U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES – MARCH 2016 

U.S. import prices increased 0.2 percent in March, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. The 

advance followed a 0.4-percent drop the previous month and was driven by an upturn in fuel prices which 

more than offset lower nonfuel prices. Prices for U.S. exports recorded no change in March, after falling 0.5 

percent in February. 

Chart 1. One-month percent change in the Import Price Index: March 2015 – March 2016 

 Percent change 

Chart 2. 12-month percent change in the Import Price Index: March 2015 – March 2016 

 Percent change 

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Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until 

8:30 a.m. (EDT) Tuesday, April 12, 2016 

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

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

USDL-16-0745
2

All Imports: The price index for U.S. imports rose 0.2 percent in March, the first monthly increase for the 

index since a 0.1-percent uptick in June 2015. The March advance was the largest 1-month rise since the 

index increased 1.1 percent in May 2015. Despite the upturn, overall import prices remained down over the 

past year, falling 6.2 percent from March 2015 to March 2016. 

Fuel Imports: Import fuel prices increased 4.9 percent in March following declines of 5.9 percent in 

February, 15.7 percent in January, and 10.0 percent in December. The March advance was the first monthly 

increase since the index rose 1.5 percent in June 2015 and the largest advance since a 10.8-percent increase 

in May 2015. The March rise was led by a 6.5-percent advance in petroleum prices that more than offset a 

16.1-percent drop in natural gas prices. Fuel prices decreased 38.3 percent over the past 12 months; a 39.5-

percent decline in petroleum prices and a 37.7-percent fall in natural gas prices each contributed to the 

overall drop. 

All Imports Excluding Fuel: Prices for nonfuel imports in March fell 0.1 percent for a third consecutive 

month. Nonfuel import prices have not recorded an increase since the index advanced 0.1 percent in July 

2014. In March, falling prices for consumer goods; foods, feeds, and beverages; and capital goods more than 

countered rising prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials, and automotive vehicles. Nonfuel 

import prices declined 2.5 percent for the year ended in March. 

 

Table A. Percent change in Import and Export Price Indexes, selected categories 

 
3

Chart 3. One-month percent change in the Export Price Index: March 2015 – March 2016 

 Percent change 

Chart 4. 12-month percent change in the Export Price Index: March 2015 – March 2016 

 Percent change

All Exports: U.S. export prices recorded no change in March. This is the first time that the index did not 

decline since a 0.5-percent rise in May 2015. Prior to March, export prices decreased 0.5 percent in 

February, 0.8 percent in January, and 1.1 percent in December. In March, agricultural prices declined and 

the price index for nonagricultural exports advanced. Overall prices for U.S. exports decreased 6.1 percent 

over the past year. 

Agricultural Exports: Prices for agricultural exports declined 2.5 percent in March, after rising 0.6 percent 

the previous month. The March decrease matched a 2.5-percent drop in August 2015; those were the largest 

1-month declines since the index fell 3.1 percent in August 2014. The decrease in March was driven by 

lower prices for fruit, soybeans, corn, and nuts. Agricultural prices also fell over the past 12 months, 

declining 11.1 percent for the year ended in March. 

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: The price index for nonagricultural exports rose 0.3 percent in March 

following a 0.5-percent decrease in February. The March advance was the first monthly increase for the 

index since a 0.6-percent rise in May 2015. In March, higher prices for nonagricultural industrial supplies 

and materials more than offset falling automotive vehicles prices. Despite the March upturn, nonagricultural 

export prices decreased 5.6 percent over the past 12 months. 

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Mar'15 Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar'16
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SELECTED MARCH HIGHLIGHTS 

Import Prices 

Imports by Locality of Origin: In March, import prices from China declined 0.2 percent for the second 

consecutive month. The index has not recorded a monthly increase since ticking up 0.1 percent in December 

2014 and declined 1.8 percent over the past year. That matched the largest 12-month drop since the index 

decreased 2.4 percent for the year ended November 2009. Prices for imports from the European Union also 

declined in March, edging down 0.1 percent. In contrast, the price index for imports from Japan rose 0.1 

percent in March, after increasing 0.2 percent in February. Import prices from Canada and Mexico advanced 

0.5 percent and 0.1 percent, respectively, led by an upturn in petroleum prices. 

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonfuel industrial supplies and materials prices advanced 0.5 

percent in March, the first 1-month increase since the index rose 0.5 percent in July 2014 and the largest 

monthly advance since a 0.6-percent rise in March 2014. The March 2016 increase was led by a 3.2-percent 

increase in unfinished metals prices which more than offset lower chemical prices. 

 

Finished Goods: Consumer goods prices fell 0.3 percent in March, after increasing 0.3 percent in February. 

The March decline was led by a 1.0-percent drop in the price index for medicinal, dental, and 

pharmaceutical materials. Prices for capital goods also decreased in March, edging down 0.1 percent. In 

contrast, automotive vehicles prices rose 0.1 percent, the first monthly advance for the index since a 0.1-

percent increase in July 2015. 

 

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Prices for foods, feeds, and beverages declined 0.6 percent in March, 

following a 1.6-percent decrease the previous month. The March drop was driven by lower prices for 

vegetables, meat, and fruit. 

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares declined 5.4 percent in March, the largest monthly 

drop since the index fell 6.8 percent in January 2015. The March decrease was led by an 11.3-percent 

decline in European fares. The index for import air passenger fares fell 6.3 percent for the year ended in 

March. Import air freight prices decreased 0.1 percent in March and 12.6 percent over the past year. 

Export Prices 

Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials 

prices rose 0.8 percent in March following a 2.2-percent decline the previous month. Higher metals prices in 

March drove the increase. 

