Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until 

8:30 a.m. (EDT) Tuesday, May 14, 2013 

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

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

USDL-13-0927

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

U.S. import prices fell 0.5 percent in April, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today, following a 

0.2 percent decrease in March. Lower prices for both fuel and nonfuel imports contributed to the declines in 

each month. Prices for U.S. exports decreased 0.7 percent in April after a 0.5 percent decline in March. 

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

 Percent change 

-0.1

-1.5

-2.3

-0.7

1.2 1.0

0.3

-0.7 -0.6

0.5

0.9

-0.2

-0.5

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

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

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

 Percent change

0.8

-0.8

-2.5

-3.3

-1.8

-0.6

0.0

-1.4

-2.0

-1.5

-0.6

-2.2

-2.6

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

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

All Imports: The price index for U.S. imports decreased for the second consecutive month in April, after 

increasing the two months prior to March. The April decrease was largely driven by lower fuel prices, 

although nonfuel prices also declined in April. Import prices fell 2.6 percent over the past 12 months, the 

largest year-over-year decline since a 3.3 percent decrease between July 2011 and July 2012. 

Fuel Imports: Fuel prices continued to decline in April, decreasing 1.7 percent after falling 0.6 percent in 

March. In April, a 1.9 percent decline in petroleum prices more than offset a 6.1 percent increase in the 

price index for natural gas, the first advance in natural gas prices since a 16.6 percent rise in December 

2012. The price index for import fuels decreased 7.8 percent for the year ended in April and has not 

recorded a year-over-year advance since March 2012. The annual decline in fuel prices was led by a 9.5 

percent drop in petroleum prices, which more than offset an 83.8 percent rise in natural gas prices. 

All Imports Excluding Fuel: Nonfuel import prices also fell in April, decreasing 0.2 percent following a 

0.1 percent drop the previous month. Lower prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials; capital 

goods; automotive vehicles; and foods, feeds, and beverages more than offset a 0.3 percent advance in 

consumer goods prices. The price index for nonfuel imports fell 0.7 percent over the past 12 months. 

Table A. Import and export price indexes, selected categories 

 Percent changes 

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

 Percent change 

0.4

-0.5

-1.7

0.4

0.9

0.8

0.1

-0.6

-0.1

0.4

0.7

-0.5 -0.7

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

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

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

 Percent change

0.7

-0.2

-2.1

-1.3

-0.9

-0.6

1.5

0.8 1.1 1.2

1.5

0.2

-0.9

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

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

All Exports: The price index for U.S. exports declined 0.7 percent in April, the largest monthly decrease 

since the index fell 1.7 percent in June 2012. Falling prices for both nonagricultural and agricultural exports 

each contributed to the decline. U.S. export prices also fell for the April 2012-13 period, decreasing 0.9 

percent. The 12-month decrease was led by lower nonagricultural prices, which more than offset rising 

agricultural prices over the past year. 

Agricultural Exports: Agricultural prices fell 2.2 percent in April after decreasing 1.9 percent in March. 

The April decline was driven by an 8.1 percent drop in corn prices, a 6.2 percent decrease in soybean prices, 

and a 7.7 percent fall in nut prices. Despite the recent monthly decreases, overall agricultural prices rose 4.2 

percent for the year ended in April. 

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: The price index for nonagricultural exports decreased 0.5 percent in 

April, led by a 1.0 percent decline in nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials prices. Each of the 

major finished goods categories decreased or was unchanged in April. Nonagricultural export prices fell 1.5 

percent for the year ended in April, the largest year-over-year decline since a 1.5 percent decrease in 

September 2012. 

 

 

3
4

SELECTED APRIL HIGHLIGHTS 

Import Prices 

Imports by Locality of Origin: Prices for imports from Japan decreased 0.6 percent in April, the largest 

monthly decline since a 0.6 percent drop in September 2008. The April decrease followed declines of 0.2 

percent and 0.5 percent for the two previous months. The fall in import prices from Japan over the past three 

months paralleled a drop in the value of the Japanese yen relative to the U.S. dollar during the first quarter 

of 2013. Prices for imports from China fell for the second consecutive month in April, edging down 0.1 

percent following a 0.2 percent decrease in March. Import prices from China have not recorded a monthly 

advance since a 0.1 percent rise in February 2012 and decreased 0.9 percent over the past year. Prices for 

imports from Canada, Mexico, and the European Union also decreased in April, falling 0.6 percent, 0.9 

percent, and 0.1 percent, respectively. 

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: The price index for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials 

declined 0.7 percent in April after decreasing 0.5 percent the previous month. The decline was primarily led 

by a 2.2 percent drop in unfinished metals prices. 

 

Finished Goods: Capital goods prices fell for the third consecutive month in April, down 0.2 percent. 

