Bureau of Labor Statistics Washington, D.C. 20212 

Technical information: USDL-08-1424 

 (202) 691-7101 Transmission of this 

Media contact: material is embargoed 

 (202) 691-5902 until 8:30 A.M. EDT 

Internet address: http://www.bls.gov/mxp Friday, October 10, 2008 

U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES 

- SEPTEMBER 2008 - 

The U.S. Import Price Index decreased 3.0 percent in September, the Bureau of Labor Statistics 

of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today, following a 2.6 percent decline in August. Falling 

petroleum prices led the overall decrease, although nonpetroleum prices also declined. Prices for overall 

exports decreased 1.0 percent for the month. 

Percent changes in import and export price indexes 

by End Use category 

- not seasonally adjusted - 

News United States 

 Department 

of Labor
Import Goods

Import prices fell 3.0 percent in September, the largest one-month decline since April 2003. 

Despite the 5.5 percent drop over August and September, the largest two-month decline since the index 

was first published monthly in December 1988; import prices were still up 14.5 percent over the past 

year. The September decrease in import prices was led by a 9.0 percent decline in petroleum prices, the 

largest monthly drop since October 2006. The September decline in petroleum prices followed an 8.2 

percent decrease in August; however, the index still rose 47.1 percent over the past 12 months. 

Nonpetroleum import prices also fell in September, declining 0.9 percent after a 0.5 percent drop in 

August. Prices for nonpetroleum imports rose 6.5 percent for the year ended in September. 

The September decrease in nonpetroleum prices was driven by a 2.9 percent drop in the price 

index for nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials. Falling prices for natural gas and metals drove 

the decline. A 1.7 percent decrease in the foods, feeds, and beverages index largely resulted from lower 

prices for food oils, meat, and fish. 

Prices for each of the major finished goods categories also fell in September. The price indexes 

for capital goods, automotive vehicles, and consumer goods each decreased 0.1 percent. The decrease 

in capital goods prices was led by computer prices, which continued to trend down in September. The 

fall in computer prices more than offset a 0.2 percent advance in capital goods prices excluding 

computers. The downturn in prices for automotive vehicles was the first decrease since the index fell 

0.2 percent in January 2006. Similarly, consumer goods prices decreased for the first time since April 

2006. 

 

Export Goods 

Export prices decreased 1.0 percent in September following a 1.7 percent decline in August. The 

September decline was led by a 1.0 percent drop in nonagricultural prices, although agricultural prices 

also fell, decreasing 0.3 percent. Despite the 2.7 percent downturn over August and September, the 

largest two-month decline since the index was first published monthly in December 1988; export prices 

were still up 6.8 percent for the year ended in September. The decline in nonagricultural prices in 

September followed a 0.7 percent drop in August, and was the largest one-month drop since the index 

was first published monthly in December 1988. Nonagricultural prices rose 5.6 percent for the 

September 2007-2008 period. 

The September decline in nonagricultural prices was led by a 2.7 percent drop in the price index 

for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials. Lower prices for gold, precious metals, and fuel oil 

led the decline. 

Prices for capital goods and consumer goods also decreased in September, falling 0.1 percent 

and 0.3 percent, respectively. Excluding a 0.8 percent decrease in computer prices, capital goods prices 

advanced 0.1 percent in September. In contrast, the price index for automotive vehicles ticked up 0.1 

percent. 

The modest decline in agricultural prices was led by lower prices for soybeans, fruit, and 

vegetables, which more than offset increasing corn and wheat prices. The September decrease in 

agricultural prices followed a 9.6 percent decline in August. The index advanced 19.5 percent over the 

past twelve months. 

2
Imports by Locality of Origin 

 

Lower fuel prices in September drove the declines in import prices from Canada, Mexico, and 

the European Union for the second consecutive month. Import prices from Canada fell 4.9 percent, the 

largest one-month drop since the index was first published monthly in September 1992. Prices for 

imports from Mexico declined 1.7 percent, and import prices from the European Union fell 1.3 percent. 

Despite the decreases over the past two months, prices for imports from Canada, Mexico, and the 

European Union rose 19.8 percent, 16.3 percent, and 7.8 percent, respectively, over the past year.

Prices for imports from Japan also declined in September, falling 0.6 percent, which was the first 

monthly downturn for the index since November 2007 and the largest one-month drop since January 

2006. The index rose 1.1 percent over the past year. 

In contrast, import prices from China continued to rise in September, ticking up 0.1 percent for 

the second consecutive month after rising 3.2 percent from February to July. Import prices from China 

increased 4.8 percent for the year ended in September. 