 

Finished Goods: Finished goods prices were mixed in March. The price index for automotive vehicles 

decreased 0.2 percent for the second consecutive month. In contrast, consumer goods prices ticked up 0.1 

percent, the first 1-month increase since the index advanced 0.4 percent in June 2015. Prices for capital 

goods recorded no change in March. 

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares advanced 7.8 percent in March following a 13.5-

percent drop the previous month. The March increase was the largest monthly rise since the index advanced 

8.3 percent in December 2014. Despite the March rise, export air passenger fares fell 4.6 percent over the 

past year. Export air freight prices declined 3.0 percent in March and 1.8 percent over the past year. 

 

Import and Export Price Index data for April 2016 are scheduled for release on Thursday, May 12, 2016 at 

8:30 a.m. (EDT). 
Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: March 2015 to March

2016

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Feb.

20161

Index Percent change

Feb.

2016

Mar.

2016

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2015 to

Mar.

2016

Nov.

2015 to

Dec.

2015

Dec.

2015 to

Jan.

2016

Jan.

2016 to

Feb.

2016

Feb.

2016 to

Mar.

2016

All commodities................................... 100.000 117.3 117.5 -6.2 -1.2 -1.3 -0.4 0.2

All imports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100)........................................ 87.776 98.2 98.1 -2.3 -0.3 -0.2 0.1 -0.1

All imports excluding petroleum.............. 94.595 110.6 110.4 -2.7 -0.4 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2

All imports excluding fuels (Dec.

2001=100)........................................ 93.974 114.7 114.6 -2.5 -0.3 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1

Foods, feeds, & beverages................... 0 6.198 170.8 169.8 -4.6 -0.1 0.7 -1.6 -0.6

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............. 00 4.801 187.2 185.2 -5.5 -0.3 0.5 -2.0 -1.1

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................. 01 1.397 133.7 135.0 -1.6 0.5 1.4 -0.3 1.0

Industrial supplies & materials.............. 1 19.476 136.2 138.7 -21.1 -4.8 -6.2 -2.0 1.8

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum.................................... 14.072 136.8 136.8 -9.3 -1.4 -0.8 -0.4 0.0

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)..................... 13.451 155.5 156.2 -8.4 -1.3 -0.9 -0.2 0.5

Industrial supplies & materials, durable. . .. 8.024 142.2 144.2 -9.0 -1.7 -1.2 0.3 1.4

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum....................... 5.427 129.9 127.5 -9.8 -1.1 -0.3 -1.1 -1.8

Fuels & lubricants............................. 10 6.024 107.6 112.9 -38.3 -10.0 -15.7 -5.9 4.9

Petroleum & petroleum products......... 100 5.403 112.3 119.6 -39.5 -10.5 -17.2 -6.2 6.5

Crude........................................ 10000 3.755 109.3 118.8 -38.5 -12.4 -17.1 -5.8 8.7

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................. 101 0.429 82.8 72.3 -31.7 -5.3 -2.5 -5.0 -12.7

Gas-natural.................................. 10110 0.336 67.0 56.2 -37.7 -7.5 0.0 -6.4 -16.1

Paper & paper base stocks.................. 11 0.594 107.7 107.5 -3.7 -0.9 -0.6 -0.1 -0.2

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials....................... 12 4.901 149.8 148.3 -8.0 -0.7 -0.5 -0.9 -1.0

Selected building materials.................. 13 1.299 133.2 133.8 -3.3 -0.3 -0.1 -0.7 0.5

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods........................................ 14 3.164 174.2 179.8 -16.3 -3.6 -2.1 0.5 3.2

Finished metals related to durable

goods........................................ 15 1.726 144.6 145.1 -5.8 -1.0 -0.6 0.0 0.3

Nonmetals related to durable goods. . . . . .. 16 1.767 108.7 108.5 -1.5 -0.3 -0.7 1.0 -0.2

Capital goods................................... 2 29.474 89.6 89.5 -2.1 -0.2 -0.2 0.0 -0.1

Electric generating equipment............... 20 3.575 116.6 116.6 -2.2 -0.3 0.2 -0.2 0.0

Nonelectrical machinery...................... 21 23.101 82.0 81.9 -2.4 -0.2 -0.4 0.0 -0.1

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................. 22 2.798 137.5 137.5 0.5 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.0

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines..... 3 16.529 110.2 110.3 -0.9 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1 0.1

Consumer goods, excluding

automotives.................................. 4 28.322 107.7 107.4 -0.1 0.0 0.2 0.3 -0.3

Nondurables, manufactured................. 40 13.542 120.8 120.2 0.9 0.1 0.5 0.8 -0.5

Durables, manufactured...................... 41 13.229 94.8 94.7 -1.4 -0.3 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1

Nonmanufactured consumer goods. . . . . . .. 42 1.551 120.1 118.8 0.6 1.5 -0.4 0.3 -1.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2014 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

5
Table 2. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: March 2015 to March

2016

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Feb.

20161

Index Percent change

Feb.

2016

Mar.

2016

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2015 to

Mar.

2016

Nov.

2015 to

Dec.

2015

Dec.

2015 to

Jan.

2016

Jan.

2016 to

Feb.

2016

Feb.

2016 to

Mar.