Prices for capital goods declined 0.6 percent over the past year, the largest 12-month decrease since a 0.7 

percent drop in February 2010. The price index for automotive vehicles decreased 0.3 percent in April, led 

by a 0.4 percent decline in passenger cars prices. In contrast, consumer goods prices rose 0.3 percent in 

April, led by a 1.8 percent advance in medicinal, dental, and pharmaceutical prices. 

 

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Foods, feeds, and beverages prices decreased 0.5 percent in April after 

rising 1.6 percent in March. The decline was led by a 7.4 percent drop in vegetable prices, which followed 

an 11.5 percent increase the previous month. 

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares rose 0.3 percent after three consecutive monthly 

declines. Higher European and Asian fares contributed to the April advance. The index for import air 

passenger fares increased 1.2 percent for the year ended in April. In contrast, import air freight prices 

decreased 0.9 percent in April and 2.4 percent over the past year. 

Export Prices 

 

Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials 

prices declined 1.0 percent in April, following a 0.8 percent drop in March. Both declines were driven by 

lower fuel prices, although nonferrous metal prices and prices for chemicals each decreased in April as well. 

 

Finished Goods: Finished goods prices decreased overall in April. Prices for capital goods fell 0.2 percent, 

led by a 2.0 percent drop in semiconductor prices. The price index for consumer goods declined 0.3 percent 

driven by lower prices for medicinal, dental, and pharmaceutical products. Automotive vehicles prices were 

unchanged in April. 

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares fell 3.2 percent in April, following a 0.9 percent 

advance in March. A 5.7 percent drop in Asian fares, a 4.1 percent decline in European fares, and a 3.3 

percent decrease in Latin American/Caribbean fares each contributed to the decline. In contrast, the price 

index for export air freight rose 0.3 percent in April. 

 

Import and Export Price Index data for May 2013 are scheduled for release on Thursday, June 13, 

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

2013

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Mar.

20131

Index Percent change

Mar.

2013

Apr.

2013

Annual Monthly

Apr. 2012

to Apr.

2013

Dec.

2012 to

Jan.

2013

Jan.

2013 to

Feb.

2013

Feb.

2013 to

Mar.

2013

Mar.

2013 to

Apr. 2013

All commodities..................................... 100.000 141.0 140.3 -2.6 0.5 0.9 -0.2 -0.5

All imports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100).......................................... 73.497 103.4 103.2 -0.8 0.2 0.0 -0.2 -0.2

All imports excluding petroleum................ 79.462 116.5 116.4 -0.3 0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.1

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)... 78.514 120.6 120.4 -0.7 0.2 0.1 -0.1 -0.2

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 5.017 173.7 172.9 -0.9 -0.2 1.2 1.6 -0.5

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 3.888 194.5 192.3 -2.1 -0.5 1.1 1.4 -1.1

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 1.129 126.5 129.1 3.4 0.8 1.5 2.7 2.1

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 34.942 256.9 253.5 -6.5 1.3 2.3 -0.5 -1.3

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum..................................... 14.404 166.9 166.2 -0.7 0.0 -0.1 -0.5 -0.4

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)....................... 13.456 188.4 187.1 -3.5 0.5 0.1 -0.5 -0.7

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 8.021 177.9 176.1 -2.9 0.5 -0.1 -0.2 -1.0

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum......................... 5.434 153.7 154.2 2.0 -0.5 -0.1 -0.8 0.3

Fuels & lubricants............................... 10 21.486 344.7 339.0 -7.8 1.9 3.7 -0.6 -1.7

Petroleum & petroleum products........... 100 20.538 383.6 376.4 -9.5 2.2 4.0 -0.6 -1.9

Crude.......................................... 10000 15.585 394.0 386.2 -9.7 2.2 4.3 -1.3 -2.0

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................... 101 0.737 123.7 129.7 66.9 -5.3 -2.1 0.0 4.9

Gas-natural................................... 10110 0.608 109.3 116.0 83.8 -6.1 -2.1 -0.4 6.1

Paper & paper base stocks................... 11 0.554 112.7 112.7 -0.4 0.4 1.0 -0.3 0.0

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials......................... 12 4.959 174.7 174.1 -5.0 0.4 0.2 -1.1 -0.3

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.043 148.9 151.1 11.8 2.2 0.6 0.8 1.5

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods.......................................... 14 3.791 263.5 257.8 -7.2 0.2 0.1 -0.4 -2.2

Finished metals related to durable goods. .. 15 1.585 160.3 159.2 -3.0 0.3 -0.9 -0.3 -0.7

Nonmetals related to durable goods......... 16 1.524 114.4 114.2 -1.4 0.2 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2

Capital goods..................................... 2 23.863 93.0 92.8 -0.6 0.0 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2

