Technical Information:
David Mead     (202) 606-7154                      USDL-99-245
Bill Alterman  (202) 606-7108                      Transmission of This
Media contact:                                     Material is Embargoed
Kathryn Hoyle  (202) 606-5902                      Until: 10:00 A.M. E.D.T.
Internet Address:http://stats.bls.gov/ipphome.htm  Thursday, September 9, 1999

Effective with the release of September data on Oct. 14, 1999, the U.S.
Import and Export Price Indexes news release will be issued at 8:30 a.m.
E.T. rather than at 10:00 a.m.

                  U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES

                              -AUGUST 1999-
                                    
      The U.S. Import Price Index increased 1.0 percent in August, the
Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported
today. The rise was attributable to a continued increase in prices for
imported petroleum.  U.S. export prices were up 0.4 percent in August,
the largest monthly increase in the index in over 3 years.

           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 
                                                                               
                                                                               
1998                                                                           
August            -0.4       -0.6       -0.4       -0.5       -4.1        -0.1 
September          0.2        6.4       -0.2       -0.5       -2.9        -0.2 
October            0.2        2.3        0.1       -0.1        0.1        -0.1 
November          -0.5       -9.7        0.1        0.2        1.7         0.0 
December          -1.0      -13.3       -0.2       -0.1        0.7        -0.2 
1999                                                                           
January            0.4        4.2        0.1        0.0        0.0         0.0 
February          -0.1       -0.5        0.0       -0.2       -2.4         0.1 
March              0.2       13.9       -0.5       -0.4       -3.0        -0.2 
April              1.1       20.3       -0.2        0.2        0.5         0.2 
May                0.7        7.3        0.2        0.1        0.4         0.0 
June              -0.1 r      0.3 r     -0.2        0.0       -0.2         0.1 
July               0.8 r     10.9 r      0.0 r     -0.3 r     -2.2 r      -0.1 
August             1.0       11.3        0.0        0.4        1.9         0.2 
                                                                               
August 1997-98    -6.6      -33.8       -4.0       -4.0      -10.7        -3.2 
August 1998-99     2.8       61.0       -0.9       -0.7       -5.5        -0.2 
                                                                               
r = revised to reflect late reports and corrections by respondents.

Import Goods

      The 1.0 percent increase in import prices followed a 0.8 percent
increase in July.  The index of overall import prices was up 2.8 percent
over the past 12 months, after declining 6.6 percent over the August
1997-98 period.  The increase in August 1999 was again led by rising
petroleum prices.  Imported petroleum prices were up 82.2 percent over
the past six months.  In contrast, the price index of nonpetroleum
imports was unchanged for the second consecutive month.  Over the past
12 months, nonpetroleum import prices were down 0.9 percent.

      Both the price indexes for imported capital goods and consumer
goods were unchanged in August, after posting declines in each of the
preceding five months.  For the year ended in August, capital goods
prices fell 3.4 percent and consumer goods were down 0.5 percent.

      The index for nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials,
excluding petroleum, rose a modest 0.2 percent in August, after rising
0.7 percent, on average, over the previous three months.  For the year
ended in August, the index was up 0.5 percent.  Prices for imported
automotive vehicles also increased in August, rising 0.1 percent for the
second consecutive month.  Over the past 12 months, the index was up 1.2
percent.


Export Goods

      Increasing prices for both agricultural and nonagricultural
exports contributed to the 0.4 percent increase in overall export prices
in August.  Despite the August advance, export prices were down 0.7
percent over the past 12 months.  The index of agricultural export
prices rose 1.9 percent last month, led by higher prices for soybeans
and corn.  For the year ended in August, however, the index of
agricultural exports was down 5.5 percent.  Nonagricultural export
prices, which have posted little movement during the past year, were up
0.2 percent in August, after dipping 0.1 percent in July.

      The modest increase in nonagricultural export prices was led by a
petroleum-driven 1.0 percent rise in the price index of exported
nonagricultural supplies and materials.  Nonagricultural supplies and
materials prices were up 0.3 percent for the 12-month period ended in
August.

      The price indexes for exported capital goods and consumer goods
were both unchanged in August.  Capital goods prices were down 0.9
percent over the past 12 months, while consumer goods prices were
unchanged over the same period.

      The price index of exported automotive vehicles fell 0.1 percent
last month, after posting small gains in the previous three months.  For
the year ended in August, the index was up 0.8 percent.


Imports by Locality of Origin

      The price index for imports from Japan edged up 0.1 percent in
August, after having declined 0.1 percent and 0.2 percent, respectively,
in July and June.  Over the past 12 months, the index was up 1.0
percent.
      
      Prices of imports from the Asian Newly Industrialized Countries
were unchanged in August, marking the first month in two years that the
index did not post a decline.  For the year ended in August, the index
was down 3.4 percent.
      
      Led by increasing petroleum prices, the indexes of imports from
Canada and the European Union posted similar increases in August, rising
0.7 percent and 0.6 percent, respectively.  Over the August 1998-99
period, the prices of imports from Canada rose 3.3 percent, while the
prices of imports from the European Union were up 0.9 percent.
      
      The price index of imports from Latin America increased 2.6
percent in August and was up 8.7 percent over the past 12 months.
      

                           CONTENTS OF RELEASE
                                    
This news release includes the following tables:

Table 1   Import Price Indexes, by End Use
Table 2   Export Price Indexes, by End Use
Table 3   Import Price Indexes, by SITC
Table 4   Export Price Indexes, by SITC
Table 5   Import Price Indexes, by Harmonized System
Table 6   Export Price Indexes, by Harmonized System
Table 7   Import Price Indexes, by Locality of Origin
Table 8   U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes for Services
Table 9   U.S. International Price Indexes for Services
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Import and Export Price Index data for September are scheduled for
release on October 14th at 8:30 A.M. (E.D.T).



