Technical Information
  Jim Thomas      (202) 606-7155           USDL-98-11
  Bill Alterman    (202) 606-7108          For release: 10:00 A.M. E.S.T.
Media contact:                             Wednesday, January 14, 1998
  Kathryn Hoyle      (202) 606-5902
Internet Address:   http://stats.bls.gov/ipphome.htm
                                  
                U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES
                           -DECEMBER 1997-
                                  
     The U.S. Import Price Index fell 0.6 percent in December, the
Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported
today.  The decrease was attributable to the continuing decline in
nonpetroleum prices, as well as the recent downturn in petroleum
prices.  The U.S. Export Price Index also fell in December,
decreasing 0.4 percent.
                                  
              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

1996                                                             
December          0.3      2.0       0.1        0.0      -0.9       0.1 
1997                                                             
January          -0.3      0.6      -0.4        0.1       0.1       0.0 
February         -0.9     -8.1      -0.1        0.2       2.1       0.0 
March            -1.3     -8.7      -0.4        0.1       1.5      -0.1 
April            -1.1     -7.3      -0.5        0.0      -0.4       0.0 
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 r     0.0 r     -0.3      -0.1      -0.3 
October           0.2 r    5.6 r    -0.3       -0.4      -1.8      -0.2 
November         -0.5 r   -5.0 r    -0.1        0.0       0.7 r    -0.1 
December         -0.6     -5.4      -0.2       -0.4      -0.8      -0.3 
                                                                 
December 1995-96  1.5     33.8      -1.7       -1.2      -6.9      -0.3 
December 1996-97 -4.9    -25.5      -2.5       -1.1      -3.0      -0.9 
r = revised to reflect late reports and corrections by respondents.
                                  
                                  
     For the year ended in December, import prices fell 4.9 percent,
compared with a 1.5 percent gain for the December 1995-96 period.
The annual decrease was the largest recorded for the import price
index since publication of the series began in 1983.  Export prices
fell 1.1 percent for the year ended in December 1997, about the same
as the 1.2 percent decline over the previous 12-month period.
                                  
                            Import Goods
                                  
     The December import price decrease of 0.6 percent was the tenth
decline in the last 12 months and followed a drop of 0.5 percent in
November.   Nonpetroleum import prices continued a two-year downward
trend, falling 0.2 percent in December.  Over the past 12 months, the
index  for nonpetroleum imports fell 2.5 percent after declining 1.7
percent over the December 1995-96 period.    Petroleum prices also
contributed to the recent drop in import prices, falling 5.4 percent
in December and 5.0 percent in November.  The price index for petroleum
imports dropped 25.5 percent for the December 1996-97 period, in
contrast to a 33.8 percent increase over the previous 12-month period.
                                  
     The index for imported capital goods decreased 0.3 percent for
the second consecutive month.  Capital goods prices fell 7.2 percent
for the year ended in December, compared with a 3.8 percent decline
over the previous 12-month period.  Import prices for industrial
supplies and materials excluding petroleum reversed trend in December,
falling 0.5 percent after rising 0.6 percent in the previous month.
For the year ended in December, this index was down 0.8 percent.
Automotive vehicles, parts, and engines also fell in December, edging
down 0.1 percent.  Despite the decrease, this index was up a modest
0.5 percent over the 12 months ended in December.
                                  
     In contrast, the index for foods, feeds, and beverages rose 0.7
percent last month, following declines of  0.9 percent in November
and 0.8 percent in October.  The turnaround was primarily attributable
to a rebound in coffee prices.  In addition, import prices for consumer
goods edged up 0.1 percent in December.  Over the past 12 months,
however, the index was down 0.9 percent.
                                  
                            Export Goods
                                  
      The price index for all exports declined for the third time in
the last four months, as a decrease in agricultural export prices
combined with a continuing decline in the price index for nonagricultural
exports.  Agricultural export prices resumed a downward trend, falling
0.8 percent in December after increasing 0.7 percent in the previous
month.  The agricultural index has fallen in seven of the past nine
months and was down 3.0 percent for the year compared with a 6.9 percent
decline during the previous year. Nonagricultural export prices, down
0.3 percent in December, fell for the fourth month in a row.  The recent
downturn in the index followed eight months of little or no movement.
For the year ended in December, the nonagricultural export index dropped
0.9 percent.  In the previous year, this index fell 0.3 percent.
                                  
     The December drop in nonagricultural export prices was
attributable to declining prices for capital goods and for industrial
supplies and materials.  The capital goods index, which accounts for
more than 40 percent of aggregate exports, dropped 0.3 percent in
December after posting no change in November.  This index fell in
three of the past four months and was down 1.5 percent for the year.
Nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials fell for the fifth
consecutive month, down 0.6 percent in December.  Over the past 12
months this index fell 1.2 percent.
                                  
     In contrast, the index for automotive vehicles was unchanged and
prices for consumer goods excluding autos edged up 0.1 percent in
December.  Over the past 12 months, these indexes rose 0.8 and 0.9
percent, respectively.
                                  
                  Summary of December-to-December percent changes
                                  
                         1989  1990  1991  1992  1993  1994  1995  1996  1997
All merchandise imports   2.6   7.4  -4.2   0.2  -1.0   5.3   2.6   1.5  -4.9
   Excluding petroleum   -0.2   3.1   0.2   0.8   1.4   3.9   2.2  -1.7  -2.5
   Petroleum             32.6  48.7  -33.0 -6.0 -21.7  20.3   6.0  33.8 -25.5
All merchandise exports   0.6   2.1  -0.6   0.7   1.1   3.7   3.4  -1.2  -1.1
   Excluding agricultural 1.3   3.4  -1.1   0.9   0.1   4.4   1.6  -0.3  -0.9
   Agricultural          -3.7  -4.8   1.7  -0.5   8.3  -0.2  17.4  -6.9  -3.0
                                  
                                  
                    Imports by Locality of Origin
                                  
     Prices of goods imported from Japan fell for the fifth consecutive
month, dropping 0.4 percent in December. (See table 7.) The decrease
continues a two-year slide, as prices of imported Japanese goods fell
5.0 percent in 1997 and 4.1 percent in 1996.
                                  
     Prices for imports from the Asian Newly Industrialized Countries
also continued to decline, falling 0.5 percent in December after
falling 1.1 percent in November.   The recent decline has paralleled
the relative strengthening of the U.S. dollar versus several Asian
currencies.  For the year ended in December, the index dropped 4.7
percent after falling 2.9 percent over the previous 12-month period.
                                  
     The price index for imports from Canada also fell last month,
decreasing 0.6 percent in December after a 0.3 percent decrease in
November.  Over the December 1996-97 period, the index was down 2.9
percent.
                                  
     In contrast, the price index for imports from the European Union
rose for the third consecutive month, up 0.2 percent on average in
December.  The index, however, decreased 1.7  percent over the past
year.
                                  
                     Import and Export Services
                                  
     The Import Air Freight Index decreased 2.3 percent from September
to December, led by a 7.4 percent drop in the Pacific region.  For the
year ended in December, the Import Air Freight Index declined 9.4 percent.
                                  
     The Export Air Freight Index dropped 4.3 percent from September to
December.  Over the past 12 months, the index decreased 7.6 percent.
                                  
     The Import Air Passenger Fares Index continued a recent downward
trend, posting a 6.5 percent decrease from September to December.
This decline was primarily attributable to a 17.8 percent drop in the
Atlantic region that was moderated by a 5.7 percent increase in the
Pacific region.  Over the past year, the Import Air Passenger Fares
Index advanced 4.3 percent, reflecting gains in all regional indexes.
                                  
     The Export Air Passenger Fares Index also fell in the fourth
quarter, with a 7.9 percent decrease that was attributable to declines
in all the regional indexes.  The Export Air Passenger Fares Index fell
7.6 percent over the past 12 months.
                                  
