Technical Information:
 Jim Thomas      (202) 606-7155                      USDL-99-162
 Bill Alterman    (202) 606-7108                     Transmission of This
Media contact                                         Material is Embargoed
 Kathryn Hoyle  (202) 606-5902                        Until: 10:00 A.M. E.D.T.
Internet Address:http://stats.bls.gov/ipphome.htm     Thursday, June 10, 1999
                                    
                                    
                  U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES
                               -MAY 1999-

      The U.S. Import Price Index rose 0.7 percent in May, the Bureau of
Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today.  The
increase, the third in a row, again was primarily attributable to
increasing petroleum prices.  The price index for U.S. exports was
unchanged in May, after increasing 0.3 percent in April.

           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                                                                              
                                                                               
1998                                                                           
May               -0.1        0.5       -0.2        0.1        1.0        -0.1 
June              -0.6       -4.4       -0.4       -0.5        0.0        -0.5 
July              -0.9       -5.4       -0.4       -0.3        0.3        -0.4 
August            -0.4       -0.6       -0.4       -0.5       -4.1        -0.1 
September          0.2        6.4       -0.2       -0.5       -2.9        -0.2 
October            0.2        2.3        0.1       -0.1        0.1        -0.1 
November          -0.5       -9.7        0.1        0.2        1.7         0.0 
December          -1.0      -13.3       -0.2       -0.1        0.7        -0.2 
1999                                                                           
January            0.4        4.2        0.1        0.0        0.0         0.0 
February          -0.1       -0.5        0.0       -0.2       -2.4         0.1 
March              0.1       11.8 r     -0.5       -0.4 r     -3.0        -0.2 r
April              1.0 r     19.4 r     -0.2 r      0.3 r      0.5 r       0.2 r
May                0.7        8.0        0.1        0.0        0.1         0.1 
                                                                               
May 1997-98       -5.2      -27.2       -3.2       -2.8      -10.0        -2.1 
May 1998-99       -1.0       14.7       -2.0       -2.2       -8.7        -1.3 
                                                                               
r = revised to reflect late reports and corrections by respondents.


Import Goods

      The recent increases in import prices paralleled the 44.2 percent
jump in petroleum prices since February.  Overall, however, import
prices were down 1.0 percent during the past 12 months. Nonpetroleum
import prices edged up 0.1 percent in May, the first increase in this
component since January, but fell 2.0 percent over the past 12 months.

      The slight increase in nonpetroleum import prices in May was led
by rises for industrial supplies and materials excluding petroleum, up
0.9 percent, and foods, feeds, and beverages, up 0.7 percent.  Both
indexes still were down over the past 12 months, falling 3.7 percent and
2.3 percent, respectively.

      Each of the major finished goods indexes posted little change in
May.  Prices for automotive vehicles, parts, and engines edged up 0.1
percent in May and 0.5 percent for the year.  The price indexes for
capital goods and consumer goods excluding automotives each dipped 0.1
percent in May.  Both indexes have declined for three consecutive months
and were down over the year, 3.6 percent for capital goods and 0.6
percent for consumer goods.


Export Goods

      Prices for both agricultural and nonagricultural exports edged up
0.1 percent in May after posting slightly larger increases in the
previous month.  Over the past 12 months, however, both indexes
decreased, 8.7 percent and 1.3 percent, respectively.  For the May 1998-
99 period, overall export prices fell 2.2 percent.

       The price index for nonagricultural industrial supplies and
materials increased 0.5 percent for the second consecutive month.
Petroleum products, chemicals, and metals led the increase in May.
Despite the recent upturn, nonagricultural industrial supplies and
materials fell 3.6 percent over the past 12 months.  The price index for
automotive vehicles, parts, and engines also was up last month,
increasing 0.2 percent in May and 0.8 percent for the year.

      In contrast, the price indexes for capital goods and consumer
goods excluding automotives each decreased in May after both edged up
0.1 percent in April.  Capital goods prices, led by falling computer
prices, decreased 0.3 percent in May and 1.5 percent over the May 1998-
99 period.  The price index for consumer goods dipped 0.1 percent last
month and fell 0.5 percent for the year.


Imports by Locality of Origin
 
      The price index for imports from Japan increased 0.2 percent in
May after declining in the previous two months. For the May 1998-99
period, the index decreased 0.6 percent.
      
      The price indexes for imports from Canada and Latin America
increased for the third consecutive month, rising 1.4 percent and 1.8
percent, respectively.  Prices of imports from Canada still were down
0.5 percent for the year ended in May, while import prices from Latin
America rose 1.2 percent over the past 12 months.
      
      Prices of imports from the European Union also rose in May, edging
up 0.1 percent last month after the same increase in April.  Over the
past 12 months, the index rose 0.3 percent.
      
      In contrast, the price index for the Asian Newly Industrialized
Countries continued to move lower, falling 0.2 percent for the second
consecutive month.  The index fell 5.8 percent for the year ended in May
1999 and 8.1 percent for the May 1997-98 period.  Over the past two
years, this price index has not posted a monthly increase.


                           CONTENTS OF RELEASE
                                    
This news release includes the following tables:

Table 1   Import Price Indexes, by End Use
Table 2   Export Price Indexes, by End Use
Table 3   Import Price Indexes, by SITC
Table 4   Export Price Indexes, by SITC
Table 5   Import Price Indexes, by Harmonized System
Table 6   Export Price Indexes, by Harmonized System
Table 7   Import Price Indexes, by Locality of Origin
Table 8   U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes for Services
Table 9   U.S. International Price Indexes for Services
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Import and Export Price Index data for June are scheduled for release on
July 13 at 10:00 A.M. (E.D.T).



Table 1    U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods,
              May 1998-May 1999     1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                              Index                      Percent Change
                                                             Relative
                                                              Import-                    Annual          Monthly
                                                               ance                       May     Jan.     Feb.    March    April
 END                         Description                                                  1998    1999     1999     1999     1999
 USE                                                          April    April      May      to      to       to       to       to
                                                               1999    1999      1999     May     Feb.    March    April     May
                                                                1/      2/                1999    1999     1999     1999     1999

         ALL COMMODITIES..............................       100.000      91.7    92.3      -1.0    -0.1      0.1      1.0   0.7
         ALL IMPORTS EXCLUDING PETROLEUM..............        92.982      92.1    92.2      -2.0     0.0     -0.5     -0.2   0.1

0         FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES...................         4.778      93.5    94.2      -2.3    -2.7     -0.3      0.5   0.7

00         Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,
               excluding distilled beverages..........         3.296      88.6    89.5      -3.5    -4.4     -0.6     -0.1   1.0

01         Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled
               beverages).............................         1.482     106.5   106.5       0.7     1.2      0.6      2.0   0.0

1         INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS.............        25.253      88.3    90.8       1.0    -0.1      2.3      4.6   2.8
            INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS
                  EXCLUDING PETROLEUM.................        18.236      90.1    90.9      -3.7     0.0     -0.3     -0.2   0.9
            INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                  DURABLE.............................         9.729      91.9    92.5      -3.3     0.7      0.1     -0.2   0.7
            INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                  NONDURABLE EXCLUDING PETROLEUM......         8.507      88.0    89.0      -4.1    -0.9     -0.8     -0.3   1.1

10         Fuels & lubricants.........................         8.111      84.7    91.6      12.1    -1.3      8.3     16.3   8.1

100         Petroleum & petroleum products............         7.017      82.4    89.0      14.7    -0.5     11.8     19.4   8.0

