Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until 

8:30 a.m. (EDT) Tuesday, June 12, 2012 

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

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

USDL-12-1180

U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES – MAY 2012 

U.S. import prices decreased 1.0 percent in May, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today, after no 

change the previous month. Lower fuel and nonfuel prices each contributed to the May decrease in overall 

import prices. U.S. export prices also declined in May, falling 0.4 percent after a 0.4 percent increase in 

April. 

Chart 1. One-month percent change in the Import Price Index: May 2011– May 2012 

 Percent change 

0.1

-0.6

0.1

-0.4

-0.1

-0.4

0.7

0.0 0.0 0.0

1.4

0.0

-1.0

-2

-1

0

1

2

May'11 Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May '12

Chart 2. 12-month percent change in the Import Price Index: May 2011– May 2012

 Percent change

12.9 13.6 13.7 12.9 12.7

11.1

10.1

8.5

6.9

5.1

3.5

0.9

-0.3

-4

0

4

8

12

16

May'11 Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May '12
 

All Imports: The price index for overall imports fell 1.0 percent in May, the largest one-month drop since 

the index declined 1.2 percent in June 2010. Prices for U.S. imports also decreased over the past 12 months, 

falling 0.3 percent, the first year-over-year decline for the index since import prices fell 5.6 percent between 

October 2008 and October 2009. The decrease over the May 2011-12 period was led by lower fuel prices 

which more than offset an increase in nonfuel prices. 

Fuel Imports: Fuel prices fell 4.2 percent in May, the largest monthly drop for the index since a 5.1 percent 

decrease in May 2010. The price index for import fuels declined 3.9 percent over the past year after rising 

43.7 percent for the year ended May 2011. The decline over the past year was the largest 12-month drop in 

fuel prices since the index fell 14.2 percent for the October 2008-09 period. Decreasing petroleum and 

natural gas prices each factored into the declines in overall fuel prices in May and over the past 12 months. 

Petroleum prices fell 4.2 percent for the month and 2.0 percent for the year ended in May, while prices for 

natural gas decreased 4.8 percent and 49.6 percent, respectively, over the same periods. 

All Imports Excluding Fuel: Prices for nonfuel imports edged down 0.1 percent in May, the first monthly 

decline since the index fell 0.2 percent in November 2011. The May decrease followed increases of 0.2 

percent in April and 0.5 percent in March. Lower prices for foods, feeds, and beverages; consumer goods; 

and automotive vehicles more than offset a 0.1 percent advance in nonfuel industrial supplies and materials 

prices. Despite the May decline, the price index for nonfuel imports rose 1.0 percent over the past year. 

Table A. Percent changes 

2
Chart 3. One-month percent change in the Export Price Index: May 2011– May 2012

 Percent change 

0.4

0.1

-0.4

0.4 0.5

-2.0

0.1

-0.5

0.3

0.5

0.8

0.4

-0.4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

May'11 Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May '12

Chart 4. 12-month percent change in the Export Price Index: May 2011– May 2012 

 Percent change

9.1

10.1 9.8 9.4 9.4

6.3

4.8

3.6

2.6

1.8

1.1 0.7

-0.1

-2

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

May'11 Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May '12

All Exports: Export prices fell 0.4 percent in May after increasing 2.0 percent over the first four months of 

2012. The May decline was driven by lower prices for nonagricultural exports, which more than offset 

increasing agricultural prices. Overall export prices edged down 0.1 percent between May 2011 and May 

2012, the first 12-month drop in the index since a 3.6 percent decrease for the year ended October 2009. The 

12-month decline was led by lower agricultural prices. 

Agricultural Exports: Led by a 5.1 percent rise in soybean prices, the index for agricultural exports rose 

0.7 percent in May following a 2.0 percent increase the previous month. Despite the recent advances, 

agricultural prices fell 1.3 percent over the past 12 months. Lower prices for cotton, wheat, and corn over 

the past year all contributed to the decline. 

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: The price index for nonagricultural exports fell 0.5 percent in May, 

the first monthly decline since a 0.2 percent decrease in December 2011 and the largest since a 1.4 percent 

drop in October 2011. In May, falling nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials prices more than 

offset higher finished goods prices. Overall nonagricultural prices ticked up 0.1 percent over the past year. 

 

3
4

SELECTED MAY HIGHLIGHTS 

Import Prices 

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonfuel industrial supplies and materials prices edged up 0.1 

percent in May after rising 0.5 percent in April. An 8.0 percent rise in fertilizer prices was the largest 

contributor to the May advance. 

Finished Goods: Prices for import finished goods recorded little movement in May, with the price indexes 

for consumer goods and automotive vehicles each edging down 0.1 percent and capital goods prices 

remaining unchanged. 

