Technical Information
  Jim Thomas        (202) 606-7155          USDL-97-324
  Bill Alterman      (202) 606-7108         For release: 10:00 A.M. E.D.T.
Media contact:                              Wednesday, September 17, 1997
  Kathryn Hoyle      (202) 606-5902
Internet Address:   http://stats.bls.gov/ipphome.htm

                U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES
                            -AUGUST 1997-
                                  
     The U.S. Import Price Index fell 0.1 percent in August, the Bureau
of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today.
The decrease, attributable to falling nonpetroleum prices, followed
declines in both July and June.  The Export Price Index increased 0.1
percent in August after declining in each of the previous three months.
                                  
         Percent changes in import and export price indexes
                         by End Use category
                     - not seasonally adjusted -
                                  
                      IMPORTS                     EXPORTS          
                                                                                                                
Month                        
                                    Non-                 Agri-     Nonagri-
                 All    Petroleum  petroleum    All     cultural   cultural
               Imports   Imports    Imports   Exports   Exports    Exports
                                                                                                                                  
1996                                                             
August           0.1       2.2      -0.1       -0.2      -0.2       -0.2 
September        1.2       7.5       0.4       -0.8      -7.3        0.2 
October          0.5       7.1      -0.3       -0.2      -2.6        0.0 
November        -0.2      -0.8      -0.1       -0.4      -2.3        0.0 
December         0.3       2.0       0.1        0.0      -0.9        0.1 
1997                                                             
January         -0.3       0.6      -0.4        0.1       0.1        0.0 
February        -0.9      -8.1      -0.1        0.2       2.1        0.0 
March           -1.3      -8.7      -0.4        0.1       1.5       -0.1 
April           -1.1      -7.3      -0.5        0.0 r    -0.4 r      0.0 r
May              0.0       1.1 r    -0.1 r     -0.3      -1.2 r      0.0 r
June            -0.1 r    -2.0 r     0.1 r     -0.1 r    -2.0 r      0.1 r
July            -0.3 r    -1.7 r    -0.2 r     -0.1      -1.3 r      0.0 
August          -0.1       2.2      -0.3        0.1       0.4        0.0 
                                                                 
August 1995-96  -0.2      20.5      -2.1        0.4      15.1       -1.5 
August 1996-97  -2.3      -9.2      -1.8       -1.4     -13.3        0.3 

r = revised to reflect late reports by respondents and corrections.


                            Import Goods
                                  
     Import prices, down 2.3 percent over the past 12 months, dipped
in August as the continued decline in nonpetroleum prices countered
an advance for petroleum import prices.  Petroleum prices rose 2.2
percent in August after declining 24.2 percent over the previous six
months.  The nonpetroleum index continued a two-year downward trend,
falling 0.3 percent in August.  Over the past 12 months, nonpetroleum
import prices were down 1.8 percent.
                                  
     The decrease in nonpetroleum imports was led by falling capital
goods prices, which dropped 0.9 percent in August after falling 0.4
percent in July.  Capital goods prices, which have decreased in 19 of
the past 21 months, were down 6.1 percent for the year ended in
August.  In addition, the price index for imported foods, feeds, and
beverages fell for the second consecutive month, down 0.8 percent in
August following a 2.6 percent decline in July.  The import price
indexes for nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials and for
consumer goods also fell in August, down 0.1 and 0.2 percent,
respectively, after posting increases the previous month.
                                  
     In contrast, prices for automotive vehicles, parts, and engines
edged up 0.1 percent for the second consecutive month after gaining
0.5 percent in June.
                                  
                            Export Goods
                                  
     The increase in export prices was led by a 0.4 percent increase
in the agricultural export price index.  In contrast, agricultural
export prices were down 4.9 percent over the previous four months and
13.3 percent for the year ended in August.  Nonagricultural export
prices posted no change in August, the fourth time in the past five
months that the index has been unchanged.  Over the past 12 months,
the index was up 0.3 percent.
                                  
     The export price indexes for the major finished goods categories
were either unchanged or increased modestly in August.  Export prices
for consumer goods rose 0.3 percent in August following gains of 0.1
percent in each of the previous four months.  The index for capital
goods, which accounts for about 44 percent of the overall export
index, showed no change last month after declining 0.1 percent in
July.  Prices for exported automotive vehicles, parts, and engines
also were unchanged in August after advancing 0.2 percent the prior
month.
                                  
     In contrast, exported nonagricultural industrial supplies and
materials prices dropped 0.2 percent last month, a turnaround from
the gains of 0.2 percent and 0.4 percent recorded in July and June,
respectively.  Export price declines for chemicals, selected building
materials, and nonferrous and other metals led the turnaround.
                                  
                    Imports by Locality of Origin
                                  
      The price index for imports from Japan resumed a two-year
downward trend, falling 0.3 percent in August after no change in July
and an increase of 0.2 percent in June.  (See table 7.)  For the
August 1996-1997 period, the index fell 4.5 percent.
                                  
      Import prices from Canada rose 0.3 percent on average last
month, offsetting the 0.3 percent decline in July.  Over the past 12
months, the index was down 0.6 percent.
                                  
      Prices for imports from the European Union were unchanged in
August after falling 0.5 percent in July.  For the year, the index
fell 1.7 percent.
                                  
      The price index of imports from the Asian Newly Industrialized
Countries dipped 0.1 percent in August, the fifth consecutive monthly
decline.  Over the past year, the index fell 3.4 percent.
                                                                    
                         CONTENTS OF RELEASE
                                  
This news release includes the following tables:

Table 1   Import Price Indexes, by End Use.....page  4
Table 2   Export Price Indexes, by End Use.....page  5
Table 3   Import Price Indexes, by SITC.....pages 6-7
Table 4   Export Price Indexes, by SITC.....pages  8-9
Table 5   Import Price Indexes, by Harmonized System.....pages 10-11
Table 6   Export Price Indexes, by Harmonized System.....pages 12-13
Table 7   Import Price Indexes, by Locality of Origin.....page  14
Table 8   U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes for Services.....page 15
Table 9   U.S. International Price Indexes for Services.....page  16
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Import and Export Price Index data for September are scheduled for
release on October 17 at 10:00 a.m. (EDT).



Table 1      U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, August 1996-August 1997                               
                 1995=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                            
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change                                         
                                                        Relative                                                                   
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly                  
                                                         ance                           Aug.    April     May       June      July 
END       Description                                                                   1996    1997      1997      1997      1997 
USE                                                     July       July        August   to      to        to        to        to   
                                                        1997       1997        1997     Aug.    May       June      July      Aug. 
                                                        1/         2/                   1997    1997      1997      1997      1997 
                                                                                                                                   
          ALL COMMODITIES                               100.000     97.9        97.8     -2.3     0.0      -0.1      -0.3      -0.1
          ALL IMPORTS EXCLUDING PETROLEUM                91.807     97.1        96.8     -1.8    -0.1       0.1      -0.2      -0.3
                                                                                                                                   
0          FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES                      4.752     99.3        98.5      2.2     1.2       1.1      -2.6      -0.8
                                                                                                                                   
00          Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,                                                                                 
                excluding distilled beverages             3.395     97.4        96.3      0.7     1.3       1.0      -3.8      -1.1
                                                                                                                                   
01          Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled                                                                                 
                beverages)                                1.357    104.2       103.9      5.9     0.9       1.3       1.1      -0.3
                                                                                                                                   
1          INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS               26.797    100.0       100.6     -2.7     0.6      -0.6      -0.4       0.6
             INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS                                                                                       
                 EXCLUDING PETROLEUM                     18.604     98.2        98.1      0.3     0.4       0.0       0.3      -0.1
             INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,                                                                                      
                 DURABLE                                  9.899     99.9        99.7      2.0     0.4       0.2      -0.2      -0.2
             INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,                                                                                      
                 NONDURABLE EXCLUDING PETROLEUM           8.704     96.1        96.2     -1.7     0.4      -0.2       0.6       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
10          Fuels & lubricants                            9.342    104.2       106.2     -8.1     0.9      -1.7      -0.8       1.9
                                                                                                                                   
