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                U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES
                          - DECEMBER 2000-

                                  
     The U.S. Import Price Index decreased 0.5 percent in December,
the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor
reported today.  The decline followed a 0.1 percent increase in the
previous month and reflected a downturn for imported petroleum
prices.  The Export Price Index dipped 0.1 percent in December, after
posting no change in November.
     
         Percent changes in import and export price indexes
                         by End Use category
                      -not seasonally adjusted-

                         IMPORTS                          EXPORTS            
                                                                             
    Month                             Non-               Agri-    Nonagri- 
                All    Petroleum   petroleum     All    cultural  cultural 
              Imports   Imports     Imports    Exports  Exports   Exports  
                                                                             
                                                                             
1999                                                                         
December         0.6      6.3          0.0       -0.1     -0.7        0.0 
2000                                                                         
January          0.4      3.5          0.0        0.2      0.1        0.2 
February         2.1     14.9          0.3        0.4      1.0        0.4 
March            0.1     -0.8          0.2        0.5      0.5        0.4 
April           -1.4    -11.3          0.1       -0.1      0.8       -0.2 
May              0.4      4.5         -0.2        0.2      0.6        0.3 
June             1.3     10.6          0.1       -0.1     -1.4       -0.1 
July             0.1     -1.4          0.2       -0.1     -2.1        0.2 
August           0.2      0.9          0.1       -0.2     -2.1       -0.1 
September        1.1     10.4 r       -0.2        0.6      3.2        0.3 
October         -0.4 r   -2.9 r        0.0       -0.1      0.5       -0.1 
November         0.1 r    1.6 r       -0.1        0.0      1.0 r     -0.1 
December        -0.5     -9.3          0.9       -0.1      1.2       -0.2 
                                                                             
December 1998-99 7.1    136.8          0.0        0.4     -6.8        1.3 
December 1999-00 3.5     18.8          1.4        1.3      3.1        1.0 
                                                                             
r = revised to reflect late reports and corrections by respondents.

From December 1999 to December 2000, import prices rose 3.5 percent
after gaining 7.1 percent in the December 1998-99 period.  The
increase in both years was largely attributable to rising petroleum
prices.  The increase in export prices-up 1.3 percent for the year
ended in December 2000-was the largest calendar year increase for the
index since 1995 and was led by a turnaround in prices for
agricultural exports.

Import Goods

     The December decrease of 0.5 percent for overall import prices
was highlighted by a 9.3 percent decline for imported petroleum
prices, which had increased 1.6 percent in the previous month.  The
volatile petroleum index rose 18.8 percent for the year ended in
December 2000 after surging 136.8 percent from December 1998 to
December 1999.  Led by natural gas prices, the index for nonpetroleum
import prices rose 0.9 percent in December 2000, the largest one-
month advance for the index since the monthly series began in January
1989.  The index had registered little monthly movement prior to
December and was up 1.4 percent for the 12-month period ended in
December 2000-the first calendar year increase since 1995.  From
December 1998 to December 1999, nonpetroleum import prices were
unchanged.

     The index for industrial supplies and materials, excluding
petroleum, rose 4.1 percent in December 2000; the increase was
largely attributable to a 40.6 percent rise for natural gas.  Over
the past 12 months, the index for industrial supplies and materials,
excluding petroleum, was up 11.8 percent.  Prices for foods, feeds,
and beverages also increased in December, up 1.6 percent, after
decreasing in each of the previous three months; the index was down
4.2 percent for the year.
     
     In contrast, all of the major finished goods indexes either
decreased or posted no change in December.  Furthermore, import
prices for both consumer goods and capital goods dropped on an annual
basis for the fifth consecutive year.  In December, import prices for
consumer goods were down 0.2 percent, after recording no change in
each of the previous two months.  For the year ended in December, the
index declined 1.1 percent.  Capital goods prices, which have
decreased in seven of the past eight months, dipped 0.1 percent for
the second month in a row.  Falling prices for computers and semi-
conductors led the decline in December.  Over the past 12 months, the
index for capital goods dropped 2.1 percent.  Import prices for
automotive vehicles, parts, and engines were unchanged for the second
consecutive month and up 0.7 percent over the past year.

Export Goods

     Prices for exports dipped 0.1 percent in December, as the
decline in nonagricultural export prices countered increases for
agricultural export prices.  Nonagricultural export prices decreased
0.2 percent, after declining 0.1 percent in each of the previous two
months.  From December 1999 to December 2000, however, this index
advanced 1.0 percent, similar to the 1.3 percent increase in the
prior year.  Led by increasing prices for grains and oilseeds, the
index for agricultural exports increased for the fourth consecutive
month, rising 1.2 percent in December.  During the past year,
agricultural export prices rose 3.1 percent, after falling on an
annual basis over each of the previous four years.

     The December decrease in nonagricultural export prices was
largely attributable to a fuel-driven 0.8 percent decline for the
nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials index.  This index
has decreased for three consecutive months, but, despite the recent
downturn, prices for exported nonagricultural industrial supplies and
materials were up 3.4 percent for the year.  The export price index
for consumer goods also fell in December, down 0.2 percent, after
posting no change in the previous two months.  Over the past 12
months, prices for consumer goods decreased 0.4 percent.
     
     The indexes for capital goods and for automotive vehicles,
parts, and engines continued to register little movement.  The index
for capital goods gained 0.1 percent for the second consecutive month
and was up 0.3 percent for the year.  Export prices for automotive
vehicles, parts, and engines were unchanged last month, after dipping
0.1 percent in November.   From December 1999 to December 2000, this
index increased 0.6 percent.
     
     
                  Summary of December-to-December percent changes
                                                                        
                        1991 1992  1993 1994 1995 1996  1997  1998  1999 2000
All commodity imports   -4.2  0.2  -1.0  5.3  2.6  1.5  -5.2  -6.4   7.1  3.5
 Excluding petroleum     0.2  0.8   1.4  3.9  2.2 -1.7  -2.8  -3.3   0.0  1.4 
 Petroleum             -33.0 -6.0 -21.7 20.3  6.0 33.8 -25.5 -40.7 136.8 18.8
All commodity exports   -0.6  0.7   1.1  3.7  3.4 -1.2  -1.1  -3.5   0.4  1.3
 Excluding agricultural -1.1  0.9   0.1  4.4  1.6 -0.3  -1.0  -2.8   1.3  1.0 
 Agricultural            1.7 -0.5   8.3 -0.2 17.4 -6.9  -3.0  -9.3  -6.8  3.1 
                                                                        
                                                                          
Imports by Locality of Origin

     The price index for imports from Japan continued to record
modest movement, dipping 0.1 percent in December after remaining
unchanged on average in each of the prior two months.  For the year
ended in December, the index edged up 0.2 percent.
     
      The index for imports from Latin America fell in December, down
3.2 percent, reflecting the drop in petroleum prices.  Over the past
12 months, however, import prices from Latin America increased 7.0
percent.
     
     Import prices from the European Union fell for the fifth
consecutive month, down 0.4 percent in December.  From December 1999
to December 2000, the index fell 1.8 percent.

     In contrast, import prices from Canada, which have declined only
once in the past 23 months, increased 2.0 percent in December.  Over
the past 12 months, the index for import prices from Canada increased
11.4 percent.
     
     Import prices for goods from the Asian Newly Industrialized
Countries increased in December, up 0.5 percent after falling the
same amount in each of the previous two months.  The index has
decreased on an annual basis over the past five years.  From December
1999 to December 2000, the index fell 1.3 percent.

Import and Export Services
     
     The import air freight index decreased 1.4 percent from
September to December, following a third-quarter increase of 0.2
percent.  For the year ended in December, the index fell 3.8 percent.
The export air freight index also decreased in the fourth quarter,
down 1.5 percent.  The index, however, edged up 0.2 percent over the
past 12 months.
     
     The import air passenger index dropped 5.9 percent from
September to December but gained 10.3 percent for the year ended in
December.  Export air passenger fares also declined in the fourth
quarter, down 4.7 percent.  Over the past year, the index fell 0.8
percent.
     
