     1.9     0.6
29               Organic chemicals...................................   4.246    135.8      140.0     9.6     0.3     1.3     2.9     3.1
30               Pharmaceutical products.............................   2.416    108.8      109.2     2.1     0.0     0.3     0.5     0.4
31               Fertilizers.........................................   0.368    146.6      149.6     2.2     1.4    -0.3    -0.5     2.0
32               Tanning or dyeing extracts, dyes,
                        paints, varnish, putty, & inks...............   0.641    110.7      110.4     4.0     0.8     1.2     0.2    -0.3
33               Essential oils and resinoids;
                        perfumery, cosmetic or toilet................   0.707    114.1      113.9     0.5     1.5     0.2     0.3    -0.2
34               Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or
                        scouring products; candles, pastes...........   0.414    109.5      110.4     6.4    -0.8     0.8     0.6     0.8
37               Photographic or cinematographic goods...............   0.361    102.2      106.6     2.6    -0.4     0.3    -0.9     4.3
38               Miscellaneous chemical products.....................   1.614    111.7      111.5     3.8    -0.9     0.3     0.7    -0.2

VII        PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER
                     AND ARTICLES THEREOF............................   5.945    128.6      129.8     9.5    -0.9     1.1     0.8     0.9
39               Plastics and articles thereof.......................   4.812    125.5      126.3     8.4    -1.3     1.1     1.0     0.6
40               Rubber and articles thereof.........................   1.133    141.6      144.0    14.4     0.9     1.0     0.4     1.7

VIII       RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,
                     TRAVEL GOODS, ETC...............................   0.485    116.8      116.6     3.2     0.6     0.5    -0.1    -0.2
41               Raw hides and skins (other than
                        furskins) and leather........................   0.346    110.9      110.5     2.4     0.7     0.6     0.5    -0.4

IX         WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW,
                     BASKETWARE AND WICKERWORK.......................   0.749    107.7      107.6     3.5     0.2     0.6     0.5    -0.1

X          WOODPULP, RECOVERED PAPER, AND
                 PAPER PRODUCTS......................................   2.678    105.5      106.2     4.8     1.4     0.4     1.1     0.7
47               Woodpulp and recovered paper........................   0.573     97.0       98.8     3.3     1.2     1.3     0.8     1.9
48               Paper and paperboard; articles of paper
                        pulp, paper or paperboard....................   1.501    105.9      106.4     6.2     2.1     0.2     1.3     0.5
49               Printed material....................................   0.603    117.1      117.1     2.9    -0.3     0.3     0.4     0.0

XI         TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES..............................   2.727    101.9      101.4     0.5    -0.1    -0.2     0.7    -0.5
52               Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics thereof...   0.742     94.1       92.1     0.3     1.4    -1.7     1.8    -2.1
61               Apparel & clothing knitted
                        or crocheted (Dec. 2001=100).................   0.321     94.6       94.6    -0.3    -0.1     0.0     0.0     0.0
      2/         Other textile and textile articles (Dec. 2001=100)..   1.663    114.8      114.9     0.9    -0.7     0.4     0.4     0.1

XIII       STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,
                 CERAMICS, GLASS ETC.................................   0.826    104.1      104.1     0.8    -0.1     0.1     0.9     0.0
70               Glass and glassware.................................   0.465     95.4       95.5    -0.7    -0.1     0.2     0.3     0.1

XIV        PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,
                 IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS........................   3.012    143.2      137.6    27.4     3.0     5.8     5.4    -3.9

XV         BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METALS...................   5.533    152.3      154.8    18.1     2.3     2.5     2.4     1.6
72               Iron and steel......................................   1.177    174.1      179.7    16.7     3.7     1.3     3.3     3.2
73               Articles of iron or steel...........................   1.306    134.5      135.6     8.6     1.0     0.3     0.1     0.8
74               Copper and articles thereof.........................   0.773    233.8      242.7    59.1     9.2     9.1     3.1     3.8
76               Aluminum and articles thereof.......................   0.971    146.0      136.2    21.8    -0.4     4.2     6.5    -6.7
82               Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and
                        forks, of base metal; parts thereof..........   0.415    110.6      111.3     6.4     0.1     0.3     0.0     0.6
83               Miscellaneous articles of base metal................   0.442    123.8      125.7     7.3     1.3     0.6     0.7     1.5