     December marked the seventh consecutive quarterly decrease for the
Import Ocean Liner Freight Index.  The index edged down 1.9 percent this
quarter, as the indexes for the U.S. East Coast and U.S. West Coast
regions fell 1.6 percent and 1.9 percent, respectively. For the year,
the Import Ocean Liner Freight Index posted a decline of 5.2 percent.
                                  
                                  
                                  
                         CONTENTS OF RELEASE
                                  
This news release includes the following tables:

Table 1   Import Price Indexes, by End Use.....page 5
Table 2   Export Price Indexes, by End Use.....page 6
Table 3   Import Price Indexes, by SITC.....pages 7-8
Table 4   Export Price Indexes, by SITC.....pages 9-10
Table 5   Import Price Indexes, by Harmonized System.....pages 11-12
Table 6   Export Price Indexes, by Harmonized System.....pages 13-14
Table 7   Import Price Indexes, by Locality of Origin.....page 15
Table 8   U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes for Services.....page 16
Table 9   U.S. International Price Indexes for Services.....page 17
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Import and Export Price Index data for January 1998 are scheduled for
release on February 13, 1998 at 10:00 a.m. (EST).

                                                                 
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 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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5. Locality Of Origin Indexes                       ______

6. Services Indexes                                 ______

                                
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Table 1      U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, December 1996-December 1997                           
                 1995=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                            
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change                                         
                                                        Relative                                                                   
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly                  
                                                         ance                           Dec.    Aug.      Sept.     Oct.      Nov. 
END       Description                                                                   1996    1997      1997      1997      1997 
USE                                                     November   November    December to      to        to        to        to   
                                                        1997       1997        1997     Dec.    Sept.     Oct.      Nov.      Dec. 
                                                        1/         2/                   1997    1997      1997      1997      1997 
                                                                                                                                   
          ALL COMMODITIES                               100.000     97.5        96.9     -4.9    -0.1       0.2      -0.5      -0.6
          ALL IMPORTS EXCLUDING PETROLEUM                91.512     96.4        96.2     -2.5     0.0      -0.3      -0.1      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
0          FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES                      4.706     97.9        98.6      1.9     0.4      -0.8      -0.9       0.7
                                                                                                                                   
00          Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,                                                                                 
                excluding distilled beverages             3.330     95.2        96.5      0.8     0.6      -1.6      -1.1       1.4
                                                                                                                                   
01          Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled                                                                                 
                beverages)                                1.376    105.2       104.0      4.5     0.0       1.1       0.0      -1.1
                                                                                                                                   
1          INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS               27.245    101.3        99.2     -9.9     0.3       1.4      -1.2      -2.1
             INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS                                                                                       
                 EXCLUDING PETROLEUM                     18.757     98.5        98.0     -0.8     0.4      -0.5       0.6      -0.5
             INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,                                                                                      
                 DURABLE                                  9.785     98.3        97.8      0.1     0.4      -1.2      -0.4      -0.5
             INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,                                                                                      
                 NONDURABLE EXCLUDING PETROLEUM           8.973     98.5        98.0     -1.9     0.3       0.3       1.7      -0.5
                                                                                                                                   
10          Fuels & lubricants                            9.906    110.0       104.7    -22.7     0.6       5.6      -2.8      -4.8
                                                                                                                                   
100          Petroleum & petroleum products               8.489    106.0       100.3    -25.5     0.2       5.6      -5.0      -5.4
                                                                                                                                   
10000          Crude                                      6.698    105.3        98.6    -27.2    -0.3       6.5      -5.9      -6.4
                                                                                                                                   
11          Paper & paper base stocks                     1.841     84.4        84.3      4.2     0.8       0.5       0.7      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
12          Materials associated with nondurable                                                                                   
                supplies & materials                      5.920     94.2        93.8     -3.9    -0.2      -0.8      -0.4      -0.4
                                                                                                                                   
13          Selected building materials                   2.121    108.3       107.9     -2.2    -0.1      -3.6       0.7      -0.4
                                                                                                                                   
14          Unfinished metals associated with                                                                                      
                durable goods                             4.544     96.4        95.5      3.4     1.2      -1.1      -1.0      -0.9
                                                                                                                                   
15          Finished metals associated with durable                                                                                
                goods                                     1.446     96.2        96.3     -2.3     0.0       0.5      -0.6       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
16          Nonmetals associated with durable goods       1.467     94.3        94.4     -4.0    -1.1       0.0       0.2       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
2          CAPITAL GOODS                                 28.142     89.5        89.2     -7.2    -0.5      -0.8      -0.3      -0.3
                                                                                                                                   
20          Electric & electrical generating                                                                                       
                equipment                                 3.334     96.4        95.9     -3.1    -0.3      -0.2      -0.2      -0.5
                                                                                                                                   
21          Nonelectrical machinery                      23.110     87.1        86.8     -8.1    -0.7      -0.9      -0.5      -0.3
                                                                                                                                   
3          AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES          17.851    101.4       101.3      0.5     0.2       0.2       0.0      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
4          CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING AUTOMOTIVES         22.056     99.1        99.2     -0.9    -0.2       0.1      -0.2       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
40          Nondurables, manufactured                    10.896    100.8       101.0      0.5     0.0       0.3      -0.3       0.2
                                                                                                                                   
41          Durables, manufactured                       10.069     97.3        97.3     -2.3    -0.4      -0.1       0.0       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
42          Nonmanufactured consumer goods                1.091    100.1        99.9     -1.1     0.1       1.5      -1.3      -0.2
                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                       n.a.      Not available         
            1995 trade values.                                                                                                            
        2  Data for September, October and November 1997                                                                                  
            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, December 1996-December 1997                           
                 1995=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                            
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change                                         
                                                        Relative                                                                   
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly                  
                                                         ance                           Dec.    Aug.      Sept.     Oct.      Nov. 
END       Description                                                                   1996    1997      1997      1997      1997 
USE                                                     November   November    December to      to        to        to        to   
                                                        1997       1997        1997     Dec.    Sept.     Oct.      Nov.      Dec. 
                                                        1/         2/                   1997    1997      1997      1997      1997 
                                                                                                                                   
          ALL COMMODITIES                               100.000     98.6        98.2     -1.1    -0.3      -0.4       0.0      -0.4
          AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES                       10.455     99.1        98.3     -3.0    -0.1      -1.8       0.7      -0.8
          NONAGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES                    89.545     98.5        98.2     -0.9    -0.3      -0.2      -0.1      -0.3
                                                                                                                                   
0          FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES                      9.408    100.1        99.3     -3.3     0.0      -2.0       0.3      -0.8
                                                                                                                                   
00          Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,                                                                                 
                excluding distilled beverages             8.649    100.7        99.9     -3.4    -0.3      -2.1       0.6      -0.8
                                                                                                                                   
01          Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled                                                                                 
                beverages)                                0.759     95.7        94.1     -3.4     2.4      -0.5      -2.3      -1.7
                                                                                                                                   
1          INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS               25.288     94.5        93.9     -1.2    -0.3      -0.4      -0.2      -0.6
             INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,                                                                                      
                 DURABLE                                  9.734     94.4        93.5     -2.6    -0.5      -0.9      -0.5      -1.0
             INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,                                                                                      
                 NONDURABLE                              15.555     94.6        94.1     -0.2    -0.2       0.0      -0.1      -0.5
                                                                                                                                   
10          Agricultural industrial supplies &                                                                                     
                materials                                 1.806     94.1        92.8     -1.1     0.8       0.1       1.1      -1.4
                                                                                                                                   
            NONAGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES &                                                                                  
              MATERIALS                                  23.482     94.6        94.0     -1.2    -0.4      -0.4      -0.3      -0.6
                                                                                                                                   