100          Petroleum & petroleum products               8.192    102.7       105.0     -9.2     1.1      -2.0      -1.7       2.2
                                                                                                                                   
10000          Crude                                      6.486    102.5       104.2    -11.2     2.2      -3.1      -1.2       1.7
                                                                                                                                   
11          Paper & paper base stocks                     1.783     82.1        82.6     -6.2     2.4      -0.1       0.2       0.6
                                                                                                                                   
12          Materials associated with nondurable                                                                                   
                supplies & materials                      5.979     95.6        95.5     -2.3     0.2      -0.5      -0.2      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
13          Selected building materials                   2.199    112.8       111.7      1.7     1.0      -2.2       0.4      -1.0
                                                                                                                                   
14          Unfinished metals associated with                                                                                      
                durable goods                             4.569     97.4        97.6      5.5     0.4       1.8      -0.5       0.2
                                                                                                                                   
15          Finished metals associated with durable                                                                                
                goods                                     1.444     96.6        96.3     -3.1     0.0      -0.4       0.0      -0.3
                                                                                                                                   
16          Nonmetals associated with durable goods       1.480     95.5        95.2     -2.4    -0.2      -0.1      -0.2      -0.3
                                                                                                                                   
2          CAPITAL GOODS                                 28.705     91.7        90.9     -6.1    -0.6       0.1      -0.4      -0.9
                                                                                                                                   
20          Electric & electrical generating                                                                                       
                equipment                                 3.337     96.9        96.8     -2.3    -0.3      -0.2      -0.2      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
21          Nonelectrical machinery                      23.686     89.6        88.8     -7.2    -0.8       0.1      -0.6      -0.9
                                                                                                                                   
3          AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES          17.685    100.9       101.0      0.4    -0.3       0.5       0.1       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
4          CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING AUTOMOTIVES         22.061     99.6        99.4     -0.8     0.1      -0.2       0.1      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
40          Nondurables, manufactured                    10.861    100.9       101.0      0.3     0.2       0.0      -0.1       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
41          Durables, manufactured                       10.118     98.2        97.8     -2.1    -0.4       0.1       0.1      -0.4
                                                                                                                                   
42          Nonmanufactured consumer goods                1.082     99.8        99.8      1.6     3.9      -3.6       0.7       0.0
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                          
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                       n.a.      Not available         
            1995 trade values.                                                                                                            
        2  Data for May, June and July 1997                                                                                               
            have been revised to reflect the availability                                                                                 
            of late reports and corrections by respondents.                                                                               
            All data are subject to revision in each of                                                                                   
            the three months after original publication.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                          
        NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately                                                           
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          
Table 2      U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, August 1996-August 1997                               
                 1995=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                            
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change                                         
                                                        Relative                                                                   
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly                  
                                                         ance                           Aug.    April     May       June      July 
END       Description                                                                   1996    1997      1997      1997      1997 
USE                                                     July       July        August   to      to        to        to        to   
                                                        1997       1997        1997     Aug.    May       June      July      Aug. 
                                                        1/         2/                   1997    1997      1997      1997      1997 
                                                                                                                                   
          ALL COMMODITIES                               100.000     99.2        99.3     -1.4    -0.3      -0.1      -0.1       0.1
          AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES                       10.481    100.0       100.4    -13.3    -1.2      -2.0      -1.3       0.4
          NONAGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES                    89.519     99.1        99.1      0.3     0.0       0.1       0.0       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
0          FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES                      9.424    101.0       101.9    -14.5    -1.1      -2.2      -1.3       0.9
                                                                                                                                   
00          Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,                                                                                 
                excluding distilled beverages             8.723    102.2       102.5    -16.0    -1.0      -2.4      -1.5       0.3
                                                                                                                                   
01          Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled                                                                                 
                beverages)                                0.701     89.0        96.4      0.6    -1.6      -0.5       1.6       8.3
                                                                                                                                   
1          INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS               25.449     95.8        95.5      1.1    -0.1       0.3       0.3      -0.3
             INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,                                                                                      
                 DURABLE                                  9.896     96.6        96.2      0.9    -0.1       0.4       0.1      -0.4
             INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,                                                                                      
                 NONDURABLE                              15.554     95.2        95.1      1.3     0.0       0.1       0.4      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
10          Agricultural industrial supplies &                                                                                     
                materials                                 1.758     92.2        92.8     -0.7    -1.6      -1.1       0.7       0.7
                                                                                                                                   
            NONAGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES &                                                                                  
              MATERIALS                                  23.691     96.0        95.8      1.4     0.0       0.4       0.2      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
11          Fuels & lubricants                            2.427    110.4       110.7      1.6    -0.2       0.0       0.4       0.3
                                                                                                                                   
12          Nonagricultural supplies & materials                                                                                   
                excluding fuels & building materials     19.690     93.5        93.2      1.1     0.0       0.5       0.2      -0.3
                                                                                                                                   
13          Selected building materials                   1.574     95.4        94.7     -0.9    -0.1       0.0       0.0      -0.7
                                                                                                                                   
2          CAPITAL GOODS                                 43.801    100.0       100.0     -0.6    -0.2       0.0      -0.1       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
20          Electric & electrical generating                                                                                       
                Equipment                                 4.365    101.2       101.8      1.1    -0.1       0.5       0.1       0.6
                                                                                                                                   
21          Nonelectrical machinery                      34.101     97.4        97.4     -1.8    -0.3      -0.2      -0.3       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
3          AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES           9.607    102.3       102.3      1.1    -0.1       0.0       0.2       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
4          CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING AUTOMOTIVES         11.719    102.1       102.4      1.0     0.1       0.1       0.1       0.3
                                                                                                                                   
40          Nondurables, manufactured                     6.167    101.7       101.8      0.4     0.1       0.3       0.2       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
41          Durables, manufactured                        5.014    102.0       102.3      1.1     0.1      -0.1       0.0       0.3
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                          
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                       n.a.      Not available         
            1995 trade values.                                                                                                            
        2  Data for May, June and July 1997                                                                                               
            have been revised to reflect the availability                                                                                 
            of late reports and corrections by respondents.                                                                               
            All data are subject to revision in each of the                                                                               
            three months after original publication.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                          
        NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately                                                           
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          
Table 3       U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, August 1996-August 1997                               
                  1995=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                            
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change                                         
                                                        Relative                                                                   
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly                  
                                                         ance                           Aug.    April     May       June      July 
SITC      Description                                                                   1996    1997      1997      1997      1997 
Rev. 3                                                  July       July        August   to      to        to        to        to   
                                                        1997       1997        1997     Aug.    May       June      July      Aug. 
                                                        1/         2/                   1997    1997      1997      1997      1997 
                                                                                                                                   
          ALL COMMODITIES                               100.000     97.9        97.8     -2.3     0.0      -0.1      -0.3      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
0          FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS                          4.076    100.4        99.5      6.0     2.6       1.6      -3.2      -0.9
01          Meat and meat preparations                    0.350    101.9       104.2      4.0    -1.1      -1.5       0.0       2.3
03          Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates                                                                               
               and preparations thereof                   1.028    104.4       104.4      8.2     1.7       1.5       0.8       0.0
05          Vegetables and fruit, prepared                                                                                         
               fresh or dried                             1.063    101.2        98.0     -0.4    -0.5       0.7      -0.5      -3.2
07          Coffee, tea, cocoa, spices and                                                                                         
               manufactures thereof                       0.695     99.5        97.6     26.8     9.9       9.8     -16.0      -1.9
       3/ Other food and live animals (9612=100)          0.940    100.0       100.3     n.a.     3.1      -2.5      -0.4       0.3
                                                                                                                                   