Table 1   U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods,
             August 1998-August 1999     1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
                                                              ance                       Aug.   April     May      June     July
END                         Description                                                  1998    1999     1999     1999     1999
USE                                                           July    July     August     to      to       to       to       to
                                                              1999    1999      1999     Aug.    May      June     July     Aug.
                                                               1/      2/                1999    1999     1999     1999     1999

        ALL COMMODITIES..............................       100.000      93.1    94.0       2.8     0.7     -0.1      0.8   1.0
        ALL IMPORTS EXCLUDING PETROLEUM..............        91.534      92.1    92.1      -0.9     0.2     -0.2      0.0   0.0

0        FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES...................         4.673      92.9    92.9      -1.2     0.9     -1.2     -0.9   0.0

00        Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,
              excluding distilled beverages..........         3.229      88.1    88.2      -1.8     1.3     -1.1     -1.3   0.1

01        Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled
              beverages).............................         1.444     105.5   105.3       0.4     0.0     -1.2      0.3   -0.2

1        INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS.............        26.856      95.3    98.8      15.2     2.8      0.2      3.9   3.7
           INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS
                 EXCLUDING PETROLEUM.................        18.391      92.2    92.4       0.5     0.9      0.3      1.0   0.2
           INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                 DURABLE.............................         9.856      94.6    94.8       1.6     0.8      1.2      1.0   0.2
           INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                 NONDURABLE EXCLUDING PETROLEUM......         8.535      89.6    89.6      -0.9     1.2     -0.8      1.2   0.0

10        Fuels & lubricants.........................         9.729     103.2   113.8      53.4     7.7     -0.3     10.8   10.3

100        Petroleum & petroleum products............         8.465     101.0   112.4      61.0     7.3      0.3     10.9   11.3

1000         Crude...................................         6.837     102.7   114.6      71.6     6.7     -0.5     11.8   11.6

11        Paper & paper base stocks..................         1.753      76.8    76.6      -4.5     0.3     -1.2      0.0   -0.3

12        Materials associated with nondurable
              supplies & materials...................         5.730      87.1    86.6      -2.5    -0.1      0.1     -0.3   -0.6

13        Selected building materials................         2.474     120.7   118.9      14.1     2.0      3.1      6.0   -1.5

14        Unfinished metals associated with
              durable goods..........................         4.328      87.7    89.0      -1.2     0.7      1.1     -0.7   1.5

15        Finished metals associated with durable
              goods..................................         1.431      91.0    90.9      -2.2     0.2     -0.4     -0.8   -0.1

16        Nonmetals associated with durable goods....         1.411      86.6    86.7      -3.3     0.0     -0.3     -0.5   0.1

2        CAPITAL GOODS...............................        27.009      82.0    82.0      -3.4    -0.4     -0.5     -0.7   0.0

20        Electric & electrical generating
              equipment..............................         3.306      91.3    91.3      -3.0    -0.2     -0.9     -0.2   0.0

21        Nonelectrical machinery....................        21.910      78.9    78.8      -3.8    -0.4     -0.4     -0.9   -0.1

3        AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES........        18.775     101.8   101.9       1.2     0.3     -0.1      0.1   0.1

4        CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING
              AUTOMOTIVES............................        22.686      97.4    97.4      -0.5    -0.1     -0.1     -0.1   0.0

40        Nondurables, manufactured..................        11.338     100.2   100.4      -0.4    -0.3     -0.1     -0.2   0.2

41        Durables, manufactured.....................        10.226      94.3    94.1      -0.8     0.1     -0.1     -0.1   -0.2

42        Nonmanufactured consumer goods.............         1.121      98.3    99.3       2.3    -0.1     -0.8      0.3   1.0



    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for May, June and July 1999
        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 1998-August 1999     1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
                                                              ance                       Aug.   April     May      June     July
END                         Description                                                  1998    1999     1999     1999     1999
USE                                                           July    July     August     to      to       to       to       to
                                                              1999    1999      1999     Aug.    May      June     July     Aug.
                                                               1/      2/                1999    1999     1999     1999     1999

        ALL COMMODITIES..............................       100.000      94.2    94.6      -0.7     0.1      0.0     -0.3      0.4
        AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES.....................         9.172      83.1    84.7      -5.5     0.4     -0.2     -2.2      1.9
        NONAGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES..................        90.827      95.5    95.7      -0.2     0.0      0.1     -0.1      0.2

0        FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES...................         8.526      86.7    87.9      -3.3     0.9     -0.1     -2.5      1.4

00        Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,
              excluding distilled beverages..........         7.642      85.0    87.0      -3.9     0.5      0.0     -2.1      2.4

01        Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled
              beverages).............................         0.884     106.5    99.8       2.9     5.3     -1.1     -5.8     -6.3

1        INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS.............        24.518      87.6    88.5      -0.4     0.5      0.3      0.1      1.0
           INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                 DURABLE.............................         9.463      87.7    87.9      -2.4     0.2      0.0     -0.1      0.2
           INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                 NONDURABLE..........................        15.054      87.5    88.8       0.7     0.5      0.7      0.2      1.5

10        Agricultural industrial supplies &
              materials..............................         1.530      76.2    76.4     -12.8    -0.1     -1.4     -2.8      0.3

           NONAGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES
              & MATERIALS............................        22.987      88.5    89.4       0.3     0.5      0.6      0.2      1.0

11        Fuels & lubricants.........................         2.281      98.6   105.1      11.8     0.6      1.4     -1.2      6.6

12        Nonagricultural supplies & materials
              excluding fuels & building materials...        19.176      86.5    86.9      -0.9     0.5      0.5      0.5      0.5

13        Selected building materials................         1.530      88.0    88.4       1.6     0.0      0.2      0.3      0.5

2        CAPITAL GOODS...............................        44.432      96.3    96.3      -0.9    -0.3     -0.2     -0.2      0.0

20        Electric & electrical generating
              Equipment..............................         4.495      98.9    99.0      -1.2    -0.2      0.1     -0.1      0.1

21        Nonelectrical machinery....................        34.141      92.6    92.5      -1.5    -0.3     -0.3     -0.3     -0.1

3        AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES........        10.214     103.3   103.2       0.8     0.1      0.2      0.1     -0.1

4        CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING
              AUTOMOTIVES............................        12.310     101.9   101.9       0.0     0.0      0.1      0.0      0.0

40        Nondurables, manufactured..................         6.512     102.0   101.9       0.1     0.0      0.1     -0.1     -0.1

41        Durables, manufactured.....................         5.207     100.6   100.8      -0.1    -0.1      0.2      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 1999
        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 1998-August 1999     1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
                                                              ance                       Aug.   April     May      June     July
SITC                        Description                                                  1998    1999     1999     1999     1999
Rev. 3                                                        July    July     August     to      to       to       to       to
                                                              1999    1999      1999     Aug.    May      June     July     Aug.
                                                               1/      2/                1999    1999     1999     1999     1999

        ALL COMMODITIES..............................       100.000      93.1    94.0       2.8     0.7     -0.1      0.8      1.0

0        FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS.......................         3.947      92.8    92.8      -1.2     0.4     -1.7     -0.5      0.0
01        Meat and meat preparations.................         0.339      94.3    96.7      -1.1    -0.8      0.9     -0.2      2.5
03        Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates
             and preparations thereof................         1.076     104.2   104.1       0.2     0.0     -1.6     -0.1     -0.1
05        Vegetables, fruit and nuts,
             fresh or dried..........................         1.149     104.4   105.3       7.3     3.1     -4.5      1.2      0.9
07        Coffee, tea, cocoa, spices and
             manufactures thereof....................         0.471      64.3    63.4     -20.2    -1.6      1.5     -7.3     -1.4
     3/ Other food and live animals (9612=100).......         0.911      92.5    91.8      -0.5    -1.0     -0.3      0.2     -0.8