11          Fuels & lubricants                            2.442    110.5       110.5     -3.7     0.5       0.1      -0.5       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
12          Nonagricultural supplies & materials                                                                                   
                excluding fuels & building materials     19.555     92.3        91.5     -0.3    -0.4      -0.4      -0.1      -0.9
                                                                                                                                   
13          Selected building materials                   1.485     89.4        89.4     -8.7    -1.1      -1.7      -2.0       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
2          CAPITAL GOODS                                 43.785     99.3        99.0     -1.5    -0.6      -0.2       0.0      -0.3
                                                                                                                                   
20          Electric & electrical generating                                                                                       
                Equipment                                 4.439    102.2       102.3      1.7    -0.4       0.1       0.3       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
21          Nonelectrical machinery                      33.959     96.4        96.0     -2.6    -0.8      -0.2      -0.1      -0.4
                                                                                                                                   
3          AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES           9.670    102.3       102.3      0.8    -0.2       0.1       0.1       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
4          CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING AUTOMOTIVES         11.849    102.6       102.7      0.9     0.4       0.1      -0.1       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
40          Nondurables, manufactured                     6.234    102.1       102.2      0.6     0.6      -0.1      -0.1       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
41          Durables, manufactured                        5.050    102.1       102.0      0.7    -0.2       0.3      -0.1      -0.1
                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                       n.a.      Not available         
            1995 trade values.                                                                                                            
        2  Data for September, October and November 1997                                                                                  
            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, December 1996-December 1997                           
                  1995=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                            
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change                                         
                                                        Relative                                                                   
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly                  
                                                         ance                           Dec.    Aug.      Sept.     Oct.      Nov. 
SITC      Description                                                                   1996    1997      1997      1997      1997 
Rev. 3                                                  November   November    December to      to        to        to        to   
                                                        1997       1997        1997     Dec.    Sept.     Oct.      Nov.      Dec. 
                                                        1/         2/                   1997    1997      1997      1997      1997 
                                                                                                                                   
          ALL COMMODITIES                               100.000     97.5        96.9     -4.9    -0.1       0.2      -0.5      -0.6
                                                                                                                                   
0          FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS                          4.045     99.4       100.4      6.1     0.4      -0.9      -1.0       1.0
01          Meat and meat preparations                    0.354    102.7       104.1      5.3    -0.3      -1.2       0.0       1.4
03          Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates                                                                               
               and preparations thereof                   1.060    107.3       105.6      7.5    -0.1       2.8      -0.1      -1.6
05          Vegetables and fruit, prepared                                                                                         
               fresh or dried                             1.093    103.8       105.6      3.7     0.2      -0.3       0.7       1.7
07          Coffee, tea, cocoa, spices and                                                                                         
               manufactures thereof                       0.604     86.2        92.2     22.9     2.6      -7.9      -6.4       7.0
       3/ Other food and live animals (9612=100)          0.934     99.1        98.5     -1.5    -0.3      -0.1      -0.8      -0.6
                                                                                                                                   
1          BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO                          0.850    108.4       108.6      3.2     0.1       0.1       0.5       0.2
11          Beverages                                     0.715    105.1       105.2      2.2     0.1       0.1       0.7       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
2          CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS        2.909     94.0        94.1     -2.3    -0.2      -1.9      -0.8       0.1
23          Crude rubber (including synthetic and                                                                                  
               reclaimed)                                 0.237     71.2        69.1    -21.7    -3.5      -2.8      -1.7      -2.9
24          Cork and wood                                 1.041    114.0       114.0     -5.5     0.2      -6.7       0.8       0.0
25          Pulp and waste paper                          0.385     69.2        68.7      3.8     0.4       1.2       0.3      -0.7
28          Metalliferous ores and metal scrap            0.629    102.6       102.4      5.0    -0.2      -0.8      -1.1      -0.2
29          Crude animal and vegetable materials,                                                                                  
               n.e.s. (9612=100)                          0.271    104.8       110.1     10.1     1.3       9.8      -7.4       5.1
       3/ Other crude materials, inedible, except                                                                                  
             fuels (9612=100)                             0.346     96.2        96.1     -3.9    -1.0      -0.2      -0.4      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
3          MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED                                                                                   
              MATERIALS                                   9.613    110.3       104.9    -22.6     0.8       5.7      -2.5      -4.9
33          Petroleum, petroleum products and                                                                                      
               related materials                          8.103    106.1       100.1    -25.2     0.4       5.7      -4.8      -5.7
34          Gas, natural and manufactured                 1.386    149.7       148.9     -5.5     3.3       6.7      13.4      -0.5
                                                                                                                                   
5          CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.         5.520     95.1        95.2     -3.9    -0.2      -0.7      -0.4       0.1
51          Organic chemicals                             1.578     95.2        95.1     -4.3    -0.3      -1.9      -0.1      -0.1
52          Inorganic chemicals                           0.677     99.0        97.3     -6.0     1.1       0.0      -0.7      -1.7
53          Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials        0.284     95.3        96.1     -4.3    -1.5       0.2       1.2       0.8
54          Medicinal and pharmaceutical products         0.909     96.2        97.0     -2.0    -0.5       0.4       0.1       0.8
55          Essential oils; polishing and cleansing                                                                                
               preps                                      0.319     96.6        97.7     -2.4    -0.9       0.5      -0.8       1.1
57          Plastics in primary forms                     0.365     91.6        91.9     -3.3     0.8      -0.4      -0.7       0.3
58          Plastics in nonprimary forms                  0.526     82.9        82.6     -4.7    -0.6      -1.2      -3.5      -0.4
59          Chemical materials and products, n.e.s.       0.654    102.8       103.1     -2.6    -0.1      -0.4       0.0       0.3
                                                                                                                                   