     The import ocean liner freight index was unchanged over the past
three months, after decreasing in the previous quarter.  The index
decreased 1.2 percent over the past year.
                                  
                         CONTENTS OF RELEASE
                                  
This news release includes the following tables:

Table 1   Import Price Indexes, by End Use
Table 2   Export Price Indexes, by End Use
Table 3   Import Price Indexes, by SITC
Table 4   Export Price Indexes, by SITC
Table 5   Import Price Indexes, by Harmonized System
Table 6   Export Price Indexes, by Harmonized System
Table 7   Import Price Indexes, by Locality of Origin
Table 8   U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes for Services
Table 9   U.S. International Price Indexes for Services
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Import and Export Price Index data for January are scheduled for
release on February 15, 2001, at 8:30 A.M. (E.S.T.).


Table  1    U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods,
                 December 1999-December 2000         1995=100,  unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
                                                              ance                       Dec.    Aug.    Sept.     Oct.     Nov.
END                         Description                                                  1999    2000     2000     2000     2000
USE                                                         November  November December   to      to       to       to       to
                                                              2000     2000     2000     Dec.   Sept.     Oct.     Nov.     Dec.
                                                               1/       2/               2000    2000     2000     2000     2000

        ALL COMMODITIES..............................       100.000   100.7    100.2      3.5     1.1     -0.4      0.1     -0.5
        ALL IMPORTS EXCLUDING PETROLEUM..............        85.699    93.2     94.0      1.4    -0.2      0.0     -0.1      0.9

0        FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES...................         4.157    89.4     90.8     -4.2    -0.7     -0.1     -1.3      1.6

00         Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,
                 excluding distilled beverages.......         2.771    81.8     83.9     -6.6    -0.8      0.4     -1.2      2.6

01         Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled
                 beverages)..........................         1.386   109.5    109.1      1.3    -0.4     -1.2     -1.5     -0.4

1        INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS.............        33.166   127.4    125.4     14.6     3.9     -0.9      0.7     -1.6
             INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS
                     EXCLUDING PETROLEUM.............        18.864   102.2    106.4     11.8    -0.6      0.7      0.0      4.1
             INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                     DURABLE.........................         9.421    97.8     98.2      2.0    -2.0     -0.2     -1.2      0.4
             INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                     NONDURABLE EXCLUDING PETROLEUM..         9.442   106.9    115.4     22.9     1.1      1.6      1.1      8.0

10         Fuels & lubricants........................        16.394   188.2    181.1     28.7     9.7     -1.7      2.2     -3.8

100           Petroleum & petroleum products.........        14.302   184.6    167.4     18.8    10.4     -2.9      1.6     -9.3

1000               Crude.............................        11.455   185.1    164.3     14.2     9.2     -3.1      1.5    -11.2

11         Paper & paper base stocks.................         1.913    90.6     91.0     12.1     2.5      0.7      0.2      0.4

12         Materials associated with nondurable
                 supplies & materials................         5.636    92.7     93.4      4.8    -0.6      0.1     -0.2      0.8

13         Selected building materials...............         1.841    97.2     99.3    -10.6    -1.5      0.6     -2.1      2.2

14         Unfinished metals associated with
                 durable goods.......................         4.748   104.1    104.1      9.8    -3.3     -0.4     -1.3      0.0

15         Finished metals associated with durable
                 goods...............................         1.325    91.1     91.1     -1.0     0.3     -0.8     -0.4      0.0

16         Nonmetals associated with durable goods...         1.309    87.0     86.9     -0.6    -0.5      0.0     -0.2     -0.1

2        CAPITAL GOODS...............................        24.384    80.1     80.0     -2.1    -0.1     -0.5     -0.1     -0.1

20         Electric & electrical generating
                 equipment...........................         3.116    93.1     93.1      2.2    -0.2     -0.1     -0.3      0.0

21         Nonelectrical machinery...................        19.594    76.3     76.1     -2.9    -0.3     -0.5     -0.1     -0.3

3        AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES........        17.506   102.7    102.7      0.7    -0.2      0.2      0.0      0.0

4        CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING
                 AUTOMOTIVES.........................        20.788    96.6     96.4     -1.1    -0.2      0.0      0.0     -0.2

40         Nondurables, manufactured.................        10.443    99.9     99.7     -0.9    -0.2      0.0      0.1     -0.2

41         Durables, manufactured....................         9.300    92.8     92.8     -1.4    -0.2     -0.2      0.0      0.0

42         Nonmanufactured consumer goods............         1.044    99.1     98.7     -1.1     0.4      0.2     -0.7     -0.4


    1  Relative importance figures are based on 1995 trade values.                           n.a.      Not available
    2  Data for September, October and November 2000 have been revised to reflect
       the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents.
       All data are subject to revision in each of the three months after original publication.

    NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately



Table  2    U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods,
                 December 1999-December 2000         1995=100,  unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
                                                              ance                       Dec.    Aug.    Sept.     Oct.     Nov.
END                         Description                                                  1999    2000     2000     2000     2000
USE                                                         November  November December   to      to       to       to       to
                                                              2000     2000     2000     Dec.   Sept.     Oct.     Nov.     Dec.
                                                               1/       2/               2000    2000     2000     2000     2000

        ALL COMMODITIES..............................       100.000    96.5     96.4      1.3     0.6     -0.1      0.0     -0.1
        AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES.....................         9.128    84.7     85.7      3.1     3.2      0.5      1.0      1.2
        NONAGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES..................        90.872    97.8     97.6      1.0     0.3     -0.1     -0.1     -0.2

0        FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES...................         8.317    86.7     87.4      1.6     3.0      0.6      1.0      0.8

00         Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,
                 excluding distilled beverages.......         7.521    85.7     86.7      2.1     3.7      0.4      1.3      1.2

01         Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled
                 beverages)..........................         0.796    98.2     95.7     -3.8    -1.8      1.6     -1.3     -2.5

1        INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS.............        26.192    95.9     95.2      3.8     1.3     -0.5     -0.2     -0.7
             INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                     DURABLE.........................         9.594    91.1     90.9      0.9    -0.4     -0.1     -0.7     -0.2
             INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                     NONDURABLE......................        16.599    98.8     97.8      5.5     2.2     -0.7     -0.1     -1.0

10         Agricultural industrial supplies &
                 materials...........................         1.607    82.0     82.7      7.8     2.0      0.5     -0.4      0.9

            NONAGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES
                 & MATERIALS.........................        24.585    96.9     96.1      3.4     1.2     -0.6     -0.3     -0.8

11         Fuels & lubricants........................         3.404   150.7    146.3     21.5    12.4     -5.2      2.6     -2.9

12         Nonagricultural supplies & materials
                 excluding fuels & building materials        19.670    90.9     90.4      1.2    -0.3      0.1     -0.7     -0.6

13         Selected building materials...............         1.511    89.0     89.0      0.5    -1.2      0.3     -0.8      0.0

2        CAPITAL GOODS...............................        43.354    96.2     96.3      0.3     0.1     -0.1      0.1      0.1

20         Electric & electrical generating
                 Equipment...........................         4.417    99.6     99.8      1.3     0.2     -0.4      0.1      0.2

21         Nonelectrical machinery...................        32.927    91.5     91.5     -0.7    -0.1      0.0      0.0      0.0

3        AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES........        10.082   104.4    104.4      0.6     0.1      0.0     -0.1      0.0

4        CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING
                 AUTOMOTIVES.........................        12.055   102.2    102.0     -0.4    -0.2      0.0      0.0     -0.2

40         Nondurables, manufactured.................         6.376   102.2    101.9     -1.0    -0.2      0.2     -0.2     -0.3

41         Durables, manufactured....................         5.114   101.2    101.3      0.5    -0.1     -0.1      0.0      0.1



    1  Relative importance figures are based on 1995 trade values.                           n.a.      Not available
    2  Data for September, October and November 2000 have been revised to reflect
       the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents.
       All data are subject to revision in each of the three months after original publication.

    NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately




Table  3  U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods,
                 December 1999-December 2000         1995=100,  unless otherwise noted
                                                                                   Index                      Percent Change
                                                                  Relative
                                                                   Import-                    Annual          Monthly
                                                                    ance                       Dec.    Aug.    Sept.     Oct.     Nov.
SITC                           Description                                                     1999    2000     2000     2000     2000
Rev. 3                                                            November  November December   to      to       to       to       to
                                                                    2000     2000     2000     Dec.   Sept.     Oct.     Nov.     Dec.
                                                                     1/       2/               2000    2000     2000     2000     2000

        ALL COMMODITIES...................................        100.000   100.7    100.2      3.5     1.1     -0.4      0.1     -0.5

0         FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS...........................          3.551    90.2     92.3     -2.5    -0.5      0.2     -1.3      2.3
01              Meat and meat preparations................          0.319    95.7     97.3     -1.1     0.1     -3.5      0.2      1.7
03              Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates
                       and preparations thereof...........          1.044   109.3    109.0      2.1    -0.8     -1.7     -1.3     -0.3
05              Vegetables, fruit and nuts,
                       fresh or dried.....................          0.987    96.8    104.1      0.5     0.2      3.2     -4.1      7.5
07              Coffee, tea, cocoa, spices and
                       manufactures thereof...............          0.352    51.9     50.9    -27.9    -2.3     -0.9     -3.9     -1.9
     3/   Other food and live animals (9612=100)..........          0.849    93.1     94.8      1.9    -0.3      1.1      2.3      1.8

1         BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO...........................          0.860   113.4    113.0      0.9     0.6      0.0     -0.2     -0.4
11              Beverages.................................          0.730   110.7    110.3      1.5     0.7     -0.1      0.1     -0.4

2         CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS.........          2.627    87.7     88.5     -4.0    -0.8      1.0     -2.3      0.9
24              Cork and wood.............................          0.864    97.7    101.9    -14.2    -2.4      1.9     -3.8      4.3
25              Pulp and waste paper......................          0.449    83.4     83.4     22.3     0.7      1.7      0.0      0.0
28              Metalliferous ores and metal scrap........          0.594   100.1     99.0      0.0    -0.5      0.6     -2.1     -1.1
29              Crude animal and vegetable materials,
                       n.e.s. (9612=100)..................          0.248    99.1     96.5    -13.8     1.7      1.3     -5.0     -2.6
     3/   Other crude materials, inedible, except
                 fuels (9612=100).........................          0.304    87.2     86.7     -3.3    -0.7     -1.0     -0.8     -0.6

3         MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED
                    MATERIALS.............................         16.024   190.0    183.1     29.7     9.8     -1.5      2.1     -3.6
33              Petroleum, petroleum products and
                       related materials..................         13.643   184.6    166.9     18.0    10.4     -3.3      1.7     -9.6
34              Gas, natural and manufactured.............          2.268   253.2    334.9    123.0     6.2     10.9      4.7     32.3

5         CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S...........          5.322    94.7     95.0      3.3    -0.5     -0.2     -0.5      0.3
51              Organic chemicals.........................          1.597    99.5    100.6      8.3    -1.8      0.1     -1.6      1.1
52              Inorganic chemicals.......................          0.617    93.1     94.2      7.0    -0.1      0.6      0.0      1.2
53              Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials....          0.250    86.9     86.9     -3.1    -0.8     -1.0     -0.1      0.0
54              Medicinal and pharmaceutical products.....          0.876    95.7     95.7     -1.6    -0.6     -0.7     -0.3      0.0
55              Essential oils; polishing and cleansing
                       preps..............................          0.279    87.3     87.3     -3.2    -0.7     -1.4     -0.3      0.0
57              Plastics in primary forms.................          0.370    95.9     95.8      1.9    -0.1      0.7     -0.1     -0.1
58              Plastics in nonprimary forms..............          0.489    79.5     78.9     -1.0    -0.1     -1.0     -0.6     -0.8
59              Chemical materials and products, n.e.s....          0.621   100.9    100.8      1.3     1.1     -0.1     -0.1     -0.1

6         MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY
                    BY MATERIAL...........................         12.281    97.3     97.5      3.8    -0.9     -0.3     -0.3      0.2
62              Rubber manufactures, n.e.s................          0.668    91.6     91.6     -3.0    -0.2      0.0     -0.1      0.0
63              Cork and wood manufactures other than
                       furniture..........................          0.503    92.1     92.0     -7.8    -1.5     -1.5      0.5     -0.1
64              Paper, paperboard, and articles of
                       paper pulp, paper or paper board...          1.617    91.9     92.3      7.1     2.2      0.2      0.3      0.4
65              Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up
                       articles, n.e.s., and related prod.          1.301    94.8     94.5     -0.3    -0.5      0.1     -0.1     -0.3
66              Nonmetallic mineral manufactures,
                       n.e.s..............................          2.028   100.2    100.2     -1.0    -0.1     -0.6      0.0      0.0
67              Iron and steel............................          1.877    91.4     92.2      3.6    -2.2     -2.2     -0.3      0.9
68              Nonferrous metals.........................          2.291   114.3    114.7     20.0    -3.6      1.1     -1.2      0.3
69              Manufactures of metals, n.e.s.............          1.844    94.9     94.9     -1.0     0.0     -0.2     -0.3      0.0

7         MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT...............         42.587    89.1     89.0     -0.8    -0.2     -0.1     -0.1     -0.1
71              Power generating machinery and
                       equipment (9612=100)...............          2.905    99.6     99.6      0.5    -0.3      0.0     -0.1      0.0
72              Machinery specialized for particular
                       industries.........................          2.508    95.3     95.3     -2.6    -0.6     -0.2     -0.4      0.0
73              Metalworking machinery....................          0.758    93.2     93.5     -1.8     1.2     -0.2     -0.6      0.3
74              General industrial machinery,
                       equipment, & machine parts, n.e.s..          3.234    95.3     95.4     -1.6    -0.3     -0.6     -0.2      0.1
75              Computer equipment and office machines....          5.144    58.8     58.7     -4.9    -0.2     -1.7      0.0     -0.2
76              Telecommunications & sound recording
                       & reproducing apparatus & equipment          3.992    83.8     83.8     -2.1    -0.1     -0.4      0.0      0.0
77              Electrical machinery and equipment........          8.606    82.5     82.1      0.0    -0.1      0.1     -0.2     -0.5
78              Road vehicles.............................         14.413   102.9    102.8      0.5    -0.1      0.3      0.0     -0.1

8         MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.............         16.414    97.0     97.0     -0.9    -0.1     -0.1      0.1      0.0
81              Prefabricated buildings; plumbing, heat
                       & lighting fixtures, n.e.s.........          0.359    92.6     92.7     -0.2    -0.2     -0.2     -0.1      0.1
82              Furniture and parts thereof...............          1.160    97.4     97.4     -0.4    -0.2     -1.9      1.5      0.0
83              Travel goods, handbags and similar
                       containers.........................          0.489   101.3    101.3     -0.4     0.0     -0.1      0.0      0.0
84              Articles of apparel and clothing
                       accessories........................          5.571   101.2    101.1     -0.8     0.0      0.3      0.1     -0.1
85              Footwear..................................          1.710   100.7    100.7     -0.1    -0.1     -0.1     -0.1      0.0
87              Professional, scientific and controlling
                       instruments and apparatus, n.e.s...          1.482    93.1     93.0     -2.1    -0.1     -0.3     -0.2     -0.1
88              Photographic apparatus, equipment and
                       supplies and optical goods, n.e.s.;          1.260    91.1     90.6     -2.1    -0.8      0.0     -0.3     -0.5
89              Miscellaneous manufactured articles,
                       n.e.s..............................          4.383    93.8     93.9     -1.1     0.0     -0.1      0.2      0.1




    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                           n.a.      Not available
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for September, October and November 2000
        have been revised to reflect the availability
        of late reports and corrections by respondents.
        All data are subject to revision in each of the
        three months after original publication.
    3  Product categories included in this group
        have been modified due to concordance
        or coverage limitations.