 

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Foods, feeds, and beverages prices decreased 0.7 percent in May after 

ticking up 0.1 percent the previous month. The May decline was led by a 4.1 percent drop in fruit prices and 

a 2.5 percent decrease in the price index for fish and shellfish. In contrast, vegetable prices advanced 3.2 

percent in May. 

Imports by Locality of Origin: The price indexes for imports from Canada, Mexico, and the European 

Union decreased in May, falling 1.3 percent, 0.7 percent, and 0.1 percent, respectively. Each index was 

driven by lower fuel prices. In contrast, import prices from Japan rose 0.2 percent in May and increased by 

1.1 percent over the past year. Prices for imports from China were unchanged in May after declining 0.3 

percent in April and recording no change in March. Despite falling over the past three months, import prices 

from China increased 1.7 percent for the year ended in May. 

Transportation Services: The index for import air passenger fares advanced 0.6 percent in May, led by a 

6.1 percent increase in Asian fares. Import air passenger fares rose 5.1 percent over the past year, driven by 

a 10.2 percent jump in Asian fares. European fares ticked up 0.2 percent over the May 2011-12 period, 

while Latin American/Caribbean fares advanced 0.8 percent. Import air freight prices rose 0.3 percent in 

May, but fell 4.1 percent over the past 12 months. 

Export Prices 

 

Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: Prices for nonagricultural industrial supplies and 

materials fell 1.7 percent in May following a 0.5 percent increase the previous month. The May decline was 

led by a 4.6 percent drop in fuel prices, although a 0.8 percent decrease in chemical prices and a 1.5 percent 

decline in prices for nonferrous metals also contributed to the overall decrease. 

 

Finished Goods: Finished goods prices were mixed in May. Prices for consumer goods rose 0.7 percent and 

automotive vehicles prices ticked up 0.1 percent. The price index for capital goods was unchanged as a 0.3 

percent drop in computers, peripherals, and semiconductor prices offset a 0.2 percent increase in prices for 

capital goods excluding computers. 

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares increased 3.2 percent in May, driven by a 6.6 percent 

increase in Asian fares. Export air passenger fares rose 4.9 percent over the past year. Export air freight 

prices advanced 0.2 percent in May and 1.7 percent over the past 12 months. 

 

Import and Export Price Index data for June 2012 are scheduled for release on Thursday, July 12, 

2012 at 8:30 a.m. (EDT). 
Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: May 2011 to May

2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Apr.

20121

Index Percent change

Apr.

2012

May

2012

Annual Monthly

May

2011 to

May

2012

Jan.

2012 to

Feb.

2012

Feb.

2012 to

Mar.

2012

Mar.

2012 to

Apr. 2012

Apr. 2012

to May

2012

All commodities..................................... 100.000 144.2 142.7 -0.3 0.0 1.4 0.0 -1.0

All imports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100).......................................... 70.069 104.1 104.1 1.3 0.2 0.4 0.2 0.0

All imports excluding petroleum................ 75.974 116.8 116.7 0.3 -0.1 0.3 0.1 -0.1

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)... 75.129 121.4 121.3 1.0 0.0 0.5 0.2 -0.1

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 5.060 174.5 173.3 -2.6 -2.8 1.7 0.1 -0.7

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 3.922 196.5 195.7 -3.0 -3.4 2.2 0.1 -0.4

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 1.138 124.7 122.4 -1.2 -0.9 0.2 0.2 -1.8

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 38.098 271.3 264.0 -2.5 0.3 3.4 -0.3 -2.7

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum..................................... 14.072 167.3 167.1 -3.6 0.2 0.9 -0.2 -0.1

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)....................... 13.227 193.8 194.0 0.2 1.0 1.5 0.5 0.1

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 7.781 181.3 180.2 -3.6 1.2 1.8 -1.1 -0.6

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum......................... 5.446 151.0 151.8 -3.6 -0.9 -0.1 0.9 0.5

Fuels & lubricants............................... 10 24.872 368.5 353.2 -3.9 -0.1 4.4 -0.7 -4.2

Petroleum & petroleum products........... 100 24.027 416.9 399.5 -2.0 0.3 4.9 -0.4 -4.2

Crude.......................................... 10000 18.096 427.2 412.2 -1.6 2.3 4.0 -1.3 -3.5

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................... 101 0.558 77.5 74.6 -44.3 -10.0 -9.7 -12.1 -3.7

Gas-natural................................... 10110 0.453 63.0 60.0 -49.6 -10.9 -12.9 -14.4 -4.8