6          MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY                                                                                   
              BY MATERIAL                                12.593     96.6        96.1      0.6     0.3      -0.1      -0.1      -0.5
62          Rubber manufactures, n.e.s.                   0.718     95.4        95.5     -3.0    -0.7       0.2       0.1       0.1
63          Cork and wood manufactures other than                                                                                  
               furniture                                  0.569    100.8        98.6     -0.2    -0.5       0.5       0.9      -2.2
64          Paper, paperboard, and articles of                                                                                     
               paper pulp, paper or paper board           1.631     89.7        89.7      4.1     0.9       0.1       0.9       0.0
65          Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up                                                                                         
               articles, n.e.s., and related product      1.420    100.2        99.3     -1.2     0.2       0.0       0.2      -0.9
66          Nonmetallic mineral manufactures,                                                                                      
               n.e.s.                                     2.137    102.2       101.5     -1.5    -0.4       0.1       0.0      -0.7
67          Iron and steel                                2.044     96.3        96.3     -0.8     0.0       0.0       0.0       0.0
68          Nonferrous metals                             1.934     93.4        92.2      9.0     2.4      -1.7      -2.0      -1.3
69          Manufactures of metals, n.e.s.                1.974     98.3        98.4     -2.6    -0.2       0.4      -0.2       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
7          MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT             46.578     94.3        94.1     -4.1    -0.2      -0.3      -0.2      -0.2
71          Power generating machinery and                                                                                         
               equipment (9612=100)                       2.979     98.9        98.6     -1.4    -0.2       0.0       0.1      -0.3
72          Machinery specialized for particular                                                                                   
               industries                                 2.690     99.0        99.1     -2.4    -0.2       0.2       0.4       0.1
73          Metalworking machinery                        0.826     98.3        98.7     -2.6    -0.6       0.6       0.4       0.4
74          General industrial machinery and equip-                                                                                
               ment, n.e.s. and machine parts, n.e.s      3.416     97.4        97.4     -3.3    -0.4       0.2       0.0       0.0
75          Computer equipment and office machines        6.931     76.7        76.8    -12.9    -0.9      -1.4      -0.5       0.1
76          Telecommunications & sound recording                                                                                   
               & reproducing apparatus & equipment        4.514     91.7        91.5     -4.5    -0.3      -0.4      -0.5      -0.2
77          Electrical machinery and equipment            9.482     88.0        87.2     -5.9    -0.4      -0.6      -0.8      -0.9
78          Road vehicles                                14.698    101.6       101.5      0.7     0.2       0.3       0.0      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
8          MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES           17.448     99.8        99.8     -0.5    -0.3       0.2      -0.2       0.0
81          Prefabricated buildings; plumbing, heat                                                                                
               & lighting fixtures, n.e.s.                0.385     96.1        96.3     -2.9    -0.3       0.7       0.2       0.2
82          Furniture and parts thereof                   1.267    103.1       103.1      1.3    -0.5       0.6       0.1       0.0
83          Travel goods, handbags and similar                                                                                     
               containers                                 0.502    100.7       100.5     -0.2    -0.2       0.0      -0.3      -0.2
84          Articles of apparel and clothing                                                                                       
               accessories                                5.847    102.8       102.8      1.7     0.3       0.3      -0.3       0.0
85          Footwear                                      1.773    101.0       101.2      0.3    -0.3       0.2       0.0       0.2
87          Professional, scientific and controlling                                                                               
               instruments and apparatus, n.e.s.          1.594     97.0        96.8     -3.0    -0.3      -0.1       0.2      -0.2
88          Photographic apparatus, equipment and                                                                                  
               supplies and optical goods, n.e.s.;        1.336     93.4        93.5     -3.5    -0.8      -0.2       0.0       0.1
89          Miscellaneous manufactured articles,                                                                                   
               n.e.s.                                     4.744     98.3        98.4     -1.9    -0.6      -0.1      -0.2       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                       n.a.      Not available.        
            1995 trade values.                                                                                                            
        2  Data for September, October and November 1997                                                                                  
            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, December 1996-December 1997                           
                  1995=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                            
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change                                         
                                                        Relative                                                                   
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly                  
                                                         ance                           Dec.    Aug.      Sept.     Oct.      Nov. 
SITC      Description                                                                   1996    1997      1997      1997      1997 
Rev. 3                                                  November   November    December to      to        to        to        to   
                                                        1997       1997        1997     Dec.    Sept.     Oct.      Nov.      Dec. 
                                                        1/         2/                   1997    1997      1997      1997      1997 
                                                                                                                                   
          ALL COMMODITIES                               100.000     98.6        98.2     -1.1    -0.3      -0.4       0.0      -0.4
                                                                                                                                   
0          FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS                          7.580     97.6        96.7     -5.1    -0.2      -1.0      -0.9      -0.9
01          Meat and meat preparations                    1.145     96.0        94.5     -3.4    -1.0       0.0       0.8      -1.6
03          Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates                                                                               
               and preparations                           0.580     95.5        93.2     -3.7     3.2      -0.2      -3.4      -2.4
04          Cereals and cereal preparations               2.807     94.9        94.4     -6.1     1.9      -1.6       1.5      -0.5
05          Vegetables, fruit and nuts,                                                                                            
               fresh or dried                             1.324     93.3        92.1     -8.8    -5.5       0.6      -5.0      -1.3
08          Feeding stuff for animals (not                                                                                         
               including unmilled cereals)                0.802    114.6       113.5     -5.4     0.8      -3.6      -1.5      -1.0
09          Miscellaneous edible products and                                                                                      
               preparations                               0.388    104.6       104.9      1.2     1.4      -1.0       0.6       0.3
       3/ Other food and live animals (9612=100)          0.533    100.5       100.2      0.2    -1.5      -0.9      -3.5      -0.3
                                                                                                                                   
1          BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO                          1.501    100.9       100.6      0.2     0.2      -0.2       0.1      -0.3
12          Tobacco and tobacco manufactures              1.237    100.8       100.4      0.0     0.2      -0.2       0.0      -0.4
                                                                                                                                   
2          CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS        5.756     89.0        87.9     -0.9    -1.2      -3.2       0.3      -1.2
21          Hides, skins and furskins, raw                0.337    103.6       101.9    -10.4     1.8       1.5       2.0      -1.6
22          Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits               1.284    118.2       116.5      1.4    -0.2      -9.9       9.1      -1.4
24          Cork and wood                                 0.893     85.9        85.8    -12.1    -1.6      -2.5      -3.0      -0.1
25          Pulp and waste paper                          0.786     68.3        66.8     19.5    -4.5       1.8      -1.6      -2.2
26          Textile fibers and their waste                0.807     81.5        80.2     -4.0    -0.6      -0.6      -2.3      -1.6
27          Crude fertilizers and crude minerals          0.333     97.8        97.4      0.2     0.0       0.0      -0.1      -0.4
28          Metalliferous ores and metal scrap            0.886     85.9        84.6     -1.3    -2.0      -4.7      -4.6      -1.5
       3/ Other crude materials, inedible, except                                                                                  
             fuels (9612=100)                             0.429    101.8       101.2      1.2     1.0      -0.2       1.4      -0.6
                                                                                                                                   
3          MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED                                                                                   
              MATERIALS                                   2.154    111.7       113.4     -2.9     0.5       0.4      -0.4       1.5
32          Coal, coke and briquettes                     0.691    101.9       101.5     -0.3     0.3       0.3      -0.3      -0.4
33          Petroleum, petroleum products and                                                                                      
               related materials                          1.309    120.2       119.5     -7.0     0.4      -0.4      -0.9      -0.6
                                                                                                                                   
4          ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE OILS, FATS AND                                                                                     
              WAXES                                       0.501    106.8       106.5     14.5     1.7       3.2       9.1      -0.3
                                                                                                                                   
5          CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.        10.742     95.2        94.9     -1.2     0.0      -0.1      -0.2      -0.3
51          Organic chemicals                             2.521     83.6        83.5     -1.6    -0.6       0.0      -0.1      -0.1
52          Inorganic chemicals                           0.831     99.2        98.7     -3.0     0.8      -0.2       0.7      -0.5
53          Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials        0.495    102.7       102.7      0.6     0.9       0.0       0.0       0.0
54          Medicinal and pharmaceutical products         1.223    101.4       101.4     -0.4     0.1       0.3      -0.1       0.0
55          Essential oils; polishing and cleansing                                                                                
               preps                                      0.745    101.8       101.6      0.1     1.1      -0.4      -1.5      -0.2
56          Fertilizers (9612=100)                        0.550     93.9        94.2     -5.8     0.4      -0.3      -0.8       0.3
57          Plastics in primary forms                     1.818     93.5        93.1     -0.7    -0.3       0.2      -0.4      -0.4
58          Plastics in nonprimary forms                  0.819     98.5        98.7      1.3    -0.1      -0.2      -0.2       0.2
59          Chemical materials and products, n.e.s.       1.738    103.0       102.0     -1.1    -0.4      -0.2      -0.4      -1.0
                                                                                                                                   
