Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until 

8:30 a.m. (EST) Friday, December 10, 2010 

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

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

USDL-10-1689

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

U.S. import prices increased 1.3 percent in November, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today, 

following a 1.0 percent advance the previous month. Rising prices for fuel and nonfuel imports contributed 

to both the November and October increases. Prices for U.S. exports also rose in November, increasing 1.5 

percent after advancing 0.8 percent in October. 

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

 Percent change 

1.5

0.2

1.2

-0.1

0.4

1.1

-0.8

-1.2

0.0

0.4

0.0

1.0

1.3

-2

-1

0

1

2

Nov'09 Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov'10

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

 Percent change

3.4

8.6

11.4 11.3 11.2 11.2

8.5

4.3 4.9

3.8 3.6 3.8 3.7

0

5

10

15

Nov'09 Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov'10
 

All Imports: Import prices advanced 1.3 percent in November following a 1.0 percent increase in October. 

The November rise was the largest monthly advance since a 1.5 percent increase in November 2009 and 

marked the first time since May and June 2009 that import prices rose by at least 1.0 percent in consecutive 

months. The price index for overall imports increased 3.7 percent over the past 12 months, similar to the 

year-over-year increases recorded in each of the three previous months. 

Fuel Imports: Fuel prices rose 3.7 percent in November after advancing 3.8 percent the previous month. 

The November increase was driven by a 4.1 percent rise in petroleum prices, which more than offset a 3.8 

percent drop in natural gas prices. The price index for fuels advanced 6.3 percent for the year ended in 

November, led by a 7.4 percent increase in petroleum prices. In contrast, prices for natural gas declined 15.2 

percent over the past year. 

All Imports Excluding Fuel: Prices for nonfuel imports rose 0.8 percent following 0.3 percent advances in 

each of the three previous months. The November increase was the largest one-month advance for the index 

since a 1.1 percent rise in April 2008. Higher prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials were the 

largest factor for the overall increase in nonfuel prices; however, increasing finished goods and food prices 

also contributed to the November advance. Nonfuel import prices increased 3.0 percent for the November 

2009-2010 period. 

Table A. Percent changes 

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

 Percent change 

0.8 0.7 0.8

-0.3

0.7

1.1

0.5

-0.7

-0.2

0.8 0.6 0.8

1.5

-1

0

1

2

Nov'09 Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov'10

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

 Percent change 

0.4

3.4 3.5 3.4

4.9

5.5 5.6

3.7 3.9 4.1

4.9

5.8

6.5

0

2

4

6

8

Nov'09 Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov'10

All Exports: Export prices increased 1.5 percent in November, the largest monthly advance for the index 

since a 1.5 percent rise in July 2008. The November increase in export prices followed advances of 0.8 

percent in October, 0.6 percent in September, and 0.8 percent in August. Prices for both agricultural and 

nonagricultural exports continued to move higher. The price index for overall exports rose 6.5 percent over 

the past year, the largest 12-month advance since a 7.0 percent increase between September 2007 and 

September 2008. 

Agricultural Exports: Prices for agricultural exports rose 8.0 percent in November, the largest one-month 

jump in the index since publication began on a monthly basis in December 1988. Higher prices for corn, 

cotton, soybeans, and wheat all contributed towards the increase in agricultural prices in November. 

Agricultural prices advanced 21.0 percent for the year ended in November, the largest 12-month rise since 

the index increased 25.0 percent for the August 2007-2008 period. Over the past 12 months, cotton prices 

rose 81.4 percent, corn prices 43.7 percent, wheat prices 40.1 percent, and soybeans prices 19.3 percent. 

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: The price index for nonagricultural exports advanced 0.8 percent, the 

largest monthly increase since a 1.3 percent rise in April. Prices for both nonagricultural industrial materials 

and finished goods contributed to the November increase. Nonagricultural prices rose 5.1 percent over the 

past 12 months. 

3
4

 

SELECTED NOVEMBER HIGHLIGHTS 

Import Prices 

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonfuel industrial supplies and materials prices rose 2.6 

percent in November after increasing 1.8 percent the previous month. The advances for both months were 

driven by increases in unfinished metals prices, up 4.8 percent in November and 3.1 percent in October. 

Higher prices for gold, other precious metals, copper, and aluminum were all contributing factors. The 

November rise in nonfuel industrial supplies and materials prices was also impacted by a 2.4 percent 

advance in chemicals prices. 