1          BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO                          0.842    107.7       107.7      3.2    -0.2       0.5       0.2       0.0
11          Beverages                                     0.708    104.2       104.2      2.2    -0.1       0.5       0.2       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
2          CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS        3.007     97.4        97.0      3.5     2.3      -2.4       0.0      -0.4
23          Crude rubber (including synthetic and                                                                                  
               reclaimed)                                 0.260     78.3        77.7     -9.1    -3.2       2.2      -6.7      -0.8
24          Cork and wood                                 1.124    123.3       120.9      0.2     1.6      -3.5       0.7      -1.9
25          Pulp and waste paper                          0.369     66.5        67.9      5.3     0.9       2.2       1.1       2.1
28          Metalliferous ores and metal scrap            0.641    104.8       105.2     10.5    -0.4       0.2      -0.9       0.4
29          Crude animal and vegetable materials,                                                                                  
               n.e.s. (9612=100)                          0.263    102.1       101.8     n.a.    25.2     -17.6       4.9      -0.3
       3/ Other crude materials, inedible, except                                                                                  
             fuels (9612=100)                             0.351     97.7        97.8     n.a.    -1.5       1.2       0.5       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
3          MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED                                                                                   
              MATERIALS                                   9.042    104.0       105.6     -8.3     1.2      -1.9      -0.6       1.5
33          Petroleum, petroleum products and                                                                                      
               related materials                          7.812    102.6       104.4     -9.7     1.5      -2.3      -1.3       1.8
34          Gas, natural and manufactured                 1.106    119.8       119.8      7.3    -1.5       1.2       5.7       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
5          CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.         5.572     96.2        96.4     -2.4    -0.1      -0.1      -0.2       0.2
51          Organic chemicals                             1.590     96.2        97.1     -1.7     0.0      -0.6       0.3       0.9
52          Inorganic chemicals                           0.668     97.9        98.3     -2.0    -0.3      -1.8      -1.1       0.4
53          Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials        0.290     97.7        95.4     -6.7     0.0       0.8      -0.2      -2.4
54          Medicinal and pharmaceutical products         0.909     96.5        96.2     -3.7    -0.6       0.9       0.2      -0.3
55          Essential oils; polishing and cleansing                                                                                
               preps                                      0.319     96.9        97.8     -3.5    -0.1      -1.7      -0.1       0.9
57          Plastics in primary forms                     0.364     91.6        91.5     -0.9     1.5       0.8       0.0      -0.1
58          Plastics in nonprimary forms                  0.562     88.8        88.8      0.9    -0.5       3.3       0.2       0.0
59          Chemical materials and products, n.e.s.       0.655    103.2       103.3     -2.7     0.0      -0.7      -0.3       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
6          MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY                                                                                   
              BY MATERIAL                                12.563     96.6        96.6     -0.8     0.5       0.4      -0.2       0.0
62          Rubber manufactures, n.e.s.                   0.726     96.7        95.9     -3.6    -0.1       0.2      -0.9      -0.8
63          Cork and wood manufactures other than                                                                                  
               furniture                                  0.558     99.2        99.9     n.a.    -0.2      -0.5       0.2       0.7
64          Paper, paperboard, and articles of                                                                                     
               paper pulp, paper or paper board           1.588     87.6        87.9     -8.8     2.7      -0.5       0.1       0.3
65          Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up                                                                                         
               articles, n.e.s., and related product      1.415    100.1        99.8     -0.8    -0.4       0.2      -0.4      -0.3
66          Nonmetallic mineral manufactures,                                                                                      
               n.e.s.                                     2.147    103.0       102.5      0.8     0.4      -0.6       0.4      -0.5
67          Iron and steel                                2.041     96.4        96.3     -0.8    -0.1      -0.2       0.1      -0.1
68          Nonferrous metals                             1.944     94.1        95.3      9.5     1.3       3.6      -1.1       1.3
69          Manufactures of metals, n.e.s.                1.978     98.8        98.3     -2.9    -0.1       0.1      -0.2      -0.5
                                                                                                                                   
7          MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT             46.972     95.4        95.0     -3.4    -0.5       0.1      -0.2      -0.4
71          Power generating machinery and                                                                                         
               equipment (9612=100)                       2.984     99.3        98.9     n.a.    -0.3       0.0       0.1      -0.4
72          Machinery specialized for particular                                                                                   
               industries                                 2.691     99.3        98.6     -2.4    -0.3       0.4       0.0      -0.7
73          Metalworking machinery                        0.822     98.0        98.0     -3.3     0.1       0.3      -0.3       0.0
74          General industrial machinery and equip-                                                                                
               ment, n.e.s. and machine parts, n.e.s      3.435     98.2        97.6     -3.1    -0.2       0.4      -0.1      -0.6
75          Computer equipment and office machines        7.214     80.1        78.7    -13.2    -1.6      -0.9      -1.4      -1.7
76          Telecommunications & sound recording                                                                                   
               & reproducing apparatus & equipment        4.578     93.3        93.0     -3.7    -0.6       0.3      -0.1      -0.3
77          Electrical machinery and equipment            9.642     89.7        89.5     -4.9    -0.3       0.4      -0.6      -0.2
78          Road vehicles                                14.563    100.9       101.1      0.4    -0.2       0.4       0.1       0.2
                                                                                                                                   
8          MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES           17.472    100.2       100.1     -0.5     0.0      -0.1       0.0      -0.1
81          Prefabricated buildings; plumbing, heat                                                                                
               & lighting fixtures, n.e.s.                0.383     96.1        95.5     -5.6    -0.2       0.3      -0.1      -0.6
82          Furniture and parts thereof                   1.263    103.0       102.9      2.1    -0.2      -0.4       0.1      -0.1
83          Travel goods, handbags and similar                                                                                     
               containers                                 0.504    101.3       101.1     -0.3    -0.2       0.1       0.1      -0.2
84          Articles of apparel and clothing                                                                                       
               accessories                                5.810    102.5       102.7      1.6     0.4      -0.3      -0.1       0.2
85          Footwear                                      1.771    101.2       101.1      0.2    -0.1       0.2       0.1      -0.1
87          Professional, scientific and controlling                                                                               
               instruments and apparatus, n.e.s.          1.595     97.3        97.1     -3.1    -0.4       0.5       0.2      -0.2
88          Photographic apparatus, equipment and                                                                                  
               supplies and optical goods, n.e.s.;        1.356     95.1        94.4     -3.2    -1.4       0.1       0.7      -0.7
89          Miscellaneous manufactured articles,                                                                                   
               n.e.s.                                     4.789     99.5        99.3     -1.5     0.0      -0.3       0.1      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                          
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                       n.a.      Not available.        
            1995 trade values.                                                                                                            
        2  Data for May, June and July 1997                                                                                               
            have been revised to reflect the availability                                                                                 
            of late reports and corrections by respondents.                                                                               
            All data are subject to revision in each of the                                                                               
            three months after original publication.                                                                                      
        3  Product categories included in this group                                                                                      
            have been modified due to concordance                                                                                         
            or coverage limitations.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                          
        NOTE:   Published categories may include price data not shown separately                                                          
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          
Table 4       U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, August 1996-August 1997                               
                  1995=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                            
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change                                         
                                                        Relative                                                                   
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly                  
                                                         ance                           Aug.    April     May       June      July 
SITC      Description                                                                   1996    1997      1997      1997      1997 
Rev. 3                                                  July       July        August   to      to        to        to        to   
                                                        1997       1997        1997     Aug.    May       June      July      Aug. 
                                                        1/         2/                   1997    1997      1997      1997      1997 
                                                                                                                                   
          ALL COMMODITIES                               100.000     99.2        99.3     -1.4    -0.3      -0.1      -0.1       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
0          FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS                          7.541     97.6        99.7    -16.0    -1.8      -2.7      -0.9       2.2
01          Meat and meat preparations                    1.136     95.7        96.2     -4.7    -1.0      -0.4       0.4       0.5
03          Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates                                                                               
               and preparations                           0.523     86.6        96.2      1.5    -1.8      -0.7       1.5      11.1
04          Cereals and cereal preparations               2.644     89.9        93.2    -31.8    -4.6      -7.4      -2.6       3.7
05          Vegetables, fruit and nuts,                                                                                            
               fresh or dried                             1.460    103.5       103.2     -2.3     0.6       0.9       1.9      -0.3
08          Feeding stuff for animals (not                                                                                         
               including unmilled cereals)                0.837    120.3       119.9     -1.2     1.2      -0.3      -5.4      -0.3
09          Miscellaneous edible products and                                                                                      
               preparations                               0.383    103.6       103.6     n.a.     0.5      -0.3       0.1       0.0
       3/ Other food and live animals (9612=100)          0.558    105.7       106.6     n.a.    -0.3       0.8       2.0       0.9
                                                                                                                                   
