TEXT
Table 1      U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, May 1995-May 1996
Table 2      U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, May 1995-May 1996
Table 3       U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, May 1995-May 1996
Table 4       U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, May 1995-May 1996
Table 5       U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, May 1995-May 1996
Table 6       U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, May 1995-May 1996
Table  7    U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes by Locality of Origin,May 1995-May 1996
Table  8    U.S. International Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services.
Table  9     U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services.

 
  Technical Information
    Jim Thomas        (202) 606-7155       USDL-96-240
    Bill Alterman     (202) 606-7108       For release: 10:00 A.M. E.D.T
  Media contact:                           Friday, June 21, 1996
    Kathryn Hoyle     (202) 606-5902
 
 
                U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES
                             -MAY 1996-
 
     The U.S. Import Price Index fell 0.5 percent in May, the Bureau
of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today.
The decrease followed increases of  0.8 percent in April and 0.7
percent in March and largely reflected a turnaround in petroleum
prices.  The U.S. Export Price Index increased 0.4 percent in May,
following an increase of 0.5 percent in the previous month.
 
         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
 
1995
May             0.9      3.2      0.6       0.3      0.6       0.2
June           -0.4     -3.2     -0.1       0.2      1.4       0.1
July           -0.4     -6.3      0.4       0.3      3.8      -0.2
August         -0.2     -2.6      0.0      -0.5     -1.4      -0.4
September       0.0      1.9     -0.2       0.2      3.0      -0.2
October        -0.5     -2.1     -0.3       0.1      1.9      -0.2
November        0.2      0.5      0.2      -0.1      2.2      -0.3
December        0.4      4.5      0.0       0.0      0.8      -0.2
1996
January         0.2      4.8     -0.3       0.5      1.7       0.3
February       -0.2     -1.3 r    0.0      -0.2 r   -0.2      -0.3
March           0.7 r    8.5 r   -0.3      -0.2 r    1.4      -0.3 r
April           0.8 r    8.3 r    0.0 r     0.5      4.8 r    -0.1 r
May            -0.5     -2.2     -0.3       0.4      3.1      -0.1
 
May 1994-95     6.5     19.1      5.2       5.8      3.1       6.2
May 1995-96     0.2     10.0     -0.8       1.2     24.8      -1.7
 
r = revised to reflect late reports and corrections by respondents.
 
Import Goods
 
     Price decreases for both petroleum and nonpetroleum imports
contributed to the overall May decline for imports.  Petroleum prices
dropped 2.2 percent in May, a turnaround from the 17.5 percent
increase over the previous two months.  The petroleum index, which
recorded large monthly fluctuations over the past 12 months, gained
10.0 percent for the year ended in May.  After no change in April,
nonpetroleum prices fell 0.3 percent in May, the same as in March.
Nonpetroleum prices have dropped 0.8 percent over the past 12 months.
 
     Prices for industrial supplies excluding petroleum led the
decline for nonpetroleum imports, falling 0.7 percent in May, about
the same as the previous month.  For the year ended in May, this
index dropped 1.1 percent.  Declines also were recorded for all the
finished goods indexes in May.  Prices for capital goods dropped for
the fourth consecutive month, falling 0.2 percent in May.  Over the
past four months, this index fell 1.8 percent, and it was down 2.8
percent for the year.  Both the automotive vehicles and consumer
goods indexes edged down 0.1 percent in May, after posting a 0.1
percent increase and no change in April, respectively.
 
     In contrast, import prices for foods, feeds, and beverages were
up in May, rising 0.4 percent.  The increase for the index followed a
3.3 percent gain in April.
 
Export Goods
 
     The May gain in export prices was attributable to continued
increases for agricultural exports, up 3.1 percent.  Led primarily by
higher grain prices, the index for agricultural exports has risen 9.5
percent over the past three months and 24.8 percent for the year.
For the second consecutive month, nonagricultural export prices
declined 0.1 percent, after decreasing 0.3 percent in both March and
February.  The index was down 1.7 percent over the past 12 months.
 
     Price declines for nonagricultural exports continued to be led
by falling prices for nonagricultural industrial supplies and
materials which decreased for the fourth consecutive month.  The
index for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials fell 0.2
percent in May and 7.0 percent for the year.  In addition, both
capital and consumer goods prices fell in May, dropping 0.1 and 0.3
percent, respectively.  The index for capital goods was unchanged in
April and March, while the consumer goods index posted increases in
each of the previous four months.
 
     In contrast with the other finished goods areas, prices for
automotive vehicles rose 0.2 percent in May after showing no change in
April.  For the year ended in May, the auto index gained 1.6 percent.
 
Imports by Locality of Origin
 
    Prices of imports from Japan fell 0.3 percent in May, the same
decline reported in each of the previous three months.  The index,
down 2.8 percent for the year, has declined for six consecutive
months. (See table 7.)
 
    The price of imports from the Asian Newly Industrialized
countries also continued to decline in May, edging down 0.1 percent.
Over the past 12 months, the index declined 0.9 percent.
 
 
    The index for imports from Canada reversed in May, falling 0.7
percent after gaining 0.5 percent in April.  The decrease was
attributable to declines for both nonmanufactured goods, down 1.2
percent, and manufactured goods, down 0.5 percent.  Overall, Canadian
import prices rose a modest 0.4 percent for the year as gains for
nonmanufactured goods were balanced by declining prices for
manufactured goods.
 