Finished Goods: Finished goods prices were mostly up in November. The price indexes for automotive 

vehicles and consumer goods rose 0.5 percent and 0.3 percent, respectively, while capital goods prices were 

unchanged. Capital goods prices excluding computers advanced 0.3 percent, but a 0.9 percent drop in 

computer prices offset the increase. 

 

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Prices for import foods, feeds, and beverages rose 2.4 percent in November, 

led by an 11.2 percent increase in coffee prices and a 6.0 percent advance in prices for bakery and 

confectionary products. The increase in coffee prices resumed an upward trend following a 1.8 percent drop 

in October. Import coffee prices rose 40.7 percent over the past year. 

Imports by Locality of Origin: Import prices from China increased 0.2 percent in November after rising 

0.4 percent the previous month. The October advance was the largest monthly jump for the index since a 0.8 

percent rise in July 2008. The price index for imports from China rose 0.7 percent over the past year. Prices 

of imports from Canada, Mexico, and the European Union also advanced in November, rising 1.4 percent, 

0.9 percent, and 0.8 percent, respectively. In contrast, the price index for imports from Japan fell 0.1 percent 

in November after increasing 0.4 percent the previous month. 

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares decreased 1.3 percent in November, driven by a 3.2 

percent drop in European fares. Despite the decline, overall import air passenger fares rose 12.8 percent 

over the past year. Import air freight prices advanced 3.5 percent in November and 11.8 percent over the 

past 12 months. 

Export Prices 

 

Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials 

prices rose 1.8 percent following a 1.5 percent advance in October. Higher prices for metals, fuels, and 

chemicals led the increases for each month. 

 

Finished Goods: Prices for each of the major finished goods categories increased in November. Capital 

goods prices rose 0.3 percent. A 0.7 percent rise in computer prices as well as a 0.2 percent advance in 

capital goods prices excluding computers contributed to the overall increase. Prices for consumer goods and 

automotive vehicles also rose in November, increasing 0.4 percent and 0.2 percent, respectively. 

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares declined 3.6 percent in November, led by a 13.5 

percent drop in European fares. Overall export air passenger fares increased 16.7 percent for the year ended 

in November. In contrast, export air freight prices advanced 0.7 percent in November and 4.4 percent over 

the past year. 

 

Import and Export Price Index data for December 2010 are scheduled for release on Wednesday, 

January 12, 2011 at 8:30 a.m. (EST).
Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: November 2009 to

November 2010

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Oct.

20101

Index Percent change

Oct.

2010

Nov.

2010

Annual Monthly

Nov.

2009 to

Nov.

2010

July 2010

to Aug.

2010

Aug.

2010 to

Sept.

2010

Sept.

2010 to

Oct. 2010

Oct. 2010

to Nov.

2010

All commodities..................................... 100.000 127.0 128.7 3.7 0.4 0.0 1.0 1.3

All imports excluding petroleum................ 80.606 111.3 112.1 2.7 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.7

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)... 79.228 115.1 116.0 3.0 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.8

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 4.995 156.3 160.0 12.2 2.1 0.6 2.0 2.4

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 3.869 174.6 179.4 12.5 2.4 0.5 2.0 2.7

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 1.126 115.0 116.1 11.1 1.2 1.2 1.6 1.0

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 35.399 206.1 212.7 9.1 0.7 -0.4 3.0 3.2

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum..................................... 16.006 153.4 156.8 11.0 -0.3 0.6 1.6 2.2

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)....................... 14.628 171.9 176.4 13.2 0.1 1.1 1.8 2.6

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 9.194 165.7 170.3 14.3 -0.1 1.2 1.9 2.8

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum......................... 5.435 139.1 140.9 6.7 -0.6 -0.1 1.2 1.3

Fuels & lubricants............................... 10 20.770 256.5 265.9 6.3 1.0 -1.5 3.8 3.7

Petroleum & petroleum products........... 100 19.392 280.9 292.3 7.4 1.4 -1.4 4.2 4.1

Crude.......................................... 10000 14.365 287.8 298.2 6.3 1.5 -1.1 4.1 3.6

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................... 101 1.118 116.9 113.7 -11.5 -4.5 -4.4 -1.5 -2.7

Gas-natural................................... 10110 0.808 100.8 97.0 -15.2 -4.9 -5.9 -2.1 -3.8

Paper & paper base stocks................... 11 0.742 117.1 118.4 15.6 -0.3 1.1 -0.3 1.1

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials......................... 12 4.768 150.4 154.1 10.5 0.3 0.8 1.8 2.5

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.331 125.2 126.5 6.8 -1.0 -0.3 0.5 1.0

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods.......................................... 14 4.357 252.0 264.2 24.1 0.2 2.2 3.1 4.8