2016

All commodities................................... 100.000 118.2 118.2 -6.1 -1.1 -0.8 -0.5 0.0

Agricultural commodities....................... 9.167 174.5 170.2 -11.1 -0.9 -1.3 0.6 -2.5

All exports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100)........................................ 85.801 97.9 98.1 -2.7 -0.5 -0.3 0.0 0.2

Nonagricultural commodities.................. 90.834 114.0 114.3 -5.6 -1.1 -0.9 -0.5 0.3

Foods, feeds, & beverages................... 0 8.588 176.2 171.8 -11.3 -1.2 -1.4 0.9 -2.5

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............. 00 7.900 176.2 171.5 -11.1 -1.1 -1.5 0.7 -2.7

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................. 01 0.688 184.4 182.9 -12.9 -1.2 -1.2 2.4 -0.8

Industrial supplies & materials.............. 1 27.531 131.7 132.6 -14.8 -3.0 -2.1 -2.1 0.7

Industrial supplies & materials, durable. . .. 10.431 147.4 150.5 -6.4 -1.8 -0.1 -0.1 2.1

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................. 17.102 124.3 124.0 -19.3 -3.6 -3.2 -3.2 -0.2

Agricultural industrial supplies &

materials..................................... 10 1.267 169.4 167.1 -11.2 0.4 -0.2 -0.1 -1.4

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials...................................... 26.265 130.4 131.5 -14.9 -3.1 -2.3 -2.2 0.8

Fuels & lubricants............................. 11 5.612 117.1 117.5 -36.0 -8.9 -7.7 -7.3 0.3

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . .. 12 19.613 145.1 146.6 -7.1 -1.3 -0.5 -0.7 1.0

Selected building materials.................. 13 1.040 113.7 113.1 -5.1 0.6 0.2 -0.9 -0.5

Capital goods................................... 2 39.774 107.1 107.1 -0.6 -0.2 -0.1 0.3 0.0

Electrical generating equipment............. 20 4.032 111.9 112.0 -2.4 -0.4 -0.2 -0.2 0.1

Nonelectrical machinery...................... 21 26.848 94.3 94.3 -1.4 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................. 22 8.894 164.4 164.5 2.4 -0.1 0.2 1.4 0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines..... 3 10.949 113.3 113.1 -0.7 -0.1 0.0 -0.2 -0.2

Consumer goods, excluding

automotives.................................. 4 13.158 110.5 110.6 -2.0 -0.4 -0.8 -0.1 0.1

Nondurables, manufactured................. 40 5.915 105.3 105.4 -3.1 -0.5 -1.4 -0.4 0.1

Durables, manufactured...................... 41 5.573 109.3 109.3 -1.4 -0.4 -0.5 0.3 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2014 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

6
Table 3. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: March 2015 to March

2016

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Feb.

20161

Index Percent change

Feb.

2016

Mar.

2016

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2015 to

Mar.

2016

Nov.

2015 to

Dec.

2015

Dec.

2015 to

Jan.

2016

Jan.

2016 to

Feb.

2016

Feb.

2016 to

Mar.

2016

Nonmanufactured articles...................... 6.398 64.3 66.8 -30.6 -8.4 -10.6 -5.4 3.9

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and

hunting........................................ 11 2.022 170.3 167.1 -4.7 1.6 1.5 -5.2 -1.9

Crop production............................... 111 1.630 182.3 177.3 -3.4 2.8 1.5 -6.3 -2.7

Animal production (Dec. 2014=100)........ 112 0.221 82.6 85.3 -8.9 -5.2 5.4 1.6 3.3

Mining............................................ 21 4.376 50.9 54.2 -37.6 -11.5 -15.3 -5.6 6.5

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)................................... 212 0.241 93.1 93.1 -19.7 -0.2 -4.5 0.1 0.0

Manufactured articles............................ 93.313 108.2 108.2 -3.7 -0.5 -0.6 -0.1 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 1................. 31 12.423 122.7 122.6 -2.1 -0.3 -0.1 0.0 -0.1

Food manufacturing.......................... 311 3.468 147.6 147.3 -5.3 -0.9 -0.1 0.3 -0.2

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing............................... 312 1.122 118.1 118.6 0.7 -0.3 0.2 0.1 0.4

Textile mills (Dec. 2011=100)............... 313 0.418 99.1 98.7 -3.2 -0.3 0.0 -0.3 -0.4

Textile product mills.......................... 314 0.927 109.6 109.4 -3.1 -0.1 -0.6 -0.5 -0.2

Apparel manufacturing....................... 315 4.505 111.6 111.4 -0.7 -0.1 0.2 0.0 -0.2

Leather and allied product

manufacturing............................... 316 1.983 123.7 123.6 -0.5 -0.1 -0.3 -0.2 -0.1

Manufactured goods, part 2................. 32 16.879 113.2 112.5 -8.9 -0.9 -2.2 -0.3 -0.6

Wood product manufacturing................ 321 0.775 110.3 111.0 -4.7 -0.5 0.1 -0.5 0.6

Paper manufacturing......................... 322 1.106 105.4 105.9 -3.4 -0.7 -0.5 0.0 0.5

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing............................... 324 1.536 56.1 56.8 -42.9 -5.9 -18.6 -7.3 1.2

Chemical manufacturing..................... 325 9.850 132.5 130.9 -2.6 -0.1 0.4 0.7 -1.2

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing............................... 326 2.340 117.3 116.9 -2.9 -0.3 -0.9 0.1 -0.3

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing............................... 327 1.067 130.1 130.0 -0.2 0.0 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1

Manufactured goods, part 3................. 33 64.011 103.2 103.3 -2.5 -0.4 -0.3 0.0 0.1

Primary metal manufacturing................ 331 3.930 118.0 121.3 -15.6 -3.3 -2.2 0.2 2.8

Fabricated metal product manufacturing... 332 3.212 122.9 122.6 -3.0 -0.3 -0.5 -0.3 -0.2

Machinery manufacturing.................... 333 7.969 117.1 116.8 -2.2 -0.4 -0.4 -0.1 -0.3

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing............................... 334 18.680 77.1 76.9 -2.0 -0.1 -0.3 0.0 -0.3

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing................. 335 5.029 116.0 115.9 -2.3 -0.5 0.3 -0.4 -0.1

Transportation equipment manufacturing... 336 17.776 109.5 109.6 -0.6 -0.2 0.0 -0.1 0.1

Furniture and related product

manufacturing............................... 337 1.713 115.2 115.1 -0.9 -0.3 0.2 -0.1 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing............... 339 5.702 120.0 120.3 -0.2 -0.2 0.2 0.8 0.3

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2014 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

7
Table 4. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: March 2015 to March

2016

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Feb.