    The price index for imports from the European Union also fell,
0.3 percent, in May.  Import prices from the European Union, however,
were up 1.9 percent over the last 12 months.
 
 
 
                         CONTENTS OF RELEASE
 
This news release includes the following tables:
 
Table 1   Import Price Indexes, by End Use.....page  4
Table 2   Export Price Indexes, by End Use.....page  5
Table 3   Import Price Indexes, by SITC.....pages 6-7
Table 4   Export Price Indexes, by SITC.....page  8-9
Table 5   Import Price Indexes, by Harmonized System.....pages 10-11
Table 6   Export Price Indexes, by Harmonized System.....pages 12-13
Table 7   Import Price Indexes, by Locality of Origin.....page  14
Table 8   U.S. International Price Indexes for Services.....page  15
Table 9   U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes for Services.....page 16
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Import and Export Price Index data for June are scheduled for release
on July 23 at 10:00 a.m. (EDT).
 
                     TECHNICAL NOTE
 
Import and Export Merchandise and Services Price Indexes -- All indexes
use a modified Laspeyres formula and are weighted with 1990 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 1990=100 where possible.  Exceptions are for the recently instituted
HS indexes, which use a base of December 1992=100.  Net transaction
price data are collected every 3 months for approximately 22,000
products from over 9,000 companies and secondary sources.  Approximately
two-thirds of the items are also repriced in the intervening months.
(Current plans call for all items to be repriced monthly by 1996.)
Indexes are not seasonally adjusted.  Historical index series and
additional information may be obtained from the Division of
International Prices, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2 Massachusetts Avenue
NE, PSB 3955, Washington, D.C. 20212, (202) 606-7155.
 
Import Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the 1990
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.  The index for import electrical energy is lagged one month.
 
Export Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the 1990
Harmonized Schedule B classification system of the U.S. Bureau of the
Census.  The prices used are generally either "free on board" (f.o.b.)
factory or "free alongside ship" (f.a.s.) 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 weighted by country or region 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 a base of December
1990=100.
 
Import, Export, and International Services Indexes -- Indexes are
updated 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 represent the second month of the quarter.
 
Revision policy -- Data are revised for the previous 3 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 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 can
also 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.
 
A number of the detailed series have been discontinued as of the March
release due to budget considerations.
 
The import and export news release contains monthly price indexes at
the two-digit level of detail.  If you would like to be added to the
mailing list for more detailed historical tables, please fill out the
form below and mail or fax it to the following address:
 
 
                    Division of International Prices
                    Bureau of Labor Statistics
                    PSB Building, Rm. 3955
                    2 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E.
                    Washington, DC 20212
 
 
Phone Number: (202) 606-7155               Fax Number: (202) 606-7179
---------------------------------------------------------------------
 
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 Table 1      U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, May 1995-May 1996
                 1990=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change
                                                        Relative
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly
                                                         ance                           May     Jan.      Feb.      March     April
END       Description                                                                   1995    1996      1996      1996      1996
USE                                                     April      April       May      to      to        to        to        to
                                                        1996       1996        1996     May     Feb.      March     April     May
                                                        1/         2/                   1996    1996      1996      1996      1996
 
          ALL COMMODITIES                               100.000    108.4       107.9      0.2    -0.2       0.7       0.8      -0.5
          ALL IMPORTS EXCLUDING PETROLEUM                88.698    109.9       109.6     -0.8     0.0      -0.3       0.0      -0.3
 
0          FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES                      6.014    119.9       120.4      0.2     3.0      -1.4       3.3       0.4
 
00          Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,
                 excluding distilled beverages            4.319    119.3       119.9      1.7     3.9      -2.1       4.5       0.5
 
01          Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled
                 beverages)                               1.695    121.2       121.4     -3.4     0.5       0.3       0.7       0.2
 
1          INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS               29.724    105.5       104.1      2.4    -0.9       3.0       2.7      -1.3
            INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS
                 EXCLUDING PETROLEUM                     18.423    110.7       109.9     -1.1    -0.6       0.3      -0.6      -0.7
            INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                 DURABLE                                  9.309    107.5       107.6     -1.2    -0.3       0.0       0.0       0.1
            INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                 NONDURABLE EXCLUDING PETROLEUM           9.114    114.6       112.8     -0.9    -0.9       0.5      -1.1      -1.6
 
10          Fuels & lubricants                           12.514     97.3        95.3     10.0    -1.3       8.4       7.9      -2.1
 
100          Petroleum & petroleum products              11.302     95.5        93.4     10.0    -1.3       8.5       8.3      -2.2
 
10000         Crude                                       8.183     93.2        90.2      9.2    -0.1       9.5       9.6      -3.2
 
11          Paper & paper base stocks                     2.466    119.1       113.6     -6.3    -2.1      -4.7      -2.9      -4.6
 
12          Materials associated with nondurable
                 supplies & materials                     5.674    111.3       111.0     -2.8    -0.5       1.3      -1.2      -0.3
 
13          Selected building materials                   1.793    124.7       127.8      4.8     1.2      -0.3       1.7       2.5
 
14          Unfinished metals associated with
                 durable goods                            4.480    103.3       102.7     -4.0    -0.5      -0.1      -0.5      -0.6
 