    NOTE:   Published categories may include price data not shown separately



Table  4    U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods,
                 December 1999-December 2000         1995=100,  unless otherwise noted
                                                                                   Index                      Percent Change
                                                                  Relative
                                                                   Import-                    Annual          Monthly
                                                                    ance                       Dec.    Aug.    Sept.     Oct.     Nov.
SITC                           Description                                                     1999    2000     2000     2000     2000
Rev. 3                                                            November  November December   to      to       to       to       to
                                                                    2000     2000      2000    Dec.   Sept.     Oct.     Nov.     Dec.
                                                                     1/       2/               2000    2000     2000     2000     2000

        ALL COMMODITIES...................................        100.000    96.5     96.4      1.3     0.6     -0.1      0.0     -0.1

0         FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS...........................          6.989    88.4     88.7      3.6     2.8      1.4      1.5      0.3
01              Meat and meat preparations................          1.307   107.6    105.9      5.0     1.4      2.1      0.2     -1.6
03              Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates
                       and preparations thereof...........          0.599    96.8     93.9     -5.1    -2.0      2.2     -1.7     -3.0
04              Cereals and cereal preparations...........          2.225    74.0     75.7     10.5     5.9      4.4      4.5      2.3
05              Vegetables, fruit and nuts,
                       fresh or dried.....................          1.297    89.8     89.3     -2.1     3.7     -3.5      1.2     -0.6
08              Feeding stuff for animals (not
                       including unmilled cereals)........          0.682    95.8     98.2      7.6     1.9      1.9      1.1      2.5
09              Miscellaneous edible products and
                       preparations.......................          0.405   107.1    107.1     -0.5     0.0     -0.1      0.3      0.0
     3/   Other food and live animals (9612=100)..........          0.475    88.1     88.1     -3.4    -0.3     -0.4     -0.5      0.0

1         BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO...........................          1.538   101.6    101.6     -0.3     0.0      0.0      0.0      0.0
12              Tobacco and tobacco manufactures..........          1.273   101.9    101.9     -0.2     0.0      0.0      0.0      0.0

2         CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS.........          5.410    82.2     82.5      4.6     1.0     -0.4     -1.4      0.4
21              Hides, skins and furskins, raw............          0.339   102.1    103.1     13.9     5.3      4.2     -2.5      1.0
22              Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits...........          0.877    79.3     84.3      5.9     7.4     -3.0     -2.5      6.3
24              Cork and wood.............................          0.915    86.5     85.9      1.1    -1.7      0.3     -0.8     -0.7
25              Pulp and waste paper......................          1.038    88.6     86.5      6.9    -1.1     -1.0     -1.3     -2.4
26              Textile fibers and their waste............          0.729    72.2     73.0     16.8     2.1     -0.3      0.3      1.1
27              Crude fertilizers and crude minerals......          0.315    90.6     90.6     -3.7    -1.7     -0.9     -0.1      0.0
28              Metalliferous ores and metal scrap........          0.800    76.2     74.7     -4.7     0.0      1.0     -4.2     -2.0
     3/   Other crude materials, inedible, except
                 fuels (9612=100).........................          0.399    93.0     93.4      4.4    -1.4      0.3      0.5      0.4

3         MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED
                    MATERIALS.............................          3.182   162.1    157.5     24.4    12.7     -5.5      3.1     -2.8
32              Coal, coke and briquettes.................          0.643    93.1     93.0     -4.6     0.0      0.2     -0.2     -0.1
33              Petroleum, petroleum products and
                       related materials..................          2.143   193.4    183.7     31.1    18.0     -7.0      2.3     -5.0

4         ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE OILS, FATS AND
                    WAXES.................................          0.281    59.0     58.7    -24.7    -2.4     -2.8     -1.7     -0.5

5         CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S...........         10.809    94.1     93.6      0.0    -0.5      0.5     -0.8     -0.5
51              Organic chemicals.........................          2.668    86.9     85.4      1.9    -1.0      1.5     -1.5     -1.7
52              Inorganic chemicals.......................          0.848    99.4     99.9      1.9     0.8      1.5     -0.3      0.5
53              Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials....          0.488    99.5     99.4     -0.6     0.0      0.1      0.0     -0.1
54              Medicinal and pharmaceutical products.....          1.230   100.2    100.1     -0.2    -0.1      0.2     -0.2     -0.1
55              Essential oils; polishing and cleansing
                       preps..............................          0.769   103.3    103.2     -0.2     0.1      0.0     -0.1     -0.1
56              Fertilizers (9612=100)....................          0.467    78.3     76.6      4.4     3.7      1.8     -2.6     -2.2
57              Plastics in primary forms.................          1.806    91.2     90.6     -4.6    -2.7     -0.5     -1.2     -0.7
58              Plastics in nonprimary forms..............          0.832    98.3     97.8     -0.2    -0.1     -0.4     -0.6     -0.5
59              Chemical materials and products, n.e.s....          1.701    99.0     99.7      0.6     0.0     -0.1     -0.1      0.7

6         MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY
                    BY MATERIAL...........................         10.075   100.6    100.4      2.1     0.2     -0.3     -0.2     -0.2
62              Rubber manufactures, n.e.s................          0.688   104.1    103.8     -4.3     0.0     -0.1     -0.5     -0.3
63              Cork and wood manufactures other than
                       furniture..........................          0.295    91.6     92.8     -0.2     0.1      1.1     -1.1      1.3
64              Paper, paperboard, and articles of
                       paper pulp, paper or paperboard....          1.638    89.6     89.1      2.2    -0.3      0.0     -0.4     -0.6
65              Textile yarn, fabrics, and
                       made-up articles, n.e.s............          1.360    98.2     96.8     -1.9     0.0     -0.2     -0.1     -1.4
66              Nonmetallic mineral manufactures,
                       n.e.s..............................          1.333   106.0    105.5     -0.3    -0.2     -0.3      0.2     -0.5
67              Iron and steel............................          1.051    96.7     96.4      1.8     0.3     -0.4      0.2     -0.3
68              Nonferrous metals.........................          1.468   104.2    105.9     14.7    -0.1     -0.1     -0.7      1.6
69              Manufactures of metals, n.e.s.............          2.087   108.9    108.6      1.3     0.6     -0.9     -0.2     -0.3

7         MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT...............         49.693    97.4     97.5      0.3     0.1     -0.1      0.1      0.1
71              Power generating machinery and
                       equipment..........................          4.712   113.7    113.7      2.4     0.1      0.0      1.2      0.0
72              Machinery specialized for particular
                       industries.........................          4.810   106.5    106.9      2.1    -0.2     -0.1      0.3      0.4
73              Metalworking machinery....................          1.001   108.3    108.3     -0.2     0.2      0.1     -0.3      0.0
74              General industrial machinery,
                       equipment, & parts, n.e.s..........          5.212   108.4    108.4      0.5     0.1      0.1      0.1      0.0
75              Computer equipment and office machines....          5.395    67.8     67.7     -3.6     0.0      0.0      0.0     -0.1
76              Telecommunications & sound recording
                       & reproducing apparatus & equipment          3.723    96.5     96.5     -0.2     0.0     -0.2     -0.1      0.0
77              Electrical machinery and equipment........         10.627    85.3     85.4     -1.5     0.0     -0.5     -0.1      0.1
78              Road vehicles.............................          9.348   103.9    104.0      0.9     0.2     -0.1     -0.1      0.1

8         MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.............         11.353   101.8    101.5      0.2    -0.2      0.4     -0.1     -0.3
82              Furniture and parts thereof...............          0.651   105.5    105.6      0.3    -0.6      0.0      0.0      0.1
84              Articles of apparel and clothing
                       accessories........................          1.199    96.1     96.1     -4.0    -0.9      0.5      0.0      0.0
87              Professional, scientific and controlling
                       instruments and apparatus, n.e.s...          3.864   106.9    106.5      1.1     0.1      0.4      0.0     -0.4
88              Photographic apparatus, equipment and
                       supplies and optical goods, n.e.s..          0.954    98.5     98.3      1.0     0.0      0.2     -0.4     -0.2
89              Miscellaneous manufactured articles,
                       n.e.s..............................          4.216    98.9     98.7      0.5    -0.1      0.2     -0.1     -0.2
     3/   Other miscellaneous manufactured
                 articles (9612=100)......................          0.469   102.8    102.5      0.8     0.0      0.4     -0.1     -0.3




    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                         n.a.      Not available
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for September, October and November 2000
        have been revised to reflect the availability
        of late reports and corrections by respondents.
        All data are subject to revision in each of the
        three months after original publication.
    3  Product categories included in this group
        have been modified due to concordance
        or coverage limitations.

    NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately

Table  5    U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods,
                 December 1999-December 2000         1995=100,  unless otherwise noted
                                                                                     Index                      Percent Change
                                                                    Relative
                                                                     Import-                    Annual          Monthly
Harmo-                                                                ance                       Dec.    Aug.    Sept.     Oct.     Nov.
nized                           Description                                                      1999    2000     2000     2000     2000
System                                                              November  November  December  to      to       to       to       to
                                                                      2000      2000     2000    Dec.   Sept.     Oct.     Nov.     Dec.
                                                                       1/        2/              2000    2000     2000     2000     2000

I         LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS.....................          1.584   106.5    107.5      1.4    -0.6     -1.4      0.1      0.9
02              Meat and edible meat offal..................          0.267    98.7    100.5      0.3     1.4     -3.4      0.6      1.8
03              Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and
                       other aquatic invertebrates..........          0.956   114.6    114.1      1.1    -1.0     -1.6     -1.1     -0.4
     3/         Other live animals and animal
                      products (9612=100)...................          0.361    96.7    100.3      3.0    -0.9      0.9      3.1      3.7
II        VEGETABLE PRODUCTS................................          1.313    78.9     82.4     -9.4     0.2      2.1     -4.0      4.4
07              Edible vegetables and certain roots and
                       tubers...............................          0.279   106.7    130.1     13.2     1.2     11.5     -9.7     21.9
08              Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus
                       fruit or melons......................          0.418    96.2     96.9     -9.5    -0.1      0.0     -0.9      0.7
09              Coffee, tea, mate and spices................          0.256    54.6     53.8    -31.2    -0.3     -2.0     -5.2     -1.5
     3/         Other vegetable products....................          0.361    86.1     85.3     -6.1     0.6      0.3     -1.5     -0.9
IV        PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND
                    TOBACCO.................................          1.884    95.6     95.6      0.0    -0.2     -0.3     -0.3      0.0
20              Preparations of vegetables, fruit,
                       nuts, or other parts of plants.......          0.235    81.2     81.7     -2.0    -2.3     -3.1     -0.7      0.6
22              Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.............          0.744   107.3    106.9      0.7     0.8     -0.1      0.1     -0.4
     3/         Other prepared foodstuffs (9612=100)........          0.905    89.4     89.4     -0.1    -0.3      0.3     -0.6      0.0

V         MINERAL PRODUCTS..................................         16.578   183.8    176.8     27.7     9.4     -1.6      2.1     -3.8
26              Ores, slag and ash..........................          0.277    99.6     99.4     -0.5     0.0      0.1     -0.6     -0.2
27              Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,
                       bituminous substances and mineral wax         16.090   188.6    181.2     28.9     9.8     -1.8      2.2     -3.9

VI        PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED
                    INDUSTRIES..............................          5.026    98.2     98.7      4.0    -0.8     -0.1     -0.6      0.5
28              Inorganic chemicals.........................          0.803   100.2    101.2      7.5    -0.4      1.0     -0.2      1.0
29              Organic chemicals...........................          1.982    98.1     99.0      5.5    -2.0      0.0     -1.4      0.9
30              Pharmaceutical products.....................          0.555   105.8    105.7     -0.1    -0.6     -0.9     -0.3     -0.1
32              Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye &
                       pigments; varnish & paints; putty....          0.249    85.4     85.4     -2.8    -0.6     -0.9      0.0      0.0
37              Photographic or cinematographic goods.......          0.347    99.3     99.2      2.0     0.1     -0.2      0.0     -0.1
38              Miscellaneous chemical products
                       (9612=100)...........................          0.369    90.2     90.2      1.7    -0.4      0.3     -0.2      0.0
     3/         Other products of the chemical or
                      allied industries (9612=100)..........          0.721    95.4     95.2      4.2     1.5     -0.7      0.5     -0.2

VII       PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER
                    AND ARTICLES THEREOF....................          2.554    86.9     86.6     -0.7    -0.2     -0.3      0.0     -0.3
39              Plastics and articles thereof...............          1.640    92.4     91.9     -0.2     0.0     -0.4      0.0     -0.5
40              Rubber and articles thereof.................          0.914    78.5     78.7     -1.5    -0.6     -0.1     -0.1      0.3

VIII      RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,
                    TRAVEL GOODS, ETC.......................          0.947   100.5    100.5      0.3    -0.2     -0.1      0.1      0.0
42              Articles of leather; travel goods, bags,
                       etc. of various materials............          0.763    98.9     99.0     -0.8    -0.2     -0.2     -0.1      0.1
IX        WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW, BASKET
                    AND WICKER..............................          1.383    92.8     95.6    -12.9    -2.3      1.1     -2.7      3.0

X         WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER
                    AND ARTICLES THEREOF....................          2.437    90.9     91.2      9.0     1.9      0.6      0.1      0.3
47              Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic
                       material; waste paper/paperboard.....          0.454    84.9     84.9     21.5     0.6      1.2      0.0      0.0
48              Paper and paperboard; articles of paper
                       pulp, paper or paperboard............          1.652    93.8     94.2      8.0     2.8      0.2      0.3      0.4
49              Printed matter..............................          0.332    97.1     97.1     -0.9     0.0      1.0     -0.8      0.0

XI        TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES......................          6.565    99.8     99.4     -1.0    -0.1      0.1      0.0     -0.4
61              Articles of apparel and clothing
                       accessories, knitted or crocheted....          1.980   101.9    101.7     -0.1    -0.1      0.3      0.0     -0.2
62              Articles of apparel and clothing
                       accessories, not knitted or crocheted          3.185   102.6    101.8     -1.6     0.1      0.2      0.2     -0.8
63              Made-up or worn textile articles and
                       clothing; needlecraft sets; rags.....          0.313    92.0     91.9     -3.0    -0.5     -2.9      2.7     -0.1
     3/         Other textile & textile
                      articles (9612=100)...................          1.088    93.7     93.5     -0.4    -0.8      0.2     -1.0     -0.2

XII       FOOTWEAR, HEADGEAR, UMBRELLAS, WHIPS,
                    ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS, ETC.................          2.008   101.3    101.3     -0.1     0.0     -0.1     -0.1      0.0
64              Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts
                       of such articles.....................          1.724   100.7    100.7      0.0     0.0     -0.2      0.0      0.0
     3/         Other footwear, headgear, umbrellas,
                      whips, art. flowers, etc. (9612=100)..          0.284   103.4    103.3     -0.3     0.0      0.1     -0.2     -0.1

XIII      STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,CERAMIC
                    GLASS ETC...............................          1.059    97.8     97.9     -3.0    -0.5     -1.0     -0.1      0.1
69              Ceramic products............................          0.405    96.0     96.0     -2.5    -0.1     -1.2     -0.1      0.0
70              Glass and glassware.........................          0.408    97.3     97.4     -2.8    -0.9     -0.6      0.0      0.1

XIV       PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,
                    IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS............          2.574   119.3    120.9     16.5    -3.4     -0.8      1.4      1.3