1          BEVERAGES ANB TOBACCO                          1.497    101.2       101.2      0.5     0.2       0.4       0.4       0.0
12          Tobacco and tobacco manufactures              1.237    101.3       101.2     n.a.     0.4       0.5       0.4      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
2          CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS        6.030     93.7        93.1      3.8     0.4       0.5       0.2      -0.6
21          Hides, skins and furskins, raw                0.311     96.0        98.3     -6.5    -3.3      -8.4      -4.8       2.4
22          Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits               1.389    128.6       120.5     -9.0     1.6      -1.1      -4.5      -6.3
24          Cork and wood                                 0.968     93.6        93.6     -1.1     0.0      -0.2      -0.4       0.0
25          Pulp and waste paper                          0.792     69.1        71.6     24.7     2.7       8.9       4.9       3.6
26          Textile fibers and their waste                0.830     84.2        84.4     -0.5    -0.2       0.1       1.0       0.2
27          Crude fertilizers and crude minerals          0.332     97.9        97.9      1.1     0.4       0.5       0.1       0.0
28          Metalliferous ores and metal scrap            0.985     96.0        96.6     14.5     0.2       2.3       4.7       0.6
       3/ Other crude materials, inedible, except                                                                                  
             fuels (9612=100)                             0.423    101.1       101.0     n.a.    -0.8      -1.5       2.4      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
3          MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED                                                                                   
              MATERIALS                                   2.137    111.4       111.6      2.3     0.0       0.2       0.5       0.2
32          Coal, coke and briquettes                     0.686    101.7       101.7      0.1    -0.1      -0.4      -0.3       0.0
33          Petroleum, petroleum products and                                                                                      
               related materials                          1.309    120.9       121.1      5.7     0.1      -0.5       1.3       0.2
                                                                                                                                   
4          ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE OILS, FATS AND                                                                                     
              WAXES                                       0.435     93.3        93.3     -3.1     0.2       1.2      -1.5       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
5          CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.        10.830     96.5        95.8     -0.7     0.1      -0.2       0.0      -0.7
51          Organic chemicals                             2.550     84.9        84.5     -0.6     0.2      -0.5       0.0      -0.5
52          Inorganic chemicals                           0.839    100.7        99.2     -2.8     0.2      -0.4       1.3      -1.5
53          Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials        0.490    102.1       101.8      1.0    -0.4       0.4       0.1      -0.3
54          Medicinal and pharmaceutical products         1.213    101.1       101.1     -0.7    -0.1       0.0      -0.4       0.0
55          Essential oils; polishing and cleansing                                                                                
               preps                                      0.750    103.1       102.6      1.6     0.6       0.1       0.2      -0.5
56          Fertilizers (9612=100)                        0.565     96.8        94.7     n.a.     0.4       1.5       0.7      -2.2
57          Plastics in primary forms                     1.859     96.1        94.4     -2.2    -0.2      -0.5      -1.0      -1.8
58          Plastics in nonprimary forms                  0.819     99.0        99.0     -0.3     0.8      -0.2      -0.1       0.0
59          Chemical materials and products, n.e.s.       1.746    104.0       104.0      1.1     0.2      -0.2       0.0       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
6          MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY                                                                                   
              BY MATERIAL                                 9.612     98.2        98.6      1.9    -0.1       0.5       0.0       0.4
62          Rubber manufactures, n.e.s.                   0.666    103.1       102.7      0.3     0.1       0.1      -0.1      -0.4
63          Cork and wood manufactures other than                                                                                  
               furniture                                  0.288     91.5        90.9      0.7    -0.8       0.9       0.8      -0.7
64          Paper, paperboard, and articles of                                                                                     
               paper pulp, paper or paperboard            1.508     84.4        85.3     -1.8     0.7       0.7       1.1       1.1
65          Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up                                                                                         
               articles, n.e.s., and related product      1.389    102.6       103.3     n.a.    -0.6       0.2      -0.7       0.7
66          Nonmetallic mineral manufactures,                                                                                      
               n.e.s.                                     1.285    104.5       104.6      1.9     0.1       0.2       0.2       0.1
67          Iron and steel                                1.094    102.9       103.0     n.a.    -0.2      -0.2       0.1       0.1
68          Nonferrous metals                             1.273     92.4        93.4      6.6    -0.3       1.5      -0.8       1.1
69          Manufactures of metals, n.e.s.                1.951    104.2       104.4      3.7    -0.3       0.7      -0.2       0.2
                                                                                                                                   
7          MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT             50.008    100.5       100.6      0.1    -0.2       0.2      -0.1       0.1
71          Power generating machinery and                                                                                         
               equipment                                  4.198    105.9       106.4      2.1     0.1       0.0      -0.1       0.5
72          Machinery specialized for particular                                                                                   
               industries                                 4.597    104.1       104.4      1.4     0.5      -0.1      -0.1       0.3
73          Metalworking machinery                        0.937    104.4       104.4      2.2    -0.7       0.4       0.1       0.0
74          General industrial machinery and equip-                                                                                
               ment, n.e.s. and machine parts, n.e.s      4.939    105.1       105.3      2.5     0.1       0.5      -0.1       0.2
75          Computer equipment and office machines        6.530     83.9        83.9     -8.3    -1.4      -0.6      -0.8       0.0
76          Telecommunications & sound recording                                                                                   
               & reproducing apparatus & equipment        3.757     99.6        99.6     -0.6    -0.3       0.0       0.0       0.0
77          Electrical machinery and equipment           11.741     96.5        96.5     -1.4    -0.1      -0.3       0.0       0.0
78          Road vehicles                                 8.969    102.0       101.9      0.9    -0.2       0.1       0.2      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
8          MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES           11.083    101.6       101.7      0.8     0.2       0.1      -0.1       0.1
82          Furniture and parts thereof                   0.624    103.5       103.6      2.1     1.3      -0.3      -0.1       0.1
84          Articles of apparel and clothing                                                                                       
               accessories                                1.240    101.8       101.6     n.a.     0.0      -0.1       0.5      -0.2
87          Professional, scientific and controlling                                                                               
               instruments and apparatus, n.e.s.          3.655    103.4       103.5      1.5     0.2       0.1       0.0       0.1
88          Photographic apparatus, equipment and                                                                                  
               supplies and optical goods, n.e.s.         0.943     99.7        99.1     n.a.     0.7       0.8       0.7      -0.6
89          Miscellaneous manufactured articles,                                                                                   
               n.e.s.                                     4.170    100.1       100.5      0.0     0.1       0.0      -0.5       0.4
       3/ Other miscellaneous manufactured                                                                                         
             articles (9612=100)                          0.450    100.9       101.0     n.a.     0.1       0.0       0.0       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                          
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                     n.a.      Not available.          
            1995 trade values.                                                                                                            
        2  Data for May, June and July 1997                                                                                               
            have been revised to reflect the availability                                                                                 
            of late reports and corrections by respondents.                                                                               
            All data are subject to revision in each of the                                                                               
            three months after original publication.                                                                                      
        3  Product categories included in this group                                                                                      
            have been modified due to concordance                                                                                         
            or coverage limitations.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                          
        NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately                                                           
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          
Table 5       U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, August 1996-August 1997                               
                 1995=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                             
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change                                         
                                                        Relative                                                                   
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly                  
Harmo-                                                   ance                           Aug.    April     May       June      July 
nized     Description                                                                   1996    1997      1997      1997      1997 
System                                                  July       July        August   to      to        to        to        to   
                                                        1997       1997        1997     Aug.    May       June      July      Aug. 
                                                        1/         2/                   1997    1997      1997      1997      1997 
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                   
I          LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS                  1.563    102.2       102.9      8.4     2.4      -1.4       1.0       0.7
02          Meat and edible meat offal                    0.271     97.6       100.0      9.4    -1.7      -2.2       1.6       2.5
03          Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and                                                                                     
               other aquatic invertebrates                0.896    104.4       105.0      9.4     2.2       0.7       0.6       0.6
       3/ Other live animals and animal                                                                                            
             products (9612=100)                          0.396    103.1       102.7     n.a.     5.7      -5.1       1.6      -0.4
                                                                                                                                   
