Technical Information:
  Jim Thomas      (202) 606-7155                                              		       USDL-98-238
  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 11, 1998
 
U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES
-MAY 1998-
	
	The U.S. Import Price Index declined 0.1 percent in May, the Bureau
of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today.  The
decrease was the seventh in a row and was led by a continued fall in prices
for nonpetroleum imports.   In contrast, the U.S. Export Price Index rose 0.1
percent in May following declines in each of the past five months.

               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

1997

May            0.0         1.1        -0.1        -0.3     -1.2       0.0
June          -0.1        -2.0         0.1        -0.1     -2.0       0.1
July          -0.2        -1.3        -0.2         0.0     -1.1       0.0
August        -0.1         2.3        -0.3         0.0      0.1       0.0
September     -0.1         0.2         0.0        -0.3     -0.1      -0.3
October        0.2         5.6        -0.3        -0.4     -1.8      -0.2
November      -0.4        -3.5        -0.2         0.0      0.7      -0.1
December      -1.0        -6.8        -0.4        -0.4     -0.8      -0.4

1998

January       -1.3       -10.0        -0.6        -0.7     -2.7      -0.4
February      -0.9r       -6.5        -0.4        -0.3     -1.5      -0.2r
March         -0.8r       -9.1        -0.3r       -0.3     -0.6      -0.3
April         -0.3r        1.2r       -0.3        -0.4r    -1.2r     -0.2r
May           -0.1         1.4        -0.3         0.1      0.9      -0.1

May 1996-97   -2.9        -9.7        -2.3        -2.2    -14.5      -0.1
May 1997-98   -5.2       -26.1        -3.3        -2.8     -9.8      -2.1

r = revised to reflect late reports and corrections by respondents.

	
Import Goods

	  The rate of decline in import prices continued to slow somewhat in
May, edging down 0.1 percent after falling 0.3 percent in April.Import prices
had fallen between 0.8 percent and 1.3 percent in each of the prior four
months. The slowdown was attributable to imported petroleum prices which
continued a slight turnaround in May, rising 1.4 percent after a 1.2 percent
increase in April.  Petroleum prices had dropped 31.2 percent over the prior
five months.  For the year ended in May, petroleum prices fell 26.1 percent.
In contrast, for the third month in a row prices for nonpetroleum imports
declined 0.3 percent.  Nonpetroleum import prices have decreased or posted
no change in each of the past 11 months and were down 3.3 percent since
May 1997.

        The decrease in nonpetroleum import prices was led by a continuing
decline in the price index for imported capital goods, down 0.5 percent.
Prices of imported capital goods have steadily declined since 1995 and were d
own 6.5 percent over the past 12 months.  Led by declining coffee prices, the
index of imported foods, feeds, and beverages fell 0.9 percent in May after
increasing 0.8 percent the previous month.  For the year ended in May, the
index was down 4.3 percent.  The index for automotive vehicles also fell in
May, down 0.1 percent for the second consecutive month.  Over the past 12
months, prices for imported automotive vehicles were up 0.9 percent.

	Import prices for both nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials
and consumer goods were  unchanged in May.  Both price indexes decreased over
the past 12 months, down 3.7 percent and 1.5 percent, respectively.
 
Export Goods

	The export price index edged up 0.1 percent in May, as an upturn in
agricultural prices offset the continued decline for nonagricultural prices.
Despite the May increase, the index for all exports was down 2.8 percent for
the year ended in May. After decreasing in each of the previous five months,
the price index of agricultural exports rose 0.9 percent in May.  In contrast,
prices of nonagricultural exports fell for the ninth consecutive month,
dipping 0.1 percent in May.  The index for nonagricultural exports decreased
2.1 percent for the May 1997-98 period.

        The export price index for nonagricultural industrial supplies and
materials fell 0.2 percent in May, led by continued declines in prices for
chemicals, lumber, and other wood supplies.  Prices for nonagricultural
industrial supplies and materials have declined for 10 consecutive months
and were down 4.5 percent for the year ended in May.  The indexes for both
capital goods and automotive vehicles, parts, and engines were unchanged in
May.  Prices for capital goods, which decreased 0.3 percent in each of the
previous two months, were down 1.9 percent over the past year.  The index
for autos has not moved by more than 0.1 percent over the past eight months
and posted a modest 0.2 percent gain for the May 1997-98 period.

	In contrast, consumer goods excluding autos rose 0.2 percent in May
after declining 0.3 percent in April.  Over the past 12 months, the index
rose 0.5 percent.

Imports by Locality of Origin	

        The price index of imports from the Asian Newly Industrialized
Countries continued to decline, falling 1.1 percent in May, about the same as
the decrease posted in the previous month.  The index decreased 8.3 percent
for the May 1997-98 period compared with a 3.1 percent drop during the prior
12-month period. (See table 7.)

        Prices for imports from Japan kept up a three-year downward trend,
falling 0.3 percent in May after decreasing 0.6 percent in April.  Over the
past 12 months, the index was down 4.0 percent.

        The import price indexes for both Latin America and the European Union
 posted upturns in May, rising 0.7 and 0.4 percent, respectively.  Both indexes
 had dropped in the previous four months.   The index for the European Union
 was down 1.1 percent from a year ago.

        The price index for imports from Canada also rose in May, up 0.5
percent.  Despite increasing in the past two months, the index was down 2.3
percent for the year ended in May.



CONTENTS OF RELEASE

This news release includes the following tables:

Table 1   Import Price Indexes, by End Use.....page  4
Table 2   Export Price Indexes, by End Use.....page  5
Table 3   Import Price Indexes, by SITC.....pages 6-7
Table 4   Export Price Indexes, by SITC.....pages  8-9
Table 5   Import Price Indexes, by Harmonized System.....pages 10-11
Table 6   Export Price Indexes, by Harmonized System.....pages 12-13
Table 7   Import Price Indexes, by Locality of Origin.....page  14
Table 8   U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes for Services.....page  15
Table 9   U.S. International Price Indexes for Services.....page  16
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Import and Export Price Index data for June are scheduled for release on July 15 at 10:00 a.m. (EDT).	

                                                                 

Table 1      U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, May 1997-May 1998                                     
                 1995=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                            
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change                                         
                                                        Relative                                                                   
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly                  
                                                         ance                           May     Jan.      Feb.      March     April
END       Description                                                                   1997    1998      1998      1998      1998 
USE                                                     April      April       May      to      to        to        to        to   
                                                        1998       1998        1998     May     Feb.      March     April     May  
                                                        1/         2/                   1998    1998      1998      1998      1998 
                                                                                                                                   
          ALL COMMODITIES                               100.000     93.3        93.2     -5.2    -0.9      -0.8      -0.3      -0.1
          ALL IMPORTS EXCLUDING PETROLEUM                93.500     94.3        94.0     -3.3    -0.4      -0.3      -0.3      -0.3
                                                                                                                                   
0          FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES                      4.891     97.4        96.5     -4.3    -1.0      -0.1       0.8      -0.9
                                                                                                                                   
00          Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,                                                                                 
                excluding distilled beverages             3.449     94.3        92.7     -7.6    -1.8      -0.2       1.0      -1.7
                                                                                                                                   
01          Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled                                                                                 
                beverages)                                1.442    105.5       106.2      4.3     0.8       0.2       0.6       0.7
                                                                                                                                   