Paper & paper base stocks................... 11 0.575 113.1 114.4 -4.3 -0.1 1.4 -0.8 1.1

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials......................... 12 4.959 182.9 184.8 7.9 0.6 1.1 2.9 1.0

Selected building materials.................... 13 0.984 135.1 137.1 4.4 0.5 1.8 0.5 1.5

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods.......................................... 14 3.712 277.7 273.5 -10.2 1.7 3.0 -2.2 -1.5

Finished metals related to durable goods. .. 15 1.521 164.0 163.5 2.0 1.5 -0.2 0.1 -0.3

Nonmetals related to durable goods......... 16 1.476 115.8 115.9 2.3 0.1 0.5 0.3 0.1

Capital goods..................................... 2 21.826 93.5 93.5 0.9 0.0 0.1 -0.1 0.0

Electric generating equipment................ 20 2.837 119.7 119.6 2.2 -0.2 0.4 0.4 -0.1

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 17.375 86.5 86.5 0.1 -0.1 0.1 -0.2 0.0

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 1.614 133.6 133.8 6.2 0.2 0.9 0.4 0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 11.337 114.5 114.4 1.4 0.1 0.3 0.7 -0.1

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 23.679 107.8 107.7 2.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 -0.1

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 11.383 115.1 115.0 3.7 -0.1 0.1 0.5 -0.1

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 11.021 99.9 99.8 -0.1 0.1 0.2 -0.4 -0.1

Nonmanufactured consumer goods.......... 42 1.274 119.2 119.7 9.4 1.0 -1.5 1.0 0.4

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 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: May 2011 to May

2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Apr.

20121

Index Percent change

Apr.

2012

May

2012

Annual Monthly

May

2011 to

May

2012

Jan.

2012 to

Feb.

2012

Feb.

2012 to

Mar.

2012

Mar.

2012 to

Apr. 2012

Apr. 2012

to May

2012

All commodities..................................... 100.000 134.7 134.1 -0.1 0.5 0.8 0.4 -0.4

Agricultural commodities......................... 10.986 211.1 212.6 -1.3 -0.4 2.4 2.0 0.7

All exports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100).......................................... 80.839 103.5 103.4 0.2 0.6 0.4 0.0 -0.1

Nonagricultural commodities.................... 89.014 129.2 128.5 0.1 0.6 0.5 0.2 -0.5

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 10.068 210.7 212.4 2.4 -0.5 2.7 2.3 0.8

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 9.356 213.4 215.8 2.0 -0.6 3.0 2.3 1.1

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 0.712 190.1 184.6 8.5 0.5 -0.2 2.0 -2.9

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 34.946 189.2 185.9 -3.7 1.2 1.1 0.5 -1.7

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 12.342 189.6 188.6 -0.7 2.2 1.2 -0.8 -0.5

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................... 22.605 189.8 185.2 -5.4 0.7 1.1 1.3 -2.4

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials... 10 1.630 202.2 199.0 -17.3 0.6 -0.2 0.3 -1.6

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials........................................ 33.316 188.9 185.6 -2.9 1.2 1.2 0.5 -1.7

Fuels & lubricants............................... 11 9.093 285.1 271.9 -5.5 0.0 2.5 1.7 -4.6

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . . . .. 12 23.291 176.5 175.3 -2.0 1.7 0.7 0.1 -0.7

Selected building materials.................... 13 0.932 117.7 117.3 0.8 1.1 0.1 0.4 -0.3

Capital goods..................................... 2 34.259 106.0 106.0 1.5 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.0

Electrical generating equipment.............. 20 3.485 113.0 113.8 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.0 0.7

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 24.863 95.4 95.3 1.4 0.0 0.1 0.1 -0.1

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 5.911 149.0 149.2 2.8 1.0 0.3 0.3 0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 8.153 113.1 113.2 2.7 0.2 0.2 0.5 0.1

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 12.574 116.2 117.0 1.8 0.0 0.1 -0.5 0.7

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 5.862 114.9 115.0 0.8 0.1 0.3 -0.1 0.1

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 5.291 113.9 115.6 3.8 0.5 0.3 -0.3 1.5

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 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: May 2011 to May

2012

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Apr.

20121

Index Percent change

Apr.

2012

May

2012

Annual Monthly

May

2011 to

May

2012

Jan.

2012 to

Feb.

2012

Feb.

2012 to

Mar.

2012

Mar.