20161

Index Percent change

Feb.

2016

Mar.

2016

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2015 to

Mar.

2016

Nov.

2015 to

Dec.

2015

Dec.

2015 to

Jan.

2016

Jan.

2016 to

Feb.

2016

Feb.

2016 to

Mar.

2016

Nonmanufactured articles...................... 6.848 118.6 112.0 -18.9 -0.4 0.7 -1.7 -5.6

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and

hunting........................................ 11 4.737 154.4 147.2 -12.3 -1.1 -1.2 1.4 -4.7

Crop production............................... 111 4.336 159.6 152.7 -11.7 -1.2 -1.3 1.2 -4.3

Mining............................................ 21 2.111 59.0 54.6 -31.0 0.8 4.9 -8.2 -7.5

Mining (except oil and gas).................. 212 1.084 73.2 75.2 -16.6 -1.9 -2.1 -3.2 2.7

Manufactured articles............................ 91.935 109.4 109.7 -5.0 -1.1 -0.8 -0.4 0.3

Manufactured goods, part 1................. 31 6.760 132.4 131.8 -8.9 -0.6 -1.0 0.1 -0.5

Food manufacturing.......................... 311 4.501 147.5 146.7 -10.8 -1.0 -1.1 -0.1 -0.5

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing............................... 312 0.618 105.8 105.8 -9.3 0.8 -2.1 0.8 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2................. 32 22.362 100.1 100.3 -13.2 -2.9 -2.7 -1.7 0.2

Paper manufacturing......................... 322 1.777 121.8 121.8 -1.7 -0.3 -0.4 0.1 0.0

Printing and related support activities

(Dec. 2015=100)........................... 323 0.274 100.0 100.0 – – 0.0 0.0 0.0

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing............................... 324 3.453 64.6 66.1 -39.6 -11.8 -10.3 -7.1 2.3

Chemical manufacturing..................... 325 12.997 112.3 112.1 -7.0 -0.9 -1.4 -0.9 -0.2

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing............................... 326 2.459 116.7 116.8 -2.1 -0.2 0.3 -0.1 0.1

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing............................... 327 0.876 111.9 111.8 -0.7 0.1 -0.7 0.0 -0.1

Manufactured goods, part 3................. 33 62.814 110.9 111.2 -1.2 -0.4 -0.1 0.1 0.3

Primary metal manufacturing................ 331 4.067 126.0 131.8 -7.1 -3.0 -0.5 -0.6 4.6

Fabricated metal product manufacturing... 332 3.353 130.1 129.4 0.1 -0.1 0.2 0.0 -0.5

Machinery manufacturing.................... 333 11.783 125.5 125.8 0.6 -0.1 0.2 0.1 0.2

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing............................... 334 14.800 84.1 84.0 -3.1 -0.4 -0.5 -0.2 -0.1

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing................. 335 3.891 111.9 111.9 -2.5 -0.5 -0.4 0.0 0.0

Transportation equipment manufacturing... 336 18.706 122.3 122.1 0.7 -0.1 0.1 0.5 -0.2

Furniture and related product

manufacturing (Dec. 2011=100).......... 337 0.408 113.1 113.0 4.9 0.1 0.4 2.3 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing............... 339 5.806 122.0 122.2 -1.2 -0.2 -0.2 0.1 0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2014 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

8
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: March 2015 to March

2016

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Feb.

20161

Index Percent change

Feb.

2016

Mar.

2016

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2015 to

Mar.

2016

Nov.

2015 to

Dec.

2015

Dec.

2015 to

Jan.

2016

Jan.

2016 to

Feb.

2016

Feb.

2016 to

Mar.

2016

Live animals; animal products................. I 1.462 182.2 182.6 -4.9 -1.6 1.4 1.4 0.2

Meat and edible meat offal..................... 02 0.374 223.6 216.8 -10.1 -3.5 -2.8 5.2 -3.0

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates......................... 03 0.751 132.0 134.7 -0.9 0.6 2.8 -0.5 2.0

Vegetable products............................... II 2.063 199.0 192.4 -3.6 3.1 1.5 -6.2 -3.3

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers.......... 07 0.507 447.7 424.6 -0.6 4.3 13.3 -24.0 -5.2

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons.......................................... 08 0.605 96.8 94.2 -5.6 2.7 -4.5 3.9 -2.7

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................. 09 0.368 225.9 224.6 -8.3 2.0 -2.6 0.3 -0.6

Oilseeds & misc grains, seeds, plants, straw

& fodder (Dec. 2015=100)................... 12 0.171 102.2 101.5 – – 3.0 -0.8 -0.7

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100)........................................ III 0.265 98.4 99.3 -8.1 -5.3 0.7 0.6 0.9

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco........................................... IV 2.815 158.0 158.8 -1.9 -0.4 -0.4 -0.3 0.5

Sugars and sugar confectionary (Dec.