1          INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS               25.255     89.9        90.2    -10.7    -2.5      -2.6       0.1       0.3
             INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS                                                                                       
                 EXCLUDING PETROLEUM                     18.754     94.3        94.3     -3.7    -0.8      -0.2      -0.3       0.0
             INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,                                                                                      
                 DURABLE                                  9.940     95.6        95.6     -4.3    -0.4       0.0      -0.2       0.0
             INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,                                                                                      
                 NONDURABLE EXCLUDING PETROLEUM           8.814     92.7        92.8     -3.0    -1.5      -0.5      -0.4       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
10          Fuels & lubricants                            7.671     81.6        82.5    -22.8    -6.4      -8.0       0.9       1.1
                                                                                                                                   
100          Petroleum & petroleum products               6.502     77.7        78.8    -26.1    -6.5      -9.1       1.2       1.4
                                                                                                                                   
10000          Crude                                      5.030     75.7        75.6    -29.3    -7.6      -9.2       2.4      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
11          Paper & paper base stocks                     1.855     81.4        81.1     -1.1    -1.3       0.4      -0.2      -0.4
                                                                                                                                   
12          Materials associated with nondurable                                                                                   
                supplies & materials                      6.001     91.4        91.6     -4.9    -0.5      -0.7      -0.2       0.2
                                                                                                                                   
13          Selected building materials                   2.134    104.3       102.5    -10.7    -0.3      -0.1      -0.3      -1.7
                                                                                                                                   
14          Unfinished metals associated with                                                                                      
                durable goods                             4.631     94.1        95.2     -1.0    -0.2       0.2       0.1       1.2
                                                                                                                                   
15          Finished metals associated with durable                                                                                
                goods                                     1.472     93.8        93.0     -4.1    -0.5      -0.2      -0.6      -0.9
                                                                                                                                   
16          Nonmetals associated with durable goods       1.492     91.8        91.5     -4.5    -1.2      -0.1      -0.8      -0.3
                                                                                                                                   
2          CAPITAL GOODS                                 28.384     86.4        86.0     -6.5    -0.9      -0.5      -0.7      -0.5
                                                                                                                                   
20          Electric & electrical generating                                                                                       
                equipment                                 3.424     94.8        94.4     -3.0     0.3      -0.3      -0.7      -0.4
                                                                                                                                   
21          Nonelectrical machinery                      23.184     83.6        83.2     -7.6    -1.2      -0.5      -0.8      -0.5
                                                                                                                                   
3          AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES          18.642    101.3       101.2      0.9     0.0       0.1      -0.1      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
4          CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING                                                                                               
               AUTOMOTIVES                               22.829     98.2        98.2     -1.5     0.2      -0.6      -0.4       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
40          Nondurables, manufactured                    11.363    100.7       100.7     -0.3     0.0      -0.1      -0.2       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
41          Durables, manufactured                       10.357     95.8        95.6     -2.4    -0.3      -0.3      -0.5      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
42          Nonmanufactured consumer goods                1.109     97.5        98.8     -3.9     7.0      -7.3      -0.6       1.3
                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                       n.a.      Not available         
            1995 trade values.                                                                                                            
        2  Data for February, March and April 1998                                                                                        
            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 1997-May 1998                                     
                 1995=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                            
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change                                         
                                                        Relative                                                                   
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly                  
                                                         ance                           May     Jan.      Feb.      March     April
END       Description                                                                   1997    1998      1998      1998      1998 
USE                                                     April      April       May      to      to        to        to        to   
                                                        1998       1998        1998     May     Feb.      March     April     May  
                                                        1/         2/                   1998    1998      1998      1998      1998 
                                                                                                                                   
          ALL COMMODITIES                               100.000     96.5        96.6     -2.8    -0.3      -0.3      -0.4       0.1
          AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES                        9.962     92.5        93.3     -9.8    -1.5      -0.6      -1.2       0.9
          NONAGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES                    90.037     97.0        96.9     -2.1    -0.2      -0.3      -0.2      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
0          FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES                      8.947     93.2        94.1    -10.0    -2.0      -0.6      -1.3       1.0
                                                                                                                                   
00          Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,                                                                                 
                excluding distilled beverages             8.253     94.1        95.0    -10.6    -1.4      -0.9      -1.3       1.0
                                                                                                                                   
01          Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled                                                                                 
                beverages)                                0.694     85.8        85.7     -2.6    -7.8       2.9      -0.5      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
1          INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS               24.868     91.0        90.8     -4.6    -0.3      -0.8      -0.3      -0.2
             INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,                                                                                      
                 DURABLE                                  9.693     92.1        92.0     -4.3     0.1      -0.2       0.0      -0.1
             INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,                                                                                      
                 NONDURABLE                              15.176     90.4        90.1     -4.9    -0.5      -1.2      -0.4      -0.3
                                                                                                                                   
10          Agricultural industrial supplies &                                                                                     
                materials                                 1.709     87.2        87.5     -5.5    -1.4       1.0      -0.9       0.3
                                                                                                                                   
            NONAGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES &                                                                                  
              MATERIALS                                  23.159     91.3        91.1     -4.5    -0.3      -0.9      -0.3      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
11          Fuels & lubricants                            2.304    102.0       102.1     -7.2    -0.9      -2.6      -1.3       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
12          Nonagricultural supplies & materials                                                                                   
                excluding fuels & building materials     19.370     89.5        89.3     -3.8    -0.1      -0.8      -0.1      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
13          Selected building materials                   1.485     87.5        86.5     -9.3    -0.7      -0.6      -0.6      -1.1
                                                                                                                                   
2          CAPITAL GOODS                                 44.252     98.2        98.2     -1.9     0.0      -0.3      -0.3       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
20          Electric & electrical generating                                                                                       
                Equipment                                 4.469    100.8       100.8      0.2    -0.6       0.2      -0.5       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
21          Nonelectrical machinery                      34.253     95.2        95.2     -2.8     0.0      -0.3      -0.3       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
3          AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES           9.878    102.3       102.3      0.2    -0.1       0.0       0.1       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
4          CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING                                                                                               
               AUTOMOTIVES                               12.054    102.2       102.4      0.5     0.0       0.0      -0.3       0.2
                                                                                                                                   
40          Nondurables, manufactured                     6.367    102.1       102.1      0.9     0.0       0.1      -0.2       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
41          Durables, manufactured                        5.109    101.1       101.5     -0.6    -0.1      -0.3      -0.2       0.4
                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                       n.a.      Not available         
            1995 trade values.                                                                                                            
        2  Data for February, March and April 1998                                                                                        
            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 1997-May 1998                                     
                  1995=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                            
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change                                         
                                                        Relative                                                                   
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly                  
                                                         ance                           May     Jan.      Feb.      March     April
SITC      Description                                                                   1997    1998      1998      1998      1998 
Rev. 3                                                  April      April       May      to      to        to        to        to   
                                                        1998       1998        1998     May     Feb.      March     April     May  
                                                        1/         2/                   1998    1998      1998      1998      1998 
                                                                                                                                   
          ALL COMMODITIES                               100.000     93.3        93.2     -5.2    -0.9      -0.8      -0.3      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
0          FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS                          4.225     99.4        97.6     -4.4    -1.7       0.4       1.5      -1.8
01          Meat and meat preparations                    0.365    101.7       101.2     -2.2     0.0      -0.1       0.5      -0.5
03          Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates                                                                               
               and preparations thereof                   1.107    107.4       107.5      5.3     0.9       0.7       0.3       0.1
05          Vegetables, fruit and nuts,                                                                                            
               fresh or dried                             1.110    100.9        99.0     -2.0    -8.8       2.0       5.4      -1.9
07          Coffee, tea, cocoa, spices and                                                                                         
               manufactures thereof                       0.680     92.9        86.1    -20.1     2.5      -3.2      -1.2      -7.3
       3/ Other food and live animals (9612=100)          0.963     97.9        97.2     -5.6    -0.2       1.0       1.3      -0.7
                                                                                                                                   