2012 to

Apr. 2012

Apr. 2012

to May

2012

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 21.251 179.5 173.2 -4.6 1.1 3.6 -1.3 -3.5

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 1.852 177.4 176.1 -7.6 -5.3 3.5 2.2 -0.7

Crop production................................. 111 1.317 184.4 184.0 -7.9 -7.9 4.2 2.8 -0.2

Mining.............................................. 21 19.399 179.3 172.6 -4.2 1.7 3.7 -1.6 -3.7

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)..................................... 212 0.324 145.7 145.6 -6.1 -1.8 1.3 -0.4 -0.1

Manufactured articles.............................. 78.288 119.1 118.6 1.0 -0.3 0.8 0.3 -0.4

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 10.728 126.2 125.8 4.3 0.2 0.2 0.6 -0.3

Food manufacturing............................ 311 3.058 164.5 163.4 5.6 -0.1 1.1 1.9 -0.7

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.823 111.5 111.8 1.1 -0.2 -0.3 -0.1 0.3

Textile mills (Dec. 2011=100)................. 313 0.394 101.7 101.8 – 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.1

Textile product mills............................ 314 0.862 117.5 117.0 0.5 -0.1 -1.1 0.9 -0.4

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 4.002 112.2 111.9 4.3 0.2 0.0 0.1 -0.3

Leather and allied product manufacturing. .. 316 1.590 119.3 119.4 6.0 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.1

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 18.025 142.9 140.9 1.4 -1.9 2.5 1.3 -1.4

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.591 113.1 114.6 4.1 0.7 2.9 0.9 1.3

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.061 110.7 111.3 -1.2 0.0 1.0 -0.6 0.5

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 4.973 186.9 175.3 -2.7 -7.0 7.2 2.7 -6.2

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 8.646 136.2 136.8 3.4 0.0 0.8 1.2 0.4

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 1.852 127.6 128.0 4.2 -0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.814 129.6 130.3 2.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.5

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 49.536 110.4 110.2 0.0 0.2 0.4 -0.1 -0.2

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.312 182.8 180.0 -7.7 1.9 2.8 -1.7 -1.5

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.493 129.7 129.8 3.6 0.4 0.0 -0.1 0.1

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 5.505 121.2 121.4 2.5 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 15.135 82.5 82.4 -1.8 -0.1 -0.1 -0.5 -0.1

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.772 119.0 119.1 3.2 0.1 0.5 0.4 0.1

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 11.988 111.6 111.6 1.9 0.0 0.5 0.6 0.0

Furniture and related product

manufacturing................................ 337 1.277 113.2 113.2 2.7 -0.2 0.4 0.0 0.0

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 5.055 122.5 122.4 1.9 0.2 0.0 0.2 -0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 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: May 2011 to May

2012

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Apr.

20121

Index Percent change

Apr.

2012

May

2012

Annual Monthly

May

2011 to

May

2012

Jan.

2012 to

Feb.

2012

Feb.

2012 to

Mar.

2012

Mar.

2012 to

Apr. 2012

Apr. 2012

to May

2012

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 8.305 167.4 167.9 -8.9 -1.6 0.7 1.5 0.3

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 6.349 201.0 202.4 -4.2 -0.4 2.8 3.0 0.7

Crop production................................. 111 5.908 208.1 210.6 -4.4 -0.7 3.0 2.8 1.2

Mining.............................................. 21 1.956 100.0 98.9 -21.4 -4.8 -5.1 -2.9 -1.1

Mining (except oil and gas).................... 212 1.403 125.1 122.3 -13.7 -0.9 -5.5 -3.3 -2.2

Manufactured articles.............................. 88.627 122.2 121.7 1.2 0.5 0.7 0.3 -0.4

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 7.061 146.6 147.3 2.4 0.6 1.3 0.8 0.5

Food manufacturing............................ 311 4.924 167.7 168.8 5.4 0.5 1.5 1.0 0.7

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.560 119.1 119.8 3.0 1.4 2.6 0.3 0.6

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 0.413 119.8 119.8 7.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 27.051 138.5 136.0 -0.3 1.0 1.4 1.3 -1.8

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.402 115.3 114.9 -1.0 0.4 -0.5 1.1 -0.3

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.823 119.7 118.1 -7.2 0.0 -0.3 1.1 -1.3

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 6.742 183.7 174.3 -2.2 2.0 4.2 3.1 -5.1

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 15.173 134.3 133.3 0.5 0.9 0.8 0.8 -0.7

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 2.166 117.8 118.0 6.1 0.2 0.2 0.6 0.2

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.744 111.4 111.4 0.9 0.1 0.4 -0.3 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 54.515 113.5 113.6 1.6 0.3 0.4 -0.2 0.1

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.875 176.5 174.5 -2.3 1.4 2.4 -1.7 -1.1

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.588 129.3 129.3 1.4 -0.9 0.5 0.2 0.0

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 10.966 120.4 120.5 3.5 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.1

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 14.300 90.2 90.3 0.7 -0.1 0.0 -0.3 0.1

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.177 112.4 112.6 -0.2 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.2

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 13.271 116.9 117.0 2.5 0.5 0.3 0.3 0.1

Furniture and related product manufacturing

(Dec. 2011=100)............................. 337 0.294 102.6 102.6 – 1.5 0.2 0.9 0.0

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 5.043 121.0 122.5 3.1 -0.2 -0.1 -0.9 1.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 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: May 2011 to May

2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Apr.