Import and Export Services

 Import air passenger fares decreased 6.9 percent in September after falling 3.0 percent in August. 

The September decline was led by a 10.1 percent seasonal decrease in European fares. The index for 

import air passenger fares increased 15.0 percent for the September 2007-2008 period. Export air 

passenger fares fell 8.7 percent in September. The decrease was driven by a 10.9 percent seasonal drop 

in European fares. Over the past 12 months, the index increased 13.1 percent. 

The price index for import air freight decreased 3.4 percent in September, led by an 8.1 percent 

decline in European air freight prices. The September drop in overall import air freight prices followed 

a 0.2 percent decrease the previous month. Export air freight prices fell 1.4 percent in September after 

advancing 3.6 percent in August. Import air freight prices rose 16.8 percent over the past 12 months 

while export air freight prices advanced 22.0 percent over the same period. 

 

CONTENTS OF RELEASE 

This news release includes the following tables: 

Table 1 U.S. Import Price Indexes, by End Use.....page 4 

Table 2 U.S. Export Price Indexes, by End Use.....page 5 

Table 3 U.S. Import Price Indexes, by NAICS.....page 6 

Table 4 U.S. Export Price Indexes, by NAICS.....page 7 

Table 5 U.S. Import Price Indexes, by Harmonized System.....pages 8-9 

Table 6 U.S. Export Price Indexes, by Harmonized System.....pages 10-11 

Table 7 U.S. Import Price Indexes, by Locality of Origin.....page 12 

Table 8 U.S. International Price Indexes for Selected Transportation Services.....page 13 

------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Import and Export Price Index data for October are scheduled for release on November 14 at 

8:30 A.M. (EST) 

3
Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: September 2007 to

September 2008

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Aug.

20081

Index Percent change

Aug.

2008

Sept.

2008

Annual Monthly

Sept.

2007 to

Sept.

2008

May

2008 to

June

2008

June

2008 to

July 2008

July 2008

to Aug.

2008

Aug.

2008 to

Sept.

2008

All commodities..................................... 100.000 143.8 139.5 14.5 3.0 1.4 -2.6 -3.0

All imports excluding petroleum................ 73.684 115.1 114.1 6.5 0.9 0.7 -0.5 -0.9

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)... 71.539 117.4 116.8 6.1 0.6 0.6 0.2 -0.5

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 4.283 150.8 148.3 12.5 1.9 1.5 0.6 -1.7

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 3.335 168.5 165.4 14.5 1.8 1.7 0.4 -1.8

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 0.948 111.0 109.6 5.9 2.4 0.6 1.7 -1.3

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 43.880 274.1 256.2 34.3 6.8 2.9 -5.8 -6.5

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum..................................... 17.563 173.5 168.4 19.4 3.1 2.1 -2.1 -2.9

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)....................... 15.418 182.4 179.7 18.8 2.5 1.7 0.3 -1.5

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 10.227 175.3 171.1 17.0 2.7 1.3 -0.3 -2.4

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum......................... 5.192 170.1 163.9 22.7 3.8 3.1 -4.6 -3.6

Fuels & lubricants............................... 10 28.462 399.4 362.4 45.0 9.1 3.4 -8.9 -9.3

Petroleum & petroleum products........... 100 26.317 427.2 388.9 47.1 9.2 3.4 -8.2 -9.0

Crude.......................................... 10000 19.955 454.4 411.6 51.9 9.2 3.7 -7.6 -9.4

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................... 101 1.911 234.7 200.8 39.9 8.8 5.0 -17.3 -14.4

Gas-natural................................... 10110 1.757 231.9 195.8 43.5 9.5 5.3 -18.8 -15.6

Paper & paper base stocks................... 11 0.707 119.9 119.8 7.7 0.2 1.4 0.8 -0.1

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials......................... 12 4.549 159.3 160.0 24.8 2.2 2.8 1.3 0.4

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.667 122.1 122.5 4.8 2.6 1.8 0.7 0.3

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods.......................................... 14 5.089 271.5 260.1 24.4 3.6 0.7 -1.3 -4.2

Finished metals related to durable goods. .. 15 1.915 162.3 159.3 18.2 2.2 1.4 0.8 -1.8

Nonmetals related to durable goods......... 16 1.491 111.9 111.8 9.1 0.3 3.0 1.0 -0.1

Capital goods..................................... 2 19.234 93.4 93.3 1.5 -0.1 0.3 -0.1 -0.1