1          BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO                          0.894    109.2       109.3      2.1     0.5      -0.3       0.0       0.1
11          Beverages                                     0.752    105.8       105.9      2.3     0.5      -0.1       0.0       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
2          CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS        2.899     89.7        88.8    -11.0     4.0      -4.3      -1.4      -1.0
23          Crude rubber (including synthetic and                                                                                  
               reclaimed)                                 0.211     60.5        56.9    -30.7     4.0      -3.1      -3.8      -6.0
24          Cork and wood                                 1.051    110.1       106.7    -15.9     0.3       0.5      -0.5      -3.1
25          Pulp and waste paper                          0.370     63.7        62.9     -2.3    -5.6      -0.5      -0.8      -1.3
28          Metalliferous ores and metal scrap            0.643    100.6       100.5     -4.8    -0.3       0.4       0.2      -0.1
29          Crude animal and vegetable materials,                                                                                  
               n.e.s. (9612=100)                          0.275    102.0       112.1     -5.1    45.7     -30.5      -7.3       9.9
       3/ Other crude materials, inedible, except                                                                                  
             fuels (9612=100)                             0.349     92.9        91.7     -4.5    -0.8       0.0      -1.6      -1.3
                                                                                                                                   
3          MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED                                                                                   
              MATERIALS                                   7.355     80.8        81.7    -23.4    -6.7      -8.0       0.7       1.1
33          Petroleum, petroleum products and                                                                                      
               related materials                          6.149     77.1        78.2    -26.5    -6.7      -9.2       1.4       1.4
34          Gas, natural and manufactured                 1.076    111.4       111.1     -0.8    -7.9      -2.4      -2.7      -0.3
                                                                                                                                   
5          CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.         5.640     93.0        93.9     -2.7    -0.3      -0.6      -0.3       1.0
51          Organic chemicals                             1.562     90.2        91.7     -5.0    -1.1      -1.1      -1.6       1.7
52          Inorganic chemicals                           0.683     95.6        97.8     -3.0     0.1       0.6       0.8       2.3
53          Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials        0.294     94.7        94.8     -2.4    -0.4       0.0      -0.2       0.1
54          Medicinal and pharmaceutical products         0.941     95.3        95.4      0.0    -0.6       0.0      -0.5       0.1
55          Essential oils; polishing and cleansing                                                                                
               preps                                      0.324     94.1        94.6     -4.2     0.1      -2.0      -0.3       0.5
57          Plastics in primary forms                     0.392     94.1        94.1      3.5     4.4      -2.2      -0.3       0.0
58          Plastics in nonprimary forms                  0.543     81.9        81.7     -4.8     0.0      -1.3       0.5      -0.2
59          Chemical materials and products, n.e.s.       0.672    101.3       101.8     -2.3    -1.5       0.3      -0.4       0.5
                                                                                                                                   
6          MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY                                                                                   
              BY MATERIAL                                12.881     94.6        94.7     -1.8    -0.4      -0.1      -0.1       0.1
62          Rubber manufactures, n.e.s.                   0.748     95.2        95.1     -2.4     0.0      -0.1       0.1      -0.1
63          Cork and wood manufactures other than                                                                                  
               furniture                                  0.544     92.3        92.0     -7.5    -3.0      -1.6      -0.6      -0.3
64          Paper, paperboard, and articles of                                                                                     
               paper pulp, paper or paper board           1.670     88.0        87.7     -0.2    -0.1       0.5       0.1      -0.3
65          Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up                                                                                         
               articles, n.e.s., and related product      1.450     98.0        97.3     -3.0    -1.0       0.0       0.1      -0.7
66          Nonmetallic mineral manufactures,                                                                                      
               n.e.s.                                     2.201    100.8       100.7     -2.4    -0.6      -0.1       0.2      -0.1
67          Iron and steel                                2.090     94.3        93.9     -2.7    -0.2      -0.9      -0.6      -0.4
68          Nonferrous metals                             1.985     91.8        94.0      2.4     0.1       0.7       0.7       2.4
69          Manufactures of metals, n.e.s.                2.030     96.9        96.3     -2.6    -0.4      -0.2      -0.4      -0.6
                                                                                                                                   
7          MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT             47.663     92.4        92.1     -3.6    -0.4      -0.3      -0.5      -0.3
71          Power generating machinery and                                                                                         
               equipment (9612=100)                       3.082     98.0        97.9     -1.3    -0.2       0.2      -1.9      -0.1
72          Machinery specialized for particular                                                                                   
               industries                                 2.769     97.6        97.5     -1.4    -0.6       0.0      -0.5      -0.1
73          Metalworking machinery                        0.851     97.0        96.9     -1.1    -0.7       0.2      -0.6      -0.1
74          General industrial machinery and equip-                                                                                
               ment, n.e.s. and machine parts, n.e.s      3.523     96.2        96.4     -1.5    -0.6       0.1      -0.4       0.2
75          Computer equipment and office machines        6.775     71.8        70.7    -13.7    -1.5      -1.9      -1.6      -1.5
76          Telecommunications & sound recording                                                                                   
               & reproducing apparatus & equipment        4.659     90.7        90.6     -2.7    -0.5      -0.2       0.0      -0.1
77          Electrical machinery and equipment            9.583     85.2        85.1     -5.2    -0.6      -0.1      -0.5      -0.1
78          Road vehicles                                15.335    101.5       101.2      0.8    -0.1       0.2       0.0      -0.3
                                                                                                                                   
8          MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES           18.006     98.7        98.6     -1.7    -0.3      -0.1      -0.5      -0.1
81          Prefabricated buildings; plumbing, heat                                                                                
               & lighting fixtures, n.e.s.                0.397     95.1        95.2     -0.7    -0.6       0.4      -0.7       0.1
82          Furniture and parts thereof                   1.320    102.8       102.9     -0.4    -0.2      -0.2      -0.1       0.1
83          Travel goods, handbags and similar                                                                                     
               containers                                 0.518     99.5       100.4     -0.7    -0.6      -1.3       0.0       0.9
84          Articles of apparel and clothing                                                                                       
               accessories                                6.089    102.6       102.5     -0.4     0.0      -0.2      -0.1      -0.1
85          Footwear                                      1.843    100.6       100.7     -0.2    -0.1      -0.4      -0.1       0.1
87          Professional, scientific and controlling                                                                               
               instruments and apparatus, n.e.s.          1.625     94.7        95.1     -1.6    -0.3      -0.3      -0.4       0.4
88          Photographic apparatus, equipment and                                                                                  
               supplies and optical goods, n.e.s.;        1.368     91.6        91.2     -3.3    -0.2      -0.3      -0.2      -0.4
89          Miscellaneous manufactured articles,                                                                                   
               n.e.s.                                     4.847     96.2        95.8     -3.9    -0.5       0.2      -1.3      -0.4
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                       n.a.      Not available.        
            1995 trade values.                                                                                                            
        2  Data for February, March and April 1998                                                                                        
            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 1997-May 1998                                     
                  1995=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                            
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change                                         
                                                        Relative                                                                   
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly                  
                                                         ance                           May     Jan.      Feb.      March     April
SITC      Description                                                                   1997    1998      1998      1998      1998 
Rev. 3                                                  April      April       May      to      to        to        to        to   
                                                        1998       1998        1998     May     Feb.      March     April     May  
                                                        1/         2/                   1998    1998      1998      1998      1998 
                                                                                                                                   