15          Finished metals associated with durable
                 goods                                    1.445    104.4       103.5     -1.5    -1.2       0.3       0.0      -0.9
 
16          Nonmetals associated with durable goods       1.352    107.3       107.6      0.8    -0.4       0.5      -0.6       0.3
 
2          CAPITAL GOODS                                 23.445    104.3       104.1     -2.8    -0.4      -0.6      -0.7      -0.2
 
20          Electric & electrical generating
                 equipment                                3.033    111.8       111.3     -0.8    -0.4      -0.3      -0.2      -0.4
 
21          Nonelectrical machinery                      17.918    102.2       101.9     -3.6    -0.4      -0.6      -0.7      -0.3
 
3          AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES          19.583    115.4       115.3      0.3     0.2      -0.2       0.1      -0.1
 
4          CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING AUTOMOTIVES         21.233    108.2       108.1      0.4     0.0      -0.1       0.0      -0.1
 
40          Nondurables, manufactured                    10.200    108.3       108.4      0.7    -0.1       0.1       0.1       0.1
 
41          Durables, manufactured                        9.859    107.3       107.1      0.0    -0.2       0.1      -0.1      -0.2
 
42          Nonmanufactured consumer goods                1.173    115.7       114.3     -0.3     1.5      -2.3       0.3      -1.2
 
 
 
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                       n.a.      Not available
            1990 trade values.
        2  Data for February, March and April 1996
            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, May 1995-May 1996
                 1990=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change
                                                        Relative
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly
                                                         ance                           May     Jan.      Feb.      March     April
END       Description                                                                   1995    1996      1996      1996      1996
USE                                                     April      April       May      to      to        to        to        to
                                                        1996       1996        1996     May     Feb.      March     April     May
                                                        1/         2/                   1996    1996      1996      1996      1996
 
          ALL COMMODITIES                               100.000    110.1       110.5      1.2    -0.2      -0.2       0.5       0.4
          AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES                       13.194    133.6       137.8     24.8    -0.2       1.4       4.8       3.1
          NONAGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES                    86.807    107.4       107.3     -1.7    -0.3      -0.3      -0.1      -0.1
 
0          FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES                     11.798    137.0       141.6     29.2     0.1       1.6       5.3       3.4
 
00          Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,
                excluding distilled beverages            10.884    140.3       145.4     34.9     0.2       1.9       6.0       3.6
 
01          Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled
                beverages)                                0.914    104.3       105.0    -14.4    -0.2      -2.3      -2.6       0.7
 
1          INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS               28.192    109.5       109.5     -7.0    -1.2      -0.9      -0.3       0.0
            INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                DURABLE                                  11.052    115.0       114.6     -3.8    -0.2      -0.3      -0.8      -0.3
            INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                NONDURABLE                               17.140    107.4       107.6     -9.0    -1.8      -1.3       0.0       0.2
 
10          Agricultural industrial supplies &
                materials                                 2.310    109.8       110.6     -8.1    -1.7      -1.2      -0.4       0.7
 
             NONAGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES &
                MATERIALS                                25.883    109.5       109.3     -7.0    -1.1      -0.9      -0.3      -0.2
 
11          Fuels & lubricants                            3.512    102.7       102.3      8.8    -0.4       1.0       3.3      -0.4
 
12          Nonagricultural supplies & materials
                excluding fuels & building materials     19.697    107.7       107.7     -9.3    -1.4      -1.2      -0.8       0.0
 
13          Selected building materials                   2.674    143.2       142.6     -5.6     0.2      -0.6      -1.0      -0.4
 
2          CAPITAL GOODS                                 39.479    105.7       105.6      0.8     0.2       0.0       0.0      -0.1
 
20          Electric & electrical generating
                equipment                                 3.596    109.1       109.3      1.3     0.0       0.2       0.0       0.2
 
21          Nonelectrical machinery                      25.773    101.8       101.6      0.1     0.0       0.1       0.1      -0.2
 
3          AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES           9.909    108.9       109.1      1.6     0.0      -0.1       0.0       0.2
 
4          CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING AUTOMOTIVES         10.622    110.8       110.5      0.8     0.3       0.1       0.2      -0.3
 
40          Nondurables, manufactured                     5.724    112.7       112.8      0.5    -0.2       0.3      -0.3       0.1
 
41          Durables, manufactured                        4.373    108.4       107.8      0.6     0.4       0.0       0.3      -0.6
 
 
 
 
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                       n.a.      Not available
            1990 trade values.
        2  Data for February, March and April 1996
            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, May 1995-May 1996
                  1990=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change
                                                        Relative
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly
                                                         ance                           May     Jan.      Feb.      March     April
SITC      Description                                                                   1995    1996      1996      1996      1996
Rev. 3                                                  April      April       May      to      to        to        to        to
                                                        1996       1996        1996     May     Feb.      March     April     May
                                                        1/         2/                   1996    1996      1996      1996      1996
 
          ALL COMMODITIES                               100.000    108.4       107.9      0.2    -0.2       0.7       0.8      -0.5
 