20121

Index Percent change

Apr.

2012

May

2012

Annual Monthly

May

2011 to

May

2012

Jan.

2012 to

Feb.

2012

Feb.

2012 to

Mar.

2012

Mar.

2012 to

Apr. 2012

Apr. 2012

to May

2012

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.153 168.3 165.2 -2.8 -0.9 1.3 -1.2 -1.8

Meat and edible meat offal....................... 02 0.260 212.0 211.7 -1.1 -1.3 2.0 -4.6 -0.1

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.604 122.2 119.2 -6.1 -1.5 0.4 -0.5 -2.5

Vegetable products................................ II 1.758 228.2 226.2 1.7 -5.7 4.5 6.1 -0.9

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers............ 07 0.314 319.2 323.8 -12.3 -32.0 18.8 7.9 1.4

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.497 127.8 122.4 -5.3 1.9 7.2 0.1 -4.2

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................... 09 0.416 276.5 271.2 -9.8 -2.3 -6.2 1.0 -1.9

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.260 135.9 136.7 -11.5 -2.8 2.1 0.9 0.6

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.328 157.4 157.2 1.6 0.0 -0.2 -0.3 -0.1

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec.

2009=100)....................................... 18 0.182 86.6 85.4 -16.2 1.8 1.3 -1.6 -1.4

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100).............. 19 0.221 126.1 126.2 -1.7 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.1

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or other

parts of plants................................... 20 0.344 173.8 172.7 9.9 -0.2 -0.7 -0.7 -0.6

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.................. 22 0.778 121.8 122.4 1.7 -0.2 -0.5 -0.2 0.5

Mineral products.................................... V 24.527 369.6 354.7 -3.7 -0.1 4.3 -0.8 -4.0

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 24.223 365.9 351.0 -3.7 -0.1 4.4 -0.8 -4.1

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 8.104 149.9 151.2 3.3 -0.5 0.3 1.1 0.9

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 0.838 344.1 359.8 -5.5 -3.1 -3.5 0.2 4.6

Organic chemicals................................. 29 2.429 140.9 140.9 3.1 0.1 1.8 0.5 0.0

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 2.973 117.6 117.6 5.2 -0.5 0.4 1.7 0.0

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)...................... 31 0.462 148.7 160.2 27.1 0.4 0.2 6.0 7.7

Tanning extracts; dye, pigments, varnish,

paints & putty (Dec. 2011=100)............... 32 0.182 107.1 106.9 – -0.5 0.6 3.8 -0.2

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec.

2001=100)....................................... 33 0.409 125.8 125.2 -0.4 -0.8 0.7 0.9 -0.5

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 0.469 103.9 104.0 -4.1 0.0 0.5 0.0 0.1

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 3.064 153.9 153.7 1.7 0.3 0.3 0.7 -0.1

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 1.853 144.6 144.3 2.4 0.0 0.4 0.6 -0.2

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.211 171.8 171.6 0.6 0.8 0.2 0.9 -0.1

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.574 126.1 126.3 5.2 0.7 -0.2 -0.2 0.2

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

various materials................................ 42 0.527 126.9 127.1 5.6 0.8 -0.2 -0.1 0.2

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.624 137.0 138.7 4.6 0.8 3.0 1.0 1.2

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 1.163 113.5 114.1 -1.3 0.3 0.6 -0.4 0.5

Pulp wood, waste paper, and paperboard

(Dec. 2011=100)................................ 47 0.173 99.3 103.5 – 0.5 5.0 -1.6 4.2

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 0.780 108.7 108.5 0.5 0.0 -0.1 -0.2 -0.2

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 5.133 115.9 115.6 3.6 0.2 -0.2 0.1 -0.3

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted............................ 61 1.989 106.7 106.1 2.1 0.0 -0.1 0.0 -0.6

See footnotes at end of table.

9
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: May 2011 to May

2012 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Apr.

20121

Index Percent change

Apr.

2012

May

2012

Annual Monthly

May

2011 to

May

2012

Jan.

2012 to

Feb.

2012

Feb.