6          MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY                                                                                   
              BY MATERIAL                                 9.739     99.0        98.8      1.9     0.1       0.0       0.3      -0.2
62          Rubber manufactures, n.e.s.                   0.664    102.2       102.0     -1.0    -0.3       0.3       0.0      -0.2
63          Cork and wood manufactures other than                                                                                  
               furniture                                  0.289     91.1        91.7      1.0     0.6       0.2      -0.4       0.7
64          Paper, paperboard, and articles of                                                                                     
               paper pulp, paper or paperboard            1.530     85.2        85.2      0.4    -0.4       0.4      -0.1       0.0
65          Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up                                                                                         
               articles, n.e.s., and related product      1.400    102.9       103.2      0.8     0.1      -0.1      -0.3       0.3
66          Nonmetallic mineral manufactures,                                                                                      
               n.e.s.                                     1.314    106.3       107.2      3.2     1.4       0.0       0.2       0.8
67          Iron and steel                                1.108    103.7       103.4      1.7    -0.1       0.3       0.5      -0.3
68          Nonferrous metals                             1.300     93.9        91.6      3.7    -0.1      -1.2       2.0      -2.4
69          Manufactures of metals, n.e.s.                1.974    104.9       105.0      3.3    -0.5       0.6       0.0       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
7          MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT             50.081    100.1        99.8     -0.7    -0.5      -0.1       0.1      -0.3
71          Power generating machinery and                                                                                         
               equipment                                  4.237    106.3       106.2      1.5     0.0       0.0       0.1      -0.1
72          Machinery specialized for particular                                                                                   
               industries                                 4.642    104.6       105.0      2.0     0.1       0.0       0.1       0.4
73          Metalworking machinery                        0.950    104.7       104.9      2.4     0.2       0.1       0.1       0.2
74          General industrial machinery and equip-                                                                                
               ment, n.e.s. and machine parts, n.e.s      4.983    105.4       105.4      2.2    -0.1       0.2       0.0       0.0
75          Computer equipment and office machines        6.470     82.7        81.7     -7.1    -0.4      -0.8      -0.4      -1.2
76          Telecommunications & sound recording                                                                                   
               & reproducing apparatus & equipment        3.767     99.4        98.7     -2.0    -0.5       0.3      -0.1      -0.7
77          Electrical machinery and equipment           11.617     94.9        94.6     -3.0    -1.7      -0.3       0.1      -0.3
78          Road vehicles                                 9.011    101.9       102.0      0.6    -0.2       0.1       0.1       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
8          MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES           11.155    101.8       101.8      0.5     0.0       0.0       0.0       0.0
82          Furniture and parts thereof                   0.629    103.8       103.8      1.8    -0.1       0.3       0.0       0.0
84          Articles of apparel and clothing                                                                                       
               accessories                                1.266    103.3       103.6      2.7     1.9      -0.2       0.0       0.3
87          Professional, scientific and controlling                                                                               
               instruments and apparatus, n.e.s.          3.671    103.3       103.5      0.8    -0.1      -0.1       0.0       0.2
88          Photographic apparatus, equipment and                                                                                  
               supplies and optical goods, n.e.s.         0.934     98.2        98.0     -1.2    -0.4      -0.4       0.0      -0.2
89          Miscellaneous manufactured articles,                                                                                   
               n.e.s.                                     4.201    100.3       100.3     -0.3    -0.2       0.0      -0.1       0.0
       3/ Other miscellaneous manufactured                                                                                         
             articles (9612=100)                          0.454    101.3       101.4      1.4     0.1       0.0       0.2       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                     n.a.      Not available.          
            1995 trade values.                                                                                                            
        2  Data for September, October and November 1997                                                                                  
            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, December 1996-December 1997                           
                 1995=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                             
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change                                         
                                                        Relative                                                                   
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly                  
Harmo-                                                   ance                           Dec.    Aug.      Sept.     Oct.      Nov. 
nized     Description                                                                   1996    1997      1997      1997      1997 
System                                                  November   November    December to      to        to        to        to   
                                                        1997       1997        1997     Dec.    Sept.     Oct.      Nov.      Dec. 
                                                        1/         2/                   1997    1997      1997      1997      1997 
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                   
I          LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS                  1.603    104.5       102.6      5.6     0.1       1.5       0.0      -1.8
02          Meat and edible meat offal                    0.280    100.4       100.6      6.8     1.4      -1.2       0.2       0.2
03          Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and                                                                                     
               other aquatic invertebrates                0.933    108.4       106.2      8.5    -0.4       3.1       0.6      -2.0
       3/ Other live animals and animal                                                                                            
             products (9612=100)                          0.390    101.1        98.5     -1.5     0.3      -0.3      -1.6      -2.6
                                                                                                                                   
II         VEGETABLE PRODUCTS                             1.592     92.8        94.6     10.1     0.3      -1.6      -0.5       1.9
07          Edible vegetables and certain roots and                                                                                
               tubers                                     0.348    129.2       135.7     46.2    n.a.      n.a.       6.3       5.0
08          Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus                                                                                  
               fruit or melons                            0.431     96.3        95.2    -14.5    -0.4      -0.8      -0.4      -1.1
09          Coffee, tea, mate and spices                  0.407     84.1        86.7     28.3     2.0      -7.2      -2.8       3.1
       3/   Other vegetable products                      0.406     93.9        95.2      3.5    -0.8       1.8      -3.7       1.4
                                                                                                                                   
IV         PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND                                                                                     
              TOBACCO                                     2.070    101.9       101.9     -0.2    -0.3       0.2       0.0       0.0
20          Preparations of vegetables, fruit,                                                                                     
               nuts, or other parts of plants             0.262     87.6        89.0     -9.5    -0.5      -1.2      -2.1       1.6
22          Beverages, spirits, and vinegar               0.744    104.1       104.1      1.1    -0.4      -0.3       1.2       0.0
       3/   Other prepared foodstuffs (9612=100)          1.064    101.9       101.7      1.7    -0.2       1.0      -0.4      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
V          MINERAL PRODUCTS                              10.249    110.2       105.2    -21.4     0.7       5.5      -2.0      -4.5
26          Ores, slag and ash                            0.294    102.6       102.6      3.6    -0.1       0.1       0.1       0.0
27          Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,                                                                                     
               bituminous substances and mineral wax      9.725    110.5       105.3    -22.3     0.8       5.9      -2.2      -4.7
                                                                                                                                   
VI         PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED                                                                                      
              INDUSTRIES                                  5.188     98.3        98.5     -3.1    -0.4      -0.4      -0.3       0.2
28          Inorganic chemicals                           0.855    103.6       102.0     -2.4     1.5      -0.4      -0.9      -1.5
29          Organic chemicals                             1.987     95.3        95.5     -4.2    -0.5      -0.8      -0.4       0.2
30          Pharmaceutical products                       0.554    102.4       103.5     -0.1    -0.5      -0.1       0.2       1.1
32          Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye &                                                                                       
               pigments; varnish & paints; putty          0.284     94.4        95.5     -4.5    -2.1       0.2       0.7       1.2
37          Photographic or cinematographic goods         0.354     98.2        98.2     -0.7    -0.1      -0.2       0.0       0.0
38          Miscellaneaous chemical products                                                                                       
               (9612=100)                                 0.413     97.8        98.5     -1.5    -1.0       0.4       0.0       0.7
       3/   Other products of the chemical or                                                                                      
             allied industries (9612=100)                 0.741     95.1        96.1     -3.9    -1.2      -0.6       0.0       1.1
                                                                                                                                   
VII        PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER                                                                                   
              AND ARTICLES THEREOF                        2.747     90.6        90.4     -4.4    -0.7      -0.3      -0.8      -0.2
39          Plastics and articles thereof                 1.711     93.5        93.5     -1.6    -0.4      -0.3      -1.0       0.0
40          Rubber and articles thereof                   1.036     86.3        85.7     -8.7    -1.0      -0.2      -0.5      -0.7
                                                                                                                                   
VIII       RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,                                                                                    
              TRAVEL GOODS, ETC                           1.001    103.0       102.8     -0.8    -0.7       0.2      -0.3      -0.2
42          Articles of leather; travel goods, bags,                                                                               
               etc. of various materials                  0.804    101.0       100.9      0.2    -0.4       0.1      -0.5      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
IX         WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW, BASKET                                                                                
              AND WICKER                                  1.648    107.2       106.7     -4.0     0.2      -4.6       0.9      -0.5
                                                                                                                                   