Finished metals related to durable goods. .. 15 1.878 150.1 152.2 9.3 0.3 1.2 1.6 1.4

Nonmetals related to durable goods......... 16 1.552 107.9 108.5 3.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.6

Capital goods..................................... 2 23.122 91.7 91.7 -0.2 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.0

Electric generating equipment................ 20 2.949 112.4 113.1 1.9 0.5 0.3 -0.1 0.6

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 18.181 86.1 86.0 -0.5 0.2 0.1 0.0 -0.1

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 1.992 121.7 121.8 -0.9 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 12.141 109.7 110.2 1.2 0.2 0.2 0.4 0.5

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 24.342 103.7 104.0 -0.3 -0.1 0.1 -0.5 0.3

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 11.476 109.5 109.8 1.8 0.2 0.1 -0.5 0.3

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 11.645 98.0 98.3 -2.6 -0.5 0.1 -0.7 0.3

Nonmanufactured consumer goods.......... 42 1.221 103.6 103.6 2.5 1.2 -0.1 0.6 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2008 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

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

November 2010

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Oct.

20101

Index Percent change

Oct.

2010

Nov.

2010

Annual Monthly

Nov.

2009 to

Nov.

2010

July 2010

to Aug.

2010

Aug.

2010 to

Sept.

2010

Sept.

2010 to

Oct. 2010

Oct. 2010

to Nov.

2010

All commodities..................................... 100.000 124.7 126.6 6.5 0.8 0.6 0.8 1.5

Agricultural commodities......................... 9.499 181.2 195.7 21.0 4.2 2.4 2.9 8.0

Nonagricultural commodities.................... 90.503 120.7 121.7 5.1 0.5 0.4 0.6 0.8

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 8.505 179.1 191.0 17.9 4.3 2.1 2.5 6.6

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 7.914 182.2 195.1 18.5 4.7 2.1 2.6 7.1

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 0.591 152.8 153.3 9.6 -0.3 1.5 2.3 0.3

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 32.027 165.3 169.2 14.7 1.5 0.9 1.7 2.4

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 12.428 169.5 171.9 11.6 0.2 1.3 1.4 1.4

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................... 19.599 163.7 168.4 16.7 2.4 0.6 1.9 2.9

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials... 10 1.585 180.8 203.8 34.3 1.6 4.0 4.4 12.7

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials........................................ 30.443 164.9 167.9 13.8 1.5 0.7 1.5 1.8

Fuels & lubricants............................... 11 6.109 219.2 226.9 22.9 5.4 -0.7 2.9 3.5

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . . . .. 12 23.338 160.0 162.3 12.1 0.6 1.2 1.3 1.4

Selected building materials.................... 13 0.996 116.8 117.2 3.7 -0.5 -0.1 -0.3 0.3

Capital goods..................................... 2 37.560 103.4 103.7 0.4 0.0 0.1 -0.1 0.3

Electrical generating equipment.............. 20 3.505 109.2 109.7 0.7 0.1 0.0 0.6 0.5

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 27.356 94.0 94.4 -0.2 0.0 0.1 -0.3 0.4

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 6.698 140.4 140.6 3.0 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 9.023 108.9 109.1 0.8 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 12.886 112.5 112.9 3.2 -0.1 1.0 0.6 0.4

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 5.882 113.4 114.2 4.0 0.5 0.6 0.4 0.7

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 5.708 111.0 111.1 1.6 -0.8 1.6 1.0 0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2008 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

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

November 2010

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Oct.

20101

Index Percent change

Oct.

2010

Nov.

2010

Annual Monthly

Nov.

2009 to

Nov.

2010

July 2010

to Aug.

2010

Aug.

2010 to

Sept.

2010

Sept.

2010 to

Oct. 2010

Oct. 2010

to Nov.

2010

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 18.198 129.0 133.2 7.1 1.5 -1.3 3.5 3.3

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 1.900 156.7 161.7 19.0 4.3 -0.3 2.2 3.2

Crop production................................. 111 1.345 162.5 167.4 16.7 5.4 -0.9 1.9 3.0

Mining.............................................. 21 16.298 126.1 130.1 5.8 1.1 -1.4 3.8 3.2

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)..................................... 212 0.544 138.9 139.8 7.4 -0.8 0.1 -0.3 0.6

Manufactured articles.............................. 81.242 110.6 111.7 2.9 0.1 0.3 0.4 1.0

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 10.370 112.0 113.2 5.3 0.5 0.4 0.9 1.1