10000         Crude...................................         5.668      83.8    89.9      21.2    -0.2     15.8     21.4   7.3

11         Paper & paper base stocks..................         1.794      77.3    77.4      -4.3     0.4     -0.5     -1.2   0.1

12         Materials associated with nondurable
               supplies & materials...................         5.835      87.3    87.4      -4.3    -0.2      0.2     -0.2   0.1

13         Selected building materials................         2.255     108.3   110.4       7.7     3.3      0.3      0.4   1.9

14         Unfinished metals associated with
               durable goods..........................         4.346      86.8    87.2      -8.6     0.0      0.3     -0.1   0.5

15         Finished metals associated with durable
               goods..................................         1.467      91.9    91.8      -1.3    -0.1     -0.4      0.1   -0.1

16         Nonmetals associated with durable goods....         1.445      87.3    87.0      -4.7    -0.2     -0.5     -1.0   -0.3

2         CAPITAL GOODS...............................        27.820      83.2    83.1      -3.6     0.0     -0.8     -0.7   -0.1

20         Electric & electrical generating
               equipment..............................         3.402      92.5    92.4      -2.4     0.1     -0.9     -0.3   -0.1

21         Nonelectrical machinery....................        22.599      80.1    79.9      -4.2     0.0     -1.0     -0.7   -0.2

3         AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES........        19.007     101.5   101.6       0.5     0.1     -0.1      0.1   0.1

4         CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING
               AUTOMOTIVES............................        23.141      97.8    97.7      -0.6     0.3     -0.4     -0.2   -0.1

40         Nondurables, manufactured..................        11.596     100.9   100.7       0.0     0.1     -0.2      0.0   -0.2

41         Durables, manufactured.....................        10.399      94.5    94.5      -1.4     0.0     -0.4     -0.3   0.0

42         Nonmanufactured consumer goods.............         1.146      98.9    98.8      -0.5     3.3     -1.9     -0.1   -0.1



     1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available
         1995 trade values.
     2  Data for February, March and April 1999
         have been revised to reflect the availability
         of late reports and corrections by respondents.
         All data are subject to revision in each of
         the three months after original publication.

     NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately

Table 2    U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods,
              May 1998-May 1999     1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                              Index                      Percent Change
                                                             Relative
                                                              Import-                    Annual          Monthly
                                                               ance                       May     Jan.     Feb.    March    April
 END                         Description                                                  1998    1999     1999     1999     1999
 USE                                                          April    April      May      to      to       to       to       to
                                                               1999    1999      1999     May     Feb.    March    April     May
                                                                1/      2/                1999    1999     1999     1999     1999

         ALL COMMODITIES..............................       100.000      94.5    94.5      -2.2    -0.2     -0.4      0.3      0.0
         AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES.....................         9.345      84.9    85.0      -8.7    -2.4     -3.0      0.5      0.1
         NONAGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES..................        90.656      95.5    95.6      -1.3     0.1     -0.2      0.2      0.1

0         FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES...................         8.650      88.2    88.8      -5.3    -2.3     -2.3      1.0      0.7

00         Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,
               excluding distilled beverages..........         7.750      86.4    86.5      -8.7    -2.6     -3.2      0.6      0.1

01         Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled
               beverages).............................         0.900     108.7   115.0      34.3     1.2      4.9      5.0      5.8

1         INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS.............        24.263      86.9    87.3      -4.0     0.0     -0.2      0.3      0.5
            INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                  DURABLE.............................         9.421      87.5    87.7      -4.7     0.0     -0.2     -0.5      0.2
            INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                  NONDURABLE..........................        14.844      86.5    87.1      -3.4     0.0     -0.3      0.9      0.7

10         Agricultural industrial supplies &
               materials..............................         1.595      79.6    80.0      -8.6    -0.6     -2.4     -0.4      0.5

            NONAGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES
               & MATERIALS............................        22.668      87.5    87.9      -3.6     0.0     -0.1      0.5      0.5

11         Fuels & lubricants.........................         2.285      99.0   100.3      -1.9    -0.1      0.1      6.7      1.3

12         Nonagricultural supplies & materials
               excluding fuels & building materials...        18.866      85.3    85.7      -4.1     0.0     -0.2     -0.2      0.5

13         Selected building materials................         1.517      87.5    87.6       1.2     0.6      0.6      0.2      0.1

2         CAPITAL GOODS...............................        44.653      97.0    96.7      -1.5     0.0     -0.2      0.1     -0.3

20         Electric & electrical generating
               Equipment..............................         4.490      99.1    98.8      -2.0     0.0      0.0      0.0     -0.3

21         Nonelectrical machinery....................        34.399      93.5    93.2      -2.1     0.0     -0.2      0.1     -0.3

3         AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES........        10.158     102.9   103.1       0.8     0.2     -0.1     -0.1      0.2

4         CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING
               AUTOMOTIVES............................        12.277     101.9   101.8      -0.5     0.0     -0.1      0.1     -0.1

40         Nondurables, manufactured..................         6.501     102.0   102.0      -0.2     0.2     -0.2     -0.1      0.0

41         Durables, manufactured.....................         5.189     100.5   100.4      -0.9    -0.3      0.0      0.2     -0.1



     1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available
         1995 trade values.
     2  Data for February, March and April 1999
         have been revised to reflect the availability
         of late reports and corrections by respondents.
         All data are subject to revision in each of the
         three months after original publication.

     NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately

Table 3    U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods,
              May 1998-May 1999     1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                              Index                      Percent Change
                                                             Relative
                                                              Import-                    Annual          Monthly
                                                               ance                       May     Jan.     Feb.    March    April
SITC                         Description                                                  1998    1999     1999     1999     1999
Rev. 3                                                        April    April      May      to      to       to       to       to
                                                               1999    1999      1999     May     Feb.    March    April     May
                                                                1/      2/                1999    1999     1999     1999     1999

         ALL COMMODITIES..............................       100.000      91.7    92.3      -1.0    -0.1      0.1      1.0      0.7

0         FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS.......................         4.060      94.0    94.0      -3.6    -3.2      0.0      0.9      0.0
01         Meat and meat preparations.................         0.345      94.5    93.7      -7.5     0.3      2.0      0.5     -0.8
03         Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates
              and preparations thereof................         1.111     106.0   106.0      -1.1     1.8      0.6      2.6      0.0
05         Vegetables, fruit and nuts,
              fresh or dried..........................         1.151     102.9   104.6       5.7    -9.5     -0.4      1.2      1.7
07         Coffee, tea, cocoa, spices and
              manufactures thereof....................         0.517      69.5    68.5     -20.4    -5.1     -1.8     -2.1     -1.4
      3/ Other food and live animals (9612=100).......         0.936      93.6    93.0      -4.2    -0.6      0.4      0.0     -0.6

1         BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO.......................         0.920     110.6   110.4       1.0    -0.4      0.4      0.2     -0.2
11         Beverages..................................         0.775     107.2   107.2       1.2     0.0      0.2      0.3      0.0

2         CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS.....         2.827      86.0    88.4      -1.0     3.7     -1.3     -0.3      2.8
24         Cork and wood..............................         1.101     113.5   118.2      10.9     4.7     -0.4      0.3      4.1
25         Pulp and waste paper.......................         0.338      57.3    57.9      -7.9     1.2     -0.5     -0.5      1.0
28         Metalliferous ores and metal scrap.........         0.582      89.5    90.6     -10.1    -0.6     -0.6     -0.4      1.2
29         Crude animal and vegetable materials,
              n.e.s. (9612=100).......................         0.298     108.6   107.7      -7.2    16.7     -9.4     -0.7     -0.8
      3/ Other crude materials, inedible, except
            fuels (9612=100)..........................         0.332      86.9    92.1       0.1     0.5      3.0     -0.2      6.0