1        BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO.......................         0.907     110.6   110.8       1.0    -0.2      0.0      0.2      0.2
11        Beverages..................................         0.766     107.6   107.7       1.3     0.0      0.0      0.4      0.1

2        CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS.....         3.023      93.4    93.0       8.5     2.8      2.0      3.4     -0.4
24        Cork and wood..............................         1.267     132.5   129.5      21.5     4.1      3.4      8.3     -2.3
25        Pulp and waste paper.......................         0.357      61.4    61.1      -2.2     1.4      4.3      1.3     -0.5
28        Metalliferous ores and metal scrap.........         0.588      91.7    93.4      -0.8     1.6      1.1     -0.2      1.9
29        Crude animal and vegetable materials,
             n.e.s. (9612=100).......................         0.278     103.0   106.8       5.8    -0.7     -5.7      1.3      3.7
     3/ Other crude materials, inedible, except
           fuels (9612=100)..........................         0.360      95.6    95.4       9.5     6.0      5.0     -1.1     -0.2

3        MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED
            MATERIALS................................         9.400     103.2   113.7      54.9     7.9     -0.5     11.4     10.2
33        Petroleum, petroleum products and
             related materials.......................         8.078     101.2   112.6      62.5     7.3      0.1     11.0     11.3
34        Gas, natural and manufactured..............         1.201     124.1   129.5      21.3    12.9     -5.0     16.5      4.4

5        CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.......         5.498      90.6    90.2      -2.1     0.0      0.1     -0.1     -0.4
51        Organic chemicals..........................         1.565      90.3    89.8      -1.9     0.3     -0.7      0.1     -0.6
52        Inorganic chemicals........................         0.618      86.4    86.3      -8.8    -0.1     -0.1     -0.3     -0.1
53        Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials.....         0.282      90.6    90.5      -4.5    -1.0      0.2     -1.4     -0.1
54        Medicinal and pharmaceutical products......         0.951      96.2    96.3       1.5    -0.5      0.6      0.0      0.1
55        Essential oils; polishing and cleansing
             preps...................................         0.316      91.7    91.8      -1.7    -0.4     -0.3     -0.8      0.1
57        Plastics in primary forms..................         0.392      93.9    93.3       2.3     1.0      0.4      0.1     -0.6
58        Plastics in nonprimary forms...............         0.504      75.9    75.9       0.5     0.7      2.2      0.4      0.0
59        Chemical materials and products, n.e.s.....         0.651      97.9    98.1      -2.2    -0.5     -0.6      0.5      0.2

6        MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY
            BY MATERIAL..............................        12.526      91.9    92.3      -0.9     0.1      0.1      0.0      0.4
62        Rubber manufactures, n.e.s.................         0.743      94.4    94.5       0.3     0.5     -0.4      0.1      0.1
63        Cork and wood manufactures other than
             furniture...............................         0.635     107.6   107.8      11.1    -1.1      3.7      3.6      0.2
64        Paper, paperboard, and articles of
             paper pulp, paper or paper board........         1.583      83.3    83.1      -4.4     0.1     -2.0     -0.2     -0.2
65        Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up
             articles, n.e.s., and related prod......         1.402      94.6    94.6      -2.3    -0.5     -0.3     -0.1      0.0
66        Nonmetallic mineral manufactures,
             n.e.s...................................         2.204     100.8   100.9       0.5    -0.1      0.1     -0.1      0.1
67        Iron and steel.............................         1.891      85.2    85.5      -5.8     0.6      0.1     -0.6      0.4
68        Nonferrous metals..........................         1.895      87.6    90.1       2.5     0.1      2.2     -0.1      2.9
69        Manufactures of metals, n.e.s..............         2.010      95.8    95.5      -0.7     0.5     -0.3     -0.3     -0.3

7        MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT...........        46.457      90.0    89.9      -1.4     0.0     -0.3     -0.3     -0.1
71        Power generating machinery and
             equipment (9612=100)....................         3.091      98.1    98.2       0.9     0.4     -0.8     -0.2      0.1
72        Machinery specialized for particular
             industries..............................         2.763      97.3    97.2       0.1    -0.3     -0.2     -0.3     -0.1
73        Metalworking machinery.....................         0.834      94.9    94.4      -2.2    -0.3     -0.3      0.3     -0.5
74        General industrial machinery,
             equipment, & machine parts, n.e.s.......         3.565      97.3    97.3       0.8    -0.2     -0.1     -0.3      0.0
75        Computer equipment and office machines.....         5.900      62.5    62.3     -10.1    -0.2     -0.5     -1.3     -0.3
76        Telecommunications & sound recording
             & reproducing apparatus & equipment.....         4.482      87.1    86.8      -2.5    -0.1     -0.2     -0.6     -0.3
77        Electrical machinery and equipment.........         9.239      82.0    82.0      -2.1    -0.2     -0.7     -0.8      0.0
78        Road vehicles..............................        15.484     102.4   102.4       1.6     0.3      0.0      0.1      0.0

8        MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.........        17.837      97.6    97.7      -0.6    -0.2     -0.1     -0.2      0.1
81        Prefabricated buildings; plumbing, heat
             & lighting fixtures, n.e.s..............         0.389      92.9    92.2      -3.4     0.2      0.1     -0.1     -0.8
82        Furniture and parts thereof................         1.271      98.9    98.3      -2.0    -0.2     -0.3      0.2     -0.6
83        Travel goods, handbags and similar
             containers..............................         0.532     101.9   102.1       2.1    -0.5      1.6      0.1      0.2
84        Articles of apparel and clothing
             accessories.............................         6.033     101.5   101.7      -1.0    -0.1     -0.2     -0.3      0.2
85        Footwear...................................         1.847     100.7   100.6      -0.3    -0.7      0.2      0.0     -0.1
87        Professional, scientific and controlling
             instruments and apparatus, n.e.s........         1.616      94.0    94.1      -0.6    -0.3     -0.1     -0.1      0.1
88        Photographic apparatus, equipment and
             supplies and optical goods, n.e.s.;.....         1.363      91.2    91.1       0.6     0.0     -0.1     -0.1     -0.1
89        Miscellaneous manufactured articles,
             n.e.s...................................         4.786      94.8    95.0      -0.5     0.0     -0.3     -0.2      0.2




    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for May, June and July 1999
        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 1998-August 1999     1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
                                                              ance                       Aug.   April     May      June     July
SITC                        Description                                                  1998    1999     1999     1999     1999
Rev. 3                                                        July    July     August     to      to       to       to       to
                                                              1999    1999      1999     Aug.    May      June     July     Aug.
                                                               1/      2/                1999    1999     1999     1999     1999

        ALL COMMODITIES..............................       100.000      94.2    94.6      -0.7     0.1      0.0     -0.3      0.4