          ALL COMMODITIES                               100.000     96.5        96.6     -2.8    -0.3      -0.3      -0.4       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
0          FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS                          7.223     91.2        91.5     -9.6    -2.5       0.0      -1.4       0.3
01          Meat and meat preparations                    1.122     92.2        93.7     -2.1    -0.5       1.3       0.1       1.6
03          Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates                                                                               
               and preparations thereof                   0.511     82.5        82.2     -4.3    -9.9       2.9      -0.6      -0.4
04          Cereals and cereal preparations               2.598     86.2        85.9    -13.8     2.9      -1.2      -4.6      -0.3
05          Vegetables, fruit and nuts,                                                                                            
               fresh or dried                             1.375     95.0        97.6     -3.1   -11.2       3.5       3.6       2.7
08          Feeding stuff for animals (not                                                                                         
               including unmilled cereals)                0.696     97.6        93.5    -26.7    -2.8      -3.6      -3.5      -4.2
09          Miscellaneous edible products and                                                                                      
               preparations                               0.397    104.9       104.9      1.1    -0.1       0.0       0.1       0.0
       3/ Other food and live animals (9612=100)          0.524     96.8        98.4     -4.3    -4.3      -2.9       1.4       1.7
                                                                                                                                   
1          BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO                          1.517    100.0        99.9     -0.5     0.2       0.0      -0.2      -0.1
12          Tobacco and tobacco manufactures              1.250     99.9        99.8     -0.6     0.2       0.3      -0.3      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
2          CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS        5.489     83.2        83.0    -10.8     0.4      -0.9      -1.2      -0.2
21          Hides, skins and furskins, raw                0.292     87.9        85.9    -21.9     3.0       8.2      -2.4      -2.3
22          Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits               1.167    105.4       106.7    -21.6     2.1      -4.2      -2.8       1.2
24          Cork and wood                                 0.891     84.1        82.5    -12.4    -0.7      -1.3       0.0      -1.9
25          Pulp and waste paper                          0.754     64.2        63.5      5.0     1.4       0.5      -1.2      -1.1
26          Textile fibers and their waste                0.772     76.4        77.3     -7.2    -0.3      -0.5      -1.5       1.2
27          Crude fertilizers and crude minerals          0.338     97.1        97.0     -0.3    -0.3      -0.1       0.0      -0.1
28          Metalliferous ores and metal scrap            0.846     80.5        80.2    -10.5    -0.9      -2.1       1.0      -0.4
       3/ Other crude materials, inedible, except                                                                                  
             fuels (9612=100)                             0.430    100.2        98.3     -1.9    -1.4       1.1      -1.5      -1.9
                                                                                                                                   
3          MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED                                                                                   
              MATERIALS                                   2.055    104.5       104.6     -5.5    -0.8      -1.9      -1.8       0.1
32          Coal, coke and briquettes                     0.690     99.7        99.7     -2.6     0.0       0.0      -1.3       0.0
33          Petroleum, petroleum products and                                                                                      
               related materials                          1.206    108.6       108.9     -9.2    -1.5      -3.3      -1.7       0.3
                                                                                                                                   
4          ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE OILS, FATS AND                                                                                     
              WAXES                                       0.485    101.4       106.6     13.9    -3.1      -0.5       0.6       5.1
                                                                                                                                   
5          CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.        10.748     93.4        92.9     -3.9    -0.4      -1.0      -0.2      -0.5
51          Organic chemicals                             2.392     77.7        77.3     -9.4    -1.1      -2.5      -1.9      -0.5
52          Inorganic chemicals                           0.889    104.0       104.0      4.2     0.8      -1.4       2.0       0.0
53          Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials        0.502    102.1       100.3     -1.3    -0.1       0.0       0.0      -1.8
54          Medicinal and pharmaceutical products         1.250    101.6       101.6      0.1    -0.3       0.7      -0.7       0.0
55          Essential oils; polishing and cleansing                                                                                
               preps                                      0.755    101.2       101.4     -1.4     0.7      -0.5      -0.3       0.2
56          Fertilizers (9612=100)                        0.562     94.0        95.3      0.6    -3.0       1.2       2.2       1.4
57          Plastics in primary forms                     1.800     90.7        90.2     -7.6    -0.5      -0.9      -1.0      -0.6
58          Plastics in nonprimary forms                  0.846     99.8        99.1     -0.2    -0.1      -0.5       0.1      -0.7
59          Chemical materials and products, n.e.s.       1.752    101.8       100.4     -3.6    -0.1      -1.3       1.3      -1.4
                                                                                                                                   
6          MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY                                                                                   
              BY MATERIAL                                 9.861     98.3        98.1      0.4     0.4      -0.2       0.0      -0.2
62          Rubber manufactures, n.e.s.                   0.675    102.0       101.7     -1.4     0.0       0.3      -0.1      -0.3
63          Cork and wood manufactures other than                                                                                  
               furniture                                  0.294     91.0        90.6      0.7     0.1       1.2      -1.3      -0.4
64          Paper, paperboard, and articles of                                                                                     
               paper pulp, paper or paperboard            1.549     84.6        84.1      1.4     0.4      -0.4      -0.1      -0.6
65          Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up                                                                                         
               articles, n.e.s., and related product      1.438    103.6       102.6     -0.5    -0.2       0.2       0.0      -1.0
66          Nonmetallic mineral manufactures,                                                                                      
               n.e.s.                                     1.349    107.0       106.9      2.7     0.6      -0.3       0.0      -0.1
67          Iron and steel                                1.097    100.7       100.4     -2.5     0.0      -1.7       0.0      -0.3
68          Nonferrous metals                             1.293     91.5        92.9      1.3     2.0       0.0       0.2       1.5
69          Manufactures of metals, n.e.s.                2.012    104.8       104.5      0.8     0.3      -0.1      -0.2      -0.3
                                                                                                                                   