XV        BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METAL............          5.326    89.0     88.4      0.2    -0.9     -0.1     -1.4     -0.7
72              Iron and steel..............................          1.618    90.8     90.5      1.9    -3.1     -2.4     -0.9     -0.3
73              Articles of iron or steel...................          1.181    92.0     92.1     -0.6     0.2     -0.9      0.0      0.1
74              Copper and articles thereof.................          0.377    72.1     71.3     -1.2     0.1      2.6     -3.2     -1.1
76              Aluminum and articles thereof...............          0.889    87.8     87.1      2.0    -0.4      1.4     -2.3     -0.8
83              Miscellaneous articles of base metal........          0.406   103.3    103.2      0.2    -0.1     -0.1      0.6     -0.1
     3/         Miscellaneous nonferrous metals and
                      articles, including scrap (9612=100)..          0.440    90.7     87.0     -4.5     2.2      5.5     -7.1     -4.1
                                                                                                                                                          XVI       MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV
                    IMAGE & SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC.....         26.193    80.2     80.0     -2.0    -0.2     -0.5     -0.1     -0.2
84              Specialized machinery & computer
                       equipment............................         13.379    79.0     78.9     -2.8    -0.4     -0.8     -0.1     -0.1
85              Electrical machinery and equip, sound
                       and TV recorders & reproducers, parts         12.814    81.5     81.2     -0.9    -0.1     -0.1     -0.1     -0.4

XVII      VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND
                    ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT..........         15.621   103.1    103.0      0.6    -0.1      0.3      0.0     -0.1
87              Motor vehicles and their parts..............         14.749   102.7    102.7      0.6    -0.1      0.2      0.0      0.0
                                                                                                                                                        XVII      OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &
                    MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES.......          3.319    90.9     90.6     -1.7    -0.3     -0.1      0.1     -0.3
90              Optical, photographic, measuring and
                       medical instruments..................          2.842    91.0     90.7     -1.3     0.0     -0.2      0.1     -0.3
91              Clocks and watches and parts thereof........          0.341    88.4     88.2     -5.2    -2.5     -0.1     -0.2     -0.2

XX        MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES...............          3.436    95.4     95.3     -1.5    -0.1     -0.7      0.4     -0.1
94              Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps
                       and lighting fittings nes;...........          1.495    96.8     96.7     -0.5    -0.2     -1.4      1.0     -0.1
95              Toys, games and sports equipment; parts
                       and accessories thereof..............          1.687    95.6     95.6     -1.3     0.0      0.0     -0.1      0.0
96              Miscellaneous manufactured articles.........          0.254    86.5     86.5     -8.6    -0.8     -1.6     -0.1      0.0


    1  Relative importance figures are based on                     3  Product categories included in this group
        1995 trade values.                                              have been modified due to concordance
    2  Data for September, October and November 2000                    or coverage limitations.
        have been revised to reflect the availability
        of late reports and corrections by respondents.                   n.a.      Not available
        All data are subject to revision in each of
        the three months after original publication.                NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately

Table  6    U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods,
                 December 1999-December 2000         1995=100,  unless otherwise noted
                                                                                     Index                      Percent Change
                                                                    Relative
                                                                     Import-                    Annual          Monthly
Harmo-                                                                ance                       Dec.    Aug.    Sept.     Oct.     Nov.
nized                           Description                                                      1999    2000     2000     2000     2000
System                                                              November November  December   to      to       to       to       to
                                                                      2000     2000      2000    Dec.   Sept.     Oct.     Nov.     Dec.
                                                                       1/       2/               2000    2000     2000     2000     2000

I         LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS.....................          2.026    99.6     97.4      0.2     0.4      2.1     -0.4     -2.2
02              Meat & edible meat offal....................          1.182   102.2    100.3      3.5     1.8      2.8      0.3     -1.9
03              Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and
                       other aquatic invertebrates..........          0.543    96.4     92.3     -3.4    -2.6      2.0     -1.7     -4.3
     3/         Other live animals and animal
                      products (9612=100)...................          0.301    81.1     81.4     -5.2     0.0     -0.1     -0.6      0.4
II        VEGETABLE PRODUCTS................................          4.280    78.6     80.4      5.2     5.8      0.7      2.1      2.3
07              Edible vegetables and certain roots and
                       tubers...............................          0.318    98.8    109.7      5.3     2.9     -6.2      7.5     11.0
08              Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus
                       fruit or melons......................          0.630    84.4     77.6    -12.9     7.6     -3.1     -1.1     -8.1
10              Cereals.....................................          2.014    71.9     73.8     11.5     6.7      4.9      5.0      2.6
12              Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds,
                       fruits, plants, straw and fodder.....          1.080    84.9     89.2      5.3     5.8     -2.5     -2.0      5.1
III       ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE FATS AND OILS.................          0.309    60.2     60.4    -22.4    -1.7     -2.7     -1.3      0.3
IV        PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND
                    TOBACCO.................................          3.460    99.3     99.8      1.7     0.6      0.6      0.3      0.5
20              Preparations of vegetables, fruit,
                       nuts, or other parts of plants.......          0.339    93.3     93.3     -0.2     1.7     -0.4     -0.3      0.0
21              Miscellaneous edible preparations...........          0.374   107.2    107.2     -0.5     0.0      0.1      0.1      0.0
22              Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.............          0.329    97.4     97.4     -1.0     0.1      0.0      0.0      0.0
23              Residues and waste from the food
                       industries; prepared animal feed.....          0.615    93.2     96.6     10.5     2.9      3.3      2.6      3.6
24              Tobacco and manufactured tobacco
                       substitutes..........................          1.283   101.9    101.9     -0.2    -0.1      0.0      0.0      0.0
     3/         Other prepared foods........................          0.521   103.0    101.9      0.9    -0.4      0.6     -0.6     -1.1

V         MINERAL PRODUCTS..................................          3.610   139.6    135.1     16.6    10.8     -4.7      1.2     -3.2
27              Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,
                       bituminous substances and mineral wax          3.090   154.7    149.2     21.9    12.9     -5.2      2.0     -3.6

VI        PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED
                    INDUSTRIES..............................          8.859    95.5     95.1      1.5     0.0      0.8     -0.7     -0.4
28              Inorganic chemicals.........................          0.922    99.4    100.2      2.1     1.3      0.9     -0.3      0.8
29              Organic chemicals...........................          2.987    90.0     88.6      2.4    -0.8      2.0     -1.3     -1.6
30              Pharmaceutical products.....................          0.940   105.5    105.4      1.1    -0.3     -0.3     -0.2     -0.1
31              Fertilizers (9612=100)......................          0.522    78.5     76.8      4.2     3.5      1.8     -2.6     -2.2
32              Tanning or dyeing extracts; dyes and
                       pigments; paints & varnish; putty;ink          0.490    97.6     97.6     -1.9    -0.1      0.1     -0.1      0.0
33              Essential oils and resinoids;
                       perfumery, cosmetic or toilet........          0.556   106.6    106.5      0.1     0.1      0.0     -0.1     -0.1
34              Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or
                       scouring products; candles, pastes...          0.325   105.1    105.0      0.3     0.0      0.0     -0.1     -0.1
37              Photographic or cinematographic goods.......          0.431    94.3     93.9      2.5     0.0      0.6     -0.7     -0.4
38              Miscellaneous chemical products.............          1.471    97.6     98.5      0.4     0.0     -0.1     -0.2      0.9

VII       PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER
                    AND ARTICLES THEREOF....................          4.264    93.8     93.5     -1.6    -1.0     -0.3     -0.5     -0.3
39              Plastics and articles thereof...............          3.337    92.1     91.7     -2.0    -1.4     -0.3     -0.6     -0.4
40              Rubber and articles thereof.................          0.927   100.7    100.5     -0.1    -0.1      0.1     -0.2     -0.2

VIII      RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,
                    TRAVEL GOODS, ETC.......................          0.599   101.0    101.4     15.0     3.7      2.0     -0.9      0.4
41              Raw hides and skins (other than
                       furskins) and leather................          0.450   102.1    102.5     21.9     5.0      2.7     -1.2      0.4
IX        WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW,
                    BASKET AND WICKER.......................          1.233    88.0     87.8      0.6    -1.2      0.7     -1.1     -0.2