Electric generating equipment................ 20 2.968 119.3 119.3 0.0 0.0 -0.1 -0.3 0.0

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 19.053 85.8 85.5 -1.0 0.1 -0.2 -0.1 -0.3

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 1.842 135.6 135.7 1.6 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 12.143 114.9 114.5 0.0 0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.3

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 24.035 107.7 108.0 0.3 0.2 0.1 -0.2 0.3

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 11.687 115.9 116.7 1.5 0.5 0.2 -0.2 0.7

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 11.039 99.2 99.1 -0.8 0.0 -0.3 -0.2 -0.1

Nonmanufactured consumer goods.......... 42 1.309 116.4 116.6 -2.2 0.0 0.3 0.6 0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2011 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

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

2013

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Mar.

20131

Index Percent change

Mar.

2013

Apr.

2013

Annual Monthly

Apr. 2012

to Apr.

2013

Dec.

2012 to

Jan.

2013

Jan.

2013 to

Feb.

2013

Feb.

2013 to

Mar.

2013

Mar.

2013 to

Apr. 2013

All commodities..................................... 100.000 134.4 133.5 -0.9 0.4 0.7 -0.5 -0.7

Agricultural commodities......................... 10.514 224.8 219.8 4.2 -1.2 2.0 -1.9 -2.2

All exports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100).......................................... 80.768 103.2 103.0 -0.5 0.5 0.3 -0.3 -0.2

Nonagricultural commodities.................... 89.485 127.9 127.3 -1.5 0.5 0.6 -0.3 -0.5

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 9.784 225.4 219.9 4.3 -1.5 1.8 -2.0 -2.4

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 9.097 229.3 223.4 4.7 -1.6 1.9 -2.2 -2.6

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 0.687 191.2 190.2 -0.6 1.2 -0.1 0.6 -0.5

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 34.381 183.0 181.3 -4.1 0.6 1.4 -0.7 -0.9

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 12.171 183.0 182.5 -3.7 -0.7 0.5 -1.5 -0.3

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................... 22.210 183.9 181.4 -4.4 1.3 2.0 -0.3 -1.4

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials... 10 1.417 205.1 205.1 1.7 2.0 2.4 0.0 0.0

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials........................................ 32.963 182.4 180.6 -4.4 0.6 1.4 -0.8 -1.0

Fuels & lubricants............................... 11 9.447 264.0 256.1 -10.3 0.9 3.7 -0.6 -3.0

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . . . .. 12 22.512 172.5 172.0 -2.5 0.4 0.5 -0.9 -0.3

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.004 120.7 122.1 3.7 0.8 0.6 1.0 1.2

Capital goods..................................... 2 35.125 106.7 106.5 0.6 0.7 0.3 0.0 -0.2

Electrical generating equipment.............. 20 3.458 114.8 114.8 1.4 0.4 0.3 -0.3 0.0

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 25.544 95.7 95.5 0.2 0.6 0.2 0.0 -0.2

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 6.123 151.8 151.6 1.7 0.9 0.7 0.3 -0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 8.857 113.5 113.5 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.0 0.0

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 11.853 115.7 115.4 -0.8 -0.1 -0.3 -0.3 -0.3

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 5.414 115.0 114.2 -0.5 0.2 -0.3 -0.3 -0.7

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 5.054 112.3 112.3 -1.4 -0.5 -0.4 -0.4 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2011 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

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

2013

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Mar.

20131

Index Percent change

Mar.

2013

Apr.

2013

Annual Monthly

Apr. 2012

to Apr.

2013

Dec.

2012 to

Jan.

2013

Jan.

2013 to

Feb.

2013

Feb.

2013 to

Mar.

2013

Mar.

2013 to

Apr. 2013

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 18.678 169.9 167.1 -6.8 1.5 4.0 -0.6 -1.6

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 1.851 176.8 172.7 -2.4 -0.8 3.5 4.1 -2.3

Crop production................................. 111 1.305 182.7 176.8 -4.0 -2.4 4.4 5.0 -3.2

Forestry and logging (Dec. 2012=100). . . . .. 113 0.201 104.5 100.8 – 5.9 0.9 -2.2 -3.5

Mining.............................................. 21 16.827 168.8 166.1 -7.3 1.7 4.0 -1.1 -1.6

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)..................................... 212 0.320 134.0 133.6 -8.3 -3.2 -0.1 -0.5 -0.3

Manufactured articles.............................. 80.864 117.6 117.3 -1.4 0.3 0.1 -0.1 -0.3

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 10.396 123.4 123.6 -2.0 0.0 0.0 -0.2 0.2

Food manufacturing............................ 311 2.821 153.7 154.2 -6.4 0.3 -0.3 -0.8 0.3