0          FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS                          4.911    115.3       114.8     -2.5     4.4      -1.4       4.3      -0.4
01          Meat and meat preparations                    0.458     78.8        78.5     -7.8    -2.4      -1.7      -0.5      -0.4
03          Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates
              and preparations thereof                    1.216    119.3       119.5     -5.4     0.7       0.3       0.8       0.2
04          Cereals and cereal preparations               0.187    107.2       119.8     24.4    -0.9      -0.9      -0.2      11.8
05          Vegetables and fruit, prepared
              fresh or dried                              1.479    130.0       126.6     13.4    13.4      -2.9      11.5      -2.6
06          Sugars, sugar preparations and honey          0.263    101.6       101.9      3.6    -1.3       0.0       1.1       0.3
07          Coffee, tea, cocoa, spices and
              manufactures thereof                        0.939    142.7       142.7    -20.0     5.0      -3.1       4.8       0.0
 
1          BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO                          1.066    119.0       119.3      4.1     0.2       0.5       0.6       0.3
11          Beverages                                     0.862    116.5       116.4      1.5     0.1      -0.2       0.4      -0.1
 
2          CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS        3.339    118.8       116.5     -5.5    -1.2      -2.7      -0.8      -1.9
23          Crude rubber (including synthetic and
              reclaimed)                                  0.347    144.5       140.2    -15.7    -5.2       4.7      -6.9      -3.0
24          Cork and wood                                 0.918    145.4       152.5      9.6     2.9      -1.3       3.7       4.9
25          Pulp and waste paper                          0.473     81.7        69.4    -36.6    -8.5     -15.7      -7.5     -15.1
28          Metalliferous ores and metal scrap            0.890    108.6       108.7      2.8    -0.8       0.5       0.2       0.1
 
3          MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED
              MATERIALS                                  11.997     95.5        93.5      9.6    -1.3       8.2       7.9      -2.1
33          Petroleum, petroleum products and
              related materials                          11.032     96.1        94.0      9.8    -1.4       8.5       8.6      -2.2
34          Gas, natural and manufactured                 0.903     90.0        88.8     12.0    -0.2       6.7       1.0      -1.3
 
5          CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.         4.830    111.3       111.1     -1.2     0.0      -0.1      -0.6      -0.2
51          Organic chemicals                             1.351     99.1        99.6     -1.1     0.7      -0.1      -1.1       0.5
52          Inorganic chemicals                           0.694    114.0       113.9      0.6     0.4       0.5      -0.6      -0.1
53          Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials
              (9212=100)                                  0.296    111.2       110.8      1.7     1.2      -0.2      -0.2      -0.4
54          Medicinal and pharmaceutical products         0.698    127.4       126.4     -2.1    -0.5      -0.6       0.1      -0.8
55          Essential oils; polishing and cleansing
              preps                                       0.328    127.1       124.6      0.4    -1.7      -1.2       0.3      -2.0
57          Plastics in primary forms (9212=100)          0.280    113.5       112.0      1.5     0.4      -0.6       1.5      -1.3
58          Plastics in nonprimary forms (9212=100)       0.489     97.7        97.7    -16.8    -3.5      -0.7      -3.1       0.0
59          Chemical materials and products, n.e.s.       0.477    115.4       115.5      9.4     0.9       1.0      -0.1       0.1
 
6          MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY
              BY MATERIAL                                13.037    112.0       111.3     -0.7    -0.3      -0.2      -0.5      -0.6
62          Rubber manufactures, n.e.s.                   0.724    105.1       105.4      0.3     0.1      -0.8       0.1       0.3
64          Paper, paperboard, and articles of
              paper pulp, paper or paper board            2.173    131.4       128.6      2.7    -0.1      -1.3      -1.7      -2.1
65          Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up
              articles, n.e.s., and related product       1.420    114.3       113.7     -1.0     0.1      -0.7      -0.1      -0.5
66          Nonmetallic mineral manufactures,
              n.e.s.                                      2.184    113.6       113.4      2.0    -0.1       0.8       0.4      -0.2
67          Iron and steel                                2.049    106.8       106.7     -0.7    -1.0       0.5      -0.7      -0.1
68          Nonferrous metals                             1.893     99.2        98.6     -7.4    -0.9      -0.3      -0.9      -0.6
69          Manufactures of metals, n.e.s.                1.939    111.8       110.8      0.0     0.5      -0.4       0.1      -0.9
 
7          MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT             43.687    108.6       108.4     -1.5    -0.1      -0.5      -0.3      -0.2
72          Machinery specialized for particular
              industries                                  2.969    117.6       117.3      0.2     0.4       0.8      -1.1      -0.3
73          Metalworking machinery                        0.877    121.7       121.4     -0.2    -0.7      -0.2       0.0      -0.2
74          General industrial machinery and equip-
              ment, n.e.s. and machine parts, n.e.s       3.319    116.7       116.5      0.1    -0.4      -0.1      -0.3      -0.2
75          Computer equipment and office machines        4.162     79.1        78.4     -7.0    -0.7      -2.0      -0.8      -0.9
76          Telecommunications & sound recording
              & reproducing apparatus & equipment         4.199     96.4        96.0     -2.9    -0.4      -0.3      -0.2      -0.4
77          Electrical machinery and equipment            6.824    103.9       103.8     -4.7    -0.5      -0.7      -0.8      -0.1
78          Road vehicles                                16.627    117.4       117.4      0.5     0.0      -0.1       0.0       0.0
 