0        FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS.......................         7.081      87.4    87.7      -2.1     1.1      0.0     -2.0      0.3
01        Meat and meat preparations.................         1.178      94.6    97.6      -0.8     1.1      1.8      3.4      3.2
03        Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates
             and preparations thereof................         0.685     108.1    99.2       2.2     6.8     -2.1     -8.5     -8.2
04        Cereals and cereal preparations............         2.188      70.9    73.3      -2.1    -0.7     -0.4     -6.6      3.4
05        Vegetables, fruit and nuts,
             fresh or dried..........................         1.480      99.9    97.7      -4.4     3.0      0.9      1.4     -2.2
08        Feeding stuff for animals (not
             including unmilled cereals).............         0.647      88.6    88.8      -1.9    -1.0     -1.3      2.2      0.2
09        Miscellaneous edible products and
             preparations............................         0.413     106.7   107.5       2.4     0.2      0.0     -0.3      0.7
     3/ Other food and live animals (9612=100).......         0.490      88.5    88.5      -7.6    -0.8     -0.3     -0.2      0.0

1        BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO.......................         1.571     101.2   101.2       1.4     0.0      0.1      0.0      0.0
12        Tobacco and tobacco manufactures...........         1.296     101.3   101.3       1.8     0.0      0.1      0.1      0.0

2        CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS.....         5.048      74.8    76.8      -3.9     0.7      0.5     -0.3      2.7
21        Hides, skins and furskins, raw.............         0.273      80.2    84.2       0.4     0.1      0.0      1.5      5.0
22        Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits............         0.825      72.8    80.1     -15.9    -1.1     -0.4     -8.1     10.0
24        Cork and wood..............................         0.899      82.9    83.1       0.8    -0.1      0.2      1.2      0.2
25        Pulp and waste paper.......................         0.866      72.1    74.5      15.5     1.6      5.9      8.3      3.3
26        Textile fibers and their waste.............         0.674      65.2    65.1     -15.3     0.4     -2.1     -5.0     -0.2
27        Crude fertilizers and crude minerals.......         0.333      93.6    93.0      -4.0     0.0      0.0      0.1     -0.6
28        Metalliferous ores and metal scrap.........         0.778      72.3    72.9       0.4     2.9      0.1      2.3      0.8
     3/ Other crude materials, inedible, except
           fuels (9612=100)..........................         0.401      91.2    90.9      -8.4     2.8     -0.8     -0.9     -0.3

3        MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED
            MATERIALS................................         2.042     101.5   111.0      17.2     1.1      1.3     -0.5      9.4
32        Coal, coke and briquettes..................         0.695      98.2    98.3      -1.2     0.1     -0.1     -0.1      0.1
33        Petroleum, petroleum products and
             related materials.......................         1.214     106.8   119.2      28.3     1.9      2.3     -0.8     11.6

4        ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE OILS, FATS AND
            WAXES....................................         0.375      76.6    76.0     -26.5    -1.1     -6.5      0.0     -0.8

5        CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.......        10.750      91.3    91.4      -0.8     0.3      0.7      0.0      0.1
51        Organic chemicals..........................         2.391      76.0    76.6       0.9     2.2      0.7      1.1      0.8
52        Inorganic chemicals........................         0.880     100.6   100.9      -2.4    -3.1      1.3     -0.4      0.3
53        Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials.....         0.507     100.8   100.8       1.5    -0.3      0.0     -0.3      0.0
54        Medicinal and pharmaceutical products......         1.263     100.4   100.0      -1.6     0.0      0.0     -0.2     -0.4
55        Essential oils; polishing and cleansing
             preps...................................         0.778     101.9   101.8       0.4     0.4      0.1      0.0     -0.1
56        Fertilizers (9612=100).....................         0.546      89.2    87.9     -10.3    -1.1     -1.5     -0.4     -1.5
57        Plastics in primary forms..................         1.787      88.0    88.3       0.5     1.3      2.5     -0.9      0.3
58        Plastics in nonprimary forms...............         0.846      97.5    97.5      -0.1     0.2      0.9      0.3      0.0
59        Chemical materials and products, n.e.s.....         1.751      99.4    99.5      -0.9    -0.4      0.2     -0.3      0.1

6        MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY
            BY MATERIAL..............................         9.967      97.1    97.3       0.0     0.1      0.2      0.3      0.2
62        Rubber manufactures, n.e.s.................         0.716     105.6   105.9       3.1     0.0     -0.4      0.1      0.3
63        Cork and wood manufactures other than
             furniture...............................         0.324      98.1    98.4       5.9    -0.4      0.5      2.0      0.3
64        Paper, paperboard, and articles of
             paper pulp, paper or paperboard.........         1.581      84.4    85.4       3.9     1.2      0.6      1.2      1.2
65        Textile yarn, fabrics, and
             made-up articles, n.e.s.................         1.405      99.0    98.9      -2.9    -0.3     -0.2     -0.2     -0.1
66        Nonmetallic mineral manufactures,
             n.e.s...................................         1.372     106.3   106.3      -0.5    -0.3      0.0      0.0      0.0
67        Iron and steel.............................         1.058      94.9    94.8      -5.3    -0.4      0.0      0.4     -0.1
68        Nonferrous metals..........................         1.233      85.3    86.8       0.1     0.5      0.4      0.4      1.8
69        Manufactures of metals, n.e.s..............         2.126     108.3   107.3       0.5    -0.1      0.6     -0.4     -0.9

7        MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT...........        50.944      97.4    97.4      -0.9    -0.2     -0.2     -0.2      0.0
71        Power generating machinery and
             equipment...............................         4.677     110.1   110.1       3.1    -0.1      0.1      0.5      0.0
72        Machinery specialized for particular
             industries..............................         4.899     105.8   105.9       0.6     0.0      0.2     -0.3      0.1
73        Metalworking machinery.....................         1.032     108.9   108.8       0.2     0.0     -0.6      0.1     -0.1
74        General industrial machinery,
             equipment, & parts, n.e.s...............         5.298     107.5   107.5       0.9    -0.1      0.1      0.2      0.0
75        Computer equipment and office machines.....         5.780      70.8    70.8      -6.1    -0.7     -1.0     -1.0      0.0
76        Telecommunications & sound recording
             & reproducing apparatus & equipment.....         3.837      97.0    96.9      -1.3    -0.2     -0.2      0.1     -0.1
77        Electrical machinery and equipment.........        11.250      88.1    87.9      -3.5    -0.7     -0.4     -0.6     -0.2
78        Road vehicles..............................         9.443     102.4   102.3       0.3     0.1      0.2     -0.1     -0.1