3         MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED
             MATERIALS................................         7.789      84.2    91.1      12.6    -1.3      8.3     16.8      8.2
33         Petroleum, petroleum products and
              related materials.......................         6.694      82.6    89.0      15.7    -0.6     12.4     19.9      7.7
34         Gas, natural and manufactured..............         0.971      98.8   110.6      -3.2    -5.5     -9.2      1.4     11.9

5         CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.......         5.584      90.6    90.7      -3.1    -0.3     -0.3     -0.2      0.1
51         Organic chemicals..........................         1.594      90.5    91.3      -0.8    -0.1     -0.4      0.2      0.9
52         Inorganic chemicals........................         0.631      86.9    86.8     -10.7    -1.6     -0.1     -1.9     -0.1
53         Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials.....         0.293      92.6    91.5      -3.5    -0.7      0.3     -1.8     -1.2
54         Medicinal and pharmaceutical products......         0.964      96.1    95.6       0.2     0.4     -0.7     -0.6     -0.5
55         Essential oils; polishing and cleansing
              preps...................................         0.326      93.1    92.6      -2.1    -0.3     -0.8     -0.4     -0.5
57         Plastics in primary forms..................         0.395      93.2    94.4       0.3     0.4      0.1      1.0      1.3
58         Plastics in nonprimary forms...............         0.490      72.7    73.3      -8.4    -0.7      0.1     -0.5      0.8
59         Chemical materials and products, n.e.s.....         0.665      98.5    98.0      -3.7    -0.7     -0.2      0.6     -0.5

6         MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY
             BY MATERIAL..............................        12.692      91.7    91.6      -3.3     0.2      0.0     -0.1     -0.1
62         Rubber manufactures, n.e.s.................         0.753      94.2    94.0      -0.7     0.1     -0.2     -0.3     -0.2
63         Cork and wood manufactures other than
              furniture...............................         0.607     101.3   100.2       8.9     2.3      1.6      0.8     -1.1
64         Paper, paperboard, and articles of
              paper pulp, paper or paper board........         1.638      84.9    84.9      -3.1     0.1     -0.2     -0.7      0.0
65         Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up
              articles, n.e.s., and related prod......         1.437      95.5    95.0      -2.4    -1.0      0.4     -0.1     -0.5
66         Nonmetallic mineral manufactures,
              n.e.s...................................         2.242     101.0   100.8       0.1     0.2      0.4     -0.3     -0.2
67         Iron and steel.............................         1.917      85.1    85.5      -9.1    -0.5     -1.3      0.0      0.5
68         Nonferrous metals..........................         1.884      85.7    85.6      -9.1     1.8      1.8     -0.2     -0.1
69         Manufactures of metals, n.e.s..............         2.045      96.0    96.3       0.0    -0.3     -0.8      0.0      0.3

7         MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT...........        47.484      90.6    90.5      -1.8     0.1     -0.4     -0.3     -0.1
71         Power generating machinery and
              equipment (9612=100)....................         3.149      98.5    98.5       0.6     0.6      0.2     -0.1      0.0
72         Machinery specialized for particular
              industries..............................         2.827      98.0    97.8       0.2     0.3     -0.5     -0.3     -0.2
73         Metalworking machinery.....................         0.856      95.9    95.5      -1.4    -0.2     -1.2     -0.2     -0.4
74         General industrial machinery,
              equipment, & machine parts, n.e.s.......         3.647      98.0    97.8       1.5     0.5     -0.7     -0.4     -0.2
75         Computer equipment and office machines.....         6.085      63.5    63.4     -10.6    -1.1     -2.3     -1.4     -0.2
76         Telecommunications & sound recording
              & reproducing apparatus & equipment.....         4.592      87.9    87.8      -3.1     0.2     -0.1     -0.6     -0.1
77         Electrical machinery and equipment.........         9.551      83.5    83.4      -2.3     0.5     -0.4     -0.4     -0.1
78         Road vehicles..............................        15.665     102.0   102.1       0.9     0.1     -0.1      0.1      0.1

8         MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.........        18.209      98.1    98.0      -0.7     0.0     -0.2     -0.1     -0.1
81         Prefabricated buildings; plumbing, heat
              & lighting fixtures, n.e.s..............         0.394      92.7    93.1      -3.0    -1.7      0.2     -0.6      0.4
82         Furniture and parts thereof................         1.295      99.2    98.8      -4.0    -0.2      0.1     -1.0     -0.4
83         Travel goods, handbags and similar
              containers..............................         0.533     100.7   100.2      -0.2     0.1     -0.5      0.0     -0.5
84         Articles of apparel and clothing
              accessories.............................         6.182     102.4   102.4      -0.1     0.3     -0.2      0.3      0.0
85         Footwear...................................         1.885     101.2   100.5      -0.1     0.1     -0.3      0.1     -0.7
87         Professional, scientific and controlling
              instruments and apparatus, n.e.s........         1.650      94.5    94.2      -0.9     0.0     -0.4     -0.1     -0.3
88         Photographic apparatus, equipment and
              supplies and optical goods, n.e.s.;.....         1.388      91.4    91.4       0.2     0.2     -0.3     -0.4      0.0
89         Miscellaneous manufactured articles,
              n.e.s...................................         4.882      95.3    95.3      -0.8    -0.1     -0.2     -0.2      0.0




     1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available
         1995 trade values.
     2  Data for February, March and April 1999
         have been revised to reflect the availability
         of late reports and corrections by respondents.
         All data are subject to revision in each of the
         three months after original publication.
     3  Product categories included in this group
         have been modified due to concordance
         or coverage limitations.

     NOTE:   Published categories may include price data not shown separately

Table 4    U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods,
              May 1998-May 1999     1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                              Index                      Percent Change
                                                             Relative
                                                              Import-                    Annual          Monthly
                                                               ance                       May     Jan.     Feb.    March    April
SITC                         Description                                                  1998    1999     1999     1999     1999
Rev. 3                                                        April    April      May      to      to       to       to       to
                                                               1999    1999      1999     May     Feb.    March    April     May
                                                                1/      2/                1999    1999     1999     1999     1999

         ALL COMMODITIES..............................       100.000      94.5    94.5      -2.2    -0.2     -0.4      0.3      0.0

0         FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS.......................         7.142      88.2    89.1      -2.4    -1.3     -1.6      0.5      1.0
01         Meat and meat preparations.................         1.105      88.9    89.9      -4.1     3.4     -3.5     -1.2      1.1
03         Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates
              and preparations thereof................         0.717     113.3   122.0      48.8     1.3      7.2      7.1      7.7
04         Cereals and cereal preparations............         2.362      76.7    76.2     -11.3    -1.9     -2.6      1.2     -0.7
05         Vegetables, fruit and nuts,
              fresh or dried..........................         1.402      94.8    96.5       0.1    -5.1     -3.1     -0.1      1.8
08         Feeding stuff for animals (not
              including unmilled cereals).............         0.647      88.7    87.8      -6.1    -0.5     -0.2     -2.2     -1.0
09         Miscellaneous edible products and
              preparations............................         0.413     106.8   106.8       1.8     0.0      0.0      0.0      0.0
      3/ Other food and live animals (9612=100).......         0.496      89.7    89.0      -9.5    -3.6     -1.0     -1.9     -0.8