2012=100)..................................... 17 0.194 84.9 86.2 -6.0 -0.6 -0.1 0.1 1.5

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec.

2009=100)..................................... 18 0.235 106.2 110.7 2.3 -0.3 -5.5 -2.7 4.2

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100)............. 19 0.292 132.1 132.4 -0.1 0.0 0.2 -0.2 0.2

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or

other parts of plants.......................... 20 0.330 153.9 155.4 -4.5 0.3 -0.1 -0.5 1.0

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar................ 22 1.059 128.2 128.4 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.2

Mineral products.................................. V 6.073 107.6 113.0 -38.6 -10.1 -16.0 -5.9 5.0

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............. 27 5.810 104.4 109.8 -39.3 -10.4 -16.4 -6.0 5.2

Products of the chemical or allied

industries........................................ VI 9.250 149.0 147.3 -0.7 -0.1 1.0 0.8 -1.1

Inorganic chemicals............................. 28 0.591 267.5 265.5 -11.9 -2.2 -2.6 -1.0 -0.7

Organic chemicals............................... 29 2.529 124.5 121.4 -1.4 0.6 2.8 -0.6 -2.5

Pharmaceutical products....................... 30 3.957 141.8 142.1 4.3 0.2 -0.2 2.4 0.2

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100).................... 31 0.318 83.8 75.9 -33.4 0.9 -9.0 -0.5 -9.4

Tanning extracts; dye, pigments, varnish,

paints & putty (Dec. 2011=100)............. 32 0.190 96.2 97.2 -2.8 -0.2 -2.2 0.6 1.0

Miscellaneous chemical products............. 38 0.694 102.6 102.6 13.7 -0.7 14.7 0.2 0.0

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof.................................. VII 3.580 135.9 135.5 -5.6 -0.4 -1.0 -0.3 -0.3

Plastics and articles thereof.................... 39 2.300 139.6 139.4 -5.8 -0.2 -1.1 -0.6 -0.1

Rubber and articles thereof.................... 40 1.280 130.8 130.1 -5.2 -0.8 -0.9 0.2 -0.5

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc....................................... VIII 0.736 125.2 124.7 -2.8 -0.1 -0.5 -0.9 -0.4

Articles of leather; travel goods, bags, etc.

of various materials........................... 42 0.689 129.6 129.3 -1.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.2 -0.2

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................. IX 0.812 134.5 135.2 -4.4 -0.5 0.1 -0.7 0.5

Wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal

(Dec. 2014=100).............................. 44 0.772 92.2 92.7 -4.5 -0.4 0.1 -0.8 0.5

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products......................................... X 1.186 109.8 110.2 -2.0 -0.5 -0.5 -0.1 0.4

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper

pulp, paper or paperboard................... 48 0.802 104.2 104.6 -1.7 -0.1 -0.9 0.3 0.4

See footnotes at end of table.

9
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: March 2015 to March

2016 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Feb.

20161

Index Percent change

Feb.

2016

Mar.

2016

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2015 to

Mar.

2016

Nov.

2015 to

Dec.

2015

Dec.

2015 to

Jan.

2016

Jan.

2016 to

Feb.

2016

Feb.

2016 to

Mar.

2016

Printed matter (Dec. 2015=100)............... 49 0.216 100.1 100.4 – – 0.1 0.0 0.3

Textile and textile articles....................... XI 5.658 113.5 113.4 -1.2 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted.......................... 61 2.348 104.0 103.7 -0.6 0.0 -0.1 0.1 -0.3

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted...................... 62 1.959 119.7 119.7 -0.5 -0.2 0.3 0.0 0.0

Made-up or worn textile articles............... 63 0.657 103.5 103.2 -3.4 -0.2 -0.7 -0.6 -0.3

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc... XII 1.580 123.1 123.0 0.1 -0.1 -0.2 0.0 -0.1

Footwear and parts of such articles........... 64 1.372 122.1 122.1 0.0 -0.2 -0.3 0.0 0.0

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos,

ceramics, glass etc............................ XIII 0.990 131.5 131.6 -0.7 -0.2 -0.3 -0.1 0.1

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos,

or mica (Dec. 2015=100).................... 68 0.342 99.0 99.5 – – -0.6 -0.4 0.5

Ceramic products................................ 69 0.293 138.4 137.5 -0.9 0.1 0.3 -0.1 -0.7

Glass and glassware............................ 70 0.355 129.0 129.4 0.2 -0.5 -0.4 0.1 0.3

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins.............................. XIV 3.016 162.6 168.2 -2.5 -2.6 0.6 1.4 3.4

Base metals and articles of base metals. . .. XV 5.444 151.1 151.5 -12.0 -1.2 -1.8 -0.5 0.3

Iron and steel.................................... 72 1.210 149.7 149.8 -23.7 -1.7 -4.4 -0.7 0.1

Articles of iron or steel.......................... 73 1.781 139.2 138.8 -7.8 -0.9 -1.3 -0.7 -0.3

Copper and articles thereof.................... 74 0.370 241.9 248.7 -13.7 -1.5 -2.6 -2.1 2.8

Aluminum and articles thereof................. 76 0.740 120.1 120.5 -11.1 -0.7 -0.7 -0.4 0.3

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and

forks, of base metal; parts thereof.......... 82 0.470 125.6 125.5 -2.7 -0.2 -0.2 0.0 -0.1

Miscellaneous articles of base metal. . . . . . . .. 83 0.543 136.9 136.7 -1.2 -0.1 -0.5 -0.1 -0.1

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............. XVI 31.714 81.4 81.3 -2.0 -0.2 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances;

parts thereof................................... 84 16.116 86.4 86.4 -2.2 -0.3 -0.2 -0.1 0.0