Electric generating equipment................ 20 2.505 113.0 112.9 6.0 0.3 0.6 0.3 -0.1

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 15.248 88.3 88.1 0.5 -0.2 0.2 -0.1 -0.2

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 1.480 117.9 118.0 4.1 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 11.934 108.1 108.0 2.7 0.1 0.1 0.1 -0.1

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 20.670 105.2 105.1 2.9 0.1 0.2 0.1 -0.1

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 9.554 108.4 108.1 3.0 -0.1 0.2 0.3 -0.3

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 10.093 101.7 101.8 3.0 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.1

Nonmanufactured consumer goods.......... 42 1.023 106.6 106.6 3.1 0.8 0.1 -0.1 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2006 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

4
Table 2. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: September 2007 to

September 2008

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Aug.

20081

Index Percent change

Aug.

2008

Sept.

2008

Annual Monthly

Sept.

2007 to

Sept.

2008

May

2008 to

June

2008

June

2008 to

July 2008

July 2008

to Aug.

2008

Aug.

2008 to

Sept.

2008

All commodities..................................... 100.000 125.8 124.6 6.8 1.0 1.5 -1.7 -1.0

Agricultural commodities......................... 9.750 187.9 187.4 19.5 2.3 6.5 -9.6 -0.3

Nonagricultural commodities.................... 90.250 121.4 120.2 5.6 0.9 0.9 -0.7 -1.0

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 8.833 189.1 189.1 19.8 2.4 6.6 -10.4 0.0

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 8.161 194.2 194.4 20.9 2.6 7.1 -11.1 0.1

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 0.672 145.6 143.5 7.9 0.4 0.5 -0.9 -1.4

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 31.775 173.7 169.1 13.6 2.1 2.6 -2.3 -2.6

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 11.918 174.5 165.5 6.4 -0.3 1.1 -0.2 -5.2

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................... 19.857 174.1 172.1 18.3 3.6 3.6 -3.5 -1.1

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials... 10 1.589 161.5 158.0 12.9 0.7 3.0 -0.8 -2.2

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials........................................ 30.187 174.7 170.0 13.7 2.2 2.6 -2.3 -2.7

Fuels & lubricants............................... 11 5.421 275.2 268.8 33.8 7.8 5.3 -12.1 -2.3

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . . . .. 12 23.771 165.0 160.3 10.6 0.9 2.0 0.1 -2.8

Selected building materials.................... 13 0.995 114.4 113.8 -0.5 -0.1 0.1 0.4 -0.5

Capital goods..................................... 2 38.279 102.0 101.9 2.0 0.4 -0.1 0.1 -0.1

Electrical generating equipment.............. 20 3.635 109.2 109.6 2.7 0.3 0.3 0.0 0.4

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 26.984 94.1 93.9 0.9 0.3 -0.2 0.1 -0.2

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 7.659 130.6 130.7 5.9 0.5 0.2 0.0 0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 9.435 107.8 107.9 1.5 -0.1 0.3 0.1 0.1

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 11.677 108.6 108.3 2.0 0.1 0.4 0.0 -0.3

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 5.472 109.9 109.0 1.9 0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.8

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 5.225 106.3 106.4 2.1 0.1 0.9 0.2 0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2006 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

5
Table 3. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: September 2007 to

September 2008

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Aug.

20081

Index Percent change

Aug.

2008

Sept.

2008

Annual Monthly

Sept.

2007 to

Sept.

2008

May

2008 to

June

2008

June

2008 to

July 2008

July 2008

to Aug.

2008

Aug.

2008 to

Sept.

2008

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 24.450 197.8 179.7 47.4 8.5 4.0 -7.7 -9.2

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 1.625 143.2 139.5 19.2 1.6 2.8 1.4 -2.6

Crop production................................. 111 1.150 145.9 143.2 19.7 0.6 3.4 1.3 -1.9

Mining.............................................. 21 22.825 203.1 183.6 50.0 9.0 4.1 -8.3 -9.6

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)..................................... 212 0.365 126.4 125.5 21.3 -0.1 1.0 1.9 -0.7

Manufactured articles.............................. 74.879 114.9 113.8 7.2 1.2 0.5 -0.9 -1.0

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 9.004 110.3 109.4 4.1 0.6 0.6 0.1 -0.8

Food manufacturing............................ 311 2.348 132.0 129.3 13.0 2.4 1.5 0.2 -2.0

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.741 106.7 106.6 3.3 0.3 0.7 0.1 -0.1