1         BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO.......................         1.567     101.1   101.1       1.1     0.1     -0.2     -0.1      0.0
12         Tobacco and tobacco manufactures...........         1.293     101.1   101.1       1.3     0.2     -0.3     -0.1      0.0

2         CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS.....         4.991      74.1    74.6     -10.1    -0.8     -1.3      0.1      0.7
21         Hides, skins and furskins, raw.............         0.268      78.9    79.0      -8.0    -1.6      0.1     -3.2      0.1
22         Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits............         0.910      80.4    79.5     -25.5    -7.1     -7.8      2.7     -1.1
24         Cork and wood..............................         0.886      81.8    81.7      -1.1     0.1      0.0      0.4     -0.1
25         Pulp and waste paper.......................         0.741      61.8    62.9      -0.9     2.7      1.1     -0.3      1.8
26         Textile fibers and their waste.............         0.721      69.8    70.1      -9.4     0.6     -1.6      0.1      0.4
27         Crude fertilizers and crude minerals.......         0.332      93.5    93.6      -3.5     0.0      0.2     -0.1      0.1
28         Metalliferous ores and metal scrap.........         0.736      68.5    70.5     -11.7     1.6      1.5     -1.9      2.9
      3/ Other crude materials, inedible, except
            fuels (9612=100)..........................         0.397      90.5    92.9      -6.0    -0.1     -0.1      0.4      2.7

3         MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED
             MATERIALS................................         2.018     100.4   102.4      -2.2     0.1     -0.3      7.8      2.0
32         Coal, coke and briquettes..................         0.695      98.3    98.3      -1.8     0.0      0.0     -1.0      0.0
33         Petroleum, petroleum products and
              related materials.......................         1.190     104.8   108.4      -0.3     0.0     -0.5     15.3      3.4

4         ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE OILS, FATS AND
             WAXES....................................         0.405      82.8    82.0     -23.1    -7.6     -8.8      0.2     -1.0

5         CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.......        10.634      90.4    90.7      -2.6     0.0      0.0     -0.2      0.3
51         Organic chemicals..........................         2.299      73.1    74.3      -4.4    -0.3      0.0     -0.8      1.6
52         Inorganic chemicals........................         0.898     102.9   101.2      -2.8    -0.1     -0.2     -0.1     -1.7
53         Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials.....         0.510     101.4   101.1       0.8     0.4      0.2      0.0     -0.3
54         Medicinal and pharmaceutical products......         1.264     100.6   100.6      -1.0     0.1      0.2      0.2      0.0
55         Essential oils; polishing and cleansing
              preps...................................         0.774     101.4   101.5       0.1     0.1      0.1     -0.1      0.1
56         Fertilizers (9612=100).....................         0.562      92.0    91.0      -4.1    -0.5     -1.3     -2.1     -1.1
57         Plastics in primary forms..................         1.734      85.5    86.5      -4.4    -0.2      0.1      1.2      1.2
58         Plastics in nonprimary forms...............         0.832      96.1    96.3      -2.8    -0.5      1.0     -0.3      0.2
59         Chemical materials and products, n.e.s.....         1.762     100.2   100.1      -0.3     0.4     -0.4     -0.2     -0.1

6         MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY
             BY MATERIAL..............................         9.891      96.5    96.5      -1.7     0.1     -0.4      0.1      0.0
62         Rubber manufactures, n.e.s.................         0.716     105.9   105.8       4.1     1.0     -0.7     -0.8     -0.1
63         Cork and wood manufactures other than
              furniture...............................         0.317      96.1    95.8       5.7     2.1      1.6      0.3     -0.3
64         Paper, paperboard, and articles of
              paper pulp, paper or paperboard.........         1.532      81.9    83.1      -1.2     0.6      0.1      1.2      1.5
65         Textile yarn, fabrics, and
              made-up articles, n.e.s.................         1.414      99.7    99.4      -3.1    -1.3      0.0      0.1     -0.3
66         Nonmetallic mineral manufactures,
              n.e.s...................................         1.373     106.6   106.4      -0.5     0.0     -0.4      0.1     -0.2
67         Iron and steel.............................         1.056      94.9    94.5      -5.9    -0.9     -1.3     -0.7     -0.4
68         Nonferrous metals..........................         1.212      84.0    83.8     -10.5     1.1     -1.6      0.0     -0.2
69         Manufactures of metals, n.e.s..............         2.122     108.2   108.1       3.4     0.0      0.1      0.0     -0.1

7         MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT...........        51.093      98.0    97.8      -1.4     0.0     -0.2      0.1     -0.2
71         Power generating machinery and
              equipment...............................         4.550     109.6   109.6       2.4     0.2      0.2      0.1      0.0
72         Machinery specialized for particular
              industries..............................         4.895     105.8   105.8       0.7    -0.1      0.1      0.1      0.0
73         Metalworking machinery.....................         1.036     109.5   109.5       1.7     0.0     -0.1      0.5      0.0
74         General industrial machinery,
              equipment, & parts, n.e.s...............         5.285     107.3   107.3       1.0     0.4     -0.2      0.1      0.0
75         Computer equipment and office machines.....         5.923      72.6    72.3      -8.5    -0.4     -0.4     -0.5     -0.4
76         Telecommunications & sound recording
              & reproducing apparatus & equipment.....         3.851      97.4    97.4      -1.3    -0.2      0.1     -0.1      0.0
77         Electrical machinery and equipment.........        11.434      89.7    88.9      -4.0     0.0     -0.6      0.3     -0.9
78         Road vehicles..............................         9.414     102.2   102.3       0.4     0.2     -0.1      0.0      0.1

8         MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.........        11.533     101.0   101.0      -0.1     0.1      0.0      0.0      0.0
82         Furniture and parts thereof................         0.660     104.5   104.6       0.1     0.0      0.3      0.3      0.1
84         Articles of apparel and clothing
              accessories.............................         1.286     100.7   100.7      -3.0     0.5     -0.1     -0.4      0.0
87         Professional, scientific and controlling
              instruments and apparatus, n.e.s........         3.893     105.2   105.4       1.5     0.0      0.2      0.2      0.2
88         Photographic apparatus, equipment and
              supplies and optical goods, n.e.s.......         0.938      94.6    94.5       0.4     0.5     -0.3     -0.5     -0.1
89         Miscellaneous manufactured articles,
              n.e.s...................................         4.277      98.0    97.9      -0.9     0.0     -0.2      0.0     -0.1
      3/ Other miscellaneous manufactured
            articles (9612=100).......................         0.479     102.5   103.1       0.5     0.0     -0.2      0.1      0.6




     1  Relative importance figures are based on                                   n.a.      Not available
         1995 trade values.
     2  Data for February, March and April 1999
         have been revised to reflect the availability
         of late reports and corrections by respondents.
         All data are subject to revision in each of the
         three months after original publication.
     3  Product categories included in this group
         have been modified due to concordance
         or coverage limitations.

     NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately

Table 5    U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods,
              May 1998-May 1999     1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                              Index                      Percent Change
                                                             Relative
                                                              Import-                    Annual          Monthly
Harmo-                                                         ance                       May     Jan.     Feb.    March    April
nized                        Description                                                  1998    1999     1999     1999     1999
System                                                        April    April      May      to      to       to       to       to
                                                               1999    1999      1999     May     Feb.    March    April     May
                                                                1/      2/                1999    1999     1999     1999     1999


I         LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS...............         1.661     101.8   101.8      -2.4     0.6      1.4      1.5      0.0
02       Meat and edible meat offal...................         0.286      96.4    95.3      -4.1     0.1      3.3      0.6     -1.1
03       Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and...........
            other aquatic invertebrates...............         0.986     107.7   108.5       0.8     1.3      0.8      2.3      0.7
      3/ Other live animals and animal................
            products (9612=100).......................         0.389      94.9    93.7      -8.8    -0.4      1.5      0.2     -1.3

II        VEGETABLE PRODUCTS..........................         1.572      86.1    87.4      -1.8    -5.5     -0.9      0.1      1.5
07       Edible vegetables and certain roots and......
            tubers....................................         0.289     100.8   103.5      -1.0   -26.6     -3.1     -1.5      2.7
08       Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus........
            fruit or melons...........................         0.504     105.8   108.6      11.5     0.5      2.0      2.1      2.6
09       Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................         0.359      69.7    67.4     -20.0    -4.6     -1.1     -0.6     -3.3
      3/ Other vegetable products.....................         0.420      91.5    94.6       2.0     7.9     -2.2     -0.4      3.4

IV        PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND.........
            TOBACCO...................................         2.166     100.2   100.2      -1.0    -0.3      0.0     -0.3      0.0
20       Preparations of vegetables, fruit,...........
            nuts, or other parts of plants............         0.302      95.0    93.4       5.9    -1.3      0.7      0.7     -1.7
22       Beverages, spirits, and vinegar..............         0.800     105.2   105.1       1.3    -0.1     -0.1      0.3     -0.1
      3/ Other prepared foodstuffs (9612=100).........         1.064      95.8    96.4      -4.2     0.0     -0.3     -0.9      0.6

V         MINERAL PRODUCTS............................         8.425      85.1    91.6      11.3    -1.2      7.6     15.2      7.6
26       Ores, slag and ash...........................         0.307     100.6    99.9      -2.3     0.1      0.0     -0.5     -0.7
27       Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,...........
            bituminous substances and mineral wax.....         7.886      84.3    91.1      12.3    -1.2      8.2     16.4      8.1

VI        PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED..........
            INDUSTRIES................................         5.232      93.2    93.3      -3.5    -0.3     -0.5     -0.3      0.1
28       Inorganic chemicals..........................         0.792      90.1    90.4     -10.7    -1.8     -0.1     -1.9      0.3
29       Organic chemicals............................         1.998      90.1    90.7      -2.1     0.0     -0.9      0.6      0.7
30       Pharmaceutical products......................         0.597     103.6   103.2       1.5     0.3     -0.6     -0.9     -0.4
32       Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye &.............
            pigments; varnish & paints; putty.........         0.290      90.8    89.8      -3.2    -0.8      0.1     -1.7     -1.1
37       Photographic or cinematographic goods........         0.368      96.0    96.3       0.1     0.3      0.3      0.3      0.3
38       Miscellaneous chemical products..............
            (9612=100)................................         0.402      89.5    89.0      -7.5    -1.3     -0.4     -1.2     -0.6
      3/ Other products of the chemical or............
            allied industries (9612=100)..............         0.786      94.7    94.3      -2.2     0.6     -0.5      0.0     -0.4

VII       PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER.......
            AND ARTICLES THEREOF......................         2.755      85.4    85.7      -2.7     0.0      0.0     -0.2      0.4
39       Plastics and articles thereof................         1.738      89.2    89.8      -2.3    -0.2      0.2      0.0      0.7
40       Rubber and articles thereof..................         1.017      79.7    79.6      -3.3     0.4     -0.5     -0.6     -0.1

VIII      RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,........
            TRAVEL GOODS, ETC.........................         1.053     101.9   101.4      -0.7     0.1     -0.5     -0.2     -0.5
42       Articles of leather; travel goods, bags,.....
            etc. of various materials.................         0.887     100.3    99.8      -0.7     0.1     -0.4     -0.1     -0.5

IX        WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW, BASKET....
            AND WICKER................................         1.745     106.7   109.4       9.2     3.8      0.0      0.5      2.5

X         WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER.....
            AND ARTICLES THEREOF......................         2.368      80.5    80.5      -3.5     0.2     -0.2     -0.6      0.0
47       Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic........
            material; waste paper/paperboard..........         0.338      57.7    58.3      -7.9     1.2     -0.5     -0.3      1.0
48       Paper and paperboard; articles of paper......
            pulp, paper or paperboard.................         1.661      85.9    85.8      -3.1     0.2     -0.3     -0.7     -0.1
49       Printed matter...............................         0.369      98.5    98.3      -1.2    -0.2     -0.4     -0.3     -0.2

XI        TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES................         7.229     100.2   100.1      -0.8    -0.2      0.0      0.3     -0.1
61       Articles of apparel and clothing.............
            accessories, knitted or crocheted.........         2.154     101.0   101.1      -0.8    -0.2     -0.4      1.6      0.1
62       Articles of apparel and clothing.............
            accessories, not knitted or crocheted.....         3.534     103.8   103.8       0.5     0.3     -0.1     -0.2      0.0
63       Made-up or worn textile articles and.........
            clothing; needlecraft sets; rags..........         0.346      92.9    92.5      -1.7     0.1     -0.2     -0.5     -0.4
      3/ Other textile & textile......................
            articles (9612=100).......................         1.194      93.7    93.2      -4.4    -1.5      0.4     -0.2     -0.5

XII       FOOTWEAR, HEADGEAR, UMBRELLAS, WHIPS,.......
            ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS, ETC...................         2.211     101.6   101.1       0.3     0.1     -0.2      0.2     -0.5
64       Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts........
            of such articles..........................         1.896     100.9   100.3      -0.1     0.1     -0.2      0.1     -0.6
      3/ Other footwear, headgear, umbrellas,.........
            whips, art. flowers, etc. (9612=100)......         0.315     104.4   104.4       2.9    -0.1     -0.1      1.3      0.0

XIII      STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,CERAMIC....
            GLASS ETC.................................         1.204     101.4   101.0       0.1     0.3      0.4     -0.5     -0.4
69       Ceramic products.............................         0.453      97.8    97.6      -0.5     0.8     -0.1     -0.8     -0.2
70       Glass and glassware..........................         0.467     101.6   100.7       0.2    -0.1      1.4     -0.1     -0.9

XIV       PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,............
            IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS..............         2.394     101.1    99.6      -2.1     1.1      1.3     -0.5     -1.5

XV        BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METAL......         5.520      84.0    84.7      -6.9     0.0     -0.6      0.1      0.8
72       Iron and steel...............................         1.647      84.3    85.0      -9.1    -0.8     -1.1      0.2      0.8
73       Articles of iron or steel....................         1.304      92.6    92.4      -2.4    -0.1     -0.3      0.0     -0.2
74       Copper and articles thereof..................         0.379      66.1    68.6      -5.4    -1.2     -1.0     -0.9      3.8
76       Aluminum and articles thereof................         0.877      78.9    80.9      -8.2    -0.6     -0.8     -0.5      2.5
83       Miscellaneous articles of base metal.........         0.433     100.4   102.4       3.2     0.3      0.0      0.4      2.0
      3/ Miscellaneous nonferrous metals and..........
            articles, including scrap (9612=100)......         0.417      78.3    76.4     -23.1     7.8      2.0      2.5     -2.4