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and

TV recorders & reproducers, parts......... 85 15.598 76.5 76.4 -2.1 -0.3 0.0 -0.4 -0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment........................... XVII 14.773 113.9 114.0 -0.5 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1 0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts................. 87 13.223 112.4 112.5 -0.6 -0.2 -0.2 -0.1 0.1

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)..................................... 88 1.476 120.3 120.4 0.4 0.1 0.4 0.0 0.1

Optical, photo, measuring, medical &

musical instruments; & timepieces. . . . . . .. XVIII 4.165 104.0 103.9 -0.2 -0.2 -0.3 1.4 -0.1

Optical, photographic, measuring and

medical instruments.......................... 90 3.825 100.8 100.7 -0.1 -0.2 -0.4 1.4 -0.1

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . .. 91 0.274 141.2 141.8 -0.8 -0.7 0.2 0.6 0.4

Miscellaneous manufactured articles......... XX 4.329 112.2 112.1 -1.1 -0.2 0.1 -0.1 -0.1

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs......... 94 2.647 116.8 116.6 -1.4 -0.3 0.1 0.0 -0.2

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts

and accessories thereof...................... 95 1.393 103.7 103.5 -1.4 0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . . . .. 96 0.288 135.4 135.4 0.6 -0.1 1.1 0.0 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2014 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

10
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: March 2015 to March

2016

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Feb.

20161

Index Percent change

Feb.

2016

Mar.

2016

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2015 to

Mar.

2016

Nov.

2015 to

Dec.

2015

Dec.

2015 to

Jan.

2016

Jan.

2016 to

Feb.

2016

Feb.

2016 to

Mar.

2016

Live animals; animal products................. I 1.720 181.8 181.9 -13.9 -1.6 -1.5 1.3 0.1

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100)... 02 1.005 141.7 144.6 -11.6 -1.4 -2.4 4.5 2.0

Vegetable products............................... II 4.460 197.2 187.5 -12.0 -1.8 -1.0 1.4 -4.9

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons.......................................... 08 1.050 172.2 154.7 -11.3 -2.9 1.4 -0.1 -10.2

Cereals............................................ 10 1.315 184.6 176.6 -14.3 -4.1 -3.5 3.2 -4.3

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder..................... 12 1.538 187.9 181.4 -15.8 0.4 -1.7 1.2 -3.5

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco........................................... IV 2.946 145.2 144.3 -8.8 -0.4 -1.1 -1.1 -0.6

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or

other parts of plants (Dec. 2009=100). . . .. 20 0.385 118.9 118.9 0.3 0.5 0.3 -0.3 0.0

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar (Dec.

2008=100)..................................... 22 0.525 104.3 105.5 -4.3 -1.3 -1.5 -0.2 1.2

Residues and waste from the food

industries; prepared animal feed............ 23 0.650 193.1 186.6 -20.0 -0.7 -2.0 -1.0 -3.4

Mineral products.................................. V 5.659 136.7 136.1 -35.5 -9.0 -5.7 -6.2 -0.4

Ores, slag and ash (Dec. 2012=100)......... 26 0.440 68.3 70.8 -20.0 -2.5 -2.3 -0.6 3.7

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............. 27 5.018 128.7 127.7 -37.3 -9.7 -6.0 -7.0 -0.8

Products of the chemical or allied

industries........................................ VI 10.830 134.6 134.4 -6.5 -0.6 -1.4 -1.5 -0.1

Inorganic chemicals............................. 28 0.922 172.6 172.4 -6.6 0.4 0.2 -6.3 -0.1

Organic chemicals............................... 29 2.460 130.4 130.3 -10.4 -0.9 -2.4 -0.8 -0.1

Pharmaceutical products....................... 30 2.932 105.7 105.9 -4.9 -1.0 -2.4 -0.8 0.2

Tanning or dyeing extracts, dyes, paints

varnish, putty, & inks (Dec. 2015=100). . .. 32 0.556 98.9 99.0 – – -0.4 -0.7 0.1

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations.............. 33 0.845 134.1 134.4 -1.3 0.0 -0.9 -0.1 0.2

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or

scouring products; candles, pastes......... 34 0.525 116.2 116.2 1.5 -0.4 3.3 0.2 0.0

Miscellaneous chemical products............. 38 1.855 144.5 143.8 -6.2 -0.9 -0.7 -2.1 -0.5

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof.................................. VII 5.187 136.4 136.3 -5.5 -0.4 -0.4 0.3 -0.1

Plastics and articles thereof.................... 39 4.191 131.9 131.6 -5.9 -0.4 -0.5 0.4 -0.2

Rubber and articles thereof.................... 40 0.996 155.3 156.4 -4.0 -0.6 0.5 -0.4 0.7

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc........................................ VIII 0.338 120.8 117.7 -20.4 0.0 -0.5 0.7 -2.6

Raw hides and skins other than furskins

and leather (Dec.2014=100)................. 41 0.180 67.8 68.3 -28.7 -0.4 -1.3 -0.3 0.7

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw, baskets

and wickerwork (Dec. 2014=100)............ IX 0.657 94.7 93.3 -5.6 0.8 -0.2 -1.5 -1.5

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products......................................... X 2.142 120.2 120.9 -1.6 -0.6 -1.0 -0.4 0.6

Woodpulp and recovered paper............... 47 0.596 117.8 119.9 -1.5 -1.3 -1.5 -1.4 1.8

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper

pulp, paper or paperboard................... 48 1.159 120.2 120.4 -2.4 -0.8 -1.1 -0.1 0.2

Printed material (Dec. 2014=100)............. 49 0.388 100.4 100.4 0.1 1.2 0.0 0.0 0.0

Textile and textile articles....................... XI 1.747 120.0 118.7 -3.0 0.5 -0.3 -0.2 -1.1

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof.......................................... 52 0.388 113.4 109.9 -7.4 0.4 -1.6 -1.1 -3.1

See footnotes at end of table.