Textile mills...................................... 313 0.406 114.5 113.7 6.1 -0.1 0.8 0.6 -0.7

Textile product mills............................ 314 0.669 101.9 102.6 2.5 -0.7 0.1 0.1 0.7

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 3.545 102.2 101.7 -0.4 0.0 0.1 0.0 -0.5

Leather and allied product manufacturing. .. 316 1.295 105.9 105.7 3.0 0.1 0.8 0.0 -0.2

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 17.678 132.9 129.8 16.9 3.8 1.4 -3.1 -2.3

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 1.049 99.0 99.5 4.4 3.8 1.1 1.1 0.5

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.191 114.6 114.2 9.8 0.3 1.3 1.5 -0.3

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 5.068 173.8 161.2 35.1 10.0 1.1 -11.5 -7.2

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 7.705 128.1 127.3 13.2 1.1 1.2 0.9 -0.6

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 1.557 113.9 114.4 9.6 0.5 1.9 0.5 0.4

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 1.021 115.4 115.4 7.4 0.2 3.7 -0.7 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 48.197 110.2 109.6 4.5 0.5 0.3 -0.3 -0.5

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 5.910 185.1 177.7 23.1 3.5 0.9 -1.5 -4.0

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.429 121.8 121.7 11.0 1.6 1.1 0.6 -0.1

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 6.042 111.4 111.6 5.0 0.0 0.5 0.1 0.2

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 12.270 92.2 91.9 -3.2 -0.5 -0.5 -0.4 -0.3

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.387 113.9 114.2 6.3 0.6 0.7 0.1 0.3

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 12.634 105.1 105.0 3.0 0.2 0.2 0.1 -0.1

Furniture and related product

manufacturing................................ 337 1.358 111.4 111.6 9.6 0.4 1.4 0.1 0.2

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 4.167 111.3 111.0 3.5 0.5 0.5 -0.1 -0.3

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2006 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

6
Table 4. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: September 2007 to

September 2008

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Aug.

20081

Index Percent change

Aug.

2008

Sept.

2008

Annual Monthly

Sept.

2007 to

Sept.

2008

May

2008 to

June

2008

June

2008 to

July 2008

July 2008

to Aug.

2008

Aug.

2008 to

Sept.

2008

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 6.839 148.3 146.6 17.5 2.3 6.8 -13.3 -1.1

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 5.494 167.8 168.1 20.8 2.4 9.1 -14.8 0.2

Crop production................................. 111 5.149 174.3 174.9 22.7 2.5 9.6 -15.6 0.3

Mining.............................................. 21 1.345 104.6 97.7 5.3 1.8 -2.5 -6.8 -6.6

Mining (except oil and gas).................... 212 0.871 101.5 98.7 1.2 -0.9 1.1 1.3 -2.8

Manufactured articles.............................. 90.295 113.7 112.9 6.3 1.1 1.0 -0.6 -0.7

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 6.934 126.9 126.2 12.8 1.5 1.5 -0.2 -0.6

Food manufacturing............................ 311 4.637 144.2 143.0 18.8 1.9 1.9 -0.3 -0.8

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.485 106.9 106.2 3.2 0.2 -0.2 0.3 -0.7

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 0.457 101.3 101.3 0.8 0.1 -0.2 0.4 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 23.866 128.3 127.2 13.9 2.7 3.0 -2.4 -0.9

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.508 112.1 111.9 0.6 -0.1 -0.5 0.6 -0.2

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.896 116.0 116.2 4.6 0.3 0.3 0.0 0.2

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 3.840 185.8 180.9 42.6 10.3 7.6 -13.9 -2.6

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 14.617 125.3 124.3 12.1 1.7 2.5 0.2 -0.8

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 2.129 110.7 111.5 5.7 1.1 0.9 0.3 0.7

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.791 109.0 110.2 3.7 0.1 0.3 0.1 1.1

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 59.495 107.3 106.6 2.9 0.3 0.2 0.1 -0.7

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.964 154.8 143.9 16.6 0.9 1.2 0.3 -7.0

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.688 118.9 118.6 5.4 0.7 1.5 0.8 -0.3

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 11.729 110.7 110.7 4.6 0.1 0.7 0.5 0.0

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 15.983 94.7 94.3 -1.9 0.4 -0.8 -0.3 -0.4

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.510 107.1 107.2 2.3 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 16.018 107.1 107.2 2.6 0.1 0.3 0.0 0.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 4.274 107.7 107.6 3.1 0.2 0.8 0.0 -0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2006 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

7
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: September 2007 to

September 2008

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Aug.