XVI       MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV.........
            IMAGE & SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC.......        29.717      82.9    82.8      -3.6     0.1     -0.7     -0.7     -0.1
84       Specialized machinery & computer.............
            equipment.................................        15.297      82.3    82.1      -4.3    -0.2     -1.1     -0.7     -0.2
85       Electrical machinery and equip, sound........
            and TV recorders & reproducers, parts.....        14.420      83.6    83.5      -2.8     0.4     -0.2     -0.5     -0.1

XVII      VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND.............
            ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT............        16.972     102.1   102.2       1.0     0.1     -0.1      0.1      0.1
87       Motor vehicles and their parts...............        16.030     101.8   101.9       1.0     0.1     -0.1      0.1      0.1

XVIII     OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &........
            MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES.........         3.677      91.7    91.6      -0.7     0.0     -0.3     -0.1     -0.1
90       Optical, photographic, measuring and.........
            medical instruments.......................         3.133      91.4    91.3      -1.0     0.0     -0.3      0.0     -0.1
91       Clocks and watches and parts thereof.........         0.397      93.8    93.4       0.6    -0.3      0.2     -1.2     -0.4

XX        MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.........         3.840      97.2    97.2      -1.6    -0.3     -0.2     -0.4      0.0
94       Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps........
            and lighting fittings nes;................         1.656      97.7    97.5      -2.5    -0.3      0.0     -0.8     -0.2
95       Toys, games and sports equipment; parts......
            and accessories thereof...................         1.881      97.2    97.5      -1.1    -0.2     -0.5     -0.1      0.3
96       Miscellaneous manufactured articles..........         0.303      93.9    93.8       0.4    -1.1     -0.3     -0.6     -0.1



     1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available
         1995 trade values.
     2  Data for February, March and April 1999
         have been revised to reflect the availability
         of late reports and corrections by respondents.
         All data are subject to revision in each of
         the three months after original publication.
     3  Product categories included in this group
         have been modified due to concordance
         or coverage limitations.

     NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately

Table 6    U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods,
              May 1998-May 1999     1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                              Index                      Percent Change
                                                             Relative
                                                              Import-                    Annual          Monthly
Harmo-                                                         ance                       May     Jan.     Feb.    March    April
nized                        Description                                                  1998    1999     1999     1999     1999
System                                                        April    April      May      to      to       to       to       to
                                                               1999    1999      1999     May     Feb.    March    April     May
                                                                1/      2/                1999    1999     1999     1999     1999


I         LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS...............         1.932      92.7    95.2       4.6     1.9     -1.0      0.1      2.7
02       Meat & edible meat offal.....................         0.999      84.3    85.5      -5.3     3.4     -4.0     -0.9      1.4
03       Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and...........
            other aquatic invertebrates...............         0.617     106.9   113.8      40.7     1.9      5.2      5.1      6.5
      3/ Other live animals and animal................
            products (9612=100).......................         0.315      83.0    82.8     -12.4    -2.8     -1.8     -6.0     -0.2

II        VEGETABLE PRODUCTS..........................         4.580      82.1    82.1     -11.2    -3.6     -3.2      1.6      0.0
07       Edible vegetables and certain roots and......
            tubers....................................         0.309      93.6    96.3      -7.8   -15.8      0.1      0.9      2.9
08       Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus........
            fruit or melons...........................         0.777     101.5   100.9       8.6     0.1     -2.0      2.5     -0.6
10       Cereals......................................         2.142      74.7    74.2     -12.1    -1.8     -2.9      1.2     -0.7
12       Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds,............
            fruits, plants, straw and fodder..........         1.116      85.6    85.4     -21.4    -5.7     -6.4      2.1     -0.2

III       ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE FATS AND OILS...........         0.433      82.3    81.2     -24.7    -7.2     -9.4     -0.8     -1.3

IV        PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND.........
            TOBACCO...................................         3.466      97.1    96.8      -0.8    -0.5     -0.6     -0.4     -0.3
20       Preparations of vegetables, fruit,...........
            nuts, or other parts of plants............         0.351      94.4    94.7       0.1    -2.1     -4.3      1.5      0.3
21       Miscellaneous edible preparations............         0.382     107.0   106.8       0.8     0.0      0.0      0.0     -0.2
22       Beverages, spirits, and vinegar..............         0.340      98.4    98.6       0.9    -0.3      0.2     -0.7      0.2
23       Residues and waste from the food.............
            industries; prepared animal feed..........         0.575      85.0    83.5      -7.2    -1.7     -0.5     -2.1     -1.8
24       Tobacco and manufactured tobacco.............
            substitutes...............................         1.303     101.0   101.0       1.1     0.2     -0.2     -0.2      0.0
      3/ Other prepared foods.........................         0.514      99.3    99.3      -1.0    -0.1     -0.1     -0.6      0.0

V         MINERAL PRODUCTS............................         2.586      97.6    99.4      -2.5     0.9      0.0      6.1      1.8
26       Ores, slag and ash (9812=100)................         0.254     105.1   109.5     n.a.      8.0      2.3     -2.5      4.2
27       Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,...........
            bituminous substances and mineral wax.....         2.071     101.2   103.0      -2.3     0.0     -0.3      8.1      1.8

VI        PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED..........
            INDUSTRIES................................         8.698      91.5    91.7      -1.9     0.0     -0.2     -0.4      0.2
28       Inorganic chemicals..........................         0.962     101.2   100.4      -2.7    -0.5     -0.3     -0.2     -0.8
29       Organic chemicals............................         2.593      76.2    77.4      -4.4    -0.1      0.0     -0.7      1.6
30       Pharmaceutical products......................         0.949     103.9   103.9       0.0     0.1      0.4      0.3      0.0
31       Fertilizers (9612=100).......................         0.626      92.0    91.0      -4.1    -0.5     -1.3     -2.1     -1.1
32       Tanning or dyeing extracts; dyes and.........
            pigments; paints & varnish; putty;ink.....         0.524     101.7   101.5       1.1     0.3      0.3      0.0     -0.2
33       Essential oils and resinoids;................
            perfumery, cosmetic or toilet.............         0.554     103.6   103.7       0.4     0.0      0.3      0.0      0.1
34       Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or........
            scouring products; candles, pastes........         0.330     103.9   103.8       1.5     0.5     -0.2     -0.2     -0.1
37       Photographic or cinematographic goods........         0.405      86.6    86.4       0.2     1.2     -1.7     -1.1     -0.2
38       Miscellaneous chemical products..............         1.528      98.9    98.8      -0.4     0.3     -0.2     -0.4     -0.1

VII       PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER.......
            AND ARTICLES THEREOF......................         4.214      90.5    90.8      -4.0     0.0      0.1      0.0      0.3
39       Plastics and articles thereof................         3.276      88.2    88.7      -5.5    -0.2      0.2      0.3      0.6
40       Rubber and articles thereof..................         0.938      99.4    99.2       2.1     0.8     -0.7     -0.9     -0.2

VIII      RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,........
            TRAVEL GOODS, ETC.........................         0.497      81.9    82.0      -6.2    -1.4     -0.5     -1.4      0.1
41       Raw hides and skins (other than..............
            furskins) and leather.....................         0.341      75.4    75.5      -9.8    -2.2      0.1     -2.3      0.1

IX        WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW,...........
            BASKET AND WICKER.........................         1.228      85.5    85.4       0.6     0.7      0.4      0.2     -0.1