II         VEGETABLE PRODUCTS                             1.581     92.5        92.0     10.4     4.8       0.5      -3.8      -0.5
07          Edible vegetables and certain roots and                                                                                
               tubers                                     0.285     n.a.        n.a.     n.a.     0.5      n.a.      n.a.      n.a.
08          Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus                                                                                  
               fruit or melons                            0.450    100.7        97.5     -1.1    -0.6      -2.0      -1.1      -3.2
09          Coffee, tea, mate and spices                  0.443     91.9        92.7     28.6    10.5       7.5     -12.1       0.9
       3/   Other vegetable products                      0.403     93.7        96.6      7.3     7.7      -8.0      -0.2       3.1
                                                                                                                                   
IV         PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND                                                                                     
              TOBACCO                                     2.069    102.2       101.9     -1.1     0.1       0.3       0.5      -0.3
20          Preparations of vegetables, fruit,                                                                                     
               nuts, or other parts of plants             0.274     92.0        91.2    -17.5     0.2      -1.0      -0.3      -0.9
22          Beverages, spirits, and vinegar               0.735    103.2       103.6      1.4    -0.3       0.1       0.1       0.4
       3/   Other prepared foodstuffs (9612=100)          1.060    101.9       101.3     n.a.     0.2       0.9       0.9      -0.6
                                                                                                                                   
V          MINERAL PRODUCTS                               9.633    103.9       105.3     -8.1     1.0      -1.8      -0.4       1.3
26          Ores, slag and ash                            0.295    103.3       103.1      5.3    -0.1      -0.2      -0.2      -0.2
27          Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,                                                                                     
               bituminous substances and mineral wax      9.107    103.8       105.4     -8.8     1.0      -1.8      -0.5       1.5
                                                                                                                                   
VI         PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED                                                                                      
              INDUSTRIES                                  5.215     99.2        99.3     -1.8    -0.1      -0.5      -0.3       0.1
28          Inorganic chemicals                           0.846    102.7       103.3      1.9    -0.4      -1.0      -1.3       0.6
29          Organic chemicals                             1.999     96.2        96.7     -3.0     0.2      -0.3      -0.1       0.5
30          Pharmaceutical products                       0.557    103.2       103.0      0.6     0.1       0.8       0.6      -0.2
32          Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye &                                                                                       
               pigments; varnish & paints; putty          0.290     97.1        95.5     -6.2    -0.1       1.5      -0.3      -1.6
37          Photographic or cinematographic goods         0.357     99.5        98.5     -0.7    -0.3      -1.1       0.2      -1.0
38          Miscellaneaous chemical products                                                                                       
               (9612=100)                                 0.414     98.4        98.4     n.a.    -0.5      -0.1      -0.1       0.0
       3/   Other products of the chemical or                                                                                      
             allied industries (9612=100)                 0.751     96.7        96.9     n.a.    -0.5      -2.0      -1.0       0.2
                                                                                                                                   
VII        PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER                                                                                   
              AND ARTICLES THEREOF                        2.806     92.8        92.4     -2.3    -0.3       0.9      -1.0      -0.4
39          Plastics and articles thereof                 1.744     95.6        95.4      0.4     0.2       1.0       0.2      -0.2
40          Rubber and articles thereof                   1.062     88.8        88.0     -6.4    -1.1       0.4      -2.4      -0.9
                                                                                                                                   
VIII       RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,                                                                                    
              TRAVEL GOODS, ETC                           1.004    103.7       103.7     -0.4     0.6      -0.5       0.2       0.0
42          Articles of leather; travel goods, bags,                                                                               
               etc. of various materials                  0.808    101.9       101.8      0.5     0.2       0.3      -0.1      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
IX         WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW, BASKET                                                                                
              AND WICKER                                  1.721    112.3       111.0     -0.1     1.2      -2.7       0.4      -1.2
                                                                                                                                   
X          WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER                                                                                 
              AND ARTICLES THEREOF                        2.329     84.5        84.9     -4.9     1.9      -0.2       0.4       0.5
47          Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic                                                                                  
               material; waste paper/paperboard           0.369     67.3        68.8      5.0     1.1       2.0       1.1       2.2
48          Paper and paperboard; articles of paper                                                                                
               pulp, paper or paperboard                  1.602     88.5        88.7     -8.3     2.3      -0.4       0.0       0.2
49          Printed matter                                0.357    101.8       101.8      0.0     1.1      -0.7       0.7       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
XI         TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES                   6.859    101.4       101.5      1.0     0.2      -0.4      -0.1       0.1
61          Articles of apparel and clothing                                                                                       
               accessories, knitted or crocheted          2.012    100.7       100.9     -0.1    -0.2       0.0      -0.6       0.2
62          Articles of apparel and clothing                                                                                       
               accessories, not knitted or crocheted      3.310    103.7       103.9      2.7     0.7      -0.6       0.2       0.2
63          Made-up or worn textile articles and                                                                                   
               clothing; needlecraft sets; rags           0.341     97.5        97.1     -3.1    -1.2       0.5       0.1      -0.4
       3/   Other textile & textile                                                                                                
             articles (9612=100)                          1.197    100.3       100.1     n.a.    -0.2      -0.4      -0.2      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
XII        FOOTWEAR, HEADGEAR, UMBRELLAS, WHIPS,                                                                                   
              ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS, ETC.                    2.066    101.4       101.3      0.4     0.0       0.2       0.1      -0.1
64          Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts                                                                                  
               of such articles                           1.779    101.1       101.0      0.2    -0.1       0.2       0.2      -0.1
       3/ Other footwear, headgear, umbrellas,                                                                                     
             whips, art. flowers, etc. (9612=100)         0.287    101.5       101.5     n.a.     0.2       0.1      -0.1       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
XIII       STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,CERAMIC                                                                                
              GLASS ETC.                                  1.144    102.9       102.4     -0.2     0.2      -1.0       0.4      -0.5
69          Ceramic products                              0.432     99.6        98.8     n.a.    -0.4      -1.3       0.3      -0.8
70          Glass and glassware                           0.445    103.4       103.2      0.1    -0.2      -1.1       0.0      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
XIV        PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,                                                                                        
              IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS                2.187     98.6        97.7     -1.4     0.4       0.6       0.3      -0.9
                                                                                                                                   
XV         BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METAL         5.868     95.3        95.6      1.2     0.3       0.7      -0.9       0.3
72          Iron and steel                                1.750     95.5        95.5     -0.3    -0.1       0.0       0.0       0.0
73          Articles of iron or steel                     1.282     97.2        96.9     -4.2    -0.1      -0.8      -0.2      -0.3
74          Copper and articles thereof                   0.471     87.6        85.0     10.2    -1.6       2.5       1.2      -3.0
76          Aluminum and articles thereof                 0.958     92.1        94.0      4.3     0.5       1.8      -2.6       2.1
83          Miscellaneous articles of base metal          0.413    102.3       102.1     -0.4    -0.2      -0.8       0.0      -0.2
       3/   Miscellaneous nonferrous metals and                                                                                    
             articles, including scrap (9612=100)         0.549    110.2       113.9     n.a.     3.8       3.5      -4.5       3.4
                                                                                                                                   
XVI        MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV                                                                                     
              IMAGE & SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC.       30.706     91.4        90.9     -5.7    -0.6       0.1      -0.5      -0.5
84          Specialized machinery & computer                                                                                       
               equipment                                 16.140     92.7        91.7     -6.0    -0.6      -0.1      -0.4      -1.1
85          Electrical machinery and equip, sound                                                                                  
               and TV recorders & reproducers, parts     14.566     90.1        89.9     -5.6    -0.6       0.3      -0.6      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
XVII       VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND                                                                                         
              ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT             15.746    101.1       101.3      0.5    -0.2       0.4       0.1       0.2
87          Motor vehicles and their parts               14.875    100.8       101.0      0.3    -0.3       0.4       0.1       0.2
                                                                                                                                   