X         WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER
                    AND ARTICLES THEREOF....................          3.383    87.8     86.7      2.4    -0.6     -0.1     -0.6     -1.3
47              Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic
                       material; waste paper/paperboard.....          0.942    83.4     81.5      6.8    -1.3     -1.1     -1.1     -2.3
48              Paper and paperboard; articles of paper
                       pulp, paper or paperboard............          1.600    89.9     89.3      1.5    -0.3      0.1     -0.4     -0.7
49              Printed material............................          0.841   111.4    110.4     -0.6     0.0      0.3     -0.4     -0.9

XI        TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES......................          3.036    86.2     86.3      1.5     0.1      0.0      0.0      0.1
52              Cotton, including yarns and woven
                       fabrics thereof......................          0.613    70.2     71.2     16.7     1.7     -0.1      0.4      1.4
55              Manmade staple fibers, includ. yarns
                       and woven fabrics (9812=100).........          0.275   103.5    103.5      5.2     0.1     -0.7      0.0      0.0
61              Apparel and clothing access.,
                       knitted or crocheted (9812=100)......          0.458    97.7     97.7     -2.0     0.0      0.0      0.0      0.0
62              Apparel and clothing access.,
                       not knitted or crocheted (9812=100)..          0.610    92.6     92.6     -5.5    -1.5      1.1      0.0      0.0

XIII      STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,
                    CERAMIC, GLASS ETC......................          0.863   103.4    103.5      0.3     0.1     -0.7      0.0      0.1
70              Glass and glassware.........................          0.493   101.0    100.9     -0.3     0.0     -1.4      0.0     -0.1

XIV       PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,
                    IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS............          2.210   112.3    115.3     15.9    -2.0     -0.2     -0.5      2.7

XV        BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METALS...........          4.609    94.5     93.9      1.5     0.3     -0.1     -0.5     -0.6
72              Iron and steel..............................          0.827    78.5     78.1     -3.2    -0.5     -0.1     -0.6     -0.5
73              Articles of iron or steel...................          1.310   110.9    110.6      0.8     0.0      0.2     -0.1     -0.3
74              Copper and articles thereof.................          0.381    71.9     71.0      3.6     1.5      1.2     -2.0     -1.3
76              Aluminum and articles thereof...............          0.874    86.8     86.1      0.3     0.3      1.0     -2.5     -0.8
82              Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and
                       forks, of base metal; parts thereof..          0.454   112.4    111.4      4.0     0.0      0.2      0.0     -0.9
83              Miscellaneous articles of base metal........          0.442   117.1    117.1     15.4     0.0      0.1      0.0      0.0

XVI       MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV
                    IMAGE AND SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC...         35.237    91.0     91.1     -0.3     0.0     -0.1      0.1      0.1
84              Specialized machinery & computer
                       equipment............................         20.005    93.8     93.9      0.2     0.0      0.0      0.3      0.1
85              Electrical machinery and equip, sound
                       & tv recorders & reproducers, parts..         15.232    87.6     87.7     -1.0     0.0     -0.3      0.0      0.1

XVII      VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND
                    ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT..........         14.448   109.1    109.2      2.1     0.3      0.0      0.1      0.1
87              Motor vehicles and their parts..............          9.793   103.9    104.0      0.8     0.1     -0.1      0.0      0.1

XVII      OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &
                    MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES.......          5.551   104.0    103.7      0.7     0.0      0.1      0.0     -0.3

XX        MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES...............          1.800   102.4    102.4      0.3    -0.6      0.2      0.0      0.0
94              Furniture; stuffed furnishings;
                       lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;...          0.895   105.3    105.2      0.5    -0.4      0.1      0.0     -0.1
95              Toys, games and sports equipment; parts
                       and accessories thereof..............          0.728    99.1     99.1     -1.1    -0.9      0.0     -0.1      0.0


    1  Relative importance figures are based on                     3  Product categories included in this group
        1995 trade values.                                              have been modified due to concordance
    2  Data for September, October and November 2000                    or coverage limitations.
        have been revised to reflect the availability
        of late reports and corrections by respondents.                   n.a.      Not available
        All data are subject to revision in each of
        the three months after original publication.                NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately

        Table  7    U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes by Locality of Origin,  December 1999-December 2000
                                1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Percentage
                                                               of                       Annual          Monthly
                                                            US Imports                   Dec.    Aug.     Sept.    Oct.     Nov.
                           Description 1/                                                1999    2000     2000     2000     2000
                                                              1995  November  December   to      to       to       to       to
                                                                      2000      2000     Dec.    Sept.    Oct.     Nov.     Dec.
                                                                        2/               2000    2000     2000     2000     2000

     3/ Developed Countries..........................         55.6    101.5    102.2      3.8     0.3     -0.1     -0.2      0.7
             Manufactured Goods......................         52.2     97.8     98.0      0.9    -0.2     -0.5     -0.1      0.2
             Nonmanufactured Goods...................         3.1     168.5    178.1     40.7     6.8      3.5     -0.4      5.7

     3/ Developing Countries.........................         42.7    105.1    102.2      2.9     2.2     -0.2      0.3     -2.8
             Manufactured Goods......................         35.4     93.4     92.7      1.0     0.5      0.5      0.1     -0.7
             Nonmanufactured Goods...................         7.1     158.6    144.7     10.0     7.6     -2.5      1.0     -8.8

        Canada.......................................         18.9    110.6    112.8     11.4     2.4      0.9      0.0      2.0
             Manufactured Goods......................         16.5    102.3    102.4      4.0     1.4      0.0      0.2      0.1
             Nonmanufactured Goods...................         2.2     178.3    197.2     55.5     7.1      5.0     -0.4     10.6

     4/ European Union...............................         17.0    100.0     99.6     -1.8    -0.2     -0.9     -0.2     -0.4
             Manufactured Goods......................         16.4     98.7     98.7     -2.1    -0.6     -0.7     -0.2      0.0
             Nonmanufactured Goods...................         0.5     143.9    131.2      6.8     8.3     -3.0     -0.8     -8.8

     5/ Latin America  (9712=100)....................         14.1    117.0    113.3      7.0     2.5      0.3      0.3     -3.2
             Manufactured Goods  (9712=100)..........         10.4    106.5    105.3      6.5     0.9      1.0      0.9     -1.1
             Nonmanufactured Goods (9712=100)........         3.5     149.5    138.3      8.6     5.8     -1.0     -0.9     -7.5

        Japan........................................         16.6     90.0     89.9      0.2    -0.1      0.0      0.0     -0.1

     6/ Asian Newly Industrialized Countries.........         10.9     81.8     82.2     -1.3     0.1     -0.5     -0.5      0.5



        1    Regions are not mutually exclusive.

        2    Data for  September, October and November 2000
             have been revised to reflect the availability
             of late reports and corrections by respondents.

        3    Defined according to the Standard Census Definition.

        4    Includes EU  15 countries.

        5    Includes Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.

        6    Includes Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan.



        Table  8     U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services
             December 1999-December 2000          1995 = 100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change

                                                                                        Annual          Quarterly
                                                             Trade                       Dec.    Dec.    March     June    Sept.
                            Description                      (Mil.                       1999    1999     2000     2000     2000
                                                               of   September  December  to      to       to       to       to
                                                            Dollars)   2000      2000    Dec.   March     June    Sept.     Dec.
                                                                                         2000    2000     2000     2000     2000


        IMPORT

          Air Freight                                           3188     86.7    85.5    -3.8    -2.0     -0.7      0.2     -1.4
                 Atlantic                                       1278     76.7    75.7    -9.2    -4.8     -3.7      0.3     -1.3
                 Pacific                                        1674     94.9    93.2    -1.3    -0.5      1.0      0.1     -1.8

          Air Passenger Fares                                  11127    124.7   117.4    10.3     3.1     11.9      1.6     -5.9
     1/          Atlantic                                       4922    138.7   117.6    13.6     4.6     22.0      5.0    -15.2
     1/          Pacific                                        2340    102.8   103.1     1.2    -2.1      7.2     -3.9      0.3
     1/          Latin American / Caribbean                     3021    117.1   122.8    12.2     3.8      3.0      0.1      4.9

     1/   Crude Oil Tanker Freight                              1346    140.9   n.a.    n.a.     26.8     17.7     25.9    n.a.

