Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until 

8:30 a.m. (EDT) Tuesday, April 13, 2010 

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

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

USDL-10-0465

U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES – MARCH 2010 

The U.S. Import Price Index rose 0.7 percent in March, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. 

The increase was attributable to higher prices for both fuel and nonfuel imports and followed a 0.2 percent 

decline in February. Export prices also rose 0.7 percent in March after declining 0.4 percent the previous 

month. 

Chart 1. One-month percent change in the Import Price Index: March 2009 – March 2010 

 Percent change 

0.5

1.1

1.7

2.7

-0.6

1.5

0.2

0.8

1.5

0.2

1.2

-0.2

0.7

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

Mar'09 Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar'10

Chart 2. 12-month percent change in the Import Price Index: March 2009 – March 2010 

 Percent change 

-14.9 -16.4 -17.3 -17.5 -19.1

-15.3

-12

-5.6

3.4

8.6

11.4 11.2 11.4

-25

-20

-15

-10

-5

0

5

10

15

Mar'09 Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar'10
 

All Imports: In March, import prices increased for the seventh time in the past eight months, rising 0.7 

percent. The March upturn followed a 0.2 percent decline in February and was largely driven by a 

turnaround in fuel prices, which accounted for approximately 80 percent of the increase. Import prices 

advanced 11.4 percent for the year ended in March after decreasing 14.9 percent for the March 2008-09 

period. 

Fuel Imports: Import fuel prices resumed an upward trend in March, rising 2.9 percent following a 1.2 

percent drop in February. A 4.0 percent increase in petroleum prices was slightly offset by a 12.4 percent 

decline in natural gas prices, which decreased for the first time in six months. Over the past year, the price 

index for petroleum increased 70.2 percent and natural gas prices rose 19.0 percent, driving overall fuel 

prices up 63.3 percent for the same period. The 12-month increase in fuel prices followed a 50.7 percent 

drop for the March 2008-09 period. 

All Imports Excluding Fuel: Prices for nonfuel imports rose for the eighth consecutive month, advancing 

0.2 percent. The increase was led by higher prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials, consumer 

goods, and foods, feeds, and beverages. Lower prices for capital goods and automotive vehicles partly 

offset the overall advance. Over the past 12 months, nonfuel import prices rose 2.7 percent, the largest 12-

month increase since the index went up 4.8 percent for the October 2007-2008 period. 

Table A. Percent changes 

2
Chart 3. One-month percent change in the Export Price Index: March 2009 – March 2010 

 Percent change 

-0.7

0.4

1

-0.3

0.6

-0.2

0

0.8 0.7 0.7

-0.4

0.7

0.5

-2

-1

0

1

2

Mar'09 Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar'10

Chart 4. 12-month percent change in the Export Price Index: March 2009 – March 2010 

 Percent change 

-6.7 -6.7 -6.6 -6.6

-8.3

-6.2 -5.6

-3.6

0.4

3.4 3.3 3.2

4.6

-10

-8

-6

-4

-2

0

2

4

6

Mar'09 Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar'10

All Exports: Export prices increased for the fourth time in the past five months, rising 0.7 percent in March. 

Higher nonagricultural prices accounted for approximately 75 percent of the overall increase. The price 

index for overall exports rose 4.6 percent over the past 12 months. 

Agricultural Exports: The price index for agricultural exports rose 2.1 percent in March, following a 3.8 

percent decline in February. Higher prices for cotton, soybeans, corn, meat, and wheat all contributed to the 

upturn in agricultural prices. For the year ended in March, agricultural prices rose 8.2 percent, led by a 55.9 

percent increase in cotton prices and a 45.6 percent rise in nut prices. 

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: Nonagricultural prices resumed an upward trend in March following a 

0.2 percent downturn in February, increasing 0.6 percent. Higher prices for nonagricultural industrial 

supplies and materials and capital goods contributed to the overall increase in March. The price index for 

nonagricultural export prices increased 4.3 percent for the year ended in March. 

 

3
4

SELECTED MARCH HIGHLIGHTS 

Import Prices 

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials increased 

0.6 percent in March after advancing 1.0 percent in February. Rising prices for chemicals and iron and steel 

mill products, which increased 1.4 percent and 4.5 percent, respectively, led the advances this month. 

Finished Goods: Prices for the major finished goods categories were mixed in March, as the price indexes 

for capital goods and automotive vehicles decreased 0.4 percent and 0.2 percent, respectively, while the 

price index for consumer goods increased 0.3 percent. The decrease in capital goods prices was led by a 3.6 

percent drop in prices for semiconductors. 