8          MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES           16.630    108.3       108.2      0.7    -0.1       0.1       0.0      -0.1
81          Prefabricated buildings; plumbing, heat
              lighting fixtures, n.e.s.                   0.315    105.0       105.0      1.4    -2.0       0.5       0.2       0.0
82          Furniture and parts thereof                   1.040    106.7       106.5      0.9    -0.3      -0.3       0.1      -0.2
83          Travel goods, handbags and similar
              containers                                  0.479    110.8       110.7      1.4     0.3       0.1      -0.2      -0.1
84          Articles of apparel and clothing
              accessories                                 5.173    104.1       104.5      1.3     0.0       0.2       0.0       0.4
85          Footwear                                      1.922    103.3       103.2      1.7     0.0       0.4       0.0      -0.1
87          Professional, scientific and controlling
              instruments and apparatus, n.e.s.           1.414    117.1       116.3      0.0     0.2       0.1      -0.3      -0.7
88          Photographic apparatus, equipment and
              supplies and optical goods, n.e.s.;         1.440    112.5       111.7     -3.0    -0.6      -0.3      -0.5      -0.7
89          Miscellaneous manufactured articles,
              n.e.s.                                      4.846    111.5       111.4      1.1    -0.1       0.1       0.3      -0.1
 
971          Gold, nonmonetary (excluding gold ores
              and concentrates) (9212=100)                0.209    114.6       113.6     -0.3     1.7      -1.1      -0.3      -0.9
 
 
 
 
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                       n.a.      Not available.
            1990 trade values.
        2  Data for February, March and April 1996
            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 separetely
 
 
 Table 4       U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, May 1995-May 1996
                  1990=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change
                                                        Relative
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly
                                                         ance                           May     Jan.      Feb.      March     April
SITC      Description                                                                   1995    1996      1996      1996      1996
Rev. 3                                                  April      April       May      to      to        to        to        to
                                                        1996       1996        1996     May     Feb.      March     April     May
                                                        1/         2/                   1996    1996      1996      1996      1996
 
          ALL COMMODITIES                               100.000    110.1       110.5      1.2    -0.2      -0.2       0.5       0.4
 
0          FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS                         10.487    140.8       146.0     29.8     0.3       2.0       5.0       3.7
01          Meat and meat preparations                    0.922    115.8       114.0      0.9    -3.1       0.0       1.8      -1.6
03          Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates
              and preparations                            0.719    100.0       101.1    -16.5    -0.2      -2.6      -3.3       1.1
04          Cereals and cereal preparations               5.416    173.4       183.8     65.9     2.1       2.8      10.4       6.0
05          Vegetables, fruit and nuts,
              fresh or dried                              1.738    126.9       127.2      4.6    -1.2       3.3       1.0       0.2
08          feeding stuff for animals (not
              including unmilled cereals)                 0.914    126.2       134.7     36.1    -1.2       1.6      -0.7       6.7
 
1          BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO                          2.059    115.6       115.6     -0.2     0.0       0.1       0.1       0.0
 
2          CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS        7.713    113.1       113.0    -12.7    -3.0      -3.3      -0.8      -0.1
21          Hides, skins and furskins, raw                0.391     90.1        92.2    -14.1     0.6       0.2      -1.2       2.3
22          Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits               1.233    128.0       129.2     36.0    -1.2      -0.7       6.9       0.9
23          Crude rubber (including synthetic and
              reclaimed)                                  0.246    107.6       108.0     -9.5    -0.4       0.1      -2.4       0.4
24          Cork and wood                                 1.907    148.0       145.8     -7.8     0.8      -0.8      -1.8      -1.5
25          Pulp and waste paper                          0.806     80.6        81.8    -51.0   -15.5     -19.4     -12.4       1.5
26          Textile fibers and their waste                1.127    117.5       117.8    -10.4    -2.1      -1.6       0.6       0.3
27          Crude fertilizers and crude minerals          0.369     97.1        96.9     -2.1    -1.0      -0.2       0.0      -0.2
28          Metalliferous ores and metal scrap            1.367    109.0       108.6    -12.9    -0.5      -0.4       0.6      -0.4
 
3          MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED
              MATERIALS                                   3.085    100.9       100.2      8.6    -1.6       1.4       3.9      -0.7
32          Coal, coke and briquettes                     1.205     99.7        99.8      3.2    -0.6       0.2       0.2       0.1
33          Petroleum, petroleum products and
              related materials                           1.753     99.5        98.0     13.4    -2.4       2.3       6.9      -1.5
 
4          ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE OILS, FATS AND
              WAXES                                       0.320    108.3       116.2      2.0    -5.2      -1.8       2.0       7.3
 
5          CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.        10.709    110.4       110.6     -5.8     0.2       0.1       0.0       0.2
51          Organic chemicals                             2.680    103.3       103.5    -15.9     0.0      -0.7      -1.4       0.2
52          Inorganic chemicals (9212=100)                1.086    120.1       119.0      2.9     0.8       1.6       0.0      -0.9
53          Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials
              (9312=100)                                  0.444    103.2       103.3      0.5     0.1      -0.1       0.2       0.1
54          Medicinal and pharmaceutical products         1.116    108.8       108.7      0.3     0.0       1.2      -2.0      -0.1
55          Essential oils; polishing and cleansing
              preps                                       0.562    111.6       111.3      0.5    -0.7      -0.2       0.7      -0.3
57          Plastics in primary forms (9212=100)          1.884    125.8       128.1    -11.0     0.0       1.1       2.8       1.8
58          Plastics in nonprimary forms (9212=100)       0.700    107.8       107.3     -1.8    -0.2      -0.5      -1.3      -0.5
59          Chemical materials and products, n.e.s.       1.575    116.8       116.8      1.7     0.9      -0.8       0.8       0.0
 