11
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: March 2015 to March

2016 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Feb.

20161

Index Percent change

Feb.

2016

Mar.

2016

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2015 to

Mar.

2016

Nov.

2015 to

Dec.

2015

Dec.

2015 to

Jan.

2016

Jan.

2016 to

Feb.

2016

Feb.

2016 to

Mar.

2016

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos,

ceramics, glass etc............................ XIII 0.886 122.9 122.8 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.0 -0.1

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos,

or mica (Dec. 2015=100).................... 68 0.299 100.5 100.5 – – 0.5 0.0 0.0

Glass and glassware............................ 70 0.447 99.4 99.4 -0.2 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins.............................. XIV 4.320 223.4 231.3 -2.3 -2.5 0.7 1.7 3.5

Base metals and articles of base metals. . .. XV 4.935 139.7 141.0 -7.8 -1.3 -0.4 -1.1 0.9

Iron and steel.................................... 72 0.971 134.8 134.5 -16.8 -2.8 -1.0 -1.1 -0.2

Copper and articles thereof.................... 74 0.409 144.5 152.4 -18.6 -6.3 -4.4 0.0 5.5

Aluminum and articles thereof................. 76 0.743 98.3 102.4 -13.4 0.0 -0.1 -5.0 4.2

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and

forks, of base metal (Dec. 2015=100). . . .. 82 0.399 99.8 99.8 – – 0.2 -0.4 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal. . . . . . . .. 83 0.362 148.2 148.2 0.3 -0.2 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............. XVI 30.484 96.2 96.2 -1.4 -0.2 -0.2 0.2 0.0

Machinery and mechanical appliances;

parts thereof................................... 84 18.254 113.4 113.4 -0.5 -0.2 -0.1 0.6 0.0

Electrical machinery and equipment and

parts and accessories thereof............... 85 12.230 77.7 77.6 -2.8 -0.4 -0.3 -0.3 -0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment........................... XVII 15.387 131.0 131.0 0.4 -0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0

Motor vehicles and their parts................. 87 9.383 114.6 114.6 -0.3 -0.1 0.0 -0.2 0.0

Optical, photo, measuring, medical &

musical instruments; & timepieces. . . . . . .. XVIII 6.377 107.2 107.4 0.1 -0.3 0.3 -0.1 0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles......... XX 1.578 111.6 111.6 0.6 0.2 0.0 0.5 0.0

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;......................... 94 0.932 125.0 125.0 2.1 0.2 0.2 0.5 0.0

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts

and accessories thereof...................... 95 0.485 90.1 90.1 0.1 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2014 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

12
Table 7. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes by locality of origin: March 2015 to March 2016

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Feb.

20161

Index Percent change

Feb.

2016

Mar.

2016

Annual Monthly

Mar. 2015

to Mar.

2016

Nov. 2015

to Dec.

2015

Dec. 2015

to Jan.

2016

Jan. 2016

to Feb.

2016

Feb. 2016

to Mar.

2016

Industrialized Countries2

.................... 100.000 113.8 114.1 -5.5 -1.0 -1.3 -0.2 0.3

Nonmanufactured articles................... 5.761 90.7 93.9 -30.1 -9.2 -11.1 -4.6 3.5

Manufactured articles........................ 93.862 115.2 115.2 -3.4 -0.4 -0.6 0.1 0.0

Other Countries3

.............................. 100.000 115.0 115.1 -6.8 -1.2 -1.4 -0.7 0.1

Nonmanufactured articles................... 6.767 131.8 137.2 -30.7 -8.4 -9.8 -6.6 4.1

Manufactured articles........................ 93.006 102.3 102.2 -4.0 -0.4 -0.7 -0.3 -0.1

Canada.......................................... 100.000 108.9 109.4 -12.5 -2.9 -3.6 -1.2 0.5

Nonmanufactured articles................... 17.234 85.2 88.2 -31.4 -9.8 -11.7 -4.9 3.5

Manufactured articles........................ 82.078 119.6 119.3 -7.1 -1.1 -1.6 -0.4 -0.3

European Union4

.............................. 100.000 131.4 131.3 -2.2 -0.4 0.0 -0.5 -0.1

Manufactured articles........................ 99.548 128.1 128.0 -2.1 -0.3 0.0 -0.5 -0.1

France (Dec. 2003=100)...................... 100.000 122.3 122.5 0.1 -0.2 0.9 0.1 0.2

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)................... 100.000 113.7 113.7 -2.8 -0.3 -2.7 0.4 0.0

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100).......... 100.000 121.4 118.3 -3.0 -0.7 1.9 -0.3 -2.6

Latin America5

................................. 100.000 133.3 133.9 -9.7 -1.6 -1.9 -1.4 0.5

Nonmanufactured articles................... 13.331 151.5 155.2 -29.8 -8.2 -7.7 -6.3 2.4

Manufactured articles........................ 86.235 118.7 118.8 -5.3 -0.3 -0.8 -0.5 0.1

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)...................... 100.000 123.8 123.9 -5.5 -0.8 -0.6 -1.0 0.1

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec.