7          MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT             50.569     99.1        99.2     -1.2    -0.1      -0.2      -0.2       0.1
71          Power generating machinery and                                                                                         
               equipment                                  4.348    107.0       107.0      0.9    -0.1       0.1       0.2       0.0
72          Machinery specialized for particular                                                                                   
               industries                                 4.746    104.8       105.1      0.8     0.5      -0.1      -0.2       0.3
73          Metalworking machinery                        0.998    107.8       107.7      3.7     0.8       0.4       0.0      -0.1
74          General industrial machinery and equip-                                                                                
               ment, n.e.s. and machine parts, n.e.s      5.102    105.9       106.2      1.4     0.0       0.2       0.1       0.3
75          Computer equipment and office machines        6.297     78.9        78.8     -7.4    -0.4      -0.9      -1.1      -0.1
76          Telecommunications & sound recording                                                                                   
               & reproducing apparatus & equipment        3.801     98.3        98.9     -0.7    -0.3       0.2      -0.2       0.6
77          Electrical machinery and equipment           11.577     92.8        92.7     -4.2    -0.4      -0.5      -0.3      -0.1
78          Road vehicles                                 9.182    101.9       101.9      0.2    -0.1      -0.1       0.1       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
8          MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES           11.319    101.3       101.1     -0.5     0.1       0.0      -0.1      -0.2
82          Furniture and parts thereof                   0.646    104.5       104.5      0.6     0.4       0.1       0.1       0.0
84          Articles of apparel and clothing                                                                                       
               accessories                                1.297    103.8       103.8      2.4     0.0       0.2       0.0       0.0
87          Professional, scientific and controlling                                                                               
               instruments and apparatus, n.e.s.          3.754    103.6       103.8      0.5     0.1       0.0       0.0       0.2
88          Photographic apparatus, equipment and                                                                                  
               supplies and optical goods, n.e.s.         0.925     95.3        94.1     -4.2    -0.1       1.5      -0.2      -1.3
89          Miscellaneous manufactured articles,                                                                                   
               n.e.s.                                     4.229     99.0        98.8     -1.8     0.0      -0.5      -0.4      -0.2
       3/ Other miscellaneous manufactured                                                                                         
             articles (9612=100)                          0.468    102.4       102.4      1.5     0.7       0.0       0.3       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                     n.a.      Not available.          
            1995 trade values.                                                                                                            
        2  Data for February, March and April 1998                                                                                        
            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 1997-May 1998                                     
                 1995=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                             
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change                                         
                                                        Relative                                                                   
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly                  
Harmo-                                                   ance                           May     Jan.      Feb.      March     April
nized     Description                                                                   1997    1998      1998      1998      1998 
System                                                  April      April       May      to      to        to        to        to   
                                                        1998       1998        1998     May     Feb.      March     April     May  
                                                        1/         2/                   1998    1998      1998      1998      1998 
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                   
I          LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS                  1.673    104.3       104.2      1.6     0.5       0.8       0.7      -0.1
02          Meat and edible meat offal                    0.289     99.3        99.2      0.9    -0.2       0.1       1.7      -0.1
03          Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and                                                                                     
               other aquatic invertebrates                0.963    107.0       107.6      4.4     0.7       0.0      -0.6       0.6
       3/ Other live animals and animal                                                                                            
             products (9612=100)                          0.420    104.2       102.7     -3.9     0.2       3.4       3.0      -1.4
                                                                                                                                   
II         VEGETABLE PRODUCTS                             1.610     89.7        88.6     -7.4    -0.9      -3.7       1.5      -1.2
07          Edible vegetables and certain roots and                                                                                
               tubers                                     0.301    106.8       102.3      4.1   -26.5       9.3       8.6      -4.2
08          Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus                                                                                  
               fruit or melons                            0.466     99.5        98.6     -5.1     0.6      -0.3       3.4      -0.9
09          Coffee, tea, mate and spices                  0.445     87.9        84.3    -13.3    -0.2       0.1       0.3      -4.1
       3/   Other vegetable products                      0.399     88.2        91.5    -10.4    17.9     -16.9      -4.0       3.7
                                                                                                                                   
IV         PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND                                                                                     
              TOBACCO                                     2.147    101.0       101.3     -0.1    -0.2      -0.3       0.3       0.3
20          Preparations of vegetables, fruit,                                                                                     
               nuts, or other parts of plants             0.275     88.0        87.9     -5.7    -1.0      -1.2       0.8      -0.1
22          Beverages, spirits, and vinegar               0.774    103.6       103.8      0.8     0.4      -0.4      -0.5       0.2
       3/   Other prepared foodstuffs (9612=100)          1.097    100.5       101.0      0.9    -0.3       0.0       0.7       0.5
                                                                                                                                   
V          MINERAL PRODUCTS                               8.012     82.4        83.0    -21.8    -6.3      -7.5       0.7       0.7
26          Ores, slag and ash                            0.307    102.4       102.0     -1.6     0.0       0.2       0.3      -0.4
27          Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,                                                                                     
               bituminous substances and mineral wax      7.467     81.1        81.9    -22.9    -6.7      -7.9       0.6       1.0
                                                                                                                                   
VI         PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED                                                                                      
              INDUSTRIES                                  5.293     95.9        96.7     -3.3    -0.7      -0.3      -0.3       0.8
28          Inorganic chemicals                           0.860     99.5       101.7     -3.2    -0.4       0.8       0.5       2.2
29          Organic chemicals                             1.997     91.6        92.3     -4.5    -0.6      -0.7      -1.3       0.8
30          Pharmaceutical products                       0.573    101.2       101.8      0.0    -1.7       0.1      -0.2       0.6
32          Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye &                                                                                       
               pigments; varnish & paints; putty          0.292     92.9        92.9     -3.2    -0.6       0.0      -0.2       0.0
37          Photographic or cinematographic goods         0.363     96.2        96.2     -4.2    -0.4      -0.3       0.0       0.0
38          Miscellaneous chemical products                                                                                        
               (9612=100)                                 0.421     95.4        96.2     -2.4    -2.1      -0.6      -0.5       0.8
       3/   Other products of the chemical or                                                                                      
             allied industries (9612=100)                 0.788     96.7        96.9     -2.8     0.3      -0.6       1.2       0.2
                                                                                                                                   
VII        PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER                                                                                   
              AND ARTICLES THEREOF                        2.816     88.8        88.4     -4.8     0.7      -1.2      -0.6      -0.5
39          Plastics and articles thereof                 1.769     92.4        92.3     -2.3     0.4      -1.1      -0.4      -0.1
40          Rubber and articles thereof                   1.047     83.4        82.6     -8.8     0.8      -1.2      -1.0      -1.0
                                                                                                                                   
VIII       RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,                                                                                    
              TRAVEL GOODS, ETC                           1.028    101.2       101.9     -2.0    -0.5      -1.2      -0.3       0.7
42          Articles of leather; travel goods, bags,                                                                               
               etc. of various materials                  0.831     99.9       100.5     -1.2    -0.5      -0.9       0.0       0.6
                                                                                                                                   
IX         WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW, BASKET                                                                                
              AND WICKER                                  1.650    102.6       100.3    -12.7    -0.4       0.0      -0.3      -2.2
                                                                                                                                   
X          WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER                                                                                 
              AND ARTICLES THEREOF                        2.422     83.7        83.5     -1.1    -1.1       0.6      -0.5      -0.2
47          Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic                                                                                  
               material; waste paper/paperboard           0.369     64.0        63.3     -3.1    -5.7      -0.5      -1.2      -1.1
48          Paper and paperboard; articles of paper                                                                                
               pulp, paper or paperboard                  1.687     88.8        88.6     -0.3    -0.1       0.5       0.1      -0.2
49          Printed matter                                0.366     99.4        99.4     -2.4    -0.4       2.5      -2.0       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
XI         TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES                   7.167    101.0       100.9     -1.0    -0.4      -0.1      -0.2      -0.1
61          Articles of apparel and clothing                                                                                       
               accessories, knitted or crocheted          2.135    101.9       101.9      0.6     0.0       0.0       0.0       0.0
62          Articles of apparel and clothing                                                                                       
               accessories, not knitted or crocheted      3.456    103.3       103.2     -0.9    -0.1      -0.3      -0.1      -0.1
63          Made-up or worn textile articles and                                                                                   
               clothing; needlecraft sets; rags           0.345     94.3        94.1     -2.9    -0.2      -0.3       0.4      -0.2
       3/   Other textile & textile                                                                                                
             articles (9612=100)                          1.230     98.2        97.5     -3.4    -1.3      -0.1      -0.5      -0.7
                                                                                                                                   