2012 to

Mar.

2012

Mar.

2012 to

Apr. 2012

Apr. 2012

to May

2012

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted........................ 62 1.884 118.2 118.2 7.7 0.4 0.1 0.1 0.0

Made-up or worn textile articles................. 63 0.627 110.5 109.9 -1.2 0.0 -1.8 0.5 -0.5

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.. .. XII 1.303 118.5 118.7 5.9 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.2

Footwear and parts of such articles............ 64 1.108 117.5 117.7 5.8 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.2

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 0.737 131.4 132.0 2.4 -0.1 0.3 -0.1 0.5

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or

mica (Dec. 2001=100)......................... 68 0.236 124.5 124.4 2.4 0.2 0.2 -0.1 -0.1

Ceramic products.................................. 69 0.222 142.1 142.1 0.6 0.0 0.6 0.0 0.0

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.279 126.3 127.7 3.7 -0.2 0.1 0.0 1.1

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 3.298 207.2 204.4 2.8 1.5 2.5 -1.9 -1.4

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 4.858 192.8 191.9 -5.1 1.1 0.7 -0.1 -0.5

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.119 246.7 247.7 -6.1 -0.6 0.2 0.4 0.4

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.394 162.1 161.9 1.8 -0.2 0.4 0.1 -0.1

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.463 369.3 364.3 -10.5 6.2 1.4 -1.7 -1.4

Nickel and articles thereof (Dec. 2009=100). .. 75 0.140 110.5 104.4 -26.8 6.0 6.1 -6.4 -5.5

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.710 143.2 140.6 -11.5 2.0 1.1 0.4 -1.8

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.354 127.7 128.5 4.5 0.2 -0.2 0.7 0.6

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.400 134.8 135.1 4.2 0.5 -0.2 1.6 0.2

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 24.294 86.0 86.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.2 0.0

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 12.239 90.0 90.1 1.6 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and TV

recorders & reproducers, parts............... 85 12.055 82.2 82.1 -1.4 -0.1 -0.1 -0.5 -0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 10.015 115.8 115.8 1.6 0.0 0.5 0.5 0.0

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 9.235 114.9 114.9 1.5 0.1 0.4 0.5 0.0

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)....................................... 88 0.688 117.9 118.0 2.3 0.0 1.6 0.0 0.1

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 3.147 104.4 104.2 -0.6 0.2 0.2 0.1 -0.2

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical

instruments...................................... 90 2.900 102.0 101.8 -0.7 0.3 0.2 0.1 -0.2

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . . . .. 91 0.188 128.2 128.2 0.9 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 3.606 112.2 112.3 2.7 0.2 0.4 0.0 0.1

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs........... 94 1.922 116.0 116.0 2.8 0.3 0.5 0.0 0.0

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 1.489 105.1 105.3 2.4 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles........... 96 0.195 133.3 133.3 3.5 0.4 0.0 0.1 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 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: May 2011 to May

2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Apr.

20121

Index Percent change

Apr.

2012

May

2012

Annual Monthly

May

2011 to

May

2012

Jan.

2012 to

Feb.

2012

Feb.

2012 to

Mar.

2012

Mar.

2012 to

Apr. 2012

Apr. 2012

to May

2012

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.890 204.1 201.2 1.3 -0.5 -0.9 0.5 -1.4

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100). . .. 02 1.091 167.4 167.8 3.3 0.3 -0.3 -0.8 0.2

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.403 204.5 199.3 7.8 0.2 -1.6 2.3 -2.5

Vegetable products................................ II 5.830 250.2 255.0 1.6 -0.8 3.8 3.0 1.9

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.848 137.3 137.9 7.6 -2.5 4.2 2.2 0.4

Cereals.............................................. 10 2.186 286.7 280.6 -9.3 -0.1 2.0 0.6 -2.1

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder....................... 12 2.219 277.8 290.3 10.8 0.5 7.1 6.1 4.5

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.489 154.7 157.8 0.3 -1.3 4.3 2.0 2.0

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.673 156.2 158.0 5.2 1.0 2.5 1.3 1.2

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other

parts of plants (Dec. 2009=100).............. 20 0.319 110.7 111.1 3.5 0.4 0.3 0.4 0.4

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar (Dec.