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.867 113.5 113.4 1.7 1.3 0.1 0.0 -0.1

Textile mills (Dec. 2011=100)................. 313 0.387 101.9 101.9 0.2 -0.4 0.1 -0.1 0.0

Textile product mills............................ 314 0.779 115.3 115.4 -1.1 -0.2 0.1 -0.4 0.1

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 3.902 110.6 110.5 -1.5 -0.5 0.2 0.1 -0.1

Leather and allied product manufacturing. .. 316 1.640 121.3 121.5 1.8 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.2

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 18.041 139.9 139.8 -2.0 0.9 1.0 0.1 -0.1

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.633 130.1 133.2 17.9 3.3 0.9 1.2 2.4

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.021 110.1 110.1 -0.5 -0.3 0.5 -0.3 0.0

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 4.392 170.8 168.0 -9.6 2.1 2.7 1.4 -1.6

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 9.151 136.2 136.9 0.6 0.8 0.6 -0.4 0.5

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 1.937 127.1 126.4 -0.9 -0.4 0.1 0.0 -0.6

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.825 128.9 129.1 -0.4 0.3 -0.4 -0.1 0.2

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 52.427 109.6 109.2 -1.0 0.1 -0.2 -0.1 -0.4

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.419 172.6 168.9 -7.6 0.5 -0.3 -0.5 -2.1

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.656 129.4 129.2 -0.5 -0.2 0.0 -0.4 -0.2

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 6.562 121.7 121.3 0.2 0.3 -0.2 -0.3 -0.3

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 15.902 81.2 81.1 -1.6 -0.2 -0.1 -0.4 -0.1

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.983 119.7 119.4 0.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.3

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 12.872 112.5 112.3 0.6 0.2 0.0 -0.1 -0.2

Furniture and related product

manufacturing................................ 337 1.241 114.3 114.4 1.1 0.2 -0.1 0.4 0.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 4.792 120.9 120.9 -1.3 0.0 -0.1 0.2 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2011 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

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

2013

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Mar.

20131

Index Percent change

Mar.

2013

Apr.

2013

Annual Monthly

Apr. 2012

to Apr.

2013

Dec.

2012 to

Jan.

2013

Jan.

2013 to

Feb.

2013

Feb.

2013 to

Mar.

2013

Mar.

2013 to

Apr. 2013

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 7.934 174.0 169.4 1.1 -1.8 2.6 -1.6 -2.6

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 5.838 215.4 206.7 2.9 -1.9 3.2 -2.0 -4.0

Crop production................................. 111 5.392 224.0 213.3 2.5 -1.9 3.0 -2.1 -4.8

Mining.............................................. 21 2.096 93.3 94.6 -5.6 -1.5 0.8 -0.5 1.4

Mining (except oil and gas).................... 212 1.422 106.8 106.6 -15.0 -1.6 0.7 -1.2 -0.2

Manufactured articles.............................. 89.557 121.7 121.1 -0.9 0.5 0.5 -0.2 -0.5

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 6.980 152.0 151.5 3.3 0.1 0.1 -0.4 -0.3

Food manufacturing............................ 311 4.916 174.7 173.8 3.5 0.0 0.2 -0.5 -0.5

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.569 128.2 127.3 6.9 1.2 0.7 -0.3 -0.7

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 26.567 135.2 133.5 -3.5 0.9 1.5 -0.1 -1.3

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.411 116.0 117.3 2.0 0.3 0.6 1.5 1.1

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.792 120.9 121.0 1.1 1.1 0.1 0.5 0.1

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 7.174 170.9 163.4 -11.1 1.4 4.6 -0.3 -4.4

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 14.216 132.0 131.7 -1.7 0.9 0.4 -0.2 -0.2

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 2.194 119.4 120.0 2.0 0.3 0.1 -0.3 0.5

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.780 111.7 112.3 0.7 -0.4 0.1 1.1 0.5

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 56.010 113.5 113.3 -0.2 0.3 0.2 -0.2 -0.2

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 5.101 167.3 165.7 -6.1 -1.3 -0.4 -1.4 -1.0

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.740 132.0 132.3 1.7 0.2 0.2 -0.2 0.2

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 11.518 122.1 122.0 1.3 0.7 0.2 0.0 -0.1

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 14.129 89.3 88.9 -1.4 0.2 0.2 -0.1 -0.4

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.268 113.6 113.9 1.4 0.6 0.1 -0.2 0.3

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 14.023 118.0 118.0 1.0 0.4 0.5 0.1 0.0

Furniture and related product manufacturing

(Dec. 2011=100)............................. 337 0.311 105.5 105.8 3.1 0.3 0.3 0.1 0.3

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 4.919 122.3 122.3 0.7 0.9 0.1 -0.5 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2011 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

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

2013

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Mar.