20081

Index Percent change

Aug.

2008

Sept.

2008

Annual Monthly

Sept.

2007 to

Sept.

2008

May

2008 to

June

2008

June

2008 to

July 2008

July 2008

to Aug.

2008

Aug.

2008 to

Sept.

2008

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.110 149.1 145.0 13.0 1.6 1.2 4.0 -2.7

Meat and edible meat offal....................... 02 0.263 181.0 173.7 17.0 3.6 4.4 4.8 -4.0

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.522 109.3 106.7 5.2 2.0 0.5 2.3 -2.4

Vegetable products................................ II 1.293 164.6 163.0 16.3 1.6 1.7 1.5 -1.0

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers............ 07 0.316 219.8 216.7 9.1 -2.7 5.6 2.7 -1.4

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.390 115.0 116.6 15.4 5.5 -4.0 6.2 1.4

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................... 09 0.242 173.3 173.0 17.9 0.2 4.1 -0.2 -0.2

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.062 142.7 140.7 11.7 1.9 1.9 0.1 -1.4

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100).............. 19 0.173 114.8 111.8 – 1.5 4.8 0.8 -2.6

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or other

parts of plants................................... 20 0.215 140.5 140.1 9.4 0.0 -0.6 -0.6 -0.3

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.................. 22 0.741 120.4 117.8 5.8 0.8 1.2 0.1 -2.2

Mineral products.................................... V 28.165 395.3 359.2 46.1 9.0 3.5 -8.7 -9.1

Salt; sulfur; earths and stone; plaster

materials, lime & cement (Dec.2007=100)... 25 0.191 103.4 103.1 – 0.2 0.3 0.2 -0.3

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 27.591 397.6 360.6 46.8 9.3 3.5 -8.9 -9.3

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 6.990 142.3 143.7 14.7 1.1 0.9 1.4 1.0

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 0.947 272.2 295.4 33.8 0.9 0.9 5.8 8.5

Organic chemicals................................. 29 2.270 134.7 134.4 11.1 1.1 0.5 0.9 -0.2

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 2.061 114.2 113.8 4.2 -0.1 -0.1 0.2 -0.4

Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye & pigments;

varnish & paints; putty......................... 32 0.149 107.1 109.2 6.6 0.6 1.1 0.7 2.0

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec.

2001=100)....................................... 33 0.372 126.0 124.4 9.3 0.5 0.1 0.5 -1.3

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 0.378 102.1 99.8 1.1 -0.1 0.4 0.6 -2.3

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 2.694 137.9 137.4 11.6 0.9 2.6 0.9 -0.4

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 1.776 135.0 135.2 12.2 0.5 2.6 1.2 0.1

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 0.918 143.5 141.8 10.7 1.7 2.6 0.1 -1.2

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.524 113.3 112.9 3.4 0.3 0.7 0.1 -0.4

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

various materials................................ 42 0.482 113.8 113.4 3.5 0.3 0.8 0.0 -0.4

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 1.088 121.4 122.1 4.4 3.8 1.3 1.2 0.6

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 1.327 118.2 117.8 8.5 0.0 0.9 1.6 -0.3

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 0.923 114.9 114.0 9.7 -0.2 1.3 2.3 -0.8

Printed matter...................................... 49 0.226 118.2 120.5 2.9 0.1 -0.3 0.0 1.9

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 4.488 104.1 103.9 1.1 -0.1 0.3 0.3 -0.2

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted............................ 61 1.617 100.7 100.7 0.1 0.0 0.3 -0.1 0.0

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted........................ 62 1.763 102.5 101.8 -1.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 -0.7

Made-up or worn textile articles................. 63 0.454 95.5 96.6 4.3 -1.2 0.6 0.0 1.2

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.. .. XII 1.078 106.4 106.0 3.9 0.0 0.5 0.1 -0.4

Footwear and parts of such articles............ 64 0.904 105.4 105.0 3.1 0.0 0.6 0.1 -0.4

See footnotes at end of table.

8
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: September 2007 to

September 2008 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Aug.

20081

Index Percent change

Aug.

2008

Sept.

2008

Annual Monthly

Sept.

2007 to

Sept.

2008

May

2008 to

June

2008

June

2008 to

July 2008

July 2008

to Aug.

2008

Aug.

2008 to

Sept.