6          MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY
              BY MATERIAL                                 9.404    112.8       112.8     -3.0    -0.8      -0.4      -0.5       0.0
62          Rubber manufactures, n.e.s.                   0.621    119.3       119.5      3.0     0.4      -1.1       0.3       0.2
63          Cork and wood manufactures other than
              furniture (9212=100)                        0.381     98.0        99.0     -6.3    -1.9      -0.2      -0.9       1.0
64          Paper, paperboard, and articles of
              paper pulp, paper or paperboard             1.386    111.1       109.6    -14.4    -2.6      -0.6      -2.2      -1.4
66          Nonmetallic mineral manufactures,
              n.e.s.                                      1.255    111.5       112.3      2.9     0.9      -0.4      -0.1       0.7
68          Nonferrous metals                             1.392    106.6       107.4     -7.2    -1.8      -1.9       1.0       0.8
69          Manufactures of metals, n.e.s.                1.714    115.3       114.6      0.9    -0.3       0.3      -0.7      -0.6
 
7          MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT             45.867    105.4       105.4      0.8     0.2      -0.1       0.0       0.0
71          Power generating machinery and
              equipment                                   4.394    119.5       119.8      4.3     0.6       0.3       0.2       0.3
72          Machinery specialized for particular
              industries                                  4.435    116.4       116.1      3.5    -0.3       0.0       1.2      -0.3
73          Metalworking machinery                        0.791    113.4       113.7      1.6    -0.6       0.8      -0.4       0.3
74          General industrial machinery and equip-
              ment, n.e.s. and machine parts, n.e.s       4.521    114.0       114.0      1.8     0.4       0.0       0.2       0.0
75          Computer equipment and office machines        4.869     71.8        71.4     -7.2    -0.3      -0.4      -1.0      -0.6
76          Telecommunications & sound recording
              & reproducing apparatus & equipment         2.608    107.9       107.2      0.9    -0.1       1.8       0.3      -0.6
77          Electrical machinery and equipment            7.965    103.3       103.2      0.2     0.2      -0.5       0.1      -0.1
78          Road vehicles                                 7.859    109.0       109.1      1.1     0.0       0.1      -0.1       0.1
 
8          MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES            9.629    108.6       108.5      0.5     0.2       0.0      -0.2      -0.1
82          Furniture and parts thereof                   0.419    103.4       102.4      1.6     1.3       0.2       0.1      -1.0
87          Professional, scientific and controlling
              instruments and apparatus, n.e.s.           3.537    114.7       114.9      1.5     0.4       0.1      -0.3       0.2
89          Miscellaneous manufactured articles,
              n.e.s.                                      3.587    103.6       103.2      0.0    -0.2       0.0       0.0      -0.4
 
971          Gold, nonmonetary (excluding gold ores
              and concentrates) (9212=100)                0.726    114.1       113.5     -0.4     1.9       0.3      -1.3      -0.5
 
 
 
 
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                     n.a.      Not available.
            1990 trade values.
        2  Data for February, March and April 1996
            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 5       U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, May 1995-May 1996
                 December 1992=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change
                                                        Relative
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly
Harmo-                                                   ance                           May     Jan.      Feb.      March     April
nized     Description                                                                   1995    1996      1996      1996      1996
System                                                  April      April       May      to      to        to        to        to
                                                        1996       1996        1996     May     Feb.      March     April     May
                                                        1/         2/                   1996    1996      1996      1996      1996
 
 
I          LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS                  1.647     98.9        98.0     -6.6    -0.7      -0.4       0.9      -0.9
02          Meat and edible meat offal                    0.360     81.2        78.5     -7.9    -4.0      -2.7      -0.4      -3.3
03          Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and
               other aquatic invertebrates                0.958    112.2       112.3     -6.8     0.8       0.4       1.0       0.1
 
II         VEGETABLE PRODUCTS                             2.014    139.2       138.1     -6.1     9.9      -5.5       8.3      -0.8
07          Edible vegetables and certain roots and
               tubers                                     0.381    145.9       133.4     21.6    57.3      -6.3      33.2      -8.6
08          Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus
               fruit or melons                            0.438    102.9       105.5      6.5     1.5      -5.2       3.4       2.5
09          Coffee, tea, mate and spices                  0.745    177.4       174.5    -25.5     7.1      -4.8       6.1      -1.6
      3/    Other vegetable products                      0.451    132.2       137.8      7.1     2.3      -6.5       0.5       4.2
 
III        ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE FATS AND OILS              0.240    142.6       148.5     19.1     0.9      -0.5       1.1       4.1
 
IV         PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND
              TOBACCO                                     2.600    111.7       112.9      5.2     0.5       0.3       0.8       1.1
16          Edible preps of meat, fish, and other
               aquatic invertebrates                      0.262    108.8       108.4      0.8     0.5       0.2      -1.0      -0.4
20          Preparations of vegetables, fruit,
               nuts, or other parts of plants             0.478    129.4       128.5     14.4     0.9       0.3       3.8      -0.7
22          Beverages, spirits, and vinegar               1.004    103.8       103.8      1.5     0.1      -0.2       0.4       0.0
      3/    Other prepared foodstuffs                     0.413    114.6       120.5     13.9     1.2       1.8       0.2       5.1
 