20131

Index Percent change

Mar.

2013

Apr.

2013

Annual Monthly

Apr. 2012

to Apr.

2013

Dec.

2012 to

Jan.

2013

Jan.

2013 to

Feb.

2013

Feb.

2013 to

Mar.

2013

Mar.

2013 to

Apr. 2013

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.098 172.5 175.4 4.4 1.2 1.6 2.9 1.7

Meat and edible meat offal....................... 02 0.247 217.0 219.1 3.2 1.6 0.4 -2.0 1.0

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.599 125.4 128.9 5.4 1.9 3.0 5.7 2.8

Vegetable products................................ II 1.655 214.6 209.0 -8.3 -1.3 3.0 2.5 -2.6

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers............ 07 0.385 378.1 333.2 4.6 -10.3 6.3 13.4 -11.9

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.435 118.4 122.4 -4.2 2.3 4.3 2.0 3.4

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................... 09 0.383 250.6 240.2 -13.0 3.0 3.6 1.2 -4.2

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.253 119.3 117.9 -13.2 0.8 1.4 -1.6 -1.2

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.378 157.4 156.9 -0.4 0.2 -0.4 0.1 -0.3

Sugars and sugar confectionary (Dec.

2012=100)....................................... 17 0.212 101.1 98.2 – 0.9 -0.3 0.5 -2.9

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec.

2009=100)....................................... 18 0.192 86.5 85.8 -0.9 -0.5 -4.7 -1.0 -0.8

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100).............. 19 0.238 131.9 132.1 4.7 0.5 0.8 0.5 0.2

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or other

parts of plants................................... 20 0.305 160.9 160.3 -7.8 -2.2 -0.7 -0.4 -0.4

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.................. 22 0.857 124.4 124.2 2.0 1.6 0.0 0.0 -0.2

Mineral products.................................... V 21.390 346.8 341.1 -7.7 1.8 3.7 -0.6 -1.6

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 21.109 343.5 337.8 -7.6 1.9 3.8 -0.6 -1.7

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 8.594 151.4 151.9 1.3 0.5 0.2 -0.5 0.3

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 0.814 364.7 356.4 1.3 -1.5 -1.1 -2.9 -2.3

Organic chemicals................................. 29 2.635 138.1 136.7 -2.5 0.6 0.1 -1.8 -1.0

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 3.324 123.4 126.4 7.7 1.6 0.8 0.6 2.4

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)...................... 31 0.407 129.8 127.7 -14.8 -1.5 -0.8 1.6 -1.6

Tanning extracts; dye, pigments, varnish,

paints & putty (Dec. 2011=100)............... 32 0.162 93.9 93.8 -12.3 0.9 0.1 -0.1 -0.1

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 0.482 102.8 102.1 -1.5 0.1 -0.1 0.2 -0.7

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 3.198 153.2 152.9 -0.5 1.0 0.3 -0.5 -0.2

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 1.946 148.0 149.1 3.3 1.6 0.7 -0.6 0.7

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.252 163.7 161.1 -6.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.4 -1.6

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.593 126.1 126.2 0.1 0.3 -0.1 -0.2 0.1

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

various materials................................ 42 0.548 127.2 127.3 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.1

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.671 158.2 162.3 18.6 3.4 1.2 1.2 2.6

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 1.117 113.3 113.3 -0.2 -0.3 0.5 -0.1 0.0

Pulp wood, waste paper, and paperboard

(Dec. 2011=100)................................ 47 0.174 101.6 102.3 3.0 0.9 2.7 0.5 0.7

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 0.744 107.3 107.1 -1.5 -0.6 0.1 -0.3 -0.2

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 4.913 114.1 114.1 -1.5 -0.4 0.1 0.0 0.0

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted............................ 61 1.929 103.8 103.8 -2.8 -0.5 -0.2 -0.3 0.0

See footnotes at end of table.

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

2013 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Mar.

20131

Index Percent change

Mar.

2013

Apr.

2013

Annual Monthly

Apr. 2012

to Apr.

2013

Dec.

2012 to

Jan.

2013

Jan.

2013 to

Feb.

2013

Feb.

2013 to

Mar.

2013

Mar.