 

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: The price index for foods, feeds, and beverages rose 1.4 percent in March 

after falling 0.5 percent in February. Vegetables and meat, which advanced 11.2 percent and 5.4 percent, 

respectively, were the primary contributors to the March increase. 

Imports by Locality of Origin: Import prices from China and Canada declined in March, each falling 0.1 

percent. In contrast, the price indexes for imports from Mexico and from Japan rose 1.4 percent and 0.3 

percent, respectively. Import prices from the European Union were unchanged. 

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares rose 5.3 percent in March after decreasing 3.5 percent 

in February. Higher European fares led the advance. In contrast, the price index for import air freight 

decreased in March, edging down 0.1 percent. The decline was led by a 3.7 percent decrease in European air 

freight prices. 

Export Prices 

 

Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials 

prices increased 1.6 percent in March after declining 0.4 percent in February. Higher prices for petroleum 

and chemicals, up 5.5 percent and 2.2 percent, respectively, contributed to the March increase. 

 

Finished Goods: Prices for the major finished goods categories were mixed in March. The price index for 

capital goods rose 0.2 percent, while prices for consumer goods fell 0.1 percent and the price index for 

automotive vehicles was unchanged. The advance in capital goods prices was led by a 3.1 percent increase 

in prices for computer peripherals, accessories, and parts. 

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares increased 3.3 percent in March following a 7.0 percent 

decrease the previous month. The advance was led by higher Asian fares. In contrast, the price index for 

export air freight rose 0.6 percent in March after advancing 0.5 percent in February. 

 

Import and Export Price Index data for April 2010 are scheduled for release on Thursday, May 13, 

2010 at 8:30 a.m. (EDT). 
Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: March 2009 to March

2010

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Feb.

20101

Index Percent change

Feb.

2010

Mar.

2010

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2009 to

Mar.

2010

Nov.

2009 to

Dec.

2009

Dec.

2009 to

Jan.

2010

Jan.

2010 to

Feb.

2010

Feb.

2010 to

Mar.

2010

All commodities..................................... 100.000 125.7 126.6 11.4 0.2 1.2 -0.2 0.7

All imports excluding petroleum................ 80.765 110.5 110.3 2.8 0.5 0.5 0.2 -0.2

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)... 78.929 113.5 113.7 2.7 0.4 0.4 0.1 0.2

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 4.678 144.9 147.0 7.3 0.8 1.3 -0.5 1.4

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 3.642 162.7 165.3 9.3 0.8 1.9 -0.7 1.6

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 1.036 104.7 105.6 0.8 0.4 -0.7 0.5 0.9

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 35.070 202.1 206.0 38.0 0.6 3.3 -0.3 1.9

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum..................................... 15.835 150.6 149.6 12.4 2.8 2.6 1.1 -0.7

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)....................... 13.999 162.8 163.7 12.5 1.8 1.6 1.0 0.6

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 8.826 157.4 157.6 17.0 2.3 1.7 1.5 0.1

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum......................... 5.173 142.3 140.1 6.9 3.2 3.8 0.6 -1.5

Fuels & lubricants............................... 10 21.072 257.6 265.1 63.3 -0.2 4.4 -1.2 2.9

Petroleum & petroleum products........... 100 19.236 275.8 286.8 70.2 -1.1 3.8 -1.4 4.0

Crude.......................................... 10000 14.085 279.3 293.0 70.7 -2.0 3.0 -1.3 4.9

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................... 101 1.589 164.3 148.1 14.8 12.1 12.6 1.3 -9.9

Gas-natural................................... 10110 1.266 156.2 136.8 19.0 14.2 17.6 1.7 -12.4

Paper & paper base stocks................... 11 0.682 106.4 108.0 1.3 0.7 1.2 2.0 1.5

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials......................... 12 4.567 142.6 144.2 5.5 0.9 1.4 0.0 1.1

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.340 124.8 128.1 10.2 2.0 1.4 1.8 2.6

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods.......................................... 14 4.078 233.4 231.9 35.1 4.0 2.8 2.5 -0.6

Finished metals related to durable goods. .. 15 1.784 141.1 141.2 6.4 0.9 0.9 -0.4 0.1

Nonmetals related to durable goods......... 16 1.548 106.5 106.6 1.3 0.2 0.5 0.6 0.1

Capital goods..................................... 2 23.375 91.8 91.4 -0.4 0.0 0.0 -0.1 -0.4

Electric generating equipment................ 20 2.965 111.8 111.1 1.6 0.3 0.5 -0.1 -0.6

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 18.378 86.2 85.9 -0.8 0.0 -0.2 0.0 -0.3

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 2.032 122.9 121.8 1.0 -0.2 0.4 -0.2 -0.9

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 12.116 108.4 108.2 0.5 -0.1 -0.3 -0.1 -0.2

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 24.761 104.4 104.7 0.8 0.0 0.2 -0.1 0.3

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 11.499 108.6 109.2 0.7 0.0 0.7 -0.1 0.6

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 12.043 100.4 100.4 0.6 -0.1 -0.4 0.0 0.0

Nonmanufactured consumer goods.......... 42 1.219 102.4 102.5 1.3 1.0 0.0 0.3 0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2008 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

5
Table 2. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: March 2009 to March

2010

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Feb.