8        MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.........        11.561     101.1   101.1       0.5     0.0      0.0      0.1      0.0
82        Furniture and parts thereof................         0.667     105.4   105.4       1.2     0.1      0.1      0.7      0.0
84        Articles of apparel and clothing
             accessories.............................         1.281     100.2   100.3      -2.1     0.0     -0.4     -0.1      0.1
87        Professional, scientific and controlling
             instruments and apparatus, n.e.s........         3.904     105.3   105.4       1.5     0.2     -0.2      0.1      0.1
88        Photographic apparatus, equipment and
             supplies and optical goods, n.e.s.......         0.941      94.8    94.8       2.2    -0.1     -0.1      0.4      0.0
89        Miscellaneous manufactured articles,
             n.e.s...................................         4.293      98.2    98.4       0.1    -0.1      0.3      0.0      0.2
     3/ Other miscellaneous manufactured
           articles (9612=100).......................         0.475     101.5   101.6      -1.0    -0.3      0.0     -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 1999
        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 1998-August 1999     1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
Harmo-                                                        ance                       Aug.   April     May      June     July
nized                       Description                                                  1998    1999     1999     1999     1999
System                                                        July    July     August     to      to       to       to       to
                                                              1999    1999      1999     Aug.    May      June     July     Aug.
                                                               1/      2/                1999    1999     1999     1999     1999


I        LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS...............         1.626     101.3   101.2       2.1    -0.2     -1.4      1.1     -0.1
02        Meat and edible meat offal.................         0.282      96.6    98.9       3.5    -1.1      1.0      0.3      2.4
03        Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and
              other aquatic invertebrates............         0.970     107.7   107.0       2.5     0.7     -2.3      1.6     -0.6
     3/   Other live animals and animal
              products (9612=100)....................         0.374      92.7    92.1       0.1    -2.0     -0.8      0.4     -0.6

II       VEGETABLE PRODUCTS..........................         1.557      86.7    87.4       1.7     2.6     -1.6     -1.6      0.8
07        Edible vegetables and certain roots and
              tubers.................................         0.315     111.8   111.7       3.0     7.4     -8.8      5.9     -0.1
08        Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus
              fruit or melons........................         0.499     106.5   108.4      10.2     2.6     -1.6     -0.3      1.8
09        Coffee, tea, mate and spices...............         0.332      65.6    65.5     -14.8    -2.6      4.1     -7.2     -0.2
     3/   Other vegetable products...................         0.410      90.8    91.7       7.5     3.3     -0.3     -3.6      1.0

IV       PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND
            TOBACCO..................................         2.099      98.6    98.0      -2.4    -0.1     -1.2     -0.3     -0.6
20        Preparations of vegetables, fruit,
              nuts, or other parts of plants.........         0.288      91.9    91.1       2.7    -1.7     -1.6      0.0     -0.9
22        Beverages, spirits, and vinegar............         0.783     104.6   104.3      -0.2    -0.1      0.1     -0.6     -0.3
     3/   Other prepared foodstuffs (9612=100).......         1.028      94.0    93.3      -5.3     0.5     -2.1     -0.2     -0.7

V        MINERAL PRODUCTS............................        10.009     102.8   112.6      49.5     7.2     -0.4     10.5      9.5
26        Ores, slag and ash.........................         0.294      98.0    98.0      -3.6    -0.4      0.2     -2.4      0.0
27        Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,
              bituminous substances and mineral wax..         9.481     102.9   113.3      53.7     7.8     -0.5     11.2     10.1

VI       PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED
            INDUSTRIES...............................         5.139      93.0    93.0      -2.5     0.0     -0.2      0.0      0.0
28        Inorganic chemicals........................         0.779      90.1    90.8      -6.8     0.6      0.3     -0.9      0.8
29        Organic chemicals..........................         1.973      90.4    90.5      -1.6     0.2     -0.6      0.7      0.1
30        Pharmaceutical products....................         0.591     104.2   104.3       3.3    -0.4      0.9      0.1      0.1
32        Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye &
              pigments; varnish & paints; putty......         0.279      88.6    88.5      -4.8    -0.9      0.0     -1.6     -0.1
37        Photographic or cinematographic goods......         0.363      96.3    96.3       0.3     0.3      0.0      0.0      0.0
38        Miscellaneous chemical products
              (9612=100).............................         0.394      89.3    89.3      -5.5    -0.3     -0.2      0.6      0.0
     3/   Other products of the chemical or
              allied industries (9612=100)...........         0.760      93.1    91.6      -3.8    -0.5     -0.5     -0.6     -1.6

VII      PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER
            AND ARTICLES THEREOF.....................         2.726      85.9    85.7      -0.5     0.6      0.0      0.1     -0.2
39        Plastics and articles thereof..............         1.728      90.1    89.9       0.3     0.4      0.2      0.2     -0.2
40        Rubber and articles thereof................         0.998      79.4    79.4      -2.0     0.6     -0.3     -0.4      0.0

VIII     RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,
            TRAVEL GOODS, ETC........................         1.022     100.4   100.5      -1.5    -0.4      0.4     -1.5      0.1
42        Articles of leather; travel goods, bags,
              etc. of various materials..............         0.837     100.4   100.5       0.2    -0.5      0.6      0.0      0.1

IX       WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW, BASKET
            AND WICKER...............................         1.954     121.4   119.2      16.9     2.5      3.5      7.2     -1.8

X        WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER
            AND ARTICLES THEREOF.....................         2.322      80.2    80.2      -2.9     0.0     -0.6      0.0      0.0
47        Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic
              material; waste paper/paperboard.......         0.359      62.2    62.1      -1.7     1.4      5.1      1.1     -0.2
48        Paper and paperboard; articles of paper
              pulp, paper or paperboard..............         1.598      84.0    83.9      -4.3    -0.1     -2.0     -0.4     -0.1
49        Printed matter.............................         0.365      99.0    99.8       2.3    -0.8      0.4     -0.2      0.8

XI       TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES................         7.092      99.9   100.1      -0.6    -0.2      0.0      0.1      0.2
61        Articles of apparel and clothing
              accessories, knitted or crocheted......         2.128     101.4   101.4       0.0     0.0      0.1      0.2      0.0
62        Articles of apparel and clothing
              accessories, not knitted or crocheted..         3.451     103.0   103.5      -0.3    -0.2     -0.3      0.0      0.5
63        Made-up or worn textile articles and
              clothing; needlecraft sets; rags.......         0.345      94.0    94.1       0.6    -0.3     -0.9      2.5      0.1
     3/   Other textile & textile
              articles (9612=100)....................         1.168      93.2    93.0      -3.0    -0.5      0.5     -0.5     -0.2

XII      FOOTWEAR, HEADGEAR, UMBRELLAS, WHIPS,
            ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS, ETC..................         2.169     101.3   101.2       0.1    -0.5      0.2      0.0     -0.1
64        Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts
              of such articles.......................         1.861     100.6   100.5       0.0    -0.6      0.2      0.1     -0.1
     3/   Other footwear, headgear, umbrellas,
              whips, art. flowers, etc. (9612=100)...         0.308     103.7   103.7       0.6     0.0     -0.1     -0.6      0.0