V          MINERAL PRODUCTS                              15.564    118.9       116.3      9.3    -1.2       8.2       7.6      -2.2
26          Ores, slag and ash                            0.342     92.8        92.9     -0.2     0.0       0.5      -1.1       0.1
27          Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,
               bituminous substances and mineral wax     14.961    119.9       117.1      9.8    -1.3       8.6       8.0      -2.3
 
VI         PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED
              INDUSTRIES                                  4.676    112.1       112.0      0.9     0.3       0.1      -0.4      -0.1
28          Inorganic chemicals                           1.042    121.5       121.4      1.2    -0.3       0.5      -0.3      -0.1
29          Organic chemicals                             1.675    108.0       108.1     -1.2     0.8      -0.1      -0.9       0.1
30          Pharmaceutical products                       0.354    117.5       116.7      0.2    -0.6      -0.3       0.0      -0.7
32          Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye &
               pigments; varnish & paints; putty          0.278    111.4       110.9      1.4     1.1      -0.3      -0.1      -0.4
37          Photographic or cinematographic goods         0.360    105.0       104.8      0.0    -0.2      -0.1       0.1      -0.2
      3/    Essential oils & perfumes; cleaning
               preps; glues & starches; & explosives      0.503    112.5       111.4      4.0    -1.1       0.0       0.4      -1.0
 
VII        PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER
              AND ARTICLES THEREOF                        2.527    109.5       108.8     -5.6    -1.4       0.4      -1.2      -0.6
39          Plastics and articles thereof                 1.431    105.6       105.3     -4.7    -1.3      -0.2      -0.4      -0.3
40          Rubber and articles thereof                   1.096    115.0       113.7     -6.8    -1.6       1.0      -2.2      -1.1
 
VIII       RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,
              TRAVEL GOODS, ETC                           1.092    107.8       107.7      0.7    -0.9       2.2      -0.3      -0.1
42          Articles of leather; travel goods, bags,
               etc. of various materials                  0.825    104.0       104.0     -0.3    -0.2       0.4      -0.2       0.0
 
IX         WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW, BASKET
              AND WICKER                                  1.218    115.5       119.4      6.2     1.2      -0.4       1.7       3.4
 
X          WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER
              AND ARTICLES THEREOF                        3.209    127.4       121.8     -7.3    -2.0      -4.5      -2.5      -4.4
47          Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic
               material; waste paper/paperboard           0.621    112.0        95.2    -35.7    -7.7     -15.7      -7.1     -15.0
48          Paper and paperboard; articles of paper
               pulp, paper or paperboard                  2.259    136.8       133.5      2.2    -0.1      -1.2      -1.6      -2.4
49          Printed matter                                0.329    105.3       107.3      1.1    -0.4      -0.8       0.8       1.9
 
XI         TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES                   5.978    103.6       103.9      0.5     0.3      -0.1      -0.1       0.3
61          Articles of apparel and clothing
               accessories, knitted or crocheted          1.585    104.0       104.0      1.0     0.0       0.4      -0.1       0.0
62          Articles of apparel and clothing
               accessories, not knitted or crocheted      2.924    101.9       102.5      2.0     0.7      -0.3       0.2       0.6
63          Made-up or worn textile articles and
               clothing; needlecraft sets; rags           0.295    110.4       111.1      0.7    -0.2      -0.4       0.6       0.6
 
XII        FOOTWEAR, HEADGEAR, UMBRELLAS, WHIPS,
              ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS, ETC.                    2.097    102.1       102.0      1.7     0.0       0.3       0.0      -0.1
64          Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts
               of such articles                           1.883    101.9       101.8      1.6     0.0       0.3       0.0      -0.1
 
XIII       STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,CERAMIC
              GLASS ETC.                                  1.040    108.9       108.5      2.9    -0.2       1.7       0.3      -0.4
70          Glass and glassware                           0.379    110.7       110.6      3.6    -0.7       3.0      -0.8      -0.1
 
XIV        PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,
              IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS                2.388    106.6       105.8     -1.6     0.4       0.3       0.1      -0.8
 
XV         BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METAL         6.034    114.2       113.7     -2.3    -0.8      -0.1      -0.4      -0.4
72          Iron and steel                                1.719    112.5       111.6     -2.4    -0.4       0.2      -0.8      -0.8
73          Articles of iron or steel                     1.381    108.2       108.5      1.1    -1.1       0.1      -0.2       0.3
74          Copper and articles thereof                   0.544    118.2       119.7     -8.4    -5.7      -0.7      -2.0       1.3
75          Nickel and articles thereof                   0.297    130.5       129.4      4.4    -2.2       3.7      -1.0      -0.8
76          Aluminum and articles thereof                 0.924    131.0       128.5     -8.9     0.8      -1.2       0.2      -1.9
79          Zinc and articles thereof                     0.196     94.7        93.7     -3.6     0.1       0.0       1.3      -1.1
83          Miscellaneous articles of base metal          0.359    107.7       106.5      0.1     2.5      -1.2       0.3      -1.1
 