20101

Index Percent change

Feb.

2010

Mar.

2010

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2009 to

Mar.

2010

Nov.

2009 to

Dec.

2009

Dec.

2009 to

Jan.

2010

Jan.

2010 to

Feb.

2010

Feb.

2010 to

Mar.

2010

All commodities..................................... 100.000 120.0 120.8 4.6 0.7 0.7 -0.4 0.7

Agricultural commodities......................... 8.753 160.6 164.0 8.2 1.8 1.3 -3.8 2.1

Nonagricultural commodities.................... 91.247 117.0 117.7 4.3 0.6 0.6 -0.2 0.6

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 7.956 161.2 163.7 4.5 1.9 1.5 -3.8 1.6

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 7.373 163.3 166.0 4.9 2.0 1.6 -4.3 1.7

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 0.583 144.8 146.1 1.2 0.7 0.1 2.7 0.9

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 30.620 152.0 154.7 13.3 1.8 1.7 -0.4 1.8

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 12.184 159.8 160.4 11.9 2.4 1.3 0.1 0.4

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................... 18.437 148.1 152.0 14.2 1.3 2.0 -0.7 2.6

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials... 10 1.380 151.4 158.4 28.9 0.5 0.1 -0.8 4.6

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials........................................ 29.240 152.3 154.8 12.6 1.8 1.8 -0.4 1.6

Fuels & lubricants............................... 11 5.522 190.6 197.3 34.3 2.7 5.5 -4.7 3.5

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . . . .. 12 22.689 149.6 151.5 9.6 1.7 0.9 0.7 1.3

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.029 116.1 116.1 1.8 0.4 1.2 1.0 0.0

Capital goods..................................... 2 38.983 103.2 103.4 1.1 0.0 0.1 -0.2 0.2

Electrical generating equipment.............. 20 3.664 109.8 109.6 2.6 0.4 0.3 0.2 -0.2

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 28.442 94.0 94.2 0.4 -0.1 -0.2 -0.3 0.2

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 6.877 138.7 139.1 3.0 0.0 1.5 0.1 0.3

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 9.363 108.7 108.7 0.5 0.0 0.3 0.2 0.0

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 13.078 109.8 109.7 1.1 0.0 0.0 0.4 -0.1

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 6.033 111.8 111.7 4.3 0.2 0.8 0.8 -0.1

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 5.745 107.4 107.2 -2.5 -0.2 -1.4 -0.3 -0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2008 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

6
Table 3. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: March 2009 to March

2010

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Feb.

20101

Index Percent change

Feb.

2010

Mar.

2010

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2009 to

Mar.

2010

Nov.

2009 to

Dec.

2009

Dec.

2009 to

Jan.

2010

Jan.

2010 to

Feb.

2010

Feb.

2010 to

Mar.

2010

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 18.236 128.0 132.1 56.7 -0.4 4.3 -0.9 3.2

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 1.747 142.6 147.5 14.9 1.3 4.4 -0.7 3.4

Crop production................................. 111 1.254 149.9 154.3 13.1 1.5 4.5 -1.4 2.9

Mining.............................................. 21 16.489 126.2 130.3 63.3 -0.7 4.3 -1.0 3.2

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)..................................... 212 0.513 129.7 131.5 1.5 -1.0 -0.5 1.2 1.4

Manufactured articles.............................. 81.254 109.5 109.7 4.5 0.3 0.6 0.0 0.2

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 10.084 107.8 108.1 1.0 0.1 0.4 -0.2 0.3

Food manufacturing............................ 311 2.503 121.5 122.7 6.1 1.3 0.6 -0.4 1.0

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.917 108.3 108.2 1.2 0.6 0.0 -0.5 -0.1

Textile product mills............................ 314 0.781 101.4 101.0 0.3 -0.1 0.9 0.2 -0.4

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 3.962 101.2 101.4 -1.2 -0.8 0.3 0.0 0.2

Leather and allied product manufacturing. .. 316 1.518 106.7 106.7 -0.8 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 17.913 120.6 122.1 14.3 0.8 2.2 -0.2 1.2