2008

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 0.876 119.1 119.1 6.5 0.1 3.9 -0.7 0.0

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or

mica (Dec. 2001=100)......................... 68 0.325 115.6 115.6 11.7 -0.1 8.4 -0.3 0.0

Ceramic products.................................. 69 0.272 123.3 123.0 2.8 0.6 -0.1 -1.9 -0.2

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.279 116.6 116.7 4.3 -0.2 2.9 0.1 0.1

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 2.527 152.8 141.6 5.8 1.0 0.1 -2.8 -7.3

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 7.086 209.7 206.2 21.1 3.0 1.2 0.2 -1.7

Iron and steel...................................... 72 2.408 317.7 317.8 54.3 8.1 3.3 -0.4 0.0

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.711 166.8 167.0 28.0 3.4 3.1 1.3 0.1

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.806 322.3 302.0 -0.3 -2.3 -1.7 0.6 -6.3

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.968 158.9 151.1 6.5 -1.5 0.4 1.5 -4.9

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.330 116.4 116.6 7.0 0.6 0.9 0.3 0.2

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.408 130.5 130.3 3.5 0.9 0.7 0.2 -0.2

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 21.479 88.6 88.6 0.3 -0.2 -0.1 -0.2 0.0

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 11.056 89.0 88.8 -0.1 -0.3 0.0 -0.3 -0.2

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and TV

recorders & reproducers, parts............... 85 10.423 88.3 88.4 0.8 -0.1 -0.2 0.0 0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 11.038 109.8 109.7 3.1 0.3 0.2 0.1 -0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 10.232 109.0 108.9 3.1 0.3 0.1 0.2 -0.1

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)....................................... 88 0.724 112.2 112.3 2.7 0.1 0.4 0.1 0.1

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 2.571 101.8 101.9 2.5 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.1

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical

instruments...................................... 90 2.302 99.7 99.8 2.3 -0.1 0.3 0.0 0.1

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . . . .. 91 0.202 121.9 121.9 4.4 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 3.372 107.3 107.5 5.8 0.4 0.8 0.1 0.2

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs........... 94 1.965 113.0 113.2 7.8 0.4 0.9 0.1 0.2

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 1.226 99.4 99.6 2.9 0.2 0.4 0.3 0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles........... 96 0.181 113.3 113.1 5.6 0.1 1.5 0.3 -0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2006 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

9
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: September 2007 to

September 2008

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Aug.

20081

Index Percent change

Aug.

2008

Sept.

2008

Annual Monthly

Sept.

2007 to

Sept.

2008

May

2008 to

June

2008

June

2008 to

July 2008

July 2008

to Aug.

2008

Aug.

2008 to

Sept.

2008

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.704 181.9 184.0 14.6 2.5 2.0 2.2 1.2

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100). . .. 02 0.953 155.4 156.8 19.1 2.4 2.3 4.4 0.9

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.421 149.1 148.8 14.1 0.1 0.5 -0.5 -0.2

Vegetable products................................ II 5.146 221.1 223.7 25.4 2.6 9.2 -15.4 1.2

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.683 124.0 119.2 -2.9 0.7 -1.5 2.3 -3.9

Cereals.............................................. 10 2.139 246.3 267.5 33.0 0.4 9.9 -23.7 8.6

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder....................... 12 1.664 249.3 238.7 36.7 8.8 15.3 -16.6 -4.3

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.334 135.9 136.6 11.0 1.0 1.5 -1.8 0.5

Miscellaneous edible preparations.............. 21 0.433 120.5 120.7 4.8 -0.1 0.2 -0.1 0.2

Residues and waste from the food industries;

prepared animal feed........................... 23 0.582 198.9 204.3 33.1 3.2 6.4 -8.3 2.7

Mineral products.................................... V 5.572 337.7 327.1 35.6 7.8 5.5 -11.2 -3.1

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 4.997 336.8 327.0 42.7 8.8 6.2 -12.4 -2.9

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 11.959 147.8 147.0 11.8 1.9 2.4 -0.7 -0.5

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 1.302 200.7 206.2 23.9 1.5 2.3 1.9 2.7

Organic chemicals................................. 29 4.024 167.4 164.5 13.8 3.3 3.9 -3.2 -1.7

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 2.666 118.6 117.4 2.4 0.0 -0.3 -0.7 -1.0

Tanning or dyeing extracts, dyes, paints,

varnish, putty, & inks........................... 32 0.562 114.8 115.6 1.1 0.3 -0.8 0.9 0.7

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations................ 33 0.713 124.7 123.5 6.0 0.0 0.7 1.5 -1.0

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or scouring

products; candles, pastes..................... 34 0.434 121.6 122.2 5.4 0.8 1.2 1.3 0.5