Food manufacturing............................ 311 2.767 135.7 139.3 16.3 1.6 0.9 2.3 2.7

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.914 109.1 110.2 1.8 0.5 -0.1 0.5 1.0

Textile product mills............................ 314 0.792 103.9 104.4 4.0 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.5

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 3.967 102.3 102.9 1.2 0.1 0.1 0.5 0.6

Leather and allied product manufacturing. .. 316 1.527 108.5 108.5 1.3 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 17.972 122.3 124.7 6.2 0.2 -0.2 0.7 2.0

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.802 102.5 104.3 11.2 -1.2 -0.3 0.6 1.8

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.264 110.3 111.1 10.5 -0.2 0.7 0.0 0.7

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 4.019 125.4 132.3 8.5 0.4 -2.1 3.8 5.5

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 8.962 126.0 127.5 5.1 0.2 0.5 -0.3 1.2

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 1.811 116.1 116.4 3.2 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.3

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 1.007 123.1 123.3 3.4 0.0 0.2 0.7 0.2

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 52.900 106.8 107.4 1.3 0.0 0.3 0.3 0.6

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 5.048 165.1 171.8 22.3 0.2 2.0 2.8 4.1

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.744 120.0 120.5 3.7 0.3 0.1 0.8 0.4

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 6.808 114.4 114.8 1.7 0.4 0.2 0.6 0.3

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 14.664 85.5 85.2 -4.2 -0.5 0.1 -0.9 -0.4

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.798 112.6 113.1 0.4 0.3 0.1 -0.2 0.4

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 13.367 106.6 107.0 0.7 0.2 0.1 0.4 0.4

Furniture and related product

manufacturing................................ 337 1.326 106.7 106.7 -1.0 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.0

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 5.146 113.0 113.8 1.1 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.7

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2008 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

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

November 2010

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Oct.

20101

Index Percent change

Oct.

2010

Nov.

2010

Annual Monthly

Nov.

2009 to

Nov.

2010

July 2010

to Aug.

2010

Aug.

2010 to

Sept.

2010

Sept.

2010 to

Oct. 2010

Oct. 2010

to Nov.

2010

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 7.433 148.1 162.4 32.1 5.9 3.5 2.4 9.7

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 5.154 162.3 183.6 31.1 7.3 3.8 3.5 13.1

Crop production................................. 111 4.798 168.0 191.6 32.9 8.0 4.1 3.8 14.0

Mining.............................................. 21 2.279 113.0 114.8 35.4 3.0 2.7 0.1 1.6

Mining (except oil and gas).................... 212 1.847 134.2 135.7 46.5 3.4 2.4 0.8 1.1

Manufactured articles.............................. 89.749 113.5 114.6 4.7 0.5 0.3 0.6 1.0

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 6.812 131.1 133.8 10.0 0.4 0.9 1.6 2.1

Food manufacturing............................ 311 4.621 147.1 150.6 10.4 0.5 1.0 1.7 2.4

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.554 114.9 115.4 6.9 1.4 1.2 2.0 0.4

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 0.375 105.6 105.6 2.7 0.0 0.9 0.0 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 23.899 121.7 123.7 10.1 2.0 0.2 1.2 1.6

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.442 113.5 118.9 9.7 -0.8 -0.5 -0.3 4.8

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 2.029 123.4 123.4 11.2 -0.1 1.0 -0.4 0.0

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 3.725 127.2 133.9 18.6 8.8 -2.9 4.6 5.3

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 14.836 123.5 125.1 9.7 1.0 0.7 0.9 1.3

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 2.037 108.0 107.4 0.1 0.6 0.1 0.1 -0.6

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.830 114.2 114.9 2.7 0.2 0.4 0.8 0.6

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 59.038 108.7 109.3 2.0 -0.2 0.3 0.3 0.6

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 5.099 152.1 157.0 18.7 -0.9 1.5 2.5 3.2

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.722 121.8 122.1 0.6 -0.1 0.2 0.3 0.2

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 12.426 115.0 115.4 2.3 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.3

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 15.073 91.1 91.4 -2.1 -0.2 0.1 -0.4 0.3

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.365 108.6 109.6 1.5 0.0 0.3 0.4 0.9

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 14.973 111.6 111.7 1.5 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 5.029 112.6 112.5 1.8 -0.6 1.3 0.9 -0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2008 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

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

November 2010

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Oct.

20101

Index Percent change

Oct.

2010

Nov.

2010

Annual Monthly

Nov.

2009 to

Nov.

2010

July 2010

to Aug.

2010

Aug.

2010 to

Sept.

2010

Sept.