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.804 101.7 106.5 18.5 2.5 2.5 3.2 4.7

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.195 103.2 104.1 -1.2 0.5 0.5 1.7 0.9

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 4.132 127.6 129.8 63.1 1.2 5.1 -1.6 1.7

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 8.887 123.7 124.9 5.1 0.6 1.5 -0.1 1.0

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 1.794 113.8 114.3 1.2 0.4 0.9 -0.4 0.4

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.996 120.6 120.5 1.1 0.1 0.8 0.2 -0.1

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 53.256 106.4 106.1 2.0 0.3 0.0 0.1 -0.3

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.731 153.2 152.7 26.8 4.0 2.6 2.2 -0.3

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.686 116.2 116.3 -0.5 0.2 -0.1 -0.1 0.1

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 6.800 113.1 113.2 1.9 0.3 0.1 -0.2 0.1

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 15.283 88.2 87.7 -1.3 -0.3 -0.3 -0.1 -0.6

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.846 112.8 112.2 -0.1 0.2 0.2 -0.3 -0.5

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 13.407 105.8 105.5 0.7 -0.2 -0.2 -0.1 -0.3

Furniture and related product

manufacturing................................ 337 1.354 107.8 108.1 -2.1 0.2 -0.1 -0.1 0.3

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 5.149 111.9 112.0 1.8 -0.1 -0.5 0.0 0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2008 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

7
Table 4. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: March 2009 to March

2010

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Feb.

20101

Index Percent change

Feb.

2010

Mar.

2010

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2009 to

Mar.

2010

Nov.

2009 to

Dec.

2009

Dec.

2009 to

Jan.

2010

Jan.

2010 to

Feb.

2010

Feb.

2010 to

Mar.

2010

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 6.426 123.1 125.9 12.4 3.2 3.2 -5.9 2.3

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 4.524 136.9 141.8 9.8 2.6 3.0 -7.4 3.6

Crop production................................. 111 4.161 140.0 145.5 10.3 2.7 2.8 -8.1 3.9

Mining.............................................. 21 1.902 90.6 89.9 21.2 5.4 3.5 -2.1 -0.8

Mining (except oil and gas).................... 212 1.342 93.7 98.0 12.9 1.0 3.3 -3.0 4.6

Manufactured articles.............................. 90.833 110.4 111.0 3.7 0.5 0.5 -0.1 0.5

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 6.693 123.8 124.3 6.1 0.7 0.7 0.5 0.4

Food manufacturing............................ 311 4.533 138.7 139.1 7.2 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.3

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.539 107.5 108.1 2.6 -0.3 0.0 -0.2 0.6

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 0.379 102.4 102.9 0.7 -0.4 0.0 0.0 0.5

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 23.433 114.6 116.7 9.5 0.7 1.6 -0.3 1.8

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.453 111.8 111.7 4.3 0.6 0.8 1.7 -0.1

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.930 112.8 113.3 1.3 1.3 0.6 -0.3 0.4

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 3.426 112.4 120.1 48.6 0.3 7.4 -7.6 6.9

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 14.661 117.3 118.8 7.7 0.9 0.6 1.4 1.3

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 2.094 106.7 106.5 -1.5 0.1 -0.7 0.0 -0.2

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.868 114.8 114.7 1.8 0.0 2.7 -0.1 -0.1

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 60.707 107.4 107.5 1.4 0.3 0.0 -0.1 0.1

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.886 140.1 139.7 15.1 4.2 1.2 0.4 -0.3

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.820 121.3 120.6 -0.2 0.3 -0.7 0.2 -0.6

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 12.725 113.2 113.2 1.3 0.1 0.3 0.0 0.0

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 15.852 92.0 92.3 -0.9 -0.4 -0.5 -0.5 0.3

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.539 109.8 109.8 3.4 0.8 0.6 0.2 0.0

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 15.464 110.8 110.9 1.4 0.0 0.5 0.2 0.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 5.058 108.8 108.6 -2.3 0.1 -1.6 0.0 -0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2008 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

8
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: March 2009 to March

2010

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Feb.

20101

Index Percent change

Feb.

2010

Mar.

2010

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2009 to

Mar.

2010

Nov.

2009 to

Dec.

2009

Dec.

2009 to

Jan.

2010

Jan.

2010 to

Feb.

2010

Feb.

2010 to

Mar.