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 1.753 129.5 129.7 8.1 0.5 2.6 0.3 0.2

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 5.491 148.9 148.0 10.9 1.9 3.1 1.6 -0.6

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 4.411 142.9 141.4 9.2 1.6 2.5 1.5 -1.0

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.080 175.2 177.5 18.5 2.9 5.3 1.6 1.3

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.386 116.2 115.0 -3.5 -0.3 -0.5 -0.4 -1.0

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.627 112.6 111.7 -1.0 -0.2 -0.2 0.4 -0.8

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 2.495 118.3 117.9 4.6 0.4 0.6 0.1 -0.3

Woodpulp and recovered paper................. 47 0.703 130.9 130.1 10.6 1.0 2.0 0.0 -0.6

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 1.286 113.5 113.8 3.8 0.3 0.6 0.3 0.3

Printed material.................................... 49 0.506 119.0 117.4 -0.8 0.3 -1.6 -0.3 -1.3

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 2.212 109.8 109.4 4.6 0.4 1.8 -0.1 -0.4

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof............................................ 52 0.704 112.8 110.5 9.5 0.9 3.9 -1.1 -2.0

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 0.775 111.3 111.7 1.7 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.4

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.417 98.9 98.9 0.6 -0.7 0.0 0.0 0.0

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 3.975 186.4 170.0 7.5 -1.7 1.5 0.3 -8.8

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 6.001 182.8 176.7 9.3 0.7 1.2 -0.3 -3.3

See footnotes at end of table.

10
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: September 2007 to

September 2008 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Aug.

20081

Index Percent change

Aug.

2008

Sept.

2008

Annual Monthly

Sept.

2007 to

Sept.

2008

May

2008 to

June

2008

June

2008 to

July 2008

July 2008

to Aug.

2008

Aug.

2008 to

Sept.

2008

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.651 249.9 234.2 22.2 2.9 3.1 -0.4 -6.3

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.452 161.5 160.6 8.9 2.9 1.5 1.6 -0.6

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.683 258.8 249.0 3.7 -2.2 0.4 -1.3 -3.8

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.982 148.8 138.4 -1.8 -2.7 0.4 -1.6 -7.0

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.378 120.0 120.0 3.9 -0.1 0.9 0.0 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.361 130.5 130.6 1.6 0.7 0.2 0.2 0.1

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 29.733 95.2 95.0 0.7 0.2 -0.1 0.0 -0.2

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 16.605 104.3 104.0 1.3 -0.1 0.4 0.2 -0.3

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts

and accessories thereof....................... 85 13.128 85.3 85.3 0.1 0.8 -0.8 -0.2 0.0

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 13.659 116.9 117.1 2.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.2

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 8.053 107.0 107.1 1.2 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.1

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 5.943 107.4 107.1 3.1 0.1 0.0 0.3 -0.3

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 1.396 108.4 108.7 3.2 -0.2 -0.2 0.0 0.3

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;........................... 94 0.743 116.8 117.7 4.1 0.0 -0.3 0.1 0.8

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 0.503 94.2 94.4 3.4 -0.5 -0.1 -0.3 0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2006 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

11
Table 7. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes by locality of origin: September 2007 to September

2008

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Percent of

U.S.

imports1

Index Percent change

Aug.

2008

Sept.

2008

Annual Monthly

Sept. 2007

to Sept.

2008

May 2008

to June

2008

June 2008

to July

2008

July 2008

to Aug.

2008

Aug. 2008

to Sept.

2008

Industrialized Countries2

..................... 42.888 140.0 135.7 12.7 1.9 1.5 -1.2 -3.1

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 4.201 334.5 298.2 52.6 6.9 3.7 -7.0 -10.9

Manufactured articles......................... 38.251 125.5 123.6 7.9 1.1 1.0 -0.1 -1.5

Other Countries3

............................... 57.112 146.1 141.8 17.1 3.7 1.8 -2.6 -2.9

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 12.058 393.8 361.2 49.5 9.0 4.0 -5.9 -8.3

Manufactured articles......................... 44.837 111.5 111.0 6.6 1.3 0.8 -1.1 -0.4

Canada............................................ 16.032 170.1 161.7 19.8 3.6 1.5 -2.1 -4.9

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 3.711 329.4 291.1 55.1 7.2 3.4 -7.7 -11.6

Manufactured articles......................... 12.028 139.3 137.1 9.4 1.9 0.5 0.8 -1.6