XIII     STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,CERAMIC
            GLASS ETC................................         1.176     100.6   100.6       0.0    -0.4     -0.3     -0.1      0.0
69        Ceramic products...........................         0.445      97.6    97.6       0.0    -0.2      0.1     -0.1      0.0
70        Glass and glassware........................         0.455     100.3   100.4       0.6    -0.9     -0.3     -0.1      0.1

XIV      PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,
            IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS.............         2.320      99.5    99.9       1.0    -1.5      0.9     -1.0      0.4

XV       BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METAL......         5.497      85.0    85.9      -2.4     1.1      0.2     -0.1      1.1
72        Iron and steel.............................         1.633      84.9    85.0      -5.5     1.2      0.0     -0.4      0.1
73        Articles of iron or steel..................         1.270      91.6    92.0      -1.9     0.2     -0.3     -0.9      0.4
74        Copper and articles thereof................         0.386      68.3    70.3      -1.8     3.6     -1.5      1.2      2.9
76        Aluminum and articles thereof..............         0.902      82.5    84.5       1.9     2.8      2.1     -0.4      2.4
83        Miscellaneous articles of base metal.......         0.435     102.4   102.5       3.0     2.0     -1.0      1.0      0.1
     3/   Miscellaneous nonferrous metals and
              articles, including scrap (9612=100)...         0.417      79.7    83.3      -6.9    -2.4      2.5      1.8      4.5

XVI      MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV
            IMAGE & SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC......        28.884      81.9    81.8      -3.2    -0.2     -0.4     -0.7     -0.1
84        Specialized machinery & computer
              equipment..............................        14.904      81.4    81.3      -4.0    -0.2     -0.5     -0.6     -0.1
85        Electrical machinery and equip, sound
              and TV recorders & reproducers, parts..        13.980      82.3    82.2      -2.4    -0.2     -0.5     -0.7     -0.1

XVII     VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND
            ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT...........        16.762     102.4   102.5       1.6     0.3      0.0      0.0      0.1
87        Motor vehicles and their parts.............        15.833     102.1   102.2       1.7     0.3      0.0      0.0      0.1

XVII     OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &
            MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES........         3.611      91.5    91.6      -0.1    -0.1     -0.1     -0.1      0.1
90        Optical, photographic, measuring and
              medical instruments....................         3.078      91.3    91.4       0.0    -0.1      0.0     -0.1      0.1
91        Clocks and watches and parts thereof.......         0.387      92.8    92.7      -1.6    -0.3     -0.1     -0.6     -0.1

XX       MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.........         3.775      97.1    96.9      -0.6     0.1     -0.3      0.1     -0.2
94        Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps
              and lighting fittings nes;.............         1.627      97.5    97.0      -0.8    -0.1     -0.3      0.1     -0.5
95        Toys, games and sports equipment; parts
              and accessories thereof................         1.854      97.3    97.4      -0.6     0.3     -0.2      0.0      0.1
96        Miscellaneous manufactured articles........         0.295      92.9    93.4       0.1    -0.1     -0.5     -0.4      0.5



    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for May, June and July 1999
        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 1998-August 1999     1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
Harmo-                                                        ance                       Aug.   April     May      June     July
nized                       Description                                                  1998    1999     1999     1999     1999
System                                                        July    July     August     to      to       to       to       to
                                                              1999    1999      1999     Aug.    May      June     July     Aug.
                                                               1/      2/                1999    1999     1999     1999     1999


I        LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS...............         1.999      95.6    95.0      -2.2     2.5      0.9     -0.2     -0.6
02        Meat & edible meat offal...................         1.080      90.9    93.7      -1.8     1.3      2.5      3.9      3.1
03        Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and
              other aquatic invertebrates............         0.605     104.5    96.6       3.6     5.8     -1.0     -6.5     -7.6
     3/   Other live animals and animal
              products (9612=100)....................         0.315      82.6    82.4     -11.8    -0.2     -0.2      0.0     -0.2

II       VEGETABLE PRODUCTS..........................         4.388      78.4    80.2      -5.2     0.7     -0.4     -4.9      2.3
07        Edible vegetables and certain roots and
              tubers.................................         0.327      99.0   101.0      -4.4     2.9      2.3      0.5      2.0
08        Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus
              fruit or melons........................         0.815     106.2    99.0      -1.8     3.4     -0.7      1.8     -6.8
10        Cereals....................................         1.971      68.5    71.2      -1.7    -0.7     -0.5     -7.2      3.9
12        Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds,
              fruits, plants, straw and fodder.......         1.026      78.5    84.3     -13.8    -0.2     -1.1     -7.1      7.4

III      ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE FATS AND OILS...........         0.398      75.4    75.0     -28.1    -1.5     -6.0     -1.0     -0.5

IV       PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND
            TOBACCO..................................         3.482      97.3    97.5       0.3    -0.3     -0.1      0.6      0.2
20        Preparations of vegetables, fruit,
              nuts, or other parts of plants.........         0.349      93.6    93.6      -2.5     0.3     -0.1     -1.1      0.0
21        Miscellaneous edible preparations..........         0.383     106.9   107.7       2.0     0.0      0.1     -0.2      0.7
22        Beverages, spirits, and vinegar............         0.342      98.6    98.0      -1.1     0.2      0.0      0.0     -0.6
23        Residues and waste from the food
              industries; prepared animal feed.......         0.575      84.8    85.4      -2.4    -1.9     -1.7      3.4      0.7
24        Tobacco and manufactured tobacco
              substitutes............................         1.308     101.2   101.3       1.8     0.0      0.1      0.1      0.1
     3/   Other prepared foods.......................         0.525     101.1   101.1       1.0     0.0      0.7      1.1      0.0

V        MINERAL PRODUCTS............................         2.637      99.3   104.8      11.7     1.2      0.7      0.5      5.5
26        Ores, slag and ash (9812=100)..............         0.279     115.4   116.9     n.a.      4.2     -4.1      9.8      1.3
27        Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,
              bituminous substances and mineral wax..         2.091     101.9   109.0      14.4     1.0      1.5     -0.9      7.0