2010

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.038 132.0 136.3 7.8 -0.1 -0.4 0.3 3.3

Meat and edible meat offal....................... 02 0.238 167.1 174.0 20.6 1.1 1.4 3.3 4.1

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.540 99.7 101.5 1.0 0.0 -0.8 0.2 1.8

Vegetable products................................ II 1.465 166.0 170.7 11.2 1.4 3.5 -1.0 2.8

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers............ 07 0.385 297.0 341.4 25.7 -3.9 6.3 -2.7 14.9

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.408 107.0 106.4 2.3 1.1 7.4 0.2 -0.6

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................... 09 0.276 161.9 159.4 14.6 3.9 -1.7 -1.5 -1.5

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.204 99.5 104.2 – – 2.4 -2.8 4.7

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.286 140.1 139.6 4.3 0.7 1.0 -0.4 -0.4

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec.

2009=100)....................................... 18 0.214 102.2 100.0 – – 3.2 -1.0 -2.2

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100).............. 19 0.240 113.1 112.3 5.6 0.5 2.0 -1.4 -0.7

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or other

parts of plants................................... 20 0.290 130.8 130.5 2.1 0.1 3.0 0.2 -0.2

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.................. 22 0.904 117.9 117.7 1.8 0.5 -0.3 -0.4 -0.2

Mineral products.................................... V 21.052 259.4 266.8 60.8 -0.2 4.4 -1.2 2.9

Salt; sulfur; earths and stone; plaster

materials, lime & cement (Dec.

2009=100)....................................... 25 0.186 99.7 99.6 – – 0.7 -1.0 -0.1

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 20.653 256.4 263.8 62.5 -0.2 4.4 -1.2 2.9

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 8.238 137.8 139.5 7.4 0.9 1.6 0.3 1.2

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 0.912 261.2 282.5 47.8 1.9 -1.1 5.7 8.2

Organic chemicals................................. 29 2.726 131.4 132.8 9.5 0.7 1.3 0.0 1.1

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 2.867 118.9 118.5 4.9 1.0 2.4 -0.2 -0.3

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)...................... 31 0.312 100.7 103.3 – – 7.3 -6.2 2.6

Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye & pigments;

varnish & paints; putty......................... 32 0.175 114.1 113.4 8.9 3.1 2.5 2.1 -0.6

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec.

2001=100)....................................... 33 0.412 119.9 118.7 0.0 0.3 0.4 -0.7 -1.0

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 0.496 92.8 93.2 0.6 0.3 1.0 1.5 0.4

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 2.922 132.3 133.6 5.6 1.0 1.2 0.5 1.0

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 1.834 127.6 127.7 3.3 1.0 0.6 0.2 0.1

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.088 141.3 145.0 9.7 1.1 2.1 0.7 2.6

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.591 113.7 113.9 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.2

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

various materials................................ 42 0.555 114.8 114.9 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.1

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.826 123.0 128.4 16.7 2.4 2.3 3.1 4.4

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 1.341 107.5 108.2 -2.2 0.5 0.1 1.0 0.7

Pulp wood, waste paper, and paperboard

(Dec. 2009=100)................................ 47 0.193 108.4 113.2 – – 3.2 5.0 4.4

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 0.880 101.9 102.0 -8.3 0.6 -0.5 0.5 0.1

Printed matter...................................... 49 0.268 120.6 120.0 0.2 0.5 -0.1 0.1 -0.5

See footnotes at end of table.

9
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: March 2009 to March

2010 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Feb.

20101

Index Percent change

Feb.

2010

Mar.

2010

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2009 to

Mar.

2010

Nov.

2009 to

Dec.

2009

Dec.

2009 to

Jan.

2010

Jan.

2010 to

Feb.

2010

Feb.

2010 to

Mar.

2010

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 4.981 102.9 103.0 -0.1 -0.7 0.5 0.0 0.1

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted............................ 61 1.913 98.3 98.2 -1.8 -1.8 0.7 0.0 -0.1

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted........................ 62 1.870 102.7 103.3 -0.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.6

Made-up or worn textile articles................. 63 0.532 93.1 93.2 3.0 0.2 1.1 0.2 0.1

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.. .. XII 1.218 106.9 106.8 -1.1 0.0 -0.2 -0.3 -0.1

Footwear and parts of such articles............ 64 1.034 105.9 105.8 -1.4 -0.1 -0.2 -0.2 -0.1

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 0.889 124.4 124.3 0.2 0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.1

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or

mica (Dec. 2001=100)......................... 68 0.316 117.7 118.0 -0.9 0.1 0.3 -0.2 0.3

Ceramic products.................................. 69 0.279 140.0 139.9 3.6 0.1 0.0 0.1 -0.1

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.294 115.4 115.0 -1.6 0.0 -0.3 -0.2 -0.3

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 2.728 155.9 155.0 15.2 4.1 -0.2 0.3 -0.6

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.911 173.7 173.6 15.0 1.3 2.2 1.8 -0.1