2010 to

Oct. 2010

Oct. 2010

to Nov.

2010

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.174 150.9 152.6 15.4 1.8 1.6 1.9 1.1

Meat and edible meat offal....................... 02 0.259 183.8 183.0 16.0 1.4 0.3 0.3 -0.4

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.626 116.8 118.2 17.8 1.7 2.3 3.1 1.2

Vegetable products................................ II 1.586 181.7 184.6 15.6 4.8 0.1 2.0 1.6

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers............ 07 0.399 310.4 305.1 2.1 9.6 -4.6 -1.2 -1.7

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.430 114.0 113.6 15.6 2.8 3.2 1.8 -0.4

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................... 09 0.337 199.5 218.1 35.6 3.2 4.5 -1.0 9.3

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.239 117.6 124.8 – 6.3 2.0 5.0 6.1

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.342 145.1 148.7 7.6 0.5 -0.2 1.3 2.5

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec.

2009=100)....................................... 18 0.193 93.4 95.5 – -1.4 -2.0 -1.0 2.2

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100).............. 19 0.268 128.1 138.7 24.1 -0.2 -0.1 2.9 8.3

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or other

parts of plants................................... 20 0.303 137.9 145.5 14.9 0.4 0.1 6.5 5.5

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.................. 22 0.900 118.7 120.4 1.9 0.4 -0.1 0.6 1.4

Mineral products.................................... V 20.746 258.4 267.5 6.2 0.9 -1.5 3.6 3.5

Salt; sulfur; earths and stone; plaster

materials, lime & cement (Dec.

2009=100)....................................... 25 0.190 103.1 104.9 – 0.0 0.0 0.7 1.7

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 20.309 254.8 263.9 6.0 0.9 -1.6 3.7 3.6

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 8.278 140.0 142.0 5.9 0.3 0.6 0.2 1.4

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 1.064 307.8 322.6 31.6 -0.2 4.1 7.7 4.8

Organic chemicals................................. 29 2.752 134.1 134.9 4.7 0.5 -0.1 0.4 0.6

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 2.730 114.4 114.6 -0.5 0.2 0.1 -3.3 0.2

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)...................... 31 0.312 101.6 106.0 – -0.6 1.2 1.6 4.3

Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye & pigments;

varnish & paints; putty......................... 32 0.162 106.3 106.9 1.1 0.3 -0.4 -0.1 0.6

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec.

2001=100)....................................... 33 0.408 119.9 124.6 3.9 2.3 0.7 1.1 3.9

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 0.506 95.8 98.3 9.0 0.2 0.8 2.0 2.6

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 3.041 139.1 140.6 9.1 0.2 0.4 0.8 1.1

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 1.880 132.2 133.3 6.4 0.2 0.3 -0.2 0.8

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.161 152.4 154.5 13.7 0.3 0.4 2.5 1.4

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.591 115.1 115.0 1.2 0.1 0.3 0.0 -0.1

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

various materials................................ 42 0.536 115.2 115.1 0.4 0.1 0.3 0.0 -0.1

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.822 123.8 125.7 10.4 -1.5 -0.4 0.6 1.5

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 1.406 113.9 114.7 8.4 -0.2 0.8 0.0 0.7

Pulp wood, waste paper, and paperboard

(Dec. 2009=100)................................ 47 0.226 128.1 129.8 – -2.5 2.4 -1.8 1.3

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 0.911 106.6 107.2 5.8 0.3 0.3 0.6 0.6

Printed matter...................................... 49 0.270 122.4 122.7 2.3 0.2 0.7 0.0 0.2

See footnotes at end of table.

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

November 2010 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Oct.

20101

Index Percent change

Oct.

2010

Nov.

2010

Annual Monthly

Nov.

2009 to

Nov.

2010

July 2010

to Aug.

2010

Aug.

2010 to

Sept.

2010

Sept.

2010 to

Oct. 2010

Oct. 2010

to Nov.