XII        FOOTWEAR, HEADGEAR, UMBRELLAS, WHIPS,                                                                                   
              ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS, ETC.                    2.156    100.8       100.9     -0.2    -0.2      -0.3      -0.1       0.1
64          Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts                                                                                  
               of such articles                           1.854    100.4       100.5     -0.2    -0.2      -0.5       0.0       0.1
       3/ Other footwear, headgear, umbrellas,                                                                                     
             whips, art. flowers, etc. (9612=100)         0.302    101.9       101.9      0.4     0.0       0.3       0.1       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
XIII       STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,CERAMIC                                                                                
              GLASS ETC.                                  1.178    100.9       100.8     -2.6    -0.8       0.3      -0.2      -0.1
69          Ceramic products                              0.446     97.9        98.0     -2.6    -1.4       0.3      -0.1       0.1
70          Glass and glassware                           0.456    100.8       100.4     -4.0    -0.3       0.2       0.0      -0.4
                                                                                                                                   
XIV        PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,                                                                                        
              IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS                2.332    100.2       101.6      4.0     1.1       2.1       1.2       1.4
                                                                                                                                   
XV         BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METAL         5.885     91.1        91.0     -4.7    -0.5      -0.9      -0.4      -0.1
72          Iron and steel                                1.798     93.6        93.3     -2.3    -0.1      -1.1      -0.4      -0.3
73          Articles of iron or steel                     1.317     95.1        94.7     -3.6    -0.3      -0.8      -0.2      -0.4
74          Copper and articles thereof                   0.404     71.6        72.4    -14.3    -1.1      -1.8      -0.7       1.1
76          Aluminum and articles thereof                 0.965     88.3        88.1     -5.2    -1.4      -1.0      -1.2      -0.2
83          Miscellaneous articles of base metal          0.425    100.3        98.9     -4.1     0.0       1.1      -1.6      -1.4
       3/   Miscellaneous nonferrous metals and                                                                                    
             articles, including scrap (9612=100)         0.514     98.4        99.3    -10.9    -1.1      -1.6       1.7       0.9
                                                                                                                                   
XVI        MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV                                                                                     
              IMAGE & SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC.       30.324     86.1        85.7     -6.6    -0.8      -0.3      -0.8      -0.5
84          Specialized machinery & computer                                                                                       
               equipment                                 15.757     86.2        85.6     -8.2    -0.9      -0.5      -1.3      -0.7
85          Electrical machinery and equip, sound                                                                                  
               and TV recorders & reproducers, parts     14.567     85.9        85.7     -5.1    -0.8       0.0      -0.5      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
XVII       VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND                                                                                         
              ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT             16.593    101.5       101.3      0.7     0.0       0.1       0.0      -0.2
87          Motor vehicles and their parts               15.673    101.2       101.0      0.7     0.0       0.1       0.0      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
XVIII      OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &                                                                                    
              MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES           3.637     92.3        92.2     -1.9    -0.3      -0.4      -0.2      -0.1
90          Optical, photographic, measuring and                                                                                   
               medical instruments                        3.104     92.2        92.1     -1.9    -0.3      -0.5      -0.1      -0.1
91          Clocks and watches and parts thereof          0.387     93.0        92.8     -1.4     0.3      -0.7      -0.3      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
XX         MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES            3.826     98.5        98.5     -1.4    -0.2      -0.1      -0.8       0.0
94          Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps                                                                                  
               and lighting fittings nes;                 1.662     99.8        99.8     -0.6    -0.2       0.0      -0.3       0.0
95          Toys, games and sports equipment; parts                                                                                
               and accessories thereof                    1.869     98.3        98.3     -2.4    -0.2      -0.2      -1.4       0.0
96          Miscellaneous manufactured articles           0.295     93.2        93.4      0.1    -0.3       0.1       0.0       0.2
                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                       n.a.      Not available         
            1995 trade values.                                                                                                            
        2  Data for February, March and April 1998                                                                                        
            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 1997-May 1998                                     
                  1995=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                            
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change                                         
                                                        Relative                                                                   
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly                  
Harmo-                                                   ance                           May     Jan.      Feb.      March     April
nized     Description                                                                   1997    1998      1998      1998      1998 
System                                                  April      April       May      to      to        to        to        to   
                                                        1998       1998        1998     May     Feb.      March     April     May  
                                                        1/         2/                   1998    1998      1998      1998      1998 
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                   
I          LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS                  1.827     89.8        91.3     -3.4    -4.1       1.5       0.0       1.7
02          Meat & edible meat offal                      1.032     89.2        90.3     -3.5     0.0       1.4      -0.3       1.2
03          Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and                                                                                     
               other aquatic invertebrates                0.451     80.1        81.3     -3.7   -12.2       4.8      -0.5       1.5
       3/ Other live animals and animal                                                                                            
             products (9612=100)                          0.344     92.8        95.6     -2.9    -4.8      -2.6       1.8       3.0
                                                                                                                                   
II         VEGETABLE PRODUCTS                             5.032     92.4        92.7    -12.9    -0.6      -0.8      -2.7       0.3
07          Edible vegetables and certain roots and                                                                                
               tubers                                     0.333    103.5       110.0     15.1   -29.3       7.0       8.2       6.3
08          Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus                                                                                  
               fruit or melons                            0.687     92.0        92.4     -6.2    -3.0       0.6       1.2       0.4
10          Cereals                                       2.369     84.6        84.4    -14.7     3.2      -1.4      -5.2      -0.2
12          Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds,                                                                                      
               fruits, plants, straw and fodder           1.381    108.5       108.5    -18.4     1.6      -2.8      -2.4       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
III        ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE FATS AND OILS              0.531    103.4       107.9     15.0    -3.0      -0.5       1.0       4.4
                                                                                                                                   
IV         PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND                                                                                     
              TOBACCO                                     3.437     98.6        97.6     -7.7    -0.8      -0.5      -0.5      -1.0
20          Preparations of vegetables, fruit,                                                                                     
               nuts, or other parts of plants             0.346     95.2        94.6    -11.8    -1.0       3.5       0.3      -0.6
21          Miscellaneous edible preparations             0.369    105.9       105.9      0.9     0.0       0.0       0.0       0.0
22          Beverages, spirits, and vinegar               0.331     98.2        97.7     -1.8     0.0      -1.6       0.2      -0.5
23          Residues and waste from the food                                                                                       
               industries; prepared animal feed           0.616     93.4        90.1    -27.4    -3.9      -3.8      -2.5      -3.5
24          Tobacco and manufactured tobacco                                                                                       
               substitutes                                1.259    100.0        99.9     -0.5     0.2       0.2      -0.2      -0.1
       3/   Other prepared foods                          0.515    101.8       100.2      0.0     0.0      -0.1       0.0      -1.6
                                                                                                                                   