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.282 209.4 216.5 13.1 0.0 2.4 3.9 3.4

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.758 140.9 142.2 -3.0 1.0 0.5 0.2 0.9

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.692 332.6 323.4 77.8 4.7 3.8 1.2 -2.8

Nickel and articles thereof (Dec. 2009=100). .. 75 0.166 107.6 111.2 – – -0.8 8.5 3.3

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.836 136.3 133.1 32.2 2.3 6.0 2.2 -2.3

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.365 118.0 117.7 -0.5 0.6 0.4 -0.1 -0.3

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.417 128.1 127.2 -2.5 0.0 0.0 0.5 -0.7

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 25.713 87.0 86.8 0.3 -0.1 0.0 -0.2 -0.2

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 12.893 88.2 88.1 0.6 0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and TV

recorders & reproducers, parts............... 85 12.820 85.9 85.6 0.1 -0.3 0.1 -0.2 -0.3

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 11.346 109.8 109.4 0.3 -0.1 -0.4 -0.1 -0.4

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 10.230 108.6 108.5 0.4 -0.2 -0.4 -0.2 -0.1

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)....................................... 88 1.022 115.6 113.8 -1.4 -0.3 0.2 0.0 -1.6

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 3.282 101.2 100.8 -0.6 0.0 -1.4 0.2 -0.4

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical

instruments...................................... 90 2.969 98.8 98.6 -0.6 0.0 -1.5 0.2 -0.2

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . . . .. 91 0.234 124.5 120.5 -1.7 0.1 -0.2 -0.2 -3.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 3.904 107.2 107.4 -0.5 -0.3 0.2 0.0 0.2

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs........... 94 1.999 110.9 110.9 -2.0 -0.2 -0.2 0.2 0.0

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 1.700 101.0 101.1 0.4 -0.2 0.1 0.0 0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles........... 96 0.205 120.8 121.9 9.2 0.1 2.7 0.7 0.9

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2008 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

10
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: March 2009 to March

2010

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Feb.

20101

Index Percent change

Feb.

2010

Mar.

2010

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2009 to

Mar.

2010

Nov.

2009 to

Dec.

2009

Dec.

2009 to

Jan.

2010

Jan.

2010 to

Feb.

2010

Feb.

2010 to

Mar.

2010

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.691 161.8 164.6 5.9 1.5 1.6 3.7 1.7

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100). . .. 02 0.948 131.0 134.7 9.7 2.0 0.8 5.5 2.8

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.318 147.9 150.6 3.4 1.7 2.5 4.7 1.8

Vegetable products................................ II 4.186 176.0 181.2 3.8 1.3 2.8 -8.4 3.0

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.768 124.4 124.9 24.9 4.2 11.8 -1.0 0.4

Cereals.............................................. 10 1.653 177.9 183.3 -1.8 3.1 1.9 -9.7 3.0

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder....................... 12 1.278 189.2 195.3 6.3 0.0 0.0 -9.7 3.2

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.290 99.5 103.6 – – 2.7 -3.1 4.1

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.527 140.6 139.1 2.9 0.9 0.1 -0.9 -1.1

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other

parts of plants (Dec. 2009=100).............. 20 0.344 102.3 102.5 – – 0.9 1.4 0.2

Miscellaneous edible preparations.............. 21 0.421 119.2 119.0 -0.5 -0.3 0.3 0.0 -0.2

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar (Dec.

2008=100)....................................... 22 0.341 104.1 105.0 4.6 0.0 0.6 -0.3 0.9

Residues and waste from the food industries;

prepared animal feed........................... 23 0.597 189.1 179.5 -0.7 1.3 -0.8 -4.0 -5.1

Mineral products.................................... V 5.430 225.2 232.2 37.3 2.4 5.8 -5.3 3.1

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 4.819 219.4 227.1 41.5 2.6 6.0 -5.4 3.5

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 11.953 140.4 141.9 5.0 1.1 0.6 1.4 1.1

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 1.013 170.6 173.0 -13.1 1.4 -1.0 1.5 1.4

Organic chemicals................................. 29 3.015 146.8 149.2 11.3 1.5 0.3 1.0 1.6

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 3.012 122.2 122.1 6.7 0.3 2.6 1.5 -0.1

Tanning or dyeing extracts, dyes, paints,

varnish, putty, & inks........................... 32 0.542 113.9 113.9 -0.1 -0.3 -1.8 1.1 0.0

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations................ 33 0.739 125.1 123.5 1.6 0.0 -2.0 0.6 -1.3

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or scouring

products; candles, pastes..................... 34 0.444 118.3 117.4 1.7 0.2 0.3 0.3 -0.8