X          WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER                                                                                 
              AND ARTICLES THEREOF                        2.380     86.0        86.1      3.1     0.5       0.4       0.6       0.1
47          Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic                                                                                  
               material; waste paper/paperboard           0.385     69.8        69.5      3.7     0.3       1.2       0.0      -0.4
48          Paper and paperboard; articles of paper                                                                                
               pulp, paper or paperboard                  1.643     90.4        90.4      3.4     0.7       0.1       0.9       0.0
49          Printed matter                                0.353    100.1       100.6      0.1    -0.9       0.5       0.3       0.5
                                                                                                                                   
XI         TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES                   6.908    101.8       101.6      1.3     0.4       0.2      -0.2      -0.2
61          Articles of apparel and clothing                                                                                       
               accessories, knitted or crocheted          2.035    101.5       101.4      0.1     0.1       0.5       0.0      -0.1
62          Articles of apparel and clothing                                                                                       
               accessories, not knitted or crocheted      3.321    103.7       103.8      2.9     0.6       0.0      -0.5       0.1
63          Made-up or worn textile articles and                                                                                   
               clothing; needlecraft sets; rags           0.345     98.5        94.7     -5.0     1.5      -0.1       0.0      -3.9
       3/   Other textile & textile                                                                                                
             articles (9612=100)                          1.207    100.8       100.7      0.7     0.6       0.1       0.1      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
XII        FOOTWEAR, HEADGEAR, UMBRELLAS, WHIPS,                                                                                   
              ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS, ETC.                    2.072    101.3       101.4      0.5    -0.5       0.3       0.1       0.1
64          Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts                                                                                  
               of such articles                           1.782    100.9       101.0      0.2    -0.4       0.3       0.1       0.1
       3/ Other footwear, headgear, umbrellas,                                                                                     
             whips, art. flowers, etc. (9612=100)         0.290    102.2       102.1      2.1    -0.6       0.3       0.2      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
XIII       STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,CERAMIC                                                                                
              GLASS ETC.                                  1.139    102.1       101.6     -1.8    -0.6       0.3       0.0      -0.5
69          Ceramic products                              0.430     98.9        99.0     -3.0     0.4       0.1      -0.4       0.1
70          Glass and glassware                           0.442    102.2       100.9     -3.3    -1.6       0.5       0.2      -1.3
                                                                                                                                   
XIV        PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,                                                                                        
              IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS                2.184     98.1        96.5     -1.6     0.1      -0.2       0.1      -1.6
                                                                                                                                   
XV         BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METAL         5.820     94.2        94.1      0.2     0.5      -0.4      -1.2      -0.1
72          Iron and steel                                1.752     95.3        95.2     -0.6    -0.1      -0.2       0.2      -0.1
73          Articles of iron or steel                     1.281     96.7        97.0     -3.0    -0.1       0.3      -0.4       0.3
74          Copper and articles thereof                   0.427     79.2        77.2     -4.6    -1.5      -4.1      -0.9      -2.5
76          Aluminum and articles thereof                 0.976     93.5        93.9      8.6     2.8      -1.6       0.2       0.4
83          Miscellaneous articles of base metal          0.413    101.7       102.2     -1.1    -0.3       0.2      -0.3       0.5
       3/   Miscellaneous nonferrous metals and                                                                                    
             articles, including scrap (9612=100)         0.527    105.5       103.9      3.9     2.2       1.1     -10.4      -1.5
                                                                                                                                   
XVI        MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV                                                                                     
              IMAGE & SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC.       30.022     89.1        88.7     -7.4    -0.6      -1.0      -0.4      -0.4
84          Specialized machinery & computer                                                                                       
               equipment                                 15.687     89.8        89.6     -8.0    -0.8      -1.4       0.0      -0.2
85          Electrical machinery and equip, sound                                                                                  
               and TV recorders & reproducers, parts     14.335     88.4        87.8     -6.6    -0.6      -0.4      -0.8      -0.7
                                                                                                                                   
XVII       VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND                                                                                         
              ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT             15.889    101.7       101.5      0.4     0.2       0.2       0.1      -0.2
87          Motor vehicles and their parts               15.013    101.4       101.3      0.5     0.2       0.2       0.0      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
XVIII      OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &                                                                                    
              MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; CLOCKS & WATCHES       3.537     93.9        94.1     -3.4    -0.5       0.3       0.0       0.2
90          Optical, photographic, measuring and                                                                                   
               medical instruments                        3.019     93.7        93.9     -3.6    -0.4       0.3      -0.1       0.2
91          Clocks and watches and parts thereof          0.377     94.7        95.3     -3.2    -0.6       0.4       0.2       0.6
                                                                                                                                   
XX         MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES            3.706     99.8        99.8     -0.5    -0.3       0.2       0.0       0.0
94          Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps                                                                                  
               and lighting fittings nes;                 1.598    100.3       100.3      0.3    -0.5       0.5       0.1       0.0
95          Toys, games and sports equipment; parts                                                                                
               and accessories thereof                    1.824    100.3       100.3     -0.9    -0.1      -0.3       0.0       0.0
96          Miscellaneous manufactured articles           0.284     93.7        94.2     -2.3    -0.7       1.3      -0.3       0.5
                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                       n.a.      Not available         
            1995 trade values.                                                                                                            
        2  Data for September, October and November 1997                                                                                  
            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, December 1996-December 1997                           
                  1995=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                            
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change                                         
                                                        Relative                                                                   
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly                  
Harmo-                                                   ance                           Dec.    Aug.      Sept.     Oct.      Nov. 
nized     Description                                                                   1996    1997      1997      1997      1997 
System                                                  November   November    December to      to        to        to        to   
                                                        1997       1997        1997     Dec.    Sept.     Oct.      Nov.      Dec. 
                                                        1/         2/                   1997    1997      1997      1997      1997 
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                   
I          LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS                  1.920     96.2        95.1     -4.5     0.0      -0.6      -0.6      -1.1
02          Meat & edible meat offal                      1.059     93.4        91.8     -4.4    -0.9      -0.3       0.5      -1.7
03          Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and                                                                                     
               other aquatic invertebrates                0.513     92.8        92.0     -5.2     3.0      -1.0      -2.4      -0.9
       3/ Other live animals and animal                                                                                            
             products (9612=100)                          0.348     95.8        96.0     -4.0    -1.4      -1.2      -0.9       0.2
                                                                                                                                   
II         VEGETABLE PRODUCTS                             5.318     99.6        98.9     -3.5     0.0      -2.6       1.5      -0.7
07          Edible vegetables and certain roots and                                                                                
               tubers                                     0.330    104.7        96.9      0.0    -1.9      -3.3      10.3      -7.4
08          Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus                                                                                  
               fruit or melons                            0.650     88.8        93.7     -6.3    -6.7       5.0     -12.4       5.5
10          Cereals                                       2.580     94.0        93.5     -6.5     2.2      -1.7       1.6      -0.5
12          Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds,                                                                                      
               fruits, plants, straw and fodder           1.487    119.2       117.1      2.6     0.8      -8.2       8.2      -1.8
                                                                                                                                   
III        ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE FATS AND OILS              0.542    107.6       108.1     15.7     2.4       3.0       9.2       0.5
                                                                                                                                   
IV         PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND                                                                                     
              TOBACCO                                     3.471    101.6       101.4     -3.0    -0.6      -0.6      -0.8      -0.2
20          Preparations of vegetables, fruit,                                                                                     
               nuts, or other parts of plants             0.318     89.4        90.4    -14.1    -9.1       2.6      -2.4       1.1
21          Miscellaneous edible preparations             0.361    105.6       105.9      1.4     1.3      -1.0      -0.6       0.3
22          Beverages, spirits, and vinegar               0.330     99.8        99.6     -1.8     0.4      -0.2       0.2      -0.2
23          Residues and waste from the food                                                                                       
               industries; prepared animal feed           0.711    109.9       109.0     -8.8     0.0      -3.5      -2.0      -0.8
24          Tobacco and manufactured tobacco                                                                                       
               substitutes                                1.244    100.8       100.4      0.0     0.2      -0.2       0.0      -0.4
       3/   Other prepared foods                          0.506    102.1       102.2      3.1     0.9       0.4      -0.3       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
V          MINERAL PRODUCTS                               2.750    108.4       108.8     -3.2     0.1      -1.3      -1.7       0.4
27          Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,                                                                                     
               bituminous substances and mineral wax      2.210    112.8       113.9     -3.7     0.4       0.4      -0.8       1.0
                                                                                                                                   