2010

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 4.996 104.3 105.1 1.9 0.2 0.1 0.5 0.8

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted............................ 61 1.925 100.0 100.8 1.4 0.2 0.2 0.7 0.8

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted........................ 62 1.864 103.4 103.8 1.1 0.1 -0.1 0.5 0.4

Made-up or worn textile articles................. 63 0.543 96.1 96.8 5.6 0.1 0.3 0.3 0.7

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.. .. XII 1.224 108.6 108.6 1.1 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.0

Footwear and parts of such articles............ 64 1.042 107.8 107.9 1.4 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.1

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 0.889 125.8 126.1 1.4 0.1 0.2 1.3 0.2

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or

mica (Dec. 2001=100)......................... 68 0.315 119.0 118.6 0.9 0.0 0.3 0.7 -0.3

Ceramic products.................................. 69 0.273 138.2 138.3 -1.0 -0.4 0.1 0.0 0.1

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.301 119.4 120.6 4.1 0.4 0.1 3.1 1.0

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 2.882 166.4 173.7 16.1 -0.6 0.9 3.2 4.4

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 6.176 183.4 187.5 13.8 0.6 1.6 1.2 2.2

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.371 226.3 230.4 17.1 -2.1 0.1 -1.1 1.8

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.884 152.7 152.5 10.1 0.6 0.9 0.4 -0.1

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.725 352.1 372.9 23.3 2.4 5.6 5.7 5.9

Nickel and articles thereof (Dec. 2009=100). .. 75 0.192 126.4 133.8 – 1.4 3.3 3.4 5.9

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.843 138.9 144.3 17.3 2.7 1.8 2.4 3.9

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.364 118.9 119.2 2.0 0.3 0.1 0.6 0.3

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.410 127.4 127.5 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.1

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 25.110 85.9 85.9 -1.6 -0.1 0.1 -0.3 0.0

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 12.787 88.4 88.3 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.1 -0.1

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and TV

recorders & reproducers, parts............... 85 12.323 83.5 83.5 -3.2 -0.4 0.0 -0.8 0.0

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 11.332 110.8 111.3 0.8 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.5

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 10.240 109.9 110.5 1.0 0.2 0.1 0.4 0.5

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)....................................... 88 0.995 113.7 113.8 -1.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 3.245 101.1 101.3 -1.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.2

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical

instruments...................................... 90 2.937 98.8 98.9 -1.2 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . . . .. 91 0.229 123.1 123.7 -1.0 0.9 -0.2 0.5 0.5

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 3.858 107.1 107.1 -0.2 0.1 0.1 0.4 0.0

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs........... 94 1.960 109.9 110.0 -1.0 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 1.690 101.4 101.3 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.5 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles........... 96 0.208 123.9 123.9 6.1 1.0 1.0 1.1 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2008 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

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

November 2010

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Oct.

20101

Index Percent change

Oct.

2010

Nov.

2010

Annual Monthly

Nov.

2009 to

Nov.

2010

July 2010

to Aug.

2010

Aug.

2010 to

Sept.

2010

Sept.

2010 to

Oct. 2010

Oct. 2010

to Nov.

2010

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.815 180.4 181.2 19.8 -0.1 1.9 2.7 0.4

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100). . .. 02 1.033 148.3 149.5 23.8 -0.7 -0.4 3.1 0.8

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.335 162.0 162.0 19.6 -0.7 2.6 3.4 0.0

Vegetable products................................ II 4.598 200.9 223.1 21.0 7.6 2.7 2.7 11.1

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.727 122.5 126.8 17.5 -1.1 -1.3 4.0 3.5

Cereals.............................................. 10 1.990 222.6 259.2 38.2 13.0 9.9 2.8 16.4

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder....................... 12 1.401 215.5 241.2 15.1 8.0 -3.4 3.7 11.9

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.327 116.4 128.3 – 0.4 1.5 5.8 10.2

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.496 144.4 146.4 4.2 1.4 0.4 1.0 1.4

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other

parts of plants (Dec. 2009=100).............. 20 0.337 104.1 103.3 – 0.0 -1.7 0.3 -0.8

Miscellaneous edible preparations.............. 21 0.404 118.9 118.9 -0.3 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.0

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar (Dec.

2008=100)....................................... 22 0.332 105.3 106.1 2.2 0.7 0.6 2.1 0.8

Residues and waste from the food industries;

prepared animal feed........................... 23 0.618 203.5 217.5 11.0 4.1 1.2 2.4 6.9

Mineral products.................................... V 6.070 261.7 271.6 23.8 5.8 -0.6 2.7 3.8

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 5.340 252.7 262.9 23.3 6.0 -1.0 2.9 4.0

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 12.045 147.0 148.8 9.3 0.7 0.7 0.8 1.2

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 1.083 189.6 191.4 14.3 -0.3 0.1 1.9 0.9

Organic chemicals................................. 29 3.038 153.8 155.5 9.0 1.3 0.6 -0.6 1.1

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 2.966 125.0 126.5 8.0 0.7 0.9 0.7 1.2

Tanning or dyeing extracts, dyes, paints,

varnish, putty, & inks........................... 32 0.536 117.1 117.4 2.0 0.1 0.3 0.3 0.3