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 1.996 133.2 133.5 3.0 0.5 0.2 -0.7 0.2

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 5.065 134.3 135.2 3.8 0.3 -0.7 0.8 0.7

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 4.096 127.7 128.8 4.0 0.3 -1.5 1.2 0.9

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 0.969 164.2 164.1 2.9 0.3 2.9 -0.8 -0.1

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.362 113.2 116.5 44.4 5.2 2.3 3.9 2.9

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.566 108.8 108.0 3.4 1.0 2.2 1.6 -0.7

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 2.456 112.6 114.3 7.5 1.3 1.6 0.3 1.5

Woodpulp and recovered paper................. 47 0.657 120.0 125.6 41.8 5.0 6.0 2.3 4.7

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 1.287 109.6 110.2 -2.5 0.1 0.4 -0.5 0.5

Printed material.................................... 49 0.512 116.2 116.1 1.5 0.0 -0.2 0.1 -0.1

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 1.951 109.1 112.2 10.9 0.1 0.4 -0.5 2.8

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof............................................ 52 0.596 113.2 123.2 43.4 0.4 0.4 -1.4 8.8

See footnotes at end of table.

11
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: March 2009 to March

2010 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Feb.

20101

Index Percent change

Feb.

2010

Mar.

2010

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2009 to

Mar.

2010

Nov.

2009 to

Dec.

2009

Dec.

2009 to

Jan.

2010

Jan.

2010 to

Feb.

2010

Feb.

2010 to

Mar.

2010

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc. (Dec. 2008=100)..................... XIII 0.821 117.7 117.5 1.1 0.0 3.1 -0.3 -0.2

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.439 100.1 99.7 -0.8 0.0 2.6 0.0 -0.4

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 4.796 197.5 196.7 12.7 5.5 0.3 -0.1 -0.4

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.898 158.8 161.2 13.2 0.8 2.5 0.7 1.5

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.724 186.2 191.2 15.8 0.2 4.6 3.1 2.7

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.537 157.4 156.7 -4.6 -0.1 -0.3 0.3 -0.4

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.565 215.8 231.2 92.0 4.8 4.9 -3.7 7.1

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.908 123.2 123.4 28.9 2.1 6.3 -0.2 0.2

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.421 124.2 124.2 2.0 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.319 123.8 124.9 2.1 0.1 0.1 1.1 0.9

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 30.750 95.4 95.6 0.7 -0.1 0.2 -0.3 0.2

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 17.916 105.7 106.2 1.3 -0.1 0.1 -0.4 0.5

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts

and accessories thereof....................... 85 12.834 84.1 84.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.2 -0.2 0.0

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 13.486 120.8 121.0 1.5 0.0 0.4 0.2 0.2

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 8.696 108.2 108.3 0.7 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.1

Ships, boats and floating structures (Dec.

2009=100)....................................... 89 0.298 100.1 100.1 – – 0.1 0.0 0.0

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 6.064 106.4 106.2 -0.7 0.0 -2.1 0.2 -0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 1.558 108.4 107.7 0.9 -0.6 0.7 -0.1 -0.6

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;........................... 94 0.764 117.2 118.1 1.6 -1.4 -0.3 -0.1 0.8

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 0.678 95.2 92.9 -0.2 0.1 2.0 0.0 -2.4

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2008 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

12
Table 7. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes by locality of origin: March 2009 to March 2010

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Percent of

U.S.

imports1

Index Percent change

Feb.

2010

Mar.

2010

Annual Monthly

Mar. 2009

to Mar.

2010

Nov. 2009

to Dec.

2009

Dec. 2009

to Jan.

2010

Jan. 2010

to Feb.

2010

Feb. 2010

to Mar.

2010

Industrialized Countries2

..................... 41.082 125.8 125.4 6.7 0.6 1.3 0.2 -0.3

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 5.687 215.6 215.0 49.4 1.6 5.7 2.6 -0.3

Manufactured articles......................... 34.943 118.7 118.2 2.9 0.5 0.7 0.0 -0.4

Other Countries3

............................... 58.918 123.2 124.7 13.1 0.0 1.3 -0.4 1.2

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 15.714 252.7 264.0 58.3 -1.4 3.6 -1.6 4.5

Manufactured articles......................... 43.010 104.9 105.2 3.4 0.5 0.5 -0.1 0.3

Canada............................................ 15.923 144.1 144.0 15.8 1.0 3.6 1.0 -0.1

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 5.257 209.8 209.2 49.7 1.9 6.1 2.7 -0.3

Manufactured articles......................... 10.335 131.0 130.9 6.7 0.6 2.6 0.3 -0.1