VI       PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED
            INDUSTRIES...............................         8.770      92.0    92.2      -0.6     0.1      0.3      0.1      0.2
28        Inorganic chemicals........................         0.950      99.8   100.0      -2.2    -2.4      1.7     -0.7      0.2
29        Organic chemicals..........................         2.691      78.9    79.6       0.6     1.8      0.6      0.9      0.9
30        Pharmaceutical products....................         0.954     104.2   103.5      -0.5     0.0      0.1      0.2     -0.7
31        Fertilizers (9612=100).....................         0.609      89.3    88.0     -10.2    -1.1     -1.5     -0.3     -1.5
32        Tanning or dyeing extracts; dyes and
              pigments; paints & varnish; putty;ink..         0.521     101.0   101.0       1.5    -0.2     -0.1     -0.4      0.0
33        Essential oils and resinoids;
              perfumery, cosmetic or toilet..........         0.558     104.1   104.0       0.8     0.6     -0.1      0.0     -0.1
34        Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or
              scouring products; candles, pastes.....         0.331     104.1   104.2       1.5     0.0      0.3     -0.1      0.1
37        Photographic or cinematographic goods......         0.408      87.0    87.0       4.2    -0.2     -0.3      1.0      0.0
38        Miscellaneous chemical products............         1.525      98.4    98.4      -0.9    -0.1      0.0     -0.1      0.0

VII      PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER
            AND ARTICLES THEREOF.....................         4.287      91.8    92.0       0.3     0.4      1.1     -0.1      0.2
39        Plastics and articles thereof..............         3.350      90.0    90.1       0.0     0.6      1.5     -0.1      0.1
40        Rubber and articles thereof................         0.937      99.0    99.3       1.2    -0.1     -0.3      0.1      0.3

VIII     RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,
            TRAVEL GOODS, ETC........................         0.505      83.0    85.2      -0.7     0.2      0.1      1.0      2.7
41        Raw hides and skins (other than
              furskins) and leather..................         0.347      76.7    79.7      -1.4     0.1      0.1      1.5      3.9

IX       WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW,
            BASKET AND WICKER........................         1.249      86.8    87.0       2.1    -0.1      0.4      1.3      0.2

X        WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER
            AND ARTICLES THEREOF.....................         3.173      80.1    81.2       4.9     1.0      1.2      2.0      1.4
47        Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic
              material; waste paper/paperboard.......         0.777      67.0    68.9      11.1     2.4      4.6      5.8      2.8
48        Paper and paperboard; articles of paper
              pulp, paper or paperboard..............         1.547      84.6    85.8       4.1     1.0      0.5      1.1      1.4
49        Printed material...........................         0.848     109.4   109.3       0.9     0.0     -0.2      0.4     -0.1

XI       TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES................         3.098      85.7    85.7      -5.9     0.0     -0.9     -1.4      0.0
52        Cotton, including yarns and woven
              fabrics thereof........................         0.591      65.9    65.4     -17.5     0.8     -1.8     -7.4     -0.8
55        Manmade staple fibers, includ. yarns
              and woven fabrics (9812=100)...........         0.276     101.2   101.3     n.a.      1.6     -2.3      4.0      0.1
61        Apparel and clothing access.,
              knitted or crocheted (9812=100)........         0.483     100.3   100.3     n.a.      0.0      0.0      0.1      0.0
62        Apparel and clothing access.,
              not knitted or crocheted (9812=100)....         0.659      97.5    98.0     n.a.      0.0     -1.0     -0.4      0.5

XIII     STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,
            CERAMIC, GLASS ETC.......................         0.880     102.6   102.9      -0.5     0.2      0.0     -0.7      0.3
70        Glass and glassware........................         0.509     101.6   101.6      -0.2    -0.3     -0.1     -0.2      0.0

XIV      PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,
            IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS.............         1.836      90.9    90.6      -3.8    -2.5     -0.8     -1.2     -0.3

XV       BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METALS.....         4.540      90.6    90.8      -0.7     0.9      0.6      0.2      0.2
72        Iron and steel.............................         0.855      78.9    79.1      -4.5     0.7      0.8      1.2      0.3
73        Articles of iron or steel..................         1.332     109.7   109.3      -1.4    -0.3      0.2     -0.1     -0.4
74        Copper and articles thereof................         0.350      64.3    67.3      -0.1     2.4      0.0     -0.3      4.7
76        Aluminum and articles thereof..............         0.858      83.0    83.5       3.2     3.4      1.1      1.3      0.6
82        Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and
              forks, of base metal; parts thereof....         0.447     107.6   105.3       2.5     0.2      0.5      0.3     -2.1
83        Miscellaneous articles of base metal.......         0.395     101.8   101.7       0.9     0.0      0.0      0.0     -0.1


XVI      MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV
            IMAGE AND SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC....        36.590      92.0    91.9      -1.8    -0.4     -0.2     -0.3     -0.1
84        Specialized machinery & computer
              equipment..............................        20.580      93.9    93.9      -0.9    -0.1     -0.3     -0.2      0.0
85        Electrical machinery and equip, sound
              & tv recorders & reproducers, parts....        16.010      89.7    89.5      -2.9    -0.6     -0.3     -0.3     -0.2

XVII     VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND
            ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT...........        14.423     106.0   106.0       0.8     0.0      0.2      0.0      0.0
87        Motor vehicles and their parts.............         9.925     102.5   102.4       0.3     0.1      0.1      0.0     -0.1

XVII     OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &
            MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES........         5.661     103.2   103.3       1.3     0.2      0.0      0.0      0.1


XX       MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.........         1.855     102.7   102.6       0.1    -0.3      0.1      0.3     -0.1
94        Furniture; stuffed furnishings;
              lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;.....         0.916     104.9   104.9       0.5    -0.5      0.2      0.6      0.0
95        Toys, games and sports equipment; parts
              and accessories thereof................         0.760     100.6   100.6      -0.3     0.0     -0.1     -0.1      0.0



    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for May, June and July 1999
        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 1998-August 1999
               1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                       Index                            Percent Change
                                                            Percentage
                                                               of                       Annual          Monthly
                                                            US Imports                   Aug.   April     May      June     July
                           Description 1/                                                1998    1999     1999     1999     1999
                                                              1995    July      Aug.      to      to       to       to       to
                                                                      1999      1999     Aug.    May      June     July     Aug.
                                                                       2/                1999    1999     1999     1999     1999

     3/ Developed Countries..........................       100.000      96.1    96.6       2.4     0.5     -0.1      0.4      0.5
          Manufactured Goods.........................        93.642      95.9    96.0       0.9     0.2     -0.1      0.1      0.1
          Nonmanufactured Goods......................         6.163     105.4   111.7      30.9     6.3     -0.3      6.4      6.0

     3/ Developing Countries.........................       100.000      93.7    95.2       4.3     1.1      0.3      1.1      1.6
          Manufactured Goods.........................        81.548      91.4    91.6      -2.0     0.4     -0.1      0.0      0.2
          Nonmanufactured Goods......................        18.181     100.9   109.0      44.2     5.1      1.7      7.0      8.0

        Canada.......................................       100.000      98.4    99.1       3.3     1.4      0.2      1.5      0.7
          Manufactured Goods.........................        86.938      97.6    97.6       0.2     0.5      0.2      0.9      0.0
          Nonmanufactured Goods......................        12.577     108.2   114.2      29.3     7.5     -0.1      6.1      5.5