2008=100)....................................... 22 0.397 109.8 110.4 5.3 0.4 2.7 0.3 0.5

Residues and waste from the food industries;

prepared animal feed........................... 23 0.777 225.9 236.6 4.0 2.2 4.9 3.8 4.7

Mineral products.................................... V 9.103 337.3 321.2 -6.1 0.3 2.5 2.1 -4.8

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 8.482 334.4 317.3 -6.2 0.0 2.7 2.3 -5.1

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 12.163 155.5 155.2 0.9 0.4 0.3 0.0 -0.2

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 0.992 184.8 184.1 -6.2 0.2 -0.5 0.1 -0.4

Organic chemicals................................. 29 3.470 170.4 169.1 0.2 1.4 0.6 0.0 -0.8

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 3.128 124.7 124.8 -0.3 0.0 0.3 -0.2 0.1

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations................ 33 0.754 136.0 136.2 5.7 0.4 0.5 0.1 0.1

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or scouring

products; candles, pastes..................... 34 0.462 123.1 123.4 0.8 -0.9 -0.1 0.2 0.2

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 1.748 153.1 152.9 2.1 0.1 0.6 -0.2 -0.1

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 5.600 154.1 153.1 0.7 1.4 1.0 1.9 -0.6

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 4.460 143.5 142.8 -1.0 1.3 0.4 1.6 -0.5

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.140 205.1 203.1 8.0 1.4 3.6 3.4 -1.0

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.372 132.9 134.2 -2.9 2.0 3.3 2.1 1.0

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.538 110.0 109.3 -0.4 1.5 -0.3 2.4 -0.6

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 2.316 119.0 118.1 -7.5 0.4 0.3 0.8 -0.8

Woodpulp and recovered paper................. 47 0.642 127.4 126.9 -17.7 2.3 1.3 0.4 -0.4

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 1.226 118.2 116.6 -3.3 -0.3 0.0 1.0 -1.4

Printed material.................................... 49 0.448 120.4 120.4 1.9 -0.1 0.0 0.8 0.0

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 1.961 131.0 128.6 -16.7 0.2 -1.4 -0.2 -1.8

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof............................................ 52 0.647 157.0 148.5 -40.8 -0.2 -4.9 -1.2 -5.4

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc. (Dec. 2008=100)..................... XIII 0.735 117.7 117.7 1.6 0.3 0.5 -0.1 0.0

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.396 98.5 98.5 -0.9 -0.1 0.2 -0.3 0.0

See footnotes at end of table.

11
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: May 2011 to May

2012 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Apr.

20121

Index Percent change

Apr.

2012

May

2012

Annual Monthly

May

2011 to

May

2012

Jan.

2012 to

Feb.

2012

Feb.

2012 to

Mar.

2012

Mar.

2012 to

Apr. 2012

Apr. 2012

to May

2012

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 5.273 283.2 281.1 5.2 1.8 1.7 -3.1 -0.7

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.618 179.0 178.7 -4.5 1.8 0.3 -0.2 -0.2

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.758 224.4 226.0 -7.1 3.4 -0.7 -0.6 0.7

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.348 172.7 172.5 0.5 -0.8 0.8 0.1 -0.1

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.687 265.7 261.2 -5.5 5.4 2.0 -0.4 -1.7

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.837 129.0 127.8 -8.8 1.7 0.2 0.1 -0.9

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.374 129.2 129.2 3.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.318 138.0 138.0 2.1 0.4 1.0 0.0 0.0

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 27.383 97.3 97.3 1.4 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 15.903 110.6 110.5 2.2 0.3 0.2 0.1 -0.1

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts

and accessories thereof....................... 85 11.480 82.8 83.0 0.2 -0.1 0.0 -0.2 0.2

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 10.855 126.8 126.9 2.8 0.2 0.2 0.4 0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 7.185 113.2 113.3 3.3 0.3 0.2 0.4 0.1

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 5.723 105.7 106.8 1.3 0.6 0.2 0.2 1.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 1.334 110.4 110.4 0.4 0.4 0.0 1.3 0.0

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;........................... 94 0.689 119.9 119.9 0.8 0.5 0.1 0.3 0.0

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 0.514 91.2 91.2 -1.6 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 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: May 2011 to May 2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Percent of

U.S.

imports1

Index Percent change

Apr.

2012

May

2012

Annual Monthly

May 2011

to May

2012

Jan. 2012

to Feb.

2012

Feb. 2012

to Mar.

2012

Mar. 2012

to Apr.