European Union4

............................... 17.355 133.7 131.9 7.8 0.8 0.4 -0.5 -1.3

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 0.249 428.9 398.1 44.8 2.7 7.2 0.0 -7.2

Manufactured articles......................... 16.987 129.7 128.1 7.0 0.8 0.2 -0.5 -1.2

France (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 1.844 121.2 120.5 9.8 0.4 0.9 0.7 -0.6

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)..................... 4.732 113.2 112.0 3.2 0.2 0.1 -0.2 -1.1

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)........... 2.684 141.8 136.5 10.7 1.1 1.3 -1.8 -3.7

Latin America5

.................................. 18.032 192.2 185.3 21.7 4.2 3.2 -3.9 -3.6

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 5.151 397.1 365.4 45.8 8.8 5.3 -7.8 -8.0

Manufactured articles......................... 12.786 146.8 145.8 10.0 1.2 1.8 -1.2 -0.7

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 10.710 154.8 152.2 16.3 3.1 2.5 -2.1 -1.7

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6................ 33.822 103.6 102.6 3.3 0.4 0.8 0.1 -1.0

China (Dec. 2003=100)......................... 15.926 103.8 103.9 4.8 0.6 0.9 0.1 0.1

Japan.............................................. 8.032 95.5 94.9 1.1 0.2 0.4 0.0 -0.6

Asian NICs7..................................... 5.887 93.8 93.1 4.8 0.1 1.3 1.6 -0.7

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8

..................... 6.041 102.7 101.7 4.2 0.8 0.5 -1.0 -1.0

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9

........... 3.928 310.6 287.8 38.0 6.0 1.9 -2.1 -7.3

1 Percentage of trade figures are based on 2006 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

12
Table 8. U.S. international price indexes and percent changes for selected transportation services: September

2007 to September 2008

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Aug.

20081

Index Percent change

Aug.

2008

Sept.

2008

Annual Monthly

Sept.

2007 to

Sept.

2008

May 2008

to June

2008

June 2008

to July

2008

July 2008

to Aug.

2008

Aug. 2008

to Sept.

2008

Air Freight

Import Air Freight..................................... 100.000 162.3 156.8 16.8 0.9 2.5 -0.2 -3.4

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 30.936 182.9 168.1 25.0 0.6 3.0 1.6 -8.1

Asia.................................................... 57.201 129.5 127.7 9.8 0.2 1.9 -1.7 -1.4

Export Air Freight..................................... 100.000 148.3 146.2 22.0 2.5 1.7 3.6 -1.4

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)............................ 43.278 142.1 139.8 36.7 3.7 2.4 2.3 -1.6

Inbound Air Freight................................... 100.000 155.6 151.8 17.1 1.3 2.0 0.3 -2.4

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 32.718 172.4 161.7 24.6 1.7 2.7 1.7 -6.2

Asia.................................................... 54.394 124.2 123.5 11.4 0.6 1.5 -0.9 -0.6

Outbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 150.1 147.9 26.4 4.8 3.8 0.7 -1.5

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 41.980 172.2 168.3 27.9 5.1 3.2 1.5 -2.3

Asia.................................................... 40.449 133.2 132.4 25.3 5.1 4.3 -0.9 -0.6

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 173.3 161.3 15.0 18.3 4.1 -3.0 -6.9

Europe................................................. 47.222 188.0 169.1 11.3 27.0 2.6 -1.7 -10.1

Asia.................................................... 24.361 146.6 135.1 13.8 20.9 4.0 -5.7 -7.8

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 12.202 154.2 134.1 10.9 4.2 5.7 -1.0 -13.0

Export Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 191.5 174.9 13.1 8.2 6.2 5.2 -8.7

Europe................................................. 31.078 237.8 211.9 13.0 16.2 6.2 -0.4 -10.9

Asia.................................................... 37.261 171.7 156.2 23.3 2.2 5.1 19.7 -9.0

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 18.402 175.9 161.4 -4.3 3.2 6.3 -0.3 -8.2

1 Relative importance figures for Air Passenger Fares Indexes are based on 2006 trade values, while the relative importance figures for the Air Freight

Indexes are based on 2005 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

13
TECHNICAL NOTE

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

formula and are not seasonally adjusted. Price indexes for merchandise goods 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 excluded from both indexes. 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 

"Publications and Other Documentation."

14
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 IPP news release is available through an e-mail subscription service at 

(http://www.bls.gov/mxp) or (http://www.bls.gov/bls/newsrels.htm). 

 

Additional Information -- More detailed IPP data are available on the IPP 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 IPP-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 IPP 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. 

15