VI         PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED                                                                                      
              INDUSTRIES                                  8.759     96.3        95.9     -1.4     0.0      -0.3      -0.1      -0.4
28          Inorganic chemicals                           0.930    102.3       101.9     -1.0     1.0      -0.2       0.9      -0.4
29          Organic chemicals                             2.827     86.8        86.7     -1.8    -0.6      -0.7      -0.1      -0.1
30          Pharmaceutical products                       0.884    101.2       101.2      0.1     0.2       0.6       0.0       0.0
31          Fertilizers (9612=100)                        0.611     93.9        94.2     -5.8     0.4      -0.3      -0.8       0.3
32          Tanning or dyeing extracts; dyes and                                                                                   
               pigments; paints & varnish; putty;ink      0.504    102.4       102.3      0.4     0.9       0.1       0.0      -0.1
33          Essential oils and resinoids;                                                                                          
               perfumery, cosmetic or toilet              0.526    102.7       102.4      1.1     0.9      -0.8      -0.8      -0.3
34          Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or                                                                                  
               scouring products; candles, pastes         0.313    103.2       103.1      1.7     1.5       0.0       0.2      -0.1
37          Photographic or cinematographic goods         0.426     95.2        94.8     -3.3    -0.9      -0.9       0.1      -0.4
38          Miscellaneous chemical products               1.515    102.5       101.1     -2.0    -0.5      -0.2      -0.4      -1.4
                                                                                                                                   
VII        PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER                                                                                   
              AND ARTICLES THEREOF                        4.295     96.4        96.2     -0.6    -0.5       0.0      -0.1      -0.2
39          Plastics and articles thereof                 3.407     95.9        95.6     -0.4    -0.6       0.1      -0.1      -0.3
40          Rubber and articles thereof                   0.888     98.4        98.2     -1.8    -0.3       0.1      -0.2      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
VIII       RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,                                                                                    
              TRAVEL GOODS, ETC.                          0.571     98.3        97.5     -7.5     1.4       1.4       1.1      -0.8
41          Raw hides and skins (other than                                                                                        
               furskins) and leather                      0.421     97.5        96.4     -4.7     1.9       1.8       1.7      -1.1
                                                                                                                                   
IX         WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW, BASKET                                                                                
              AND WICKER                                  1.206     87.7        87.8     -9.0    -1.2      -1.9      -2.3       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
X          WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER                                                                                 
              AND ARTICLES THEREOF                        3.019     79.9        79.6      3.9    -0.8       1.0      -0.1      -0.4
47          Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic                                                                                  
               material; waste paper/paperboard           0.736     66.4        65.1     13.8    -2.5       2.9      -0.7      -2.0
48          Paper and paperboard; articles of paper                                                                                
               pulp, paper or paperboard                  1.494     85.6        85.6      0.8    -0.4       0.5       0.1       0.0
49          Printed material                              0.790    106.7       107.0      1.6     0.1       0.1       0.0       0.3
                                                                                                                                   
XI         TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES                   3.227     93.5        93.3      0.1     0.4      -0.2      -0.6      -0.2
52          Cotton, including yarns and woven                                                                                      
               fabrics thereof                            0.694     81.1        80.0     -5.1    -0.6      -0.6      -2.6      -1.4
                                                                                                                                   
XIII       STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,                                                                                       
              CERAMIC, GLASS ETC.                         0.841    102.7       102.7     -0.4     0.0       0.1      -0.2       0.0
70          Glass and glassware                           0.484    101.2       101.3      0.0     0.1       0.0      -0.2       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
XIV        PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,                                                                                        
              IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS                1.889     97.9        94.9     -5.8    -0.3       0.6       0.3      -3.1
                                                                                                                                   
XV         BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METALS        4.604     96.3        95.6      1.7    -0.4      -0.5       0.2      -0.7
72          Iron and steel                                0.962     93.1        92.6      0.0    -1.2      -0.9       0.0      -0.5
73          Articles of iron or steel                     1.257    108.4       108.2      5.7     0.2       1.1      -0.2      -0.2
74          Copper and articles thereof                   0.409     78.8        76.2     -8.9    -3.4      -3.4       0.1      -3.3
76          Aluminum and articles thereof                 0.894     90.6        89.3      4.1     0.9      -1.2       1.9      -1.4
82          Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and                                                                                 
               forks, of base metal; parts thereof        0.409    103.2       103.4      0.1     0.0       0.0      -0.1       0.2
83          Miscellaneous articles of base metal          0.376    101.5       102.3      2.7     0.0       0.0       0.2       0.8
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                   
XVI        MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV                                                                                     
              IMAGE AND SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC      36.646     96.5        96.1     -2.3    -0.7      -0.2      -0.1      -0.4
84          Specialized machinery & computer                                                                                       
               equipment                                 20.332     97.2        96.9     -1.5    -0.1      -0.3      -0.1      -0.3
85          Electrical machinery and equip, sound                                                                                  
               & tv recorders & reproducers, parts       16.314     95.7        95.2     -3.3    -1.4      -0.2       0.1      -0.5
                                                                                                                                   
XVII       VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND                                                                                         
              ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT             13.619    104.9       104.9      1.6    -0.1       0.1       0.2       0.0
87          Motor vehicles and their parts                9.428    102.0       102.1      0.6    -0.2       0.1       0.1       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
XVIII      OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &                                                                                    
              MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; CLOCKS & WATCHES       5.341    102.1       102.2      0.4     0.1      -0.1       0.0       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                   
XX         MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES            1.766    102.4       102.4      1.1    -0.2       0.0       0.2       0.0
94          Furniture; stuffed furnishings;                                                                                        
               lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;         0.866    103.9       103.8      1.5    -0.6       0.3       0.3      -0.1
95          Toys, games and sports equipment; parts                                                                                
               and accessories thereof                    0.728    101.0       101.0      0.8     0.1      -0.2       0.1       0.0
                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                       n.a.      Not available         
            1995 trade values.                                                                                                            
        2  Data for September, October and November 1997                                                                                  
            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,  December 1996-December 1997                           
          1995=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                           
                                                                  Index                    Percent Change                    
                                                   Percentage                                                                                          
                                                      of                            Annual                  Monthly                                     
                                                    US Imports                    Dec.    Aug.         Sept.       Oct.     Nov.   
    Description 1/                                                                1996    1997         1997        1997     1997   
                                                    1995       Nov.      Dec.     to      to           to          to       to     
                                                               1997      1997     Dec.    Sept.        Oct.        Nov.     Dec.   
                                                               2/                 1997    1997         1997        1997     1997   
                                                                                                                                   
3/  Developed Countries                                55.6     97.4      97.1     -3.2    -0.3          0.0         0.1     -0.3  
      Manufactured Goods                               52.2     96.9      96.8     -2.0    -0.4         -0.2         0.1     -0.1  
      Nonmanufactured Goods                             3.1    109.0     105.7    -17.6     0.8          3.7        -0.5     -3.0  
                                                                                                                                   
3/  Developing Countries                               42.7    100.5      99.1     -5.9    -0.4          0.8        -1.5     -1.4  
      Manufactured Goods                               35.4     98.0      97.4     -3.0    -0.2         -0.2        -0.8     -0.6  
      Nonmanufactured Goods                             7.1    107.1     102.2    -18.0    -1.3          5.5        -4.6     -4.6  
                                                                                                                                   