V          MINERAL PRODUCTS                               2.642    102.2       102.0     -6.1    -1.0      -1.9      -0.8      -0.2
27          Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,                                                                                     
               bituminous substances and mineral wax      2.105    105.4       105.4     -6.6    -1.0      -2.1      -1.6       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
VI         PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED                                                                                      
              INDUSTRIES                                  8.695     93.7        93.4     -3.9    -0.4      -1.0       0.0      -0.3
28          Inorganic chemicals                           0.955    103.0       102.9      0.9     1.1      -3.0       3.3      -0.1
29          Organic chemicals                             2.685     80.9        80.7     -9.3    -1.1      -2.4      -1.7      -0.2
30          Pharmaceutical products                       0.926    103.9       103.9      3.2     0.0       1.6      -0.9       0.0
31          Fertilizers (9612=100)                        0.625     94.0        95.3      0.6    -3.0       1.2       2.2       1.4
32          Tanning or dyeing extracts; dyes and                                                                                   
               pigments; paints & varnish; putty;ink      0.511    101.7       100.4     -0.8    -0.1       0.0       0.0      -1.3
33          Essential oils and resinoids;                                                                                          
               perfumery, cosmetic or toilet              0.537    102.9       103.3     -0.3     1.4      -0.2      -0.3       0.4
34          Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or                                                                                  
               scouring products; candles, pastes         0.317    102.5       102.3      1.0    -1.0      -0.1      -0.5      -0.2
37          Photographic or cinematographic goods         0.396     86.6        86.2     -8.8    -0.2       0.7      -0.5      -0.5
38          Miscellaneous chemical products               1.518    100.6        99.1     -4.6     0.2      -1.1       1.1      -1.5
                                                                                                                                   
VII        PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER                                                                                   
              AND ARTICLES THEREOF                        4.315     94.9        94.4     -4.2    -0.2      -0.8      -0.4      -0.5
39          Plastics and articles thereof                 3.417     94.3        93.7     -4.5    -0.2      -1.0      -0.3      -0.6
40          Rubber and articles thereof                   0.898     97.6        97.1     -3.1     0.0       0.0      -0.6      -0.5
                                                                                                                                   
VIII       RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,                                                                                    
              TRAVEL GOODS, ETC.                          0.525     88.6        87.4    -14.8    -0.1       3.2      -0.6      -1.4
41          Raw hides and skins (other than                                                                                        
               furskins) and leather                      0.376     85.3        83.7    -16.0     0.0       6.6      -1.7      -1.9
                                                                                                                                   
IX         WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW,                                                                                       
              BASKET AND WICKER                           1.208     86.2        84.9     -9.6    -0.6      -0.7      -0.3      -1.5
                                                                                                                                   
X          WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER                                                                                 
              AND ARTICLES THEREOF                        3.017     78.2        78.2      3.2     0.3      -0.4      -0.4       0.0
47          Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic                                                                                  
               material; waste paper/paperboard           0.691     61.2        60.8      5.6    -0.8      -0.2      -1.3      -0.7
48          Paper and paperboard; articles of paper                                                                                
               pulp, paper or paperboard                  1.518     85.3        84.6      2.3     0.4      -0.4      -0.1      -0.8
49          Printed material                              0.808    107.0       109.0      3.1     0.6      -0.3       0.0       1.9
                                                                                                                                   
XI         TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES                   3.243     92.1        92.0     -1.5    -0.2      -0.1      -0.4      -0.1
52          Cotton, including yarns and woven                                                                                      
               fabrics thereof                            0.665     76.2        77.5     -6.6    -0.6      -0.3      -1.6       1.7
                                                                                                                                   
XIII       STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,                                                                                       
              CERAMIC, GLASS ETC.                         0.865    103.6       103.6      0.4     1.0       0.0      -0.4       0.0
70          Glass and glassware                           0.497    101.9       101.9      0.9     0.2       0.0       0.0       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
XIV        PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,                                                                                        
              IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS                1.915     97.3       102.8      6.4     2.3       1.7       0.5       5.7
                                                                                                                                   
XV         BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METALS        4.567     93.6        93.1     -3.4     0.2      -0.8      -0.1      -0.5
72          Iron and steel                                0.925     87.8        86.8     -7.2    -0.6      -1.4      -1.0      -1.1
73          Articles of iron or steel                     1.284    108.6       108.2      1.9     0.2      -0.1      -0.4      -0.4
74          Copper and articles thereof                   0.375     70.9        72.1    -17.6    -0.6      -1.8       2.6       1.7
76          Aluminum and articles thereof                 0.877     87.1        85.5     -3.8     0.9      -1.3      -0.7      -1.8
82          Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and                                                                                 
               forks, of base metal; parts thereof        0.421    104.1       104.1      1.1    -0.2       0.2       0.0       0.0
83          Miscellaneous articles of base metal          0.379    100.5       100.5      0.7     0.3       0.0       0.2       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                   
XVI        MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV                                                                                     
              IMAGE AND SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC      36.766     94.9        95.0     -2.8    -0.1      -0.4      -0.4       0.1
84          Specialized machinery & computer                                                                                       
               equipment                                 20.476     96.0        96.0     -2.0     0.1      -0.3      -0.3       0.0
85          Electrical machinery and equip, sound                                                                                  
               & tv recorders & reproducers, parts       16.290     93.7        93.7     -3.9    -0.3      -0.6      -0.3       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
XVII       VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND                                                                                         
              ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT             13.916    105.1       105.1      1.3     0.0       0.0       0.1       0.0
87          Motor vehicles and their parts                9.617    102.0       102.0      0.2    -0.1       0.0       0.0       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
XVIII      OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &                                                                                    
              MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES           5.471    102.5       102.1      0.0     0.2       0.2       0.0      -0.4
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                   
XX         MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES            1.806    102.7       102.6      0.4     0.2       0.0       0.1      -0.1
94          Furniture; stuffed furnishings;                                                                                        
               lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;         0.891    104.7       104.7      0.7     0.6       0.1       0.1       0.0
95          Toys, games and sports equipment; parts                                                                                
               and accessories thereof                    0.740    100.7       100.7      0.2    -0.3       0.0       0.0       0.0
                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                       n.a.      Not available         
            1995 trade values.                                                                                                            
        2  Data for February, March and April 1998                                                                                        
            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 1997-May 1998                                     
          1995=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                           
                                                                  Index                    Percent Change                    
                                                   Percentage                                                                                          
                                                      of                            Annual                  Monthly                                     
                                                    US Imports                    May     Jan.         Feb.        March    April  
    Description 1/                                                                1997    1998         1998        1998     1998   
                                                    1995       April     May      to      to           to          to       to     
                                                               1998      1998     May     Feb.         March       April    May    
                                                               2/                 1998    1998         1998        1998     1998   
                                                                                                                                   
3/  Developed Countries                                55.6     95.4      95.5     -1.8    -0.5          0.0        -0.1      0.1  
      Manufactured Goods                               52.2     96.0      96.2     -0.8    -0.2          0.1         0.0      0.2  
      Nonmanufactured Goods                             3.1     88.8      88.7    -16.3    -5.5         -2.2        -1.2     -0.1  
                                                                                                                                   
3/  Developing Countries                               42.7     94.3      94.1     -7.8    -1.0         -1.7        -0.3     -0.2  
      Manufactured Goods                               35.4     95.1      95.0     -4.8    -0.4         -0.6        -0.6     -0.1  
      Nonmanufactured Goods                             7.1     85.1      84.9    -21.2    -3.8         -7.0         1.2     -0.2  
                                                                                                                                   
    Canada                                             18.9     96.4      96.9     -2.3    -1.1         -0.3         0.1      0.5  
      Manufactured Goods                               16.5     97.5      98.0     -0.6    -0.6         -0.1         0.2      0.5  
      Nonmanufactured Goods                             2.2     91.2      91.9    -14.5    -5.4         -1.9        -1.1      0.8  
                                                                                                                                   
4/  European Union                                     17.0     99.4      99.8     -1.1    -0.4         -0.3        -0.6      0.4  
      Manufactured Goods                               16.4     99.9     100.3     -0.4    -0.3         -0.2        -0.5      0.4  
      Nonmanufactured Goods                             0.5     86.2      85.4    -23.2    -3.7         -2.8        -5.2     -0.9  
                                                                                                                                   