     4/ European Union...............................       100.000     100.0   100.6       0.9     0.1     -0.1     -0.1      0.6
          Manufactured Goods.........................        96.982     100.4   100.7       0.3     0.0     -0.2     -0.2      0.3
          Nonmanufactured Goods......................         3.018      97.2   104.4      27.2     4.7      1.5      5.4      7.4

     5/ Latin America  (9712=100)....................       100.000      97.7   100.2       8.7     1.9     -0.1      1.6      2.6
          Manufactured Goods  (9712=100).............        73.225      96.7    97.7       0.7     0.9      0.4      0.3      1.0
          Nonmanufactured Goods (9712=100)...........        26.044     101.5   108.3      37.8     5.0     -1.6      5.5      6.7

        Japan........................................       100.000      88.4    88.5       1.0     0.3     -0.2     -0.1      0.1

     6/ Asian Newly Industrialized Countries.........       100.000      82.9    82.9      -3.4    -0.2     -0.2     -0.4      0.0



        1    Regions are not mutually exclusive.

        2    Data for  May, June and July 1999
             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 Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.

        6    Includes Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan.
        Table  8     U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services
             June 1998-June 1999  1995 = 100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                       Index                            Percent Change

                                                                                        Annual          Quarterly
                                                             Trade                       June    June    Sept.     Dec.    March
                            Description                      (Mil.                       1998    1998     1998     1998     1999
                                                               of     March     June      to      to       to       to       to
                                                            Dollars)  1999      1999     June   Sept.     Dec.    March     June
                                                                                         1999    1998     1998     1999     1999


        IMPORT

         Air Freight                                            3188     87.8   85.4        4.8    -1.5      8.0      1.3     -2.7
          Atlantic                                              1278     89.1   84.9       -3.3    -0.5      4.9     -2.8     -4.7
          Pacific                                               1674     87.9   86.4       12.6    -2.3     11.9      4.9     -1.7

         Air Passenger Fares                                   11127    103.8   117.3       4.2     0.2     -6.8     -1.2     13.0
     1/   Atlantic                                              4922     97.1   124.7       6.3     1.6    -17.7     -1.0     28.4
     1/   Pacific                                               2340     97.4   105.0      -0.8    -6.5      5.8     -7.0      7.8
     1/   Latin American / Caribbean                            3021    112.5   111.2       4.6     2.8     -0.3      3.2     -1.2

     1/  Crude Oil Tanker Freight                               1346     72.6    n.a.     n.a.     -3.9      5.0    -11.8    n.a.

         Ocean Liner Freight                                    9868    100.4   123.4      22.4     0.4     -0.6     -0.2     22.9
          U.S. East Coast                                       4271     98.6   101.2       2.0     1.1     -1.3     -0.4      2.6
           from Atlantic                                        1952     96.5   87.7       -9.3     0.7      0.0     -0.9     -9.1
           from Pacific                                         1774    103.3   119.3      17.9     1.9      0.2      0.0     15.5
     1/   U.S. West Coast                                       5596    101.1   139.6      37.5    -0.2     -0.1     -0.1     38.1

        EXPORT

         Air Freight (9612 = 100)                               2562     90.5   90.8       -3.9     1.2      1.2     -6.4      0.3

         Air Passenger Fares                                   17272    100.6   101.9       7.2     0.3      2.7      2.7      1.3
     1/   Atlantic                                              4120    106.5   113.2       2.3     4.1     -5.4     -2.3      6.3
     1/   Pacific                                              10700     85.1   83.9        8.0    -1.7      7.3      3.8     -1.4
          Latin American / Caribbean                            1392    111.6   114.0       4.6     3.9     -0.1     -1.3      2.2
          Canadian                                              1006    188.6   192.2      20.0    -3.3      7.2     13.6      1.9



        1     Detailed data available upon request.                                            n.a.    Not available
        Table  9    U.S. International Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services
             June 1998-June 1999    1995 = 100
                                                                       Index                            Percent Change

                                                                                        Annual          Quarterly
                                                             Trade                       June    June    Sept.     Dec.    March
                            Description                      (Mil.                       1998    1998     1998     1998     1999
                                                               of     March     June      to      to       to       to       to
                                                            Dollars)  1999      1999     June   Sept.     Dec.    March     June
                                                                                         1999    1998     1998     1999     1999


         Air Freight (Inbound)                                  5495     88.0   86.2        3.4    -1.9      6.8      0.7     -2.0
          Atlantic                                              1880     89.1   86.4       -2.3    -0.5      4.1     -2.7     -3.0
          Pacific                                               3151     88.0   86.3        7.5    -3.0      9.8      2.9     -1.9

         Air Freight (Outbound)                                 5835     92.7   92.9       -3.2    -0.2     -0.6     -2.6      0.2
          Atlantic                                              2080    104.1   104.6       2.3     1.1      0.8      0.0      0.5
          Pacific                                               3222     85.3   85.2       -7.8    -1.1     -1.9     -4.9     -0.1

         Air Passenger Fares (U.S. Carrier)                    30673    104.5   112.3       4.2    -0.5     -3.9      1.4      7.5
    1/    Atlantic                                              8811     96.9   119.5       2.3     3.1    -18.6     -1.1     23.3
    1/    Pacific                                              15900     94.6   96.1        2.7    -4.4      4.4      1.3      1.6
    1/    Latin American / Caribbean                            4542    118.4   119.7       7.3     5.0     -0.4      1.5      1.1
          Canadian                                              1367    190.5   194.7      16.0    -3.2      5.7     10.8      2.2

         Air Passenger Fares (Foreign Carrier)                 31694     98.9   106.3       3.8     1.6     -2.8     -2.2      7.5
    1/    Atlantic                                             13572     98.3   113.9       1.8     5.4    -12.7     -4.5     15.9
    1/    Pacific                                              12570     86.6   88.4        6.8    -3.7     10.3     -1.5      2.1
    1/    Latin American / Caribbean                            4224    109.8   108.7       3.4     2.5      0.2      1.8     -1.0

    1/   Crude Oil Tanker Freight (Inbound)                     1949     74.6    n.a.     n.a.     -5.1     -0.2     -9.8    n.a.

         Ocean Liner Freight (Inbound)                         12253    102.6   133.9      29.7     1.7     -0.8     -1.5     30.5
          U.S. East Coast                                       5410     96.4   97.2       -0.3     0.9     -1.7     -0.3      0.8
           from Atlantic                                        2647     94.6   85.9       -9.4     0.6      0.0     -0.8     -9.2
           from Pacific                                         1874    101.2   115.6      17.0     1.8      0.1      0.5     14.2
    1/    U.S. West Coast                                       6844    107.0   162.3      51.3     2.2     -0.1     -2.4     51.7



        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.



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