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations................ 33 0.712 125.3 126.5 -0.3 1.3 0.5 0.5 1.0

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or scouring

products; candles, pastes..................... 34 0.433 120.0 121.2 3.3 0.8 3.1 -2.4 1.0

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 2.055 142.6 142.8 7.1 0.4 -0.3 -0.1 0.1

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 5.017 138.2 139.3 4.2 0.8 0.4 0.0 0.8

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 4.069 131.8 133.1 4.2 0.8 0.5 0.1 1.0

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 0.948 167.0 167.0 4.1 0.4 0.1 -0.3 0.0

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.373 121.2 122.1 20.7 0.1 -0.2 0.4 0.7

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.547 109.2 110.6 6.6 -0.8 -0.4 -0.2 1.3

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 2.579 123.0 123.8 13.5 0.8 1.2 0.7 0.7

Woodpulp and recovered paper................. 47 0.747 141.7 146.2 38.7 0.4 3.6 1.9 3.2

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 1.336 118.3 117.8 7.4 1.1 0.4 0.0 -0.4

Printed material.................................... 49 0.497 117.2 117.2 0.8 0.1 0.1 0.9 0.0

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 2.148 124.8 135.9 24.6 1.2 3.0 3.4 8.9

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof............................................ 52 0.822 162.4 200.0 75.7 3.6 7.8 9.8 23.2

See footnotes at end of table.

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

November 2010 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Oct.

20101

Index Percent change

Oct.

2010

Nov.

2010

Annual Monthly

Nov.

2009 to

Nov.

2010

July 2010

to Aug.

2010

Aug.

2010 to

Sept.

2010

Sept.

2010 to

Oct. 2010

Oct. 2010

to Nov.

2010

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc. (Dec. 2008=100)..................... XIII 0.779 116.1 116.3 1.6 0.2 0.3 0.0 0.2

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.414 98.2 98.6 1.0 0.4 0.5 0.2 0.4

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 5.240 224.2 231.0 23.7 -1.5 2.8 4.0 3.0

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.882 164.6 164.9 8.1 1.3 1.5 0.5 0.2

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.712 192.1 188.0 9.0 0.8 2.0 -1.8 -2.1

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.495 159.1 159.9 1.5 -0.1 0.6 -0.3 0.5

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.623 247.4 252.5 23.9 6.9 2.8 4.2 2.1

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.899 126.9 129.7 14.1 2.2 2.7 2.9 2.2

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.409 125.5 125.5 1.4 0.0 0.0 1.1 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.309 124.7 124.2 1.6 -0.4 -0.5 0.4 -0.4

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 29.504 95.1 95.6 0.0 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.5

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 17.337 106.3 106.9 0.8 -0.1 -0.2 -0.2 0.6

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts

and accessories thereof....................... 85 12.167 82.9 83.2 -1.2 -0.2 0.2 -0.1 0.4

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 13.089 121.8 122.0 1.6 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.2

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 8.410 108.7 108.9 1.0 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.2

Ships, boats and floating structures (Dec.

2009=100)....................................... 89 0.291 101.7 101.7 – 0.6 0.7 0.0 0.0

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 5.858 106.8 107.0 -1.4 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 1.488 107.7 107.7 -0.6 -0.3 0.2 -0.2 0.0

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;........................... 94 0.746 118.9 118.9 -0.3 -0.2 0.3 0.0 0.0

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 0.630 92.1 92.2 -1.1 -0.6 0.1 -0.4 0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2008 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

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

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Percent of

U.S.

imports1

Index Percent change

Oct.

2010

Nov.

2010

Annual Monthly

Nov. 2009

to Nov.

2010

July 2010

to Aug.

2010

Aug. 2010

to Sept.

2010

Sept. 2010

to Oct.

2010

Oct. 2010

to Nov.

2010

Industrialized Countries2

..................... 41.082 124.6 126.2 2.5 0.2 -0.4 0.2 1.3

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 5.687 191.6 196.2 0.3 -0.5 -2.7 1.8 2.4

Manufactured articles......................... 34.943 119.0 120.5 2.7 0.3 -0.1 -0.2 1.3

Other Countries3

............................... 58.918 124.9 126.6 3.7 0.4 0.1 1.0 1.4

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 15.714 262.9 272.6 8.4 2.1 -0.7 3.5 3.7

Manufactured articles......................... 43.010 105.5 106.2 2.1 -0.1 0.3 0.2 0.7

Canada............................................ 15.923 141.7 143.7 5.4 0.4 -0.3 1.3 1.4