XVIII      OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &                                                                                    
              MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; CLOCKS & WATCHES       3.541     94.3        94.0     -4.3    -0.7       0.2       0.1      -0.3
90          Optical, photographic, measuring and                                                                                   
               medical instruments                        3.022     94.1        93.9     -4.4    -0.8       0.3      -0.1      -0.2
91          Clocks and watches and parts thereof          0.378     95.3        94.6     -4.0    -0.6       0.3       1.0      -0.7
                                                                                                                                   
XX         MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES            3.707    100.1        99.9     -0.5    -0.3       0.0       0.2      -0.2
94          Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps                                                                                  
               and lighting fittings nes;                 1.594    100.4       100.2      0.5    -0.2      -0.1       0.1      -0.2
95          Toys, games and sports equipment; parts                                                                                
               and accessories thereof                    1.827    100.8       100.7     -1.1    -0.1      -0.2       0.3      -0.1
96          Miscellaneous manufactured articles           0.287     94.8        93.4     -2.8    -1.7       1.4       0.2      -1.5
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                          
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                       n.a.      Not available         
            1995 trade values.                                                                                                            
        2  Data for May, June and July 1997                                                                                               
            have been revised to reflect the availability                                                                                 
            of late reports and corrections by respondents.                                                                               
            All data are subject to revision in each of                                                                                   
            the three months after original publication.                                                                                  
        3  Product categories included in this group                                                                                      
            have been modified due to concordance                                                                                         
            or coverage limitations.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                          
        NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately                                                           
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          
Table 6       U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, August 1996-August 1997                               
                  1995=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                            
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change                                         
                                                        Relative                                                                   
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly                  
Harmo-                                                   ance                           Aug.    April     May       June      July 
nized     Description                                                                   1996    1997      1997      1997      1997 
System                                                  July       July        August   to      to        to        to        to   
                                                        1997       1997        1997     Aug.    May       June      July      Aug. 
                                                        1/         2/                   1997    1997      1997      1997      1997 
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                   
I          LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS                  1.883     94.8        97.4     -3.1    -1.0      -0.6       1.0       2.7
02          Meat & edible meat offal                      1.056     93.5        94.0     -5.8    -1.2      -0.4       0.3       0.5
03          Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and                                                                                     
               other aquatic invertebrates                0.469     85.3        93.3     -1.5    -1.1      -0.9       2.0       9.4
       3/ Other live animals and animal                                                                                            
             products (9612=100)                          0.358     98.9        99.3     n.a.    -0.9      -1.3       1.7       0.4
                                                                                                                                   
II         VEGETABLE PRODUCTS                             5.350    100.6       101.0    -22.1    -2.0      -3.9      -1.7       0.4
07          Edible vegetables and certain roots and                                                                                
               tubers                                     0.307     97.6        99.6      2.7     1.0      -3.5       5.7       2.0
08          Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus                                                                                  
               fruit or melons                            0.762    104.6       105.0     -1.4     0.6       3.1       3.0       0.4
10          Cereals                                       2.420     88.6        92.1    -34.7    -5.1      -8.0      -2.6       4.0
12          Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds,                                                                                      
               fruits, plants, straw and fodder           1.575    126.8       119.8     -7.6     1.1      -1.2      -3.5      -5.5
                                                                                                                                   
III        ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE FATS AND OILS              0.469     93.6        93.4     -3.4     0.3       1.0      -1.2      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
IV         PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND                                                                                     
              TOBACCO                                     3.548    104.3       103.7     -1.3     0.1      -0.1      -1.2      -0.6
20          Preparations of vegetables, fruit,                                                                                     
               nuts, or other parts of plants             0.368    103.8        97.6     -7.2    -1.9      -0.1      -3.1      -6.0
21          Miscellaneous edible preparations             0.357    104.9       105.9      2.9     0.9      -0.3       0.2       1.0
22          Beverages, spirits, and vinegar               0.327     99.2        99.4     n.a.    -0.5      -0.1      -0.2       0.2
23          Residues and waste from the food                                                                                       
               industries; prepared animal feed           0.755    117.1       116.3     -4.2     0.6      -0.9      -4.8      -0.7
24          Tobacco and manufactured tobacco                                                                                       
               substitutes                                1.245    101.3       101.3     n.a.     0.4       0.5       0.4       0.0
       3/   Other prepared foods                          0.497    100.8       101.3     n.a.    -0.5       0.3       0.3       0.5
                                                                                                                                   
V          MINERAL PRODUCTS                               2.816    111.6       112.3      7.1     0.0       0.4       2.4       0.6
27          Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,                                                                                     
               bituminous substances and mineral wax      2.209    113.3       113.5      3.0     0.1      -0.1       0.5       0.2
                                                                                                                                   
VI         PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED                                                                                      
              INDUSTRIES                                  8.818     97.4        96.9     -0.1     0.2      -0.1       0.3      -0.5
28          Inorganic chemicals                           0.929    102.7       101.7     -1.1     0.3      -0.5       1.2      -1.0
29          Organic chemicals                             2.873     88.7        88.3      0.0     0.2      -0.4       0.1      -0.5
30          Pharmaceutical products                       0.873    100.4       100.4     -0.6    -0.1       0.0      -0.3       0.0
31          Fertilizers (9612=100)                        0.628     96.8        94.7     n.a.     0.4       1.5       0.7      -2.2
32          Tanning or dyeing extracts; dyes and                                                                                   
               pigments; paints & varnish; putty;ink      0.499    101.8       101.4      0.5    -0.5       0.4       0.2      -0.4
33          Essential oils and resinoids;                                                                                          
               perfumery, cosmetic or toilet              0.529    103.9       103.4      2.6     0.8       0.1       0.2      -0.5
34          Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or                                                                                  
               scouring products; candles, pastes         0.307    101.5       101.5      0.8     0.3       0.0       0.2       0.0
37          Photographic or cinematographic goods         0.434     97.2        97.0      0.1    -0.3       1.4       1.5      -0.2
38          Miscellaneous chemical products               1.526    103.7       103.7      0.6     0.1      -0.3       0.1       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
VII        PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER                                                                                   
              AND ARTICLES THEREOF                        4.345     98.0        96.9     -1.4     0.0      -0.2      -0.3      -1.1
39          Plastics and articles thereof                 3.449     97.5        96.3     -1.6     0.1      -0.1      -0.5      -1.2
40          Rubber and articles thereof                   0.896     99.7        99.2     -0.7    -0.1      -0.5       0.0      -0.5
                                                                                                                                   
VIII       RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,                                                                                    
              TRAVEL GOODS, ETC.                          0.542     93.7        94.6     -5.2    -1.4      -6.8      -2.0       1.0
41          Raw hides and skins (other than                                                                                        
               furskins) and leather                      0.394     91.6        92.4     -2.2    -2.3      -5.5      -2.8       0.9
                                                                                                                                   
IX         WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW, BASKET                                                                                
              AND WICKER                                  1.282     93.8        93.6     -0.5    -0.2      -0.1       0.0      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
X          WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER                                                                                 
              AND ARTICLES THEREOF                        2.976     79.1        79.8      2.0     1.5       2.5       1.8       0.9
47          Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic                                                                                  
               material; waste paper/paperboard           0.723     65.5        66.7     13.6     2.1       8.7       4.6       1.8
48          Paper and paperboard; articles of paper                                                                                
               pulp, paper or paperboard                  1.469     84.6        85.4     -2.2     1.0       0.8       1.4       0.9
49          Printed material                              0.785    106.5       106.5      0.8     1.6       0.9      -0.1       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
XI         TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES                   3.216     93.6        93.9      0.1    -0.3       0.1       0.1       0.3
52          Cotton, including yarns and woven                                                                                      
               fabrics thereof                            0.716     84.0        84.3      0.0    -0.2       0.0       1.2       0.4
                                                                                                                                   