2013 to

Apr. 2013

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted........................ 62 1.807 117.4 117.3 -0.8 -0.7 0.5 0.4 -0.1

Made-up or worn textile articles................. 63 0.542 107.9 108.2 -1.2 -0.3 0.0 -0.4 0.3

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.. .. XII 1.348 121.0 121.3 2.3 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2

Footwear and parts of such articles............ 64 1.155 120.2 120.5 2.6 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.2

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 0.759 132.1 131.9 0.4 0.6 -0.2 0.1 -0.2

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or

mica (Dec. 2001=100)......................... 68 0.245 125.5 125.3 0.6 0.2 0.1 0.5 -0.2

Ceramic products.................................. 69 0.237 140.3 140.5 -1.1 -0.3 0.0 -0.2 0.1

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.277 128.4 128.0 1.3 1.7 -0.6 0.0 -0.3

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 3.288 201.1 198.4 -4.2 -0.8 -0.6 -0.9 -1.3

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.031 185.5 183.3 -4.9 0.9 0.1 0.1 -1.2

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.147 220.1 218.7 -11.4 -0.5 0.7 0.6 -0.6

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.487 156.9 156.6 -3.4 0.2 -0.4 -0.3 -0.2

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.487 356.4 341.4 -7.5 2.7 -0.9 -1.4 -4.2

Nickel and articles thereof (Dec. 2009=100). .. 75 0.152 104.5 100.1 -9.4 5.2 0.2 1.9 -4.2

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.684 140.9 138.4 -3.4 2.0 0.1 0.4 -1.8

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.383 129.7 129.3 1.3 1.3 -0.1 0.1 -0.3

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.429 136.5 136.4 1.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 -0.1

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 26.272 85.4 85.2 -0.8 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2 -0.2

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 13.591 90.0 89.8 0.1 0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and TV

recorders & reproducers, parts............... 85 12.681 81.0 80.8 -1.7 -0.2 -0.2 -0.4 -0.2

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 10.643 116.7 116.3 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.0 -0.3

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 9.715 115.5 115.1 0.2 0.2 0.0 -0.1 -0.3

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)....................................... 88 0.860 119.9 119.9 1.7 0.0 0.1 0.4 0.0

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 3.305 103.7 103.9 -0.7 -0.1 0.0 0.0 0.2

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical

instruments...................................... 90 2.995 100.5 100.8 -1.3 -0.3 0.0 0.1 0.3

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . . . .. 91 0.252 142.2 141.2 9.3 0.7 0.1 0.0 -0.7

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . ...... XX 3.432 113.2 113.2 0.9 0.2 -0.1 0.3 0.0

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs........... 94 1.918 117.1 117.2 1.0 0.1 -0.2 0.4 0.1

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 1.322 105.3 105.3 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles........... 96 0.192 138.4 138.4 3.9 2.3 -0.6 0.4 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2011 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

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

2013

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Mar.

20131

Index Percent change

Mar.

2013

Apr.

2013

Annual Monthly

Apr. 2012

to Apr.

2013

Dec.

2012 to

Jan.

2013

Jan.

2013 to

Feb.

2013

Feb.

2013 to

Mar.

2013

Mar.

2013 to

Apr. 2013

Live animals; animal products................... I 2.044 217.7 219.8 7.3 -2.7 1.9 -2.0 1.0

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100). . .. 02 1.179 169.2 168.9 0.9 -0.8 1.1 0.1 -0.2

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.402 203.3 202.4 -2.9 0.3 -0.7 0.6 -0.4

Vegetable products................................ II 5.387 273.4 260.6 4.2 -1.3 1.4 -1.8 -4.7

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.986 155.5 147.9 7.7 3.2 1.7 -4.8 -4.9

Cereals.............................................. 10 2.113 313.4 297.4 3.7 -7.9 4.1 -2.8 -5.1

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder....................... 12 1.725 296.3 280.4 0.9 -2.7 3.1 -0.1 -5.4

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.305 135.1 136.4 -11.7 0.6 2.6 -0.8 1.0

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.975 166.9 166.4 6.6 0.4 0.7 -0.7 -0.3

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other

parts of plants (Dec. 2009=100).............. 20 0.342 112.4 113.1 2.3 0.4 0.1 0.4 0.6

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar (Dec.

2008=100)....................................... 22 0.629 113.4 113.3 3.2 2.3 1.2 -0.5 -0.1

Residues and waste from the food industries;

prepared animal feed........................... 23 0.766 266.3 267.6 18.6 -2.5 0.3 -2.2 0.5

Mineral products.................................... V 9.385 309.0 299.5 -11.3 0.7 3.5 -0.3 -3.1

Ores, slag and ash (Dec. 2012=100)........... 26 0.471 97.7 96.8 – -2.0 1.9 -2.2 -0.9

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 8.733 306.1 296.2 -11.6 0.9 3.7 -0.2 -3.2

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 11.396 154.3 154.1 -0.7 0.5 0.0 -0.5 -0.1

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 1.008 183.1 183.5 -0.7 0.2 -0.6 -0.3 0.2

Organic chemicals................................. 29 3.271 168.0 167.0 -1.8 0.7 0.8 -0.5 -0.6

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 2.674 123.4 122.2 -1.8 0.9 -1.0 -0.9 -1.0