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 5.257 188.2 192.6 1.9 -0.7 -2.7 3.4 2.3

Manufactured articles......................... 10.335 133.2 134.6 6.4 0.7 0.5 0.5 1.1

European Union4

............................... 16.799 128.2 129.2 1.8 0.6 0.2 -0.2 0.8

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 0.211 251.9 257.6 3.7 2.3 -0.1 0.0 2.3

Manufactured articles......................... 16.491 125.6 126.6 1.7 0.6 0.1 -0.2 0.8

France (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 1.948 121.2 121.6 -1.9 0.2 0.1 -0.2 0.3

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)..................... 4.572 112.2 112.6 0.4 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.4

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)........... 2.566 126.6 127.2 2.8 0.6 0.3 0.5 0.5

Latin America5

.................................. 17.999 157.8 160.6 4.0 0.6 -0.1 1.5 1.8

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 6.186 288.0 297.4 6.3 2.1 -0.7 3.3 3.3

Manufactured articles......................... 11.730 130.3 131.7 2.5 -0.2 0.2 0.6 1.1

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 10.275 137.6 138.8 1.8 0.1 0.2 1.2 0.9

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec.

2008=100)................................... 2.141 154.4 158.6 6.2 2.4 0.1 4.7 2.7

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100). . .. 8.085 96.0 96.3 0.3 -0.6 0.2 0.2 0.3

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6

................ 31.500 101.2 101.3 1.4 0.0 0.3 -0.2 0.1

China (Dec. 2003=100)......................... 16.449 100.9 101.1 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.2

Japan.............................................. 6.678 99.4 99.3 1.8 0.2 0.2 0.4 -0.1

Asian NICs7

..................................... 5.003 87.6 87.2 1.6 0.0 0.1 -1.1 -0.5

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8

..................... 5.274 97.9 98.9 2.1 0.4 0.5 0.6 1.0

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9........... 5.380 203.7 209.3 3.7 0.9 0.4 0.1 2.7

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

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

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

4 Includes European Union countries.

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

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

Countries.

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

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

Vietnam.

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

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

Regions are not mutually exclusive.

Dash = Not available

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

2009 to November 2010

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Oct.

20101

Index Percent change

Oct.

2010

Nov.

2010

Annual Monthly

Nov. 2009

to Nov.

2010

July 2010

to Aug.

2010

Aug. 2010

to Sept.

2010

Sept.

2010 to

Oct. 2010

Oct. 2010

to Nov.

2010

Air Freight

Import Air Freight..................................... 100.000 164.8 170.5 11.8 1.3 0.2 1.0 3.5

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 22.281 135.9 142.0 3.0 4.3 1.0 3.2 4.5

Asia.................................................... 75.894 152.2 157.2 14.7 0.6 0.1 0.3 3.3

Export Air Freight..................................... 100.000 126.3 127.2 4.4 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.7

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)............................ 32.909 115.0 115.2 3.8 0.1 -0.5 0.6 0.2

Inbound Air Freight................................... 100.000 149.5 153.2 9.2 1.2 0.3 1.6 2.5

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 22.536 127.2 131.9 3.3 3.8 1.4 2.2 3.7

Asia.................................................... 66.854 137.9 141.4 11.3 0.6 0.0 0.7 2.5

Outbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 124.4 124.8 10.2 0.1 0.9 1.3 0.3

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 41.171 143.8 144.3 11.3 0.2 -0.2 1.8 0.3

Asia.................................................... 42.002 113.1 113.4 8.9 0.1 1.3 1.3 0.3

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 168.6 166.4 12.8 -4.1 -3.1 4.8 -1.3

Europe................................................. 43.356 187.2 181.3 13.6 -5.9 -3.0 5.8 -3.2

Asia.................................................... 27.908 145.5 142.8 12.9 -4.5 -6.4 3.9 -1.9

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 12.778 150.0 156.7 20.4 1.0 -2.8 5.0 4.5

Export Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 171.4 165.2 16.7 1.3 -8.2 -0.9 -3.6

Europe................................................. 33.605 214.6 185.6 4.2 -6.6 -6.8 -0.7 -13.5

Asia.................................................... 30.442 155.3 162.3 41.4 19.5 -15.6 -6.0 4.5

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 21.785 176.4 188.2 27.2 -2.3 -0.5 4.9 6.7

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2008 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

14
TECHNICAL NOTE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Index) to produce the NAICS primary products indexes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Agriculture. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Publications."

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

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

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

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

NAICS 31-33. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

(mxpinfo@bls.gov). 

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

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

16