XIII       STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,                                                                                       
              CERAMIC, GLASS ETC.                         0.844    103.6       102.8     n.a.     0.0       0.1       0.3      -0.8
70          Glass and glassware                           0.482    101.2       101.3     n.a.    -0.1       0.2       0.0       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
XIV        PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,                                                                                        
              IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS                1.892     98.5        96.6     -3.5    -1.2       1.6       0.4      -1.9
                                                                                                                                   
XV         BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METALS        4.607     96.8        97.0      3.3    -0.5       0.6      -0.2       0.2
72          Iron and steel                                0.976     94.9        95.0     -0.7    -1.1       1.1       0.4       0.1
73          Articles of iron or steel                     1.228    106.4       106.6      5.0    -0.3       0.2       0.0       0.2
74          Copper and articles thereof                   0.448     86.8        85.0      8.8    -0.9       0.5      -1.3      -2.1
76          Aluminum and articles thereof                 0.871     88.7        89.5      3.9    -0.2       0.3      -0.6       0.9
82          Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and                                                                                 
               forks, of base metal; parts thereof        0.408    103.3       103.3     n.a.    -0.2       0.4      -0.1       0.0
83          Miscellaneous articles of base metal          0.373    101.3       101.3      1.8    -0.3       1.6      -0.1       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                   
XVI        MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV                                                                                     
              IMAGE AND SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC      36.573     97.3        97.4     -1.6    -0.3      -0.1      -0.3       0.1
84          Specialized machinery & computer                                                                                       
               equipment                                 20.107     97.4        97.7     -1.6    -0.3      -0.2      -0.4       0.3
85          Electrical machinery and equip, sound                                                                                  
               & tv recorders & reproducers, parts       16.466     97.0        97.1     -1.5    -0.1      -0.2      -0.3       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
XVII       VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND                                                                                         
              ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT             13.546    104.8       104.8      2.3    -0.1       0.8       0.2       0.0
87          Motor vehicles and their parts                9.395    102.1       102.0      0.8    -0.1       0.2       0.1      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
XVIII      OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &                                                                                    
              MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; CLOCKS & WATCHES       5.319    102.1       102.5      1.1     0.0       0.3      -0.3       0.4
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                   
XX         MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES            1.757    102.3       102.4      1.2     0.5      -0.1       0.2       0.1
94          Furniture; stuffed furnishings;                                                                                        
               lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;         0.861    103.7       103.9      2.0     1.1      -0.2      -0.1       0.2
95          Toys, games and sports equipment; parts                                                                                
               and accessories thereof                    0.724    101.0       100.9      0.5     0.0      -0.2       0.7      -0.1
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                          
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                       n.a.      Not available         
            1995 trade values.                                                                                                            
        2  Data for May, June and July 1997                                                                                               
            have been revised to reflect the availability                                                                                 
            of late reports and corrections by respondents.                                                                               
            All data are subject to revision in each of                                                                                   
            the three months after original publication.                                                                                  
        3  Product categories included in this group                                                                                      
            have been modified due to concordance                                                                                         
            or coverage limitations.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                          
        NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately                                                           
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          
   Table  7    U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes by Locality of Origin,August 1996-August 1997                                 
          1995=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                           
                                                                  Index                    Percent Change                    
                                                   Percentage                                                                                          
                                                      of                            Annual                  Monthly                                     
                                                    US Imports                    Aug.    April        May         June     July   
    Description 1/                                                                1996    1997         1997        1997     1997   
                                                    1995       July      Aug.     to      to           to          to       to     
                                                               1997      1997     Aug.    May          June        July     Aug.   
                                                               2/                 1997    1997         1997        1997     1997   
                                                                                                                                   
3/  Developed Countries                                55.6     97.1      97.6     -2.1    -0.2          0.1        -0.3      0.5  
      Manufactured Goods                               52.2     97.1      97.4     -1.7    -0.3          0.1         0.0      0.3  
      Nonmanufactured Goods                             3.1    101.5     103.5     -7.8     1.8         -1.2        -3.1      2.0  
                                                                                                                                   
3/  Developing Countries                               42.7    101.3     101.3     -0.3     0.2         -0.2        -0.6      0.0  
      Manufactured Goods                               35.4     99.4      99.2     -0.3    -0.3         -0.1        -0.3     -0.2  
      Nonmanufactured Goods                             7.1    105.1     106.0     -3.6     2.7         -0.6        -1.9      0.9  
                                                                                                                                   
    Canada                                             18.9     98.8      99.1     -0.6     0.2         -0.1        -0.3      0.3  
      Manufactured Goods                               16.5     98.7      98.8      0.9     0.0          0.1         0.0      0.1  
      Nonmanufactured Goods                             2.2    102.8     104.2     -9.9     1.8         -1.8        -2.7      1.4  
                                                                                                                                   
4/  European Union                                     17.0    100.6     100.6     -1.7    -0.1          0.2        -0.5      0.0  
      Manufactured Goods                               16.4    100.5     100.5     -1.6    -0.2          0.1        -0.3      0.0  
      Nonmanufactured Goods                             0.5    105.1     107.1     -6.3     3.2          2.4        -7.7      1.9  
                                                                                                                                   
    Japan                                              16.6     93.0      92.7     -4.5    -0.7          0.2         0.0     -0.3  
                                                                                                                                   
5/  Asian Newly Industrialized Countries               10.9     94.7      94.6     -3.4    -0.5         -0.6        -0.6     -0.1  
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
1    Regions are not mutually exclusive.                                              
                                                                                      
2    Data for May, June and July 1997                                                 
     have been revised to reflect the availability                                    
     of late reports and corrections by respondents.                                  
                                                                                      
3    Defined according to the Standard Census Definition.                             
                                                                                      
4    Includes EU  15 countries                                                        
                                                                                      
5    Includes Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan.                          
                                                                                      
   Table  9    U.S. International Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services.                                   
        June 1996-June 1997    1995 = 100                                                                                                                            
                                                                 Index                             Percent Change                    
                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                  Annual          Quarterly                                                             Trade                         June    June     Sept.       Dec.     March  
    Description                                     (Mil.                         1996    1996     1996        1996     1997   
                                                    of         March     June     to      to       to          to       to     
                                                    Dollars)   1997      1997     June    Sept.    Dec.        March    June   
                                                                                  1997    1996     1996        1997     1997   
                                                                                                                               
     Air Freight (Inbound)                          5495        89.5      89.9     -5.5     0.5     -0.6        -5.8      0.4  
      Atlantic                                      1880        89.7      88.9     -4.6     1.8      1.8        -7.1     -0.9  
      Pacific                                       3151        89.8      91.1     -5.3    -0.6     -1.7        -4.5      1.4  
                                                                                                                               
     Air Freight (Outbound)                         5835        99.8      99.2     -0.2    -0.5      0.3         0.6     -0.6  
      Atlantic                                      2080        99.9      99.4      0.5    -0.2      0.3         0.9     -0.5  
      Pacific                                       3222       100.3     100.0     -0.7    -0.9      0.4         0.1     -0.3  
                                                                                                                               
     Air Passenger Fares (U.S. Carrier)             30673       97.1     113.0      8.3     2.9     -5.3        -4.4     16.4  
1/    Atlantic                                      8811        97.5     118.3      8.9     6.0    -13.5        -2.1     21.3  
1/    Pacific                                       15900       86.4     102.2      1.9    -1.7     -3.7        -9.1     18.3  
1/    Latin American / Caribbean                    4542       106.8     114.9     11.9     0.2      0.0         3.8      7.6  
      Canadian                                      1367       155.7     162.6     52.2    15.7     24.3         1.4      4.4  
                                                                                                                               
     Air Passenger Fares (Foreign Carrier)          31694       98.5     106.1      3.0     2.4     -4.5        -2.2      7.7  
1/    Atlantic                                      13572       97.1     110.2      4.1     4.0     -8.9        -3.2     13.5  
1/    Pacific                                       12570       92.3      96.4     -0.5    -2.6     -0.2        -2.0      4.4  
1/    Latin American / Caribbean                    4224       104.5     104.8      2.6     1.3      0.2         0.9      0.3  
                                                                                                                               