5/  Latin America  (9712=100)                          14.1     94.5      95.2     n.a.    -0.7         -2.2        -0.2      0.7  
      Manufactured Goods  (9712=100)                   10.4     96.8      97.7     n.a.    -0.8         -0.6        -0.9      0.9  
      Nonmanufactured Goods (9712=100)                  3.5     87.9      87.9     n.a.    -0.8         -6.9         2.3      0.0  
                                                                                                                                   
    Japan                                              16.6     89.4      89.1     -4.0    -0.3          0.2        -0.6     -0.3  
                                                                                                                                   
6/  Asian Newly Industrialized Countries               10.9     88.9      87.9     -8.3    -0.5         -0.8        -1.0     -1.1  
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
                                                                                      
1    Regions are not mutually exclusive.                                              
                                                                                      
2    Data for  February, March and April 1998                                         
     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 1997-March 1998  1995 = 100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                    
                                                                 Index                             Percent Change                    
                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                  Annual          Quarterly                                   
                                                    Trade                         March   March    June        Sept.    Dec.   
    Description                                     (Mil.                         1997    1997     1997        1997     1997   
                                                    of         Dec.      March    to      to       to          to       to     
                                                    Dollars)   1997      1998     March   June     Sept.       Dec.     March  
                                                                                  1998    1997     1997        1997     1998   
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
    IMPORT                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                               
     Air Freight                                    3188        86.6      80.5    -10.7     0.3     -2.0        -2.3     -7.0  
      Atlantic                                      1278        90.2      85.8     -5.9    -1.0     -4.3         4.4     -4.9  
      Pacific                                       1674        84.7      76.3    -15.7     1.4     -0.3        -7.4     -9.9  
                                                                                                                               
     Air Passenger Fares                            11127      104.3     103.3      2.8    12.6     -1.5        -6.5     -1.0  
1/    Atlantic                                      4922       100.4      98.9     -1.4    20.8      0.7       -17.8     -1.5  
1/    Pacific                                       2340       106.2      98.3      0.2    13.6     -9.8         5.7     -7.4  
1/    Latin American / Caribbean                    3021       105.2     106.9      1.7     1.0     -0.2        -0.7      1.6  
                                                                                                                               
1/   Crude Oil Tanker Freight                       1346        95.6      n.a.     n.a.     2.2     -9.7         3.9     n.a.  
                                                                                                                               
     Ocean Liner Freight                            9868        93.5      93.4     -4.7    -0.9     -1.9        -1.9     -0.1  
      U.S. East Coast                               4271        96.7      96.5     -4.0     0.1     -2.3        -1.6     -0.2  
       from Atlantic                                1952        96.7      97.2     -3.2    -0.5     -1.6        -1.6      0.5  
       from Pacific                                 1774        94.8      94.8     -5.4     0.6     -3.8        -2.3      0.0  
1/    U.S. West Coast                               5596        90.6      90.5     -5.1    -1.6     -1.6        -1.9     -0.1  
                                                                                                                               
    EXPORT                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                               
     Air Freight (9612 = 100)                       2562        93.3      94.9     -3.7    -0.7     -1.2        -3.4      1.7  
                                                                                                                               
     Air Passenger Fares                            17272       92.1      94.3      5.0    14.7     -2.9        -7.9      2.4  
1/    Atlantic                                      4120       101.4     101.7      3.1    11.3     -0.2        -7.4      0.3  
1/    Pacific                                       10700       78.1      79.6      5.4    20.7     -5.2        -9.6      1.9  
      Latin American / Caribbean                    1392       106.5     107.3      5.4     5.0      0.6        -0.9      0.8  
      Canadian                                      1006       147.0     166.1      7.2     1.3      0.3        -6.7     13.0  
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                       1     Detailed data available upon reque          n.a.    Not available.                 
                                                                                                 
                                                                                                 
   Table  9    U.S. International Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services.                                   
        March 1997-March 1998    1995 = 100                                                                                                                          
                                                                 Index                             Percent Change                    
                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                  Annual          Quarterly                                   
                                                    Trade                         March   March    June        Sept.    Dec.   
    Description                                     (Mil.                         1997    1997     1997        1997     1997   
                                                    of         Dec.      March    to      to       to          to       to     
                                                    Dollars)   1997      1998     March   June     Sept.       Dec.     March  
                                                                                  1998    1997     1997        1997     1998   
                                                                                                                               
     Air Freight (Inbound)                          5495        86.5      82.9     -7.4     0.4     -1.6        -2.3     -4.2  
      Atlantic                                      1880        89.6      85.4     -4.8    -0.9     -3.7         4.7     -4.7  
      Pacific                                       3151        84.9      81.3     -9.5     1.4     -0.1        -6.7     -4.2  
                                                                                                                               
     Air Freight (Outbound)                         5835        97.7      97.2     -2.6    -0.6      0.4        -1.9     -0.5  
      Atlantic                                      2080       101.1     101.0      1.1    -0.5      1.7         0.0     -0.1  
      Pacific                                       3222        96.3      95.5     -4.8    -0.3     -0.3        -3.4     -0.8  
                                                                                                                               
     Air Passenger Fares (U.S. Carrier)             30673       99.5      99.3      2.3    15.4     -2.6        -8.9     -0.2  
1/    Atlantic                                      8811        97.8      94.2     -3.4    21.3      0.6       -17.8     -3.7  
1/    Pacific                                       15900       90.2      89.9      4.1    18.2     -6.1        -5.9     -0.3  
1/    Latin American / Caribbean                    4542       109.2     110.8      3.7     2.6      0.8        -1.2      1.5  
      Canadian                                      1367       154.1     173.6     11.5     3.5      0.6        -5.0     12.7  
                                                                                                                               
     Air Passenger Fares (Foreign Carrier)          31694       99.7      97.7     -0.8     7.7     -1.4        -4.7     -2.0  
1/    Atlantic                                      13572      100.5      98.8      1.8    13.5      1.3        -9.9     -1.7  
1/    Pacific                                       12570       89.2      84.9     -8.0     4.4     -5.6        -2.0     -4.8  
1/    Latin American / Caribbean                    4224       104.8     105.3      0.8     0.3     -0.4         0.4      0.5  
                                                                                                                               
1/   Crude Oil Tanker Freight (Inbound)             1949       103.2      n.a.     n.a.     0.8     -9.6         5.5     n.a.  
                                                                                                                               
     Ocean Liner Freight (Inbound)                  12253       92.9      92.7     -5.0    -0.8     -2.0        -2.1     -0.2  
      U.S. East Coast                               5410        95.7      95.4     -4.4    -0.2     -2.6        -1.3     -0.3  
       from Atlantic                                2647        94.8      95.2     -4.2    -0.7     -2.7        -1.3      0.4  
       from Pacific                                 1874        93.1      93.1     -5.4     0.5     -3.7        -2.2      0.0  
1/    U.S. West Coast                               6844        90.2      90.2     -5.5    -1.4     -1.4        -2.8      0.0  
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                       1     Detailed data available upon reque          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.



The import and export news release contains monthly price indexes at the
two-digit level of detail.  If you would like to be added to the mailing list
for more detailed index and percent change tables, please fill out the form
below and mail or fax it to the following address:


                       Division of International Prices
                       Bureau of Labor Statistics
                       PSB Building, Rm. 3955                                                                      
                       2 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E.
                       Washington, DC 20212


     Phone Number: (202) 606-7155           Fax Number: (202) 606-7179

         
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