Fertilizers (Dec. 2012=100)...................... 31 0.381 97.2 99.6 – -2.1 -2.5 1.8 2.5

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations................ 33 0.719 138.7 138.7 2.3 0.4 0.0 1.2 0.0

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or scouring

products; candles, pastes..................... 34 0.444 119.3 120.0 -2.5 -1.2 0.0 -1.6 0.6

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 1.729 152.5 152.4 -0.5 1.3 0.8 -1.5 -0.1

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 5.274 151.0 150.8 -1.9 0.9 1.2 0.3 -0.1

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 4.219 142.8 142.7 -0.6 1.1 1.4 0.3 -0.1

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.055 188.8 188.8 -6.7 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.0

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.396 144.4 146.6 10.6 3.4 1.3 1.0 1.5

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.572 112.2 113.6 3.3 0.1 0.5 1.4 1.2

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 2.219 120.5 120.4 1.2 2.2 0.0 0.5 -0.1

Woodpulp and recovered paper................. 47 0.603 126.2 125.5 -1.3 6.4 -2.4 2.2 -0.6

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 1.178 118.5 118.6 0.3 1.0 0.5 -0.3 0.1

Printed material.................................... 49 0.438 128.9 128.9 7.1 0.3 1.7 0.5 0.0

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 1.802 129.9 130.2 -0.7 1.3 1.8 -0.1 0.2

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof............................................ 52 0.538 145.0 144.6 -7.9 2.8 7.1 -0.5 -0.3

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 0.751 118.0 118.2 0.3 -0.4 0.1 0.1 0.2

See footnotes at end of table.

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

2013 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Mar.

20131

Index Percent change

Mar.

2013

Apr.

2013

Annual Monthly

Apr. 2012

to Apr.

2013

Dec.

2012 to

Jan.

2013

Jan.

2013 to

Feb.

2013

Feb.

2013 to

Mar.

2013

Mar.

2013 to

Apr. 2013

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.385 97.4 97.4 -1.2 -1.5 0.0 0.2 0.0

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 5.172 276.7 274.0 -3.5 -1.2 -0.1 -2.0 -1.0

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.349 169.4 168.3 -6.3 -0.8 1.1 -1.8 -0.6

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.515 195.0 192.4 -14.2 -1.5 2.2 -3.9 -1.3

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.306 169.2 169.4 -2.5 -1.5 0.4 -0.1 0.1

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.627 250.9 245.7 -7.6 0.4 2.1 -3.6 -2.1

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.845 124.9 124.1 -3.8 0.6 0.0 -1.5 -0.6

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.397 131.7 132.4 2.5 -1.0 0.0 -0.1 0.5

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.320 146.3 146.3 3.1 0.0 0.8 -0.3 0.0

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 27.771 97.6 97.4 0.1 0.5 0.3 0.0 -0.2

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 16.573 111.5 111.6 0.9 0.6 0.3 0.0 0.1

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts

and accessories thereof....................... 85 11.198 82.5 82.0 -1.1 0.4 0.4 -0.1 -0.6

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 11.876 127.9 127.8 0.9 0.5 0.2 0.1 -0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 8.047 113.7 113.7 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.0 0.0

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 5.846 107.3 107.2 1.5 0.9 0.0 -0.1 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . ...... XX 1.329 110.8 110.8 0.5 -0.1 -0.2 0.0 0.0

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;........................... 94 0.715 121.0 121.0 1.0 -0.2 -0.3 0.0 0.0

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 0.507 91.0 90.9 -0.3 0.0 0.0 0.1 -0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2011 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

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

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Mar.

20131

Index Percent change

Mar.

2013

Apr.

2013

Annual Monthly

Apr. 2012

to Apr.

2013

Dec. 2012

to Jan.

2013

Jan. 2013

to Feb.

2013

Feb. 2013

to Mar.

2013

Mar. 2013

to Apr.

2013

Industrialized Countries2

..................... 100.000 132.6 131.8 0.0 0.4 0.5 0.2 -0.6

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 11.333 223.7 222.3 2.3 -0.7 2.4 2.1 -0.6

Manufactured articles......................... 88.062 125.2 124.5 -0.2 0.5 0.3 0.0 -0.6

Other Countries3............................... 100.000 140.8 139.9 -3.6 0.4 1.3 -0.3 -0.6

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 23.214 363.9 356.3 -8.3 2.2 4.4 -0.6 -2.1

Manufactured articles......................... 76.443 110.8 110.6 -1.7 -0.1 0.4 -0.1 -0.2

Canada............................................ 100.000 151.9 151.0 -0.3 0.1 0.7 0.8 -0.6

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 28.495 213.5 212.7 3.8 -0.6 2.6 2.3 -0.4