          Ocean Liner Freight                                   9868    127.5   127.5    -1.2    -2.3      1.3     -0.2      0.0
                 U.S. East Coast                                4271    115.3   115.5     3.1    -0.8      3.8      0.0      0.2
                      from Atlantic                             1952     98.4    98.4    -3.6    -2.0     -1.7      0.0      0.0
                      from Pacific                              1774    134.3   134.8     7.2     0.0      6.8      0.0      0.4
                 U.S. West Coast                                5596    136.0   135.9    -3.9    -3.3     -0.3     -0.3     -0.1



        EXPORT

          Air Freight (9612 = 100)                              2562     89.3    88.0     0.2     0.0      1.7      0.0     -1.5

          Air Passenger Fares                                  17272    108.1   103.0    -0.8    -0.5      3.5      1.1     -4.7
     1/          Atlantic                                       4120    108.3   102.3     1.6     1.5      4.5      1.4     -5.5
     1/          Pacific                                       10700     94.5    88.1    -4.1    -2.6      4.1      1.4     -6.8
                 Latin American / Caribbean                     1392    123.1   130.3    11.7     4.8      2.5     -1.8      5.8



        1     Detailed data available upon request.                                            n.a.    Not available

  

        Table 9       U.S. International Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services
             December 1999-December 2000          1995 = 100
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change

                                                                                        Annual          Quarterly
                                                             Trade                       Dec.    Dec.    March     June    Sept.
                            Description                      (Mil.                       1999    1999     2000     2000     2000
                                                               of   September December    to      to       to       to       to
                                                            Dollars)   2000      2000    Dec.   March     June    Sept.     Dec.
                                                                                         2000    2000     2000     2000     2000


          Air Freight (Inbound)                                 5495     88.5    87.4    -3.6    -2.0     -0.6      0.1     -1.2
               Atlantic                                         1880     81.8    80.7    -8.2    -3.9     -3.4      0.2     -1.3
               Pacific                                          3151     93.0    91.5    -2.1    -1.3      0.8      0.0     -1.6

          Air Freight (Outbound)                                5835     92.6    92.6     1.0     0.0      1.2     -0.2      0.0
               Atlantic                                         2080    102.7   103.4     1.4     0.2      0.6     -0.1      0.7
               Pacific                                          3222     85.5    85.6     0.9    -0.1      1.2     -0.2      0.1

          Air Passenger Fares (U.S. Carrier)                   30673    115.5   111.9     4.8     0.5      5.6      1.9     -3.1
    1/         Atlantic                                         8811    114.2   107.1    10.8     2.0     11.3      4.1     -6.2
    1/         Pacific                                         15900    102.8    98.3    -0.3    -2.1      5.3      1.2     -4.4
    1/         Latin American / Caribbean                       4542    127.0   133.6    12.0     5.3      0.9      0.2      5.2
               Canadian                                         1367    196.6   193.3     0.5     1.2     -0.1      1.1     -1.7

          Air Passenger Fares (Foreign Carrier)                31694    109.1   103.2     1.0     0.4      5.2      1.1     -5.4
    1/         Atlantic                                        13572    114.6   104.0     3.7     2.3      9.4      2.1     -9.2
    1/         Pacific                                         12570     91.5    85.9    -7.1    -3.4      2.0      0.3     -6.1
    1/         Latin American / Caribbean                       4224    115.6   122.3    11.3     2.5      2.6      0.1      5.8

    1/    Crude Oil Tanker Freight (Inbound)                    1949    144.8   n.a.    n.a.     26.8     18.0     24.6    n.a.

          Ocean Liner Freight (Inbound)                        12253    142.8   142.8     2.4    -2.2      4.9     -0.1      0.0
               U.S. East Coast                                  5410    111.1   111.3     2.9    -0.8      3.5      0.0      0.2
                     from Atlantic                              2647     96.4    96.4    -3.7    -1.9     -1.8      0.0      0.0
                     from Pacific                               1874    129.9   130.3     6.9     0.0      6.6      0.0      0.3
               U.S. West Coast                                  6844    167.1   167.1     2.3    -2.9      5.5     -0.2      0.0



        1     Detailed data available upon request.                                            n.a.    Not available


                                                                     
                           TECHNICAL NOTE
   
Import and Export Merchandise and Services Price Indexes -- All indexes use 
a modified Laspeyres formula and are weighted with 1995 trade weights.  The 
merchandise price indexes are published using three classifications:  the 
Harmonized System (HS), the Bureau of Economic Analysis End Use System,
and the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) system, Rev. 3.  
Price indexes for internationally traded services are presented using two 
definitions: Balance of Payments (which represents transactions between U.S. 
and foreign residents) and International (which represents all transactions
with U.S. importers or exporters, regardless of nationality).  Published
series use a base year of 1995=100 where possible.  Net transaction price
data are collected every month for over 20,000 products from over 6,000
companies and secondary sources.  Indexes are not seasonally adjusted.  More
detailed index series and additional information may be obtained from the
Division of International Prices, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2 Massachusetts
Avenue N.E., PSB 3955, Washington, DC 20212 or (202) 691-7101.

Import Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the 1995 Harmonized 
Tariff Schedule of the United States Annotated (TSUSA).  Import prices are 
based on U.S. dollar prices paid by the U.S. importer.  The prices are
generally either "free on board" (f.o.b.) foreign port or "cost, insurance,
and freight" (c.i.f.) U.S. port transaction prices, depending on the
practices of the individual industry.  The index for crude petroleum is
calculated from data collected by the U.S. Department of Energy.  

Export Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the 1995 Harmonized 
Schedule B classification system of the U.S. Bureau of the Census.  The
prices used are generally either "free alongside ship" (f.a.s.) factory
or "free on board" (f.o.b.) transaction prices, depending on the practices of
the individual industry.  Prices used in the grain index, excluding rice,
are obtained from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Import Indexes by Locality of Origin -- Prices used in these indexes are a
subset of the data collected for the Import Price Indexes.  Prior to
January 1993, nonmanufactured goods were defined as SITC 0-4 and manufactured
goods were defined as SITC 5-8.  Beginning with January 1993, the indexes are
defined by locality of origin using a nomenclature based upon the Standard
Industrial Classification (SIC-based).  Nonmanufactured goods are defined as
SIC 0-1, and manufactured goods are defined as SIC 2-3.  The indexes use 1995
weights and a base of 1995=100.

Import, Export, and International Services Indexes -- Indexes are calculated
on a quarterly basis.  The figures for services indexes will not sum up to
the aggregate dollar value because not all categories are shown in the tables.
Revenue figures for air passenger indexes exclude frequent flyer tickets and
those sold by consolidators.  Indexes for crude oil tanker freight are
calculated from data collected by the U. S. Department of Energy and the 
publication of these indexes is lagged one quarter.  

Revision policy -- Data are revised for the previous three months to reflect
the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents.

Uses of the Data -- The primary use of the indexes is to deflate trade
statistics.  For merchandise trade, the End Use classification system is the
structure used by the U.S. Department of Commerce in the construction of the
foreign trade sector of the National Income and Product Accounts.  Indexes
published using the Harmonized System and the Standard International Trade
Classification, Rev. 3, both international structures, are useful for general
market analysis.  For trade in international services, Balance of Payments
indexes are used for deflating National Accounts data, while International
indexes are more appropriate for market analysis. Merchandise and services
indexes also can be used to study U.S. competitiveness and price elasticities,
and the merchandise import indexes by country or region of origin are useful
for terms of trade analysis.



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