2012

Apr. 2012

to May

2012

Industrialized Countries2

..................... 38.296 132.3 131.5 -2.5 -0.2 0.5 -0.5 -0.6

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 4.447 222.3 213.6 -18.4 -1.8 -3.6 -3.2 -3.9

Manufactured articles......................... 33.487 124.8 124.7 0.3 -0.1 1.2 -0.1 -0.1

Other Countries3

............................... 61.704 145.4 143.8 1.4 0.3 1.7 0.3 -1.1

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 12.907 390.0 376.9 0.4 2.0 5.2 0.1 -3.4

Manufactured articles......................... 48.593 112.6 112.4 1.9 -0.3 0.4 0.4 -0.2

Canada............................................ 14.414 152.4 150.4 -7.8 0.1 -0.6 -0.8 -1.3

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 4.027 209.6 200.9 -20.6 -2.4 -4.3 -3.4 -4.2

Manufactured articles......................... 10.122 140.9 140.7 -1.7 1.2 1.1 0.1 -0.1

European Union4

............................... 15.813 136.3 136.1 0.7 -0.1 1.0 0.0 -0.1

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 0.262 403.4 391.6 13.0 5.6 2.8 0.0 -2.9

Manufactured articles......................... 15.467 132.4 132.3 0.4 -0.2 0.9 0.0 -0.1

France (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 1.736 121.7 121.7 1.9 -0.2 0.4 0.2 0.0

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)..................... 4.265 115.0 114.9 -1.1 0.1 0.8 -0.1 -0.1

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)........... 2.397 136.6 133.8 -0.2 0.9 1.3 0.0 -2.0

Latin America5

.................................. 19.049 185.1 182.8 -0.4 -0.2 1.6 -0.1 -1.2

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 5.633 416.6 403.6 0.4 0.0 4.0 -0.2 -3.1

Manufactured articles......................... 13.328 135.1 135.0 -1.0 -0.4 0.3 -0.1 -0.1

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 12.091 148.9 147.9 -2.8 -1.0 1.1 -0.3 -0.7

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec.

2008=100)................................... 2.017 221.8 214.7 -1.2 -1.8 4.9 -1.3 -3.2

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100). . .. 10.028 95.4 95.5 -3.1 -0.7 -0.1 0.0 0.1

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6

................ 34.659 104.8 104.8 0.6 0.0 0.0 -0.1 0.0

China (Dec. 2003=100)......................... 19.583 105.2 105.2 1.7 0.1 0.0 -0.3 0.0

Japan.............................................. 6.349 102.4 102.6 1.1 0.2 -0.1 0.0 0.2

Asian NICs7

..................................... 5.471 91.0 91.1 -1.7 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.1

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8

..................... 5.652 106.5 106.2 1.8 0.6 0.5 0.3 -0.3

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9........... 3.948 293.8 290.4 5.4 2.2 4.6 0.7 -1.2

1 Percentage of trade figures are based on 2010 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: May 2011 to

May 2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Apr.

20121

Index Percent change

Apr.

2012

May

2012

Annual Monthly

May 2011

to May

2012

Jan. 2012

to Feb.

2012

Feb. 2012

to Mar.

2012

Mar. 2012

to Apr.

2012

Apr. 2012

to May

2012

Air Freight

Import Air Freight..................................... 100.000 177.0 177.5 -4.1 -1.1 2.6 1.9 0.3

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 23.971 163.4 165.3 -2.7 -1.6 3.0 -1.9 1.2

Asia.................................................... 71.558 157.7 157.8 -4.7 -1.1 2.6 3.4 0.1

Export Air Freight..................................... 100.000 150.2 150.5 1.7 0.1 1.5 0.9 0.2

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)............................ 36.187 135.7 136.0 1.6 0.5 1.5 1.1 0.2

Inbound Air Freight................................... 100.000 161.1 161.4 -2.2 -1.1 2.1 1.4 0.2

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 24.896 149.0 149.8 -2.6 -1.0 2.7 -0.4 0.5

Asia.................................................... 63.675 145.0 145.1 -2.0 -1.6 2.2 2.3 0.1

Outbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 149.9 150.2 4.7 0.3 1.2 2.5 0.2

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 30.379 165.7 166.6 4.4 0.7 1.2 0.2 0.5

Asia.................................................... 50.019 143.5 143.4 5.3 0.2 1.4 4.6 -0.1

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 180.0 181.1 5.1 0.3 -1.0 0.7 0.6

Europe................................................. 39.190 187.5 185.3 0.2 0.2 -2.4 3.8 -1.2

Asia.................................................... 25.944 148.7 157.8 10.2 1.3 -6.6 0.8 6.1

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 12.617 181.9 171.0 0.8 -0.6 0.3 2.1 -6.0

Export Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 186.4 192.3 4.9 -4.5 -0.8 0.7 3.2

Europe................................................. 28.202 225.0 221.0 4.0 5.1 -4.7 7.7 -1.8

Asia.................................................... 28.157 168.1 179.2 1.8 -14.7 3.0 0.7 6.6

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 24.151 218.1 206.7 13.3 12.3 -0.9 -7.7 -5.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 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. 

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