1/   Crude Oil Tanker Freight (Inbound)             1949       107.3      n.a.     n.a.   -11.0      8.1         7.2     n.a.  
                                                                                                                               
     Ocean Liner Freight (Inbound)                  12253       97.6      96.8     -2.8    -1.6      0.4        -0.8     -0.8  
      U.S. East Coast                               5410        99.8      99.6     -1.9    -0.8      1.0        -1.9     -0.2  
       from Atlantic                                2647        99.4      98.7     -3.7    -1.4      0.3        -2.0     -0.7  
       from Pacific                                 1874        98.4      98.9      0.3    -0.2      0.1        -0.1      0.5  
      U.S. West Coast                               6844        95.4      94.1     -3.8    -2.5      0.0         0.0     -1.4  
       from Pacific                                 6347        95.1      93.9     -3.6    -2.5     -0.2         0.3     -1.3  
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
    1     Detailed data available upon request.                          n.a.   Not available. 
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
   Table  8     U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services.                              
        June 1996-June 1997  1995 = 100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                      
                                                                 Index                             Percent Change                    
                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                  Annual          Quarterly                                                             Trade                         June    June     Sept.       Dec.     March  
    Description                                     (Mil.                         1996    1996     1996        1996     1997   
                                                    of         March     June     to      to       to          to       to     
                                                    Dollars)   1997      1997     June    Sept.    Dec.        March    June   
                                                                                  1997    1996     1996        1997     1997   
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
    IMPORT                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                               
    Air Freight                                     3188        90.1      90.7     -6.6    -0.3     -1.2        -5.8      0.7  
      Atlantic                                      1278        91.2      91.2     -5.5     2.0     -0.2        -7.1      0.0  
      Pacific                                       1674        90.5      91.8     -6.4    -1.4     -2.0        -4.5      1.4  
                                                                                                                               
     Air Passenger Fares                            11127      100.5     113.2      8.3    -1.4     -2.9         0.5     12.6  
1/    Atlantic                                      4922       100.3     121.2     14.2    -0.3     -7.0         1.9     20.8  
1/    Pacific                                       2340        98.1     111.4      9.9    -9.2      7.5        -0.9     13.6  
1/    Latin American / Caribbean                    3021       105.1     106.1      3.4     1.4      0.1         1.0      1.0  
                                                                                                                               
1/   Crude Oil Tanker Freight                       1346        99.7      n.a.     n.a.   -11.3      6.3         5.8     n.a.  
                                                                                                                               
     Ocean Liner Freight                            9868        98.0      97.1     -3.1    -1.3     -0.3        -0.6     -0.9  
      U.S. East Coast                               4271       100.5     100.6     -1.1    -0.1      0.1        -1.2      0.1  
       from Atlantic                                1952       100.4      99.9     -2.8     0.2     -0.1        -2.4     -0.5  
       from Pacific                                 1774       100.2     100.8      0.4    -0.2      0.2        -0.2      0.6  
      U.S. West Coast                               5596        95.4      93.9     -4.9    -2.4     -0.6        -0.3     -1.6  
       from Pacific                                 5126        95.0      93.5     -4.8    -2.5     -0.8         0.1     -1.6  
                                                                                                                               
    EXPORT                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                               
     Air Freight (9612 = 100)                       2562        98.5      97.8     n.a.    n.a.     n.a.        -1.5     -0.7  
                                                                                                                               
     Air Passenger Fares                            17272       89.8     103.1      3.7     3.5     -3.1        -9.9     14.8  
1/    Atlantic                                      4120        98.6     109.9      4.8     8.3     -7.8        -5.8     11.5  
1/    Pacific                                       10700       75.5      91.1     -2.8     0.2     -4.6       -15.7     20.7  
      Latin American / Caribbean                    1392       101.8     106.9      6.9     0.8      0.8         0.2      5.0  
      Canadian                                      1006       155.0     158.8     47.3     7.1     26.3         6.3      2.5  
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
    1     Detailed data available upon request.                          n.a.    Not available.
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
                                                                     
                           TECHNICAL NOTE
   
Import and Export Merchandise and Services Price Indexes -- All indexes use 
a modified Laspeyres formula and are weighted with 1995 trade weights.  The 
merchandise price indexes are published using three classifications:  the 
Harmonized System (HS), the Bureau of Economic Analysis End Use System,
and the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) system, Rev. 3.  
Price indexes for internationally traded services are presented using two 
definitions: Balance of Payments (which represents transactions between U.S. 
and foreign residents) and International (which represents all transactions
with U.S. importers or exporters, regardless of nationality).  Published
series use a base year of 1995=100 where possible.  Net transaction price
data are collected every month for over 20,000 products from over 6,000
companies and secondary sources.  Indexes are not seasonally adjusted.  More
detailed index series and additional information may be obtained from the
Division of International Prices, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2 Massachusetts
Avenue N.E., PSB 3955, Washington, DC 20212 or (202) 606-7155.

Import Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the 1995 Harmonized 
Tariff Schedule of the United States Annotated (TSUSA).  Import prices are 
based on U.S. dollar prices paid by the U.S. importer.  The prices are
generally either "free on board" (f.o.b.) foreign port or "cost, insurance,
and freight" (c.i.f.) U.S. port transaction prices, depending on the
practices of the individual industry.  The index for crude petroleum is
calculated from data collected by the U.S. Department of Energy.  

Export Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the 1995 Harmonized 
Schedule B classification system of the U.S. Bureau of the Census.  The
prices used are generally either "free alongside ship" (f.a.s.) factory
or "free on board" (f.o.b.) transaction prices, depending on the practices of
the individual industry.  Prices used in the grain index, excluding rice,
are obtained from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Import Indexes by Locality of Origin -- Prices used in these indexes are a
subset of the data collected for the Import Price Indexes.  Prior to
January 1993, nonmanufactured goods were defined as SITC 0-4 and manufactured
goods were defined as SITC 5-8.  Beginning with January 1993, the indexes are
defined by locality of origin using a nomenclature based upon the Standard
Industrial Classification (SIC-based).  Nonmanufactured goods are defined as
SIC 0-1, and manufactured goods are defined as SIC 2-3.  The indexes use 1995
weights and a base of 1995=100.

Import, Export, and International Services Indexes -- Indexes are calculated
on a quarterly basis.  The figures for services indexes will not sum up to
the aggregate dollar value because not all categories are shown in the tables.
Revenue figures for air passenger indexes exclude frequent flyer tickets and
those sold by consolidators.  Indexes for crude oil tanker freight are
calculated from data collected by the U. S. Department of Energy and the 
publication of these indexes is lagged one quarter.  

Revision policy -- Data are revised for the previous three months to reflect
the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents.

Uses of the Data -- The primary use of the indexes is to deflate trade
statistics.  For merchandise trade, the End Use classification system is the
structure used by the U.S. Department of Commerce in the construction of the
foreign trade sector of the National Income and Product Accounts.  Indexes
published using the Harmonized System and the Standard International Trade
Classification, Rev. 3, both international structures, are useful for general
market analysis.  For trade in international services, Balance of Payments
indexes are used for deflating National Accounts data, while International
indexes are more appropriate for market analysis. Merchandise and services
indexes also can be used to study U.S. competitiveness and price elasticities,
and the merchandise import indexes by country or region of origin are useful
for terms of trade analysis.



The import and export news release contains monthly price indexes at the
two-digit level of detail.  If you would like to be added to the mailing list
for more detailed index and percent change tables, please fill out the form
below and mail or fax it to the following address:


                       Division of International Prices
                       Bureau of Labor Statistics
                       PSB Building, Rm. 3955                                                                      
                       2 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E.
                       Washington, DC 20212


     Phone Number: (202) 606-7155           Fax Number: (202) 606-7179

         
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5. Locality of Origin Indexes      ------

6. Services Indexes                ------

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