X         WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER.....
            AND ARTICLES THEREOF......................         3.031      76.7    77.7      -0.6     0.8     -0.1      0.9      1.3
47       Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic........
            material; waste paper/paperboard..........         0.683      59.0    60.4      -0.5     2.5      0.3      0.5      2.4
48       Paper and paperboard; articles of paper......
            pulp, paper or paperboard.................         1.504      82.5    83.5      -1.4     0.6     -0.1      1.7      1.2
49       Printed material.............................         0.844     109.2   109.3       0.3     0.0     -0.5      0.0      0.1

XI        TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES................         3.164      87.7    87.7      -4.8    -0.2     -0.5      0.0      0.0
52       Cotton, including yarns and woven............
            fabrics thereof...........................         0.643      71.9    72.5      -6.6     0.7     -1.8      0.6      0.8
55       Manmade staple fibers, includ. yarns.........
            and woven fabrics (9812=100)..............         0.267      98.0    99.6     n.a.     -1.5      0.0     -0.4      1.6
61       Apparel and clothing access.,................
            knitted or crocheted (9812=100)...........         0.481     100.2   100.2     n.a.      1.0     -0.2     -0.7      0.0
62       Apparel and clothing access.,................
            not knitted or crocheted (9812=100).......         0.668      98.9    98.9     n.a.      0.0      0.0      0.0      0.0

XIII      STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,...........
            CERAMIC, GLASS ETC........................         0.882     103.1   103.5      -0.2    -0.1     -0.2     -0.1      0.4
70       Glass and glassware..........................         0.511     102.2   102.2       0.3     0.0     -0.4      0.1      0.0

XIV       PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,............
            IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS..............         1.919      95.2    92.6      -9.9     1.4      0.9     -0.9     -2.7

XV        BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METALS.....         4.448      89.0    89.7      -3.8    -0.2     -0.4     -0.2      0.8
72       Iron and steel...............................         0.831      76.9    77.4     -10.7    -1.5     -0.3     -0.5      0.7
73       Articles of iron or steel....................         1.331     109.9   109.7       1.4     0.1      0.6     -0.4     -0.2
74       Copper and articles thereof..................         0.336      61.8    63.4     -11.6    -0.5     -0.2     -0.3      2.6
76       Aluminum and articles thereof................         0.807      78.3    80.5      -6.9     0.3     -2.3      0.3      2.8
82       Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and.......
            forks, of base metal; parts thereof.......         0.442     106.6   106.8       2.6    -0.1     -0.1     -0.4      0.2
83       Miscellaneous articles of base metal.........         0.394     101.8   101.8       1.4     0.5      1.1     -1.4      0.0


XVI       MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV.........
            IMAGE AND SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC.....        36.852      92.9    92.6      -2.5     0.0     -0.3      0.1     -0.3
84       Specialized machinery & computer.............
            equipment.................................        20.660      94.5    94.4      -1.8    -0.1     -0.1     -0.1     -0.1
85       Electrical machinery and equip, sound........
            & tv recorders & reproducers, parts.......        16.192      90.9    90.3      -3.4     0.1     -0.4      0.2     -0.7

XVII      VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND.............
            ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT............        14.355     105.8   105.9       0.8     0.1      0.0      0.0      0.1
87       Motor vehicles and their parts...............         9.884     102.3   102.4       0.4     0.2     -0.1      0.0      0.1

XVIII     OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &........
            MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES.........         5.635     103.0   103.1       0.9    -0.1      0.1      0.1      0.1


XX        MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.........         1.849     102.6   102.6       0.0     0.0      0.2      0.2      0.0
94       Furniture; stuffed furnishings;..............
            lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;........         0.912     104.6   104.7       0.0     0.0      0.2      0.4      0.1
95       Toys, games and sports equipment; parts......
            and accessories thereof...................         0.759     100.8   100.8       0.1     0.2     -0.1      0.2      0.0



     1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available
         1995 trade values.
     2  Data for February, March and April 1999
         have been revised to reflect the availability
         of late reports and corrections by respondents.
         All data are subject to revision in each of
         the three months after original publication.
     3  Product categories included in this group
         have been modified due to concordance
         or coverage limitations.

     NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately

         Table  7    U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes by Locality of Origin,  May 1998-May 1999
                1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                        Index                            Percent Change
                                                             Percentage
                                                                of                       Annual          Monthly
                                                             US Imports                   May     Jan.     Feb.    March    April
                            Description 1/                                                1998    1999     1999     1999     1999
                                                               1995    April      May      to      to       to       to       to
                                                                       1999      1999     May     Feb.    March    April     May
                                                                        2/                1999    1999     1999     1999     1999

      3/ Developed Countries..........................          55.6      95.2    95.6       0.0     0.1     -0.2      0.2      0.4
           Manufactured Goods.........................          52.2      95.6    95.7      -0.4     0.2     -0.3     -0.2      0.1
           Nonmanufactured Goods......................           3.1      93.1    99.0      10.1    -0.1      1.1      7.9      6.3

      3/ Developing Countries.........................          42.7      91.3    92.2      -1.8    -0.2      0.9      1.7      1.0
           Manufactured Goods.........................          35.4      91.0    91.3      -3.9    -0.1     -0.4     -0.2      0.3
           Nonmanufactured Goods......................           7.1      87.8    92.4      10.7    -0.4      8.5     12.7      5.2

         Canada.......................................          18.9      95.2    96.5      -0.5     0.0      0.1      0.3      1.4
           Manufactured Goods.........................          16.5      96.0    96.5      -1.5     0.1      0.1     -0.2      0.5
           Nonmanufactured Goods......................           2.2      94.2   100.8       8.0    -1.0      0.4      5.5      7.0

      4/ European Union...............................          17.0     100.1   100.2       0.3    -0.1     -0.5      0.1      0.1
           Manufactured Goods.........................          16.4     100.7   100.7       0.4    -0.2     -0.5     -0.3      0.0
           Nonmanufactured Goods......................           0.5      87.0    90.9       4.0     3.6     -1.6     17.1      4.5

      5/ Latin America  (9712=100)....................          14.1      94.4    96.1       1.2    -0.3      1.6      2.9      1.8
           Manufactured Goods  (9712=100).............          10.4      95.2    95.8      -1.8     0.0     -0.5      0.6      0.6
           Nonmanufactured Goods (9712=100)...........           3.5      92.4    97.6      11.7    -1.4      9.0     10.9      5.6

         Japan........................................          16.6      88.4    88.6      -0.6     0.5     -0.4     -0.1      0.2

      6/ Asian Newly Industrialized Countries.........          10.9      83.2    83.0      -5.8    -0.1     -0.5     -0.2     -0.2



         1    Regions are not mutually exclusive.

         2    Data for  February, March and April 1999
              have been revised to reflect the availability
              of late reports and corrections by respondents.

         3    Defined according to the Standard Census Definition.

         4    Includes EU  15 countries.

         5    Includes Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.

         6    Includes Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan.

         Table  8     U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services
              March 1998-March 1999  1995 = 100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                        Index                            Percent Change

                                                                                         Annual          Quarterly
                                                              Trade                      March   March     June    Sept.     Dec.
                             Description                      (Mil.                       1998    1998     1998     1998     1998
                                                                of     Dec.      March     to      to       to       to       to
                                                             Dollars)  1998      1999    March    June    Sept.     Dec.    March
                                                                                          1999    1998     1998     1998     1999


         IMPORT

          Air Freight                                            3188     86.7   87.8        9.1     1.2     -1.5      8.0      1.3
           Atlantic                                              1278     91.7   89.1        3.8     2.3     -0.5      4.9     -2.8
           Pacific                                               1674     83.8   87.9       15.2     0.5     -2.3     11.9      4.9

          Air Passenger Fares                                   11127    105.1   103.8       0.5     9.0      0.2     -6.8     -1.2
      1/   Atlantic                                              4922     98.1   97.1       -1.8    18.6      1.6    -17.7     -1.0
      1/   Pacific                                               2340    104.7   97.4       -0.9     7.7     -6.5      5.8     -7.0
      1/   Latin American / Caribbean                            3021    109.0   112.5       5.2    -0.6      2.8     -0.3      3.2

      1/  Crude Oil Tanker Freight                               1346     82.3    n.a.     n.a.    -14.6     -3.9      5.0    n.a.