    Canada                                             18.9     99.4      98.8     -2.9     0.4          0.0        -0.3     -0.6  
      Manufactured Goods                               16.5     98.2      98.1      0.0     0.3         -0.7        -0.2     -0.1  
      Nonmanufactured Goods                             2.2    112.3     108.2    -19.1     1.5          4.3        -0.4     -3.7  
                                                                                                                                   
4/  European Union                                     17.0    101.0     101.2     -1.7    -0.6          0.4         0.4      0.2  
      Manufactured Goods                               16.4    100.8     101.2     -1.1    -0.4          0.3         0.4      0.4  
      Nonmanufactured Goods                             0.5    108.8     104.4    -17.8    -3.5          1.4         1.2     -4.0  
                                                                                                                                   
    Japan                                              16.6     91.5      91.1     -5.0    -0.2         -0.8        -0.3     -0.4  
                                                                                                                                   
5/  Asian Newly Industrialized Countries               10.9     92.8      92.3     -4.7    -0.7         -0.2        -1.1     -0.5  
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
1    Regions are not mutually exclusive.                                              
                                                                                      
2    Data for  September, October and November 1997                                   
     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 Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan.                          
                                                                                      
   Table  9    U.S. International Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services.                                   
        December 1996-December 1997    1995 = 100                                                                                                                    
                                                                 Index                             Percent Change                    
                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                  Annual          Quarterly                                   
                                                    Trade                         Dec.    Dec.     March       June     Sept.  
    Description                                     (Mil.                         1996    1996     1997        1997     1997   
                                                    of         Sept.     Dec.     to      to       to          to       to     
                                                    Dollars)   1997      1997     Dec.    March    June        Sept.    Dec.   
                                                                                  1997    1997     1997        1997     1997   
                                                                                                                               
     Air Freight (Inbound)                          5495        88.5      86.5     -8.9    -5.8      0.4        -1.6     -2.3  
      Atlantic                                      1880        85.6      89.6     -7.2    -7.1     -0.9        -3.7      4.7  
      Pacific                                       3151        91.0      84.9     -9.7    -4.5      1.4        -0.1     -6.7  
                                                                                                                               
     Air Freight (Outbound)                         5835        99.6      98.0     -1.2     0.6     -0.6         0.4     -1.6  
      Atlantic                                      2080       101.1     101.1      2.1     0.9     -0.5         1.7      0.0  
      Pacific                                       3222        99.7      96.7     -3.5     0.1     -0.3        -0.3     -3.0  
                                                                                                                               
     Air Passenger Fares (U.S. Carrier)             30673      109.2      99.5     -2.1    -4.4     15.4        -2.6     -8.9  
1/    Atlantic                                      8811       119.0      97.8     -1.8    -2.1     21.3         0.6    -17.8  
1/    Pacific                                       15900       95.9      90.2     -5.1    -9.1     18.2        -6.1     -5.9  
1/    Latin American / Caribbean                    4542       110.5     109.2      6.1     3.8      2.6         0.8     -1.2  
      Canadian                                      1367       162.2     154.1      0.3     1.4      3.5         0.6     -5.0  
                                                                                                                               
     Air Passenger Fares (Foreign Carrier)          31694      104.6      99.7     -1.0    -2.2      7.7        -1.4     -4.7  
1/    Atlantic                                      13572      111.6     100.5      0.2    -3.2     13.5         1.3     -9.9  
1/    Pacific                                       12570       91.0      89.2     -5.3    -2.0      4.4        -5.6     -2.0  
1/    Latin American / Caribbean                    4224       104.4     104.8      1.2     0.9      0.3        -0.4      0.4  
                                                                                                                               
1/   Crude Oil Tanker Freight (Inbound)             1949        97.8      n.a.     n.a.     7.2      0.8        -9.6     n.a.  
                                                                                                                               
     Ocean Liner Freight (Inbound)                  12253       94.9      92.9     -5.6    -0.8     -0.8        -2.0     -2.1  
      U.S. East Coast                               5410        97.0      95.7     -5.9    -1.9     -0.2        -2.6     -1.3  
       from Atlantic                                2647        96.0      94.8     -6.5    -2.0     -0.7        -2.7     -1.3  
       from Pacific                                 1874        95.2      93.1     -5.5    -0.1      0.5        -3.7     -2.2  
      U.S. West Coast                               6844        92.8      90.2     -5.5     0.0     -1.4        -1.4     -2.8  
       from Pacific                                 6347        92.7      90.1     -5.0     0.3     -1.3        -1.3     -2.8  
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
    1     Detailed data available upon request.                          n.a.    N                                             
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
   Table  8     U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services.                              
        December 1996-December 1997  1995 = 100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                              
                                                                 Index                             Percent Change                    
                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                  Annual          Quarterly                                   
                                                    Trade                         Dec.    Dec.     March       June     Sept.  
    Description                                     (Mil.                         1996    1996     1997        1997     1997   
                                                    of         Sept.     Dec.     to      to       to          to       to     
                                                    Dollars)   1997      1997     Dec.    March    June        Sept.    Dec.   
                                                                                  1997    1997     1997        1997     1997   
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
    IMPORT                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                               
    Air Freight                                     3188        88.6      86.6     -9.4    -5.8      0.3        -2.0     -2.3  
      Atlantic                                      1278        86.4      90.2     -8.1    -7.1     -1.0        -4.3      4.4  
      Pacific                                       1674        91.5      84.7    -10.7    -4.5      1.4        -0.3     -7.4  
                                                                                                                               
     Air Passenger Fares                            11127      111.5     104.3      4.3     0.5     12.6        -1.5     -6.5  
1/    Atlantic                                      4922       122.1     100.4      2.0     1.9     20.8         0.7    -17.8  
1/    Pacific                                       2340       100.5     106.2      7.3    -0.9     13.6        -9.8      5.7  
1/    Latin American / Caribbean                    3021       105.9     105.2      1.1     1.0      1.0        -0.2     -0.7  
                                                                                                                               
1/   Crude Oil Tanker Freight                       1346        92.0      n.a.     n.a.     5.8      2.2        -9.7     n.a.  
                                                                                                                               
     Ocean Liner Freight                            9868        95.3      93.5     -5.2    -0.6     -0.9        -1.9     -1.9  
      U.S. East Coast                               4271        98.3      96.7     -4.9    -1.2      0.1        -2.3     -1.6  
       from Atlantic                                1952        98.3      96.7     -6.0    -2.4     -0.5        -1.6     -1.6  
       from Pacific                                 1774        97.0      94.8     -5.6    -0.2      0.6        -3.8     -2.3  
      U.S. West Coast                               5596        92.4      90.6     -5.3    -0.3     -1.6        -1.6     -1.9  
       from Pacific                                 5126        92.2      90.3     -4.8     0.1     -1.6        -1.4     -2.1  
                                                                                                                               
    EXPORT                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                               
     Air Freight (9612 = 100)                       2562        96.6      92.4     -7.6    -1.5     -0.7        -1.2     -4.3  
                                                                                                                               
     Air Passenger Fares                            17272      100.0      92.1     -7.6    -9.9     14.7        -2.9     -7.9  
1/    Atlantic                                      4120       109.5     101.4     -3.2    -5.8     11.3        -0.2     -7.4  
1/    Pacific                                       10700       86.4      78.1    -12.8   -15.7     20.7        -5.2     -9.6  
      Latin American / Caribbean                    1392       107.5     106.5      4.8     0.2      5.0         0.6     -0.9  
      Canadian                                      1006       157.5     147.0      0.8     6.3      1.3         0.3     -6.7  
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
    1     Detailed data available upon request.                          n.a.    N                                             
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
                                                                     
                           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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