XVI        MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV
                 IMAGE AND SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC...............  32.358     93.8       93.7    -0.6     0.1     0.0     0.0    -0.1
84               Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof..  18.003    101.5      101.7     1.6     0.3     0.2     0.0     0.2
85               Electrical machinery and equipment
                        and parts and accessories thereof............  14.355     85.3       85.0    -3.4    -0.1    -0.1    -0.1    -0.4

XVII       VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND
                 ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT......................  13.356    111.5      111.7     2.5     0.2     0.1     0.1     0.2
87               Motor vehicles and their parts......................   8.832    104.7      104.8     1.5     0.0     0.1     0.1     0.1

XVIII      OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &
                 MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES...................   6.309    102.4      101.5    -0.1     0.0     0.3     0.1    -0.9

XX         MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.......................   1.423    100.9      101.3     0.6     0.3     0.1    -0.1     0.4
94               Furniture; stuffed furnishings;
                        lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;...........   0.776    106.7      107.3     0.8     0.7    -0.1    -0.1     0.6
95               Toys, games and sports equipment; parts
                        and accessories thereof......................   0.507     94.4       94.3     0.2    -0.5     0.1     0.2    -0.1


     1   Relative importance figures are based on 2004 trade values.
     2   Product categories included in this group have been modified due to concordance or coverage limitations.

     NOTES:   Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.
              n.a.  Not available


Table  7     U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes by Locality of Origin
                  July 2005-July 2006          2000=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                        Index                           Percent Change

                                                                                        Annual            Monthly
                                                       Percentage                        July     March    April     May      June
                        Description                        of                            2005      2006     2006     2006     2006
                                                          June     June       July        to        to       to       to       to
                                                          2006     2006       2006       July     April     May      June     July
                                                           1/                            2006      2006     2006     2006     2006

 2/ Industrialized Countries............................ 46.371   117.6      117.5        5.8       1.1      2.0      0.5     -0.1
         Nonmanufactured Articles.......................  3.994   193.1      199.6       14.8       6.8      6.6     -0.8      3.4
         Manufactured Articles.......................... 41.944   111.8      111.2        4.5       0.4      1.5      0.7     -0.5

 3/ Other Countries..................................... 53.651   115.3      117.1        8.0       2.6      1.6     -0.2      1.6
         Nonmanufactured Articles.......................  9.299   214.1      225.4       26.6       8.9      3.8     -1.2      5.3
         Manufactured Articles.......................... 44.152   101.3      101.6        2.8       0.8      0.9      0.2      0.3

    Canada.............................................. 17.089   131.1      131.4        8.0       1.9      2.7     -0.1      0.2
         Nonmanufactured Articles.......................  3.239   192.9      198.6       12.0       6.0      7.3     -0.9      3.0
         Manufactured Articles.......................... 13.575   119.9      119.1        6.3       0.8      1.3      0.3     -0.7

 4/ European Union...................................... 18.654   120.6      120.8        5.5      -0.6      3.1      0.0      0.2
         Nonmanufactured Articles.......................  0.367   217.2      226.4       17.9       7.6     -1.1     -3.5      4.2
         Manufactured Articles.......................... 18.150   118.5      118.5        4.8      -0.9      3.1     -0.1      0.0

    France (Dec. 2003=100)..............................  1.971   103.6      103.8        2.0       0.0      0.4      0.5      0.2

    Germany (Dec. 2003=100).............................  5.187   103.7      104.3        0.7       0.4      0.6      0.5      0.6

    United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)......................  2.947   118.9      119.4        5.6       1.6      0.9      0.3      0.4

 5/ Latin America....................................... 17.406   143.4      145.6       13.8       4.3      2.1      0.5      1.5
         Nonmanufactured Articles.......................  4.158   216.6      227.7       26.6      10.1      2.2     -1.5      5.1
         Manufactured Articles.......................... 13.173   129.9      129.8        8.6       1.8      2.2      1.4     -0.1

    Mexico (Dec. 2003=100).............................. 10.594   119.5      121.5        8.4       3.0      1.5     -0.3      1.7

 6/ Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)......................... 34.090    98.7       98.8       -1.0      -0.1      0.0      0.2      0.1

    China (Dec. 2003=100)............................... 13.773    97.4       97.2       -1.3      -0.2     -0.2     -0.1     -0.2

    Japan...............................................  8.920    94.6       94.4       -1.8      -0.2      0.0      0.2     -0.2

 7/ Asian NICs..........................................  7.216    89.2       89.5        0.0       0.2      0.1      0.1      0.3

 8/ ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)...............................  6.086    97.6       98.1        0.4       0.1      0.1      0.4      0.5

 9/ Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)......................  3.547   186.2      192.8       18.2       6.0      3.9      0.8      3.5