          Ocean Liner Freight                                    9868    100.6   100.6       7.7     7.9      0.4     -0.6      0.0
           U.S. East Coast                                       4271     99.0   99.0        2.6     2.8      1.1     -1.3      0.0
            from Atlantic                                        1952     97.4   97.5        0.3    -0.5      0.7      0.0      0.1
            from Pacific                                         1774    103.3   103.3       9.0     6.8      1.9      0.2      0.0
      1/   U.S. West Coast                                       5596    101.2   101.1      11.7    12.2     -0.2     -0.1     -0.1

         EXPORT

          Air Freight (9612 = 100)                               2562     96.7   90.5       -4.6    -0.4      1.2      1.2     -6.4

          Air Passenger Fares                                   17272     98.0   100.6       6.7     0.8      0.3      2.7      2.7
      1/   Atlantic                                              4120    109.0   106.5       4.7     8.8      4.1     -5.4     -2.3
      1/   Pacific                                              10700     82.0   85.1        6.9    -2.4     -1.7      7.3      3.8
           Latin American / Caribbean                            1392    113.1   111.6       4.0     1.6      3.9     -0.1     -1.3
           Canadian                                              1006    166.0   188.6      13.5    -3.6     -3.3      7.2     13.6



         1     Detailed data available upon request                                            n.a.    Not available

         Table  9    U.S. International Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services
              March 1998-March 1999    1995 = 100
                                                                        Index                            Percent Change

                                                                                         Annual          Quarterly
                                                              Trade                      March   March     June    Sept.     Dec.
                             Description                      (Mil.                       1998    1998     1998     1998     1998
                                                                of     Dec.      March     to      to       to       to       to
                                                             Dollars)  1998      1999    March    June    Sept.     Dec.    March
                                                                                          1999    1998     1998     1998     1999


          Air Freight (Inbound)                                  5495     87.4   88.0        6.2     0.6     -1.9      6.8      0.7
           Atlantic                                              1880     91.6   89.1        4.3     3.5     -0.5      4.1     -2.7
           Pacific                                               3151     85.5   88.0        8.2    -1.2     -3.0      9.8      2.9

          Air Freight (Outbound)                                 5835     95.2   92.7       -4.6    -1.2     -0.2     -0.6     -2.6
           Atlantic                                              2080    104.1   104.1       3.1     1.2      1.1      0.8      0.0
           Pacific                                               3222     89.7   85.3      -10.7    -3.2     -1.1     -1.9     -4.9

          Air Passenger Fares (U.S. Carrier)                    30673    103.1   104.5       5.2     8.6     -0.5     -3.9      1.4
     1/    Atlantic                                              8811     98.0   96.9        2.9    24.0      3.1    -18.6     -1.1
     1/    Pacific                                              15900     93.4   94.6        5.2     4.1     -4.4      4.4      1.3
     1/    Latin American / Caribbean                            4542    116.7   118.4       6.9     0.7      5.0     -0.4      1.5
           Canadian                                              1367    171.9   190.5       9.7    -3.3     -3.2      5.7     10.8

          Air Passenger Fares (Foreign Carrier)                 31694    101.1   98.9        1.3     4.9      1.6     -2.8     -2.2
     1/    Atlantic                                             13572    102.9   98.3       -0.5    13.3      5.4    -12.7     -4.5
     1/    Pacific                                              12570     87.9   86.6        2.2    -2.2     -3.7     10.3     -1.5
     1/    Latin American / Caribbean                            4224    107.9   109.8       4.3    -0.2      2.5      0.2      1.8

     1/   Crude Oil Tanker Freight (Inbound)                     1949     82.7    n.a.     n.a.    -15.6     -5.1     -0.2    n.a.

          Ocean Liner Freight (Inbound)                         12253    104.2   104.1      11.9    11.0      1.7     -0.8     -0.1
           U.S. East Coast                                       5410     96.7   96.7        1.4     2.2      0.9     -1.7      0.0
            from Atlantic                                        2647     95.4   95.5        0.3    -0.4      0.6      0.0      0.1
            from Pacific                                         1874    100.7   100.7       8.2     6.1      1.8      0.1      0.0
     1/    U.S. West Coast                                       6844    109.6   109.5      20.9    18.4      2.2     -0.1     -0.1



         1     Detailed data available upon request                                            n.a.    Not available

                                                                     
                           TECHNICAL NOTE
   
Import and Export Merchandise and Services Price Indexes -- All indexes use 
a modified Laspeyres formula and are weighted with 1995 trade weights.  The 
merchandise price indexes are published using three classifications:  the 
Harmonized System (HS), the Bureau of Economic Analysis End Use System,
and the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) system, Rev. 3.  
Price indexes for internationally traded services are presented using two 
definitions: Balance of Payments (which represents transactions between U.S. 
and foreign residents) and International (which represents all transactions
with U.S. importers or exporters, regardless of nationality).  Published
series use a base year of 1995=100 where possible.  Net transaction price
data are collected every month for over 20,000 products from over 6,000
companies and secondary sources.  Indexes are not seasonally adjusted.  More
detailed index series and additional information may be obtained from the
Division of International Prices, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2 Massachusetts
Avenue N.E., PSB 3955, Washington, DC 20212 or (202) 606-7155.

Import Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the 1995 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 1995 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.  Prior to
January 1993, nonmanufactured goods were defined as SITC 0-4 and manufactured
goods were defined as SITC 5-8.  Beginning with January 1993, the indexes are
defined by locality of origin using a nomenclature based upon the Standard
Industrial Classification (SIC-based).  Nonmanufactured goods are defined as
SIC 0-1, and manufactured goods are defined as SIC 2-3.  The indexes use 1995
weights and a base of 1995=100.

Import, Export, and International Services Indexes -- Indexes are calculated
on a quarterly basis.  The figures for services indexes will not sum up to
the aggregate dollar value because not all categories are shown in the tables.
Revenue figures for air passenger indexes exclude frequent flyer tickets and
those sold by consolidators.  Indexes for crude oil tanker freight are
calculated from data collected by the U. S. Department of Energy and the 
publication of these indexes is lagged one quarter.  

Revision policy -- Data are revised for the previous three months to reflect
the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents.

Uses of the Data -- The primary use of the indexes is to deflate trade
statistics.  For merchandise trade, the End Use classification system is the
structure used by the U.S. Department of Commerce in the construction of the
foreign trade sector of the National Income and Product Accounts.  Indexes
published using the Harmonized System and the Standard International Trade
Classification, Rev. 3, both international structures, are useful for general
market analysis.  For trade in international services, Balance of Payments
indexes are used for deflating National Accounts data, while International
indexes are more appropriate for market analysis. Merchandise and services
indexes also can be used to study U.S. competitiveness and price elasticities,
and the merchandise import indexes by country or region of origin are useful
for terms of trade analysis.



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