European Union4

............................... 16.799 127.5 127.5 3.2 0.4 0.1 0.0 0.0

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 0.211 252.3 259.9 38.0 0.7 -1.2 2.1 3.0

Manufactured articles......................... 16.491 125.0 125.0 2.9 0.3 0.2 -0.1 0.0

France (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 1.948 122.2 121.7 2.2 0.1 0.5 -2.0 -0.4

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)..................... 4.572 113.5 112.9 4.2 1.0 0.8 -0.5 -0.5

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)........... 2.566 124.9 126.0 6.6 0.9 0.2 -0.1 0.9

Latin America5

.................................. 17.999 156.2 158.7 20.1 -0.3 2.2 -0.8 1.6

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 6.186 279.8 290.9 54.0 -2.1 4.3 -2.1 4.0

Manufactured articles......................... 11.730 130.4 130.9 7.6 0.6 0.9 -0.1 0.4

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 10.275 136.3 138.2 11.0 -0.7 1.7 -1.1 1.4

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec.

2008=100)................................... 2.141 146.9 155.5 58.2 -3.1 5.9 -4.2 5.9

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100). . .. 8.085 96.2 96.4 1.2 0.1 0.4 -0.3 0.2

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6

................ 31.500 100.3 100.4 1.1 0.4 0.1 -0.1 0.1

China (Dec. 2003=100)......................... 16.449 100.2 100.1 -0.8 0.2 -0.4 0.0 -0.1

Japan.............................................. 6.678 97.8 98.1 1.9 0.3 0.1 -0.1 0.3

Asian NICs7

..................................... 5.003 87.1 87.1 2.0 0.8 0.8 -0.1 0.0

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8

..................... 5.274 96.7 96.9 1.7 0.4 -0.5 -0.1 0.2

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9........... 5.380 207.2 214.1 40.9 -1.3 2.3 1.7 3.3

1 Percentage of trade figures are based on 2008 trade values.

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

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

4 Includes European Union countries.

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

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

Countries.

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

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

Vietnam.

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

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

Regions are not mutually exclusive.

Dash = Not available

13
Table 8. U.S. international price indexes and percent changes for selected transportation services: March 2009

to March 2010

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Feb.

20101

Index Percent change

Feb.

2010

Mar.

2010

Annual Monthly

Mar. 2009

to Mar.

2010

Nov. 2009

to Dec.

2009

Dec. 2009

to Jan.

2010

Jan. 2010

to Feb.

2010

Feb. 2010

to Mar.

2010

Air Freight

Import Air Freight..................................... 100.000 156.2 156.0 17.4 7.5 -4.4 -0.3 -0.1

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 22.201 136.8 131.8 5.8 2.1 -1.6 -1.2 -3.7

Asia.................................................... 69.829 141.5 143.2 20.9 10.1 -5.6 -0.6 1.2

Export Air Freight..................................... 100.000 123.7 124.4 0.2 0.9 0.2 0.5 0.6

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)............................ 33.145 113.5 114.7 -0.4 2.1 0.0 0.2 1.1

Inbound Air Freight................................... 100.000 143.1 143.6 12.6 5.0 -2.2 -0.6 0.3

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 23.553 127.3 123.5 1.7 1.4 -0.5 -1.2 -3.0

Asia.................................................... 66.338 131.0 132.5 17.9 7.1 -3.1 -0.6 1.1

Outbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 115.9 117.0 -2.3 1.1 0.3 0.9 0.9

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 40.855 133.0 133.7 -5.7 1.6 0.3 0.6 0.5

Asia.................................................... 42.716 107.2 108.3 3.0 1.0 0.8 1.2 1.0

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 142.2 149.8 11.0 3.3 -3.2 -3.5 5.3

Europe................................................. 40.612 147.9 162.6 20.8 -2.3 -1.6 -3.6 9.9

Asia.................................................... 27.920 122.8 126.4 2.7 11.0 -5.3 -7.6 2.9

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 13.363 132.3 135.9 15.0 12.6 -10.8 1.1 2.7

Export Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 146.6 151.4 6.8 10.2 1.0 -7.0 3.3

Europe................................................. 34.412 180.0 181.7 18.2 5.3 -0.6 -3.4 0.9

Asia.................................................... 29.194 122.0 130.8 1.9 10.9 6.0 -9.6 7.2

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 24.050 159.5 162.3 8.4 16.1 2.7 -9.6 1.8

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2008 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

14
TECHNICAL NOTE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Index) to produce the NAICS primary products indexes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Agriculture. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Publications."

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

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

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

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

NAICS 31-33. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

(mxpinfo@bls.gov). 

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

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

16