1   Percentage of trade figures are based on 2004 trade values.
2   Includes Western Europe, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
3   Includes Eastern Europe, Latin America, OPEC countries, and other countries in Asia, Africa and the Western Hemisphere.
4   Includes European Union countries.
5   Includes Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean.
6   Includes China, Japan, Asia Newly Industrialized Countries, Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Macao, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Philippines.
7   Asia Newly Industrialized Countries. Includes Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan.
8   Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
9   Includes Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

    NOTES:  Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.
            Regions are not mutually exclusive.
            n.a.  Not available


Table  8     U.S. International Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Transportation Services
                  July 2005-July 2006          2000=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                         Index                         Percent Change
                                                        Relative
                                                         import-                       Annual            Monthly
                                                          ance                          July     March    April     May      June
                        Description                                                     2005      2006     2006     2006     2006
                                                          June      June      July       to        to       to       to       to
                                                          2006      2006      2006      July     April     May      June     July
                                                           1/                           2006      2006     2006     2006     2006

    AIR FREIGHT
      Import Air Freight................................ 100.000    135.2     133.6      n.a.      0.1      1.1      3.0     -1.2
           Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................  38.722    131.5     130.5      n.a.      0.7      2.6      5.4     -0.8
           Asia.........................................  49.540    119.8     117.5      n.a.     -0.1      0.0      2.0     -1.9

      Export Air Freight................................ 100.000    115.6     115.4      n.a.      0.0      0.8      1.0     -0.2

      Inbound Air Freight............................... 100.000    129.2     128.1      n.a.      0.0      1.9      1.7     -0.9
           Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................  39.141    125.8     124.8      n.a.      0.4      3.5      3.3     -0.8
           Asia.........................................  48.621    112.7     111.5      n.a.     -0.2      1.0      0.7     -1.1

      Outbound Air Freight.............................. 100.000    117.1     116.3      n.a.      0.1      1.6      1.5     -0.7
           Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................  42.406    133.6     131.4      n.a.      0.5      2.8      1.4     -1.6
           Asia.........................................  42.499    109.2     109.3      n.a.     -0.2      1.6      1.7      0.1

    AIR PASSENGER FARES
      Import Air Passenger Fares........................ 100.000    136.7     139.4       5.6      5.7      1.1     11.4      2.0
           Europe.......................................  62.287    133.2     133.6       5.1      8.1      0.9     13.8      0.3
           Asia.........................................  14.461    132.4     137.9       4.0      2.4      2.0     16.7      4.2
           Latin America/Caribbean......................   9.291    116.6     122.6       2.3     -0.2      2.7      1.0      5.1

      Export Air Passenger Fares........................ 100.000    139.3     146.2      -0.7      0.7      5.6      0.1      5.0
           Europe.......................................  31.542    169.5     185.1      -2.2     10.0      2.2      3.2      9.2
           Asia.........................................  34.874    113.1     115.4      -4.9     -4.9     11.0     -3.6      2.0
           Latin America/Caribbean......................  17.550    149.1     158.3       4.1      1.3      1.2      0.5      6.2

      Inbound Air Passenger Fares (Dec. 2003=100)....... 100.000    121.0     128.2       1.8      2.6      5.5      1.2      6.0
           Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................  41.379    123.5     136.7       0.1     11.1      2.4      4.1     10.7
           Asia (Dec. 2003=100).........................  29.303    110.4     112.2      -2.9     -4.7     11.8     -3.4      1.6
           Latin America/Caribbean (Dec. 2003=100)......  14.081    117.4     123.6       6.2      1.1      1.6      1.0      5.3
           Canada (Dec. 2003=100).......................  10.052    161.6     162.7      20.4     -4.6      6.9      3.8      0.7

      Outbound Air Passenger Fares (Dec. 2003=100)...... 100.000    128.7     131.0       5.0      5.4      1.2      9.1      1.8
           Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................  53.790    139.1     139.6       5.0      8.4      0.8     14.0      0.4
           Asia (Dec. 2003=100).........................  15.380    120.9     124.8       0.2      3.2      3.9     10.0      3.2
           Latin America/Caribbean (Dec. 2003=100)......  17.896    109.9     112.7       4.4      1.2      1.2      0.2      2.5
           Canada (Dec. 2003=100).......................   8.199    155.4     158.3      23.5      2.0      2.9      1.3      1.9

    CRUDE OIL TANKER FREIGHT
 2/   Inbound Crude Oil Tanker Freight.................. 100.000     n.a.      n.a.      n.a.     -6.1    -18.0     n.a.     n.a.