Manufactured articles......................... 70.413 139.6 138.6 -1.6 0.4 0.0 0.2 -0.7

European Union4

............................... 100.000 135.9 135.8 -0.4 1.6 0.7 -0.7 -0.1

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 1.084 377.1 369.8 -8.3 4.0 0.0 -2.0 -1.9

Manufactured articles......................... 98.412 132.1 132.0 -0.3 1.6 0.6 -0.7 -0.1

France (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 100.000 122.1 122.1 0.6 0.5 0.0 0.9 0.0

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)..................... 100.000 115.9 115.8 0.7 0.7 0.8 -0.3 -0.1

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)........... 100.000 129.0 128.3 -6.1 0.6 0.1 -3.3 -0.5

Latin America5.................................. 100.000 178.6 175.9 -4.6 1.0 2.4 -0.8 -1.5

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 32.786 389.5 379.8 -8.0 3.1 6.5 -1.7 -2.5

Manufactured articles......................... 66.806 133.4 132.0 -2.4 0.0 0.5 -0.3 -1.0

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 100.000 146.0 144.7 -2.9 0.7 1.8 -0.2 -0.9

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec.

2008=100)................................... 19.842 212.9 206.1 -7.5 3.6 8.4 -0.6 -3.2

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100). . .. 79.820 94.4 94.1 -1.3 0.1 0.3 -0.1 -0.3

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6................ 100.000 103.9 103.8 -1.0 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1

China (Dec. 2003=100)......................... 100.000 104.2 104.1 -0.9 -0.1 0.0 -0.2 -0.1

Japan.............................................. 100.000 102.1 101.5 -0.9 0.0 -0.5 -0.2 -0.6

Asian NICs7..................................... 100.000 90.0 90.9 0.1 -0.2 0.1 0.1 1.0

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8..................... 100.000 103.9 104.7 -1.4 0.1 0.0 -0.4 0.8

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9

........... 100.000 278.2 274.1 -7.9 0.3 1.8 0.7 -1.5

1 Relative figures are based on 2011 trade values.

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

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

4 European Union countries.

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

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

Countries.

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

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

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

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

Regions are not mutually exclusive.

Dash = Not available

13
Table 8. U.S. international price indexes and percent changes for selected transportation services: April 2012

to April 2013

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Mar.

20131

Index Percent change

Mar.

2013

Apr.

2013

Annual Monthly

Apr. 2012

to Apr.

2013

Dec. 2012

to Jan.

2013

Jan. 2013

to Feb.

2013

Feb. 2013

to Mar.

2013

Mar. 2013

to Apr.

2013

Air Freight

Import Air Freight..................................... 100.000 174.4 172.8 -2.4 0.2 -0.4 -0.6 -0.9

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 22.201 168.1 163.8 0.2 1.9 1.4 0.3 -2.6

Asia.................................................... 73.472 153.3 152.6 -3.2 -0.3 -1.0 -1.0 -0.5

Export Air Freight..................................... 100.000 149.0 149.4 -0.6 1.6 -0.3 0.1 0.3

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)............................ 35.740 133.4 134.1 -1.2 2.6 0.0 0.3 0.5

Inbound Air Freight................................... 100.000 163.7 163.0 1.1 -1.1 -0.7 -0.5 -0.4

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 22.196 151.4 149.1 -0.1 1.5 0.5 -0.5 -1.5

Asia.................................................... 67.267 148.3 148.1 2.1 -2.1 -1.2 -0.6 -0.1

Outbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 148.5 148.5 -1.0 -0.1 0.1 0.4 0.0

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 27.631 161.1 160.4 -3.2 -0.1 0.0 -0.3 -0.4

Asia.................................................... 52.746 142.8 143.0 -0.3 -0.4 0.1 1.1 0.1

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 181.7 182.2 1.2 -3.7 -1.2 -1.6 0.3

Europe................................................. 43.618 206.3 209.2 11.6 1.7 2.4 -4.4 1.4

Asia.................................................... 25.364 147.6 150.4 1.1 -7.7 -6.4 -0.3 1.9

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 9.567 167.9 167.9 -7.7 -11.7 0.1 2.6 0.0

Export Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 185.6 179.7 -3.6 7.5 -8.2 0.9 -3.2

Europe................................................. 28.441 221.8 212.8 -5.4 0.2 0.8 1.5 -4.1

Asia.................................................... 28.586 160.4 151.2 -10.1 10.0 -18.0 -1.4 -5.7

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 22.622 199.7 193.1 -11.5 6.6 -8.6 2.8 -3.3

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2011 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

14
TECHNICAL NOTE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Index) to produce the NAICS primary products indexes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Agriculture. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Publications."

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

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

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

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

NAICS 31-33. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

(mxpinfo@bls.gov). 

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

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

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