2008=100).................................. 6.720 83.5 84.9 -31.3 -6.8 -2.9 -11.1 1.7

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100). .. 92.847 88.9 88.8 -2.7 -0.3 -0.4 -0.1 -0.1

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6

............... 100.000 98.9 98.7 -2.4 -0.2 -0.3 -0.1 -0.2

China (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 100.000 101.6 101.4 -1.8 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2 -0.2

Japan............................................ 100.000 95.2 95.3 -1.8 -0.2 -0.1 0.2 0.1

Asian NICs7..................................... 100.000 85.1 84.7 -2.5 -0.4 -0.6 0.6 -0.5

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8.................... 100.000 96.3 96.3 -3.7 -0.4 -0.7 -0.7 0.0

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9

........... 100.000 119.6 122.4 -25.2 -5.3 -8.4 -4.2 2.3

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2014 trade values.

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

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

4 European Union countries.

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

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

Countries.

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

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

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

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.

Regions are not mutually exclusive.

Dash = Not available

13
Table 8. U.S. international price indexes and percent changes for selected transportation services: March 2015

to March 2016

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Feb.

20161

Index Percent change

Feb.

2016

Mar.

2016

Annual Monthly

Mar. 2015

to Mar.

2016

Nov.

2015 to

Dec.

2015

Dec.

2015 to

Jan. 2016

Jan. 2016

to Feb.

2016

Feb. 2016

to Mar.

2016

Air Freight

Import Air Freight.................................... 100.000 151.2 151.1 -12.6 -2.8 -4.6 -2.1 -0.1

Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................... 24.083 138.9 140.5 -6.5 -3.4 0.4 -1.5 1.2

Asia.................................................. 61.755 132.8 132.2 -16.5 -3.1 -7.4 -3.3 -0.5

Export Air Freight................................... 100.000 158.7 153.9 -1.8 -0.1 1.4 0.0 -3.0

Europe (Dec. 2006=100).......................... 38.189 151.8 147.7 -0.9 0.3 1.3 0.1 -2.7

Inbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 146.8 144.8 -9.2 -1.9 -2.5 -1.3 -1.4

Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................... 27.894 133.7 134.6 -4.2 -2.0 0.3 -1.3 0.7

Asia.................................................. 57.361 130.1 127.1 -13.7 -2.2 -4.3 -2.0 -2.3

Outbound Air Freight............................... 100.000 144.2 138.9 -6.8 -0.3 -0.2 0.1 -3.7

Europe (Dec. 2003=100).......................... 34.806 158.3 152.6 -10.0 0.5 0.1 0.2 -3.6

Asia.................................................. 42.373 133.3 126.7 -9.8 -1.0 -0.8 0.2 -5.0

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares....................... 100.000 189.5 179.2 -6.3 -0.6 -1.0 -1.5 -5.4

Europe............................................... 47.759 236.6 209.9 -9.7 -11.6 11.0 3.6 -11.3

Asia.................................................. 22.332 134.2 130.5 -7.6 13.2 -10.1 -6.7 -2.8

Latin America/Caribbean.......................... 8.606 146.6 148.3 -11.2 14.2 -16.4 2.9 1.2

Export Air Passenger Fares....................... 100.000 145.7 157.1 -4.6 4.5 4.7 -13.5 7.8

Europe............................................... 31.223 194.6 223.3 6.5 -5.9 -0.7 -1.7 14.7

Asia.................................................. 28.332 127.0 128.5 -6.7 5.0 9.0 -16.4 1.2

Latin America/Caribbean.......................... 22.986 149.9 157.3 -14.6 5.4 8.3 -15.1 4.9

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2014 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

14
15 

TECHNICAL NOTE

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

formula and are not seasonally adjusted. Price indexes are reweighted annually, with a 2-year lag in the 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

industry. In the NAICS imports and exports tables, items are classified by output industry, not input 

industry. As an example, NAICS import index 326 (plastics and rubber products manufacturing) include 

outputs such as manufactured plastic rather than inputs such as petroleum. The NAICS classification 

structure also matches the classification system used by the Producer Price Index (PPI) to produce the 

NAICS primary products indexes.

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

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

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

U.S. port transaction prices, depending on the practices of the individual industry. The index for crude 

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

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

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

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

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

Agriculture. 

Services Price Indexes - Starting in September 2008, the import air passenger fares indexes represent 

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

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

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

flyer tickets generally. Starting in January 2008, the export air passenger fares indexes represent changes 

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

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

consolidators. Taxes and fees are included in the import air passenger fares indexes and excluded from 

the export air passenger fares indexes. The air freight indexes are calculated from data collected directly 

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

the movement of freight from airport to airport only, and does not include any ground transportation or 

port service. The air freight indexes are presented using two definitions: balance of payments (which 

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

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

each services industry are available at www.bls.gov/mxp under "MXP Publications."
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Import Indexes by Locality of Origin - Prices used in these indexes are a subset of the data collected 

for the import price indexes. Beginning with January 2002, the indexes are defined by locality of origin 

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

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

NAICS 31-33. 

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

may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication. After 3 months, no further data 

revisions take place. For example, data first published in the January release will be subject to revision 

in the releases for February, March, and April. 

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

sector of the National Income and Product Accounts (NIPA) constructed by the Department of 

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

services, balance of payments indexes are used for deflating NIPA, while international indexes are more 

appropriate for market analysis. Merchandise and services indexes also can be used to study U.S. 

competitiveness and to compute price elasticities, and the merchandise import indexes by country or 

region of origin are useful in terms of trade analysis. 

Email Subscription - The U.S. import and export price indexes news release is available through an 

email subscription service at www.bls.gov/bls/list.htm. 

 

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

page at www.bls.gov/mxp. For import and export price indexes data requests, send an email to 

mxpinfo@bls.gov. 

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

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