    OCEAN LINER FREIGHT
      Inbound Ocean Liner Freight....................... 100.000    114.9     112.7     -12.2      0.0     -6.2     -2.3     -1.9
           U.S. East Coast..............................  40.595    120.2     118.2      -6.0     -0.1     -4.3     -0.7     -1.7
                 From Atlantic..........................  17.710    120.3     120.3      -2.8      0.0     -8.0     -0.9      0.0
                 From Pacific...........................  16.497    120.2     119.9      -4.9      0.0     -1.7     -0.1     -0.2
           U.S. West Coast..............................  59.405    112.1     109.7     -16.0      0.0     -7.4     -3.3     -2.1


    1   Relative importance figures are based on 2000 trade values.
    2   Publication of the Crude Oil Tanker Freight Indexes is lagged two months, as are the relative importance figures.

    NOTES:  Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.
            n.a.  Not available
	
                                        
						TECHNICAL NOTE


Import and Export Merchandise and Services Price Indexes -- All indexes use a modified Laspeyres formula and 
are not seasonally adjusted.  Price indexes for merchandise goods are reweighted annually, with a two-year lag 
in the weights.  Published series use a base year of 2000=100 where possible.  More detailed index series and 
additional information may be obtained at http://www.bls.gov/mxp, or by calling (202) 691-7101.

Merchandise Goods Classification Systems -- The merchandise price indexes are published using three 
classification systems.  Items are classified, respectively, by end use for the Bureau of Economic Analysis 
System, industry for the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), and product category for the 
Harmonized System (HS).  While classification by end use and product category are self-explanatory, a couple 
of notes are in order for classifying items by industry.  In the NAICS tables, for both imports and exports, 
items are classified by output industry, not input industry.  As an example, NAICS import index 326 (plastics 
and rubber products) would include outputs such as manufactured plastic rather than inputs such as petroleum.  
The NAICS classification structure also matches the classification system used by the PPI to produce the NAICS 
primary products indexes.

Import Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States 
Annotated (TSUSA).  Import prices are based on U.S. dollar prices paid by the U.S. importer.  The prices are 
generally either "free on board" (f.o.b.) foreign port or "cost, insurance, and freight" (c.i.f.) U.S. port 
transaction prices, depending on the practices of the individual industry.  The index for crude petroleum is 
calculated from data collected by the U.S. Department of Energy.  

Export Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the Harmonized Schedule B classification system of 
the U.S. Bureau of the Census.  The prices used are generally either "free alongside ship" (f.a.s.) factory or 
"free on board" (f.o.b.) transaction prices, depending on the practices of the individual industry.  Prices 
used in the grain index, excluding rice, are obtained from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Import Indexes by Locality of Origin -- Prices used in these indexes are a subset of the data collected for 
the Import Price Indexes.  Beginning with January 2002, the indexes are defined by locality of origin using a 
nomenclature based upon the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).  Nonmanufactured goods are 
defined as NAICS 11 and 21, and manufactured goods are defined as NAICS 31-33.  

Services Price Indexes -- Price indexes for internationally traded services are presented using two 
definitions: Balance of Payments (which represent transactions between U.S. and foreign residents) and 
International (which represent transactions inbound to and outbound from the U.S.).  The Air Passenger Fares 
Indexes are calculated from data collected from a commercial airline reservation system.  These data exclude 
frequent flyer tickets and those sold by consolidators. The Crude Oil Tanker Freight Indexes are calculated 
from data collected by the U. S. Department of Energy, and the publication of these indexes is lagged two 
months. The Air Freight and Ocean Liner Freight Indexes are calculated from data collected directly from 
companies.  Fact sheets specifying detailed information for each services industry are available at 
http://www.bls.gov/mxp under "Publications and Other Documentation."   

Revision Policy -- To reflect the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents, monthly data 
may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.  After three months, no further data 
revisions take place.  So, for example, data released in the January release will be subject to revision in the 
releases for February, March, and April.

Uses of the Data -- The primary use of the indexes is to deflate trade statistics, notably the foreign trade 
sector of the National Income and Product Accounts constructed by the Department of Commerce.  Other published 
indexes are useful for general market analysis.  For trade in international services, Balance of Payments indexes 
are used for deflating National Income and Product Accounts, while International indexes are more appropriate for 
market analysis.  Merchandise and services indexes also can be used to study U.S. competitiveness and price 
elasticities, and the merchandise import indexes by country or region of origin are useful for terms of trade 
analysis.

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