XVI        MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV
              IMAGE & SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC.       24.065    100.0        99.7     -3.1    -0.3      -0.7      -0.5      -0.3
84          Specialized machinery & computer
               equipment                                 12.746     99.2        98.8     -2.5    -0.2      -0.7      -0.6      -0.4
85          Electrical machinery and equip, sound
               and TV recorders & reproducers, parts     11.319    100.9       100.8     -3.7    -0.5      -0.6      -0.5      -0.1
 
XVII       VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND
              ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT             17.024    109.7       109.7      0.5     0.2      -0.3       0.0       0.0
87          Motor vehicles and their parts               15.845    110.1       110.0      0.5     0.1      -0.2       0.1      -0.1
 
XVIII      OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &
              MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; CLOCKS & WATCHES       3.335    109.5       108.5     -2.6    -0.4      -0.2      -0.3      -0.9
90          Optical, photographic, measuring and
               medical instruments                        2.792    109.0       108.0     -2.5    -0.4      -0.1      -0.4      -0.9
91          Clocks and watches and parts thereof          0.382    112.1       111.2     -2.5    -0.4      -1.2       0.5      -0.8
 
XX         MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES            3.190    101.5       101.3      0.8    -0.2      -0.1       0.0      -0.2
94          Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps
               and lighting fittings nes;                 1.252    101.0       100.8      0.2    -0.6      -0.2       0.1      -0.2
95          Toys, games and sports equipment; parts
               and accessories thereof                    1.657    101.1       101.0      2.3     0.1       0.0       0.0      -0.1
96          Miscellaneous manufactured articles           0.281    105.7       105.3     -5.9    -0.1      -0.6      -0.8      -0.4
 
 
 
 
        1  Relative importance figures are based on
            1990 trade values.
        2  Data for February, March and April 1996
            have been revised to reflect the availability
            of late reports and corrections by respondents.
            All data are subject to revision in each of
            the three months after original publication.
        3  Product categories included in this group
            have been modified due to concordance
            or coverage limitations.
 
        NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately
 
 
 Table 6       U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, May 1995-May 1996
                 December 1992=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change
                                                        Relative
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly
Harmo-                                                   ance                           May     Jan.      Feb.      March     April
nized     Description                                                                   1995    1996      1996      1996      1996
System                                                  April      April       May      to      to        to        to        to
                                                        1996       1996        1996     May     Feb.      March     April     May
                                                        1/         2/                   1996    1996      1996      1996      1996
 
 
I          LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS                  1.882    110.1       109.8     -7.4    -1.5      -1.2      -1.0      -0.3
02          Meat & edible meat offal                      0.814    107.4       105.7      0.8    -3.1      -0.2       1.9      -1.6
03          Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and
               other aquatic invertebrates                0.752    115.7       116.8    -17.6    -0.4      -2.9      -3.4       1.0
03R          Other fish, crustaceans & aquatic
                invertebrates                             0.418    129.2       130.1    -23.0    -8.1       0.1      -6.1       0.7
 
II         VEGETABLE PRODUCTS                             8.601    158.8       165.6     46.8     0.8       2.2       8.2       4.3
07          Edible vegetables and certain roots and
               tubers                                     0.376    108.4       110.7     n.a.    -2.1      -1.2      -0.3       2.1
08          Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus
               fruit or melons                            0.943    130.0       128.8     17.9    -0.5       3.9       0.7      -0.9
10          Cereals                                       5.441    182.3       194.1     70.4     2.0       3.3      11.0       6.5
12          Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds,
               fruits, plants, straw and fodder           1.522    135.8       136.8     32.8    -1.5      -0.6       6.6       0.7
 
III        ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE FATS AND OILS              0.360    111.6       118.7      3.4    -4.2      -1.7       2.2       6.4
 
IV         PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND
              TOBACCO                                     3.769    107.8       109.6      7.6    -0.5       0.7      -0.1       1.7
20          Preparations of vegetables, fruit,
               nuts, or other parts of plants             0.338    114.3       114.3      6.3    -2.1       3.8       1.1       0.0
21          Miscellaneous edible preparations             0.221    100.7       101.0      5.9     0.4      -0.4       0.2       0.3
23          Residues and waste from the food
               industries; prepared animal feed           0.814    117.5       126.4     37.4    -1.3       1.5      -1.2       7.6
 
V          MINERAL PRODUCTS                               4.384    116.8       116.2      4.7    -1.8       1.0       3.4      -0.5
27          Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,
               bituminous substances and mineral wax      3.638    117.7       116.9      8.7    -1.5       1.3       3.9      -0.7
 
VI         PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED
              INDUSTRIES                                  9.359    114.7       114.2     -4.2     0.4       0.1      -0.2      -0.4
28          Inorganic chemicals                           1.313    122.3       121.5      3.5     0.9       1.2       0.0      -0.7
29          Organic chemicals                             3.390    116.0       115.3    -13.2     0.7       0.3      -0.6      -0.6
30          Pharmaceutical products                       0.724    106.4       106.3      0.9     0.0      -0.2      -0.9      -0.1
32          Tanning or dyeing extracts; dyes and
               pigments; paints & varnish; putty;ink      0.415    102.4       102.4      0.5     0.1      -0.1       0.2       0.0
33          Essential oils and resinoids;
               perfumery, cosmetic or toilet              0.380    107.4       107.4      1.3    -1.1      -0.2       0.7       0.0
34          Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or
               scouring products; candles, pastes         0.245    111.7       111.4     -0.3     0.1      -0.2       0.5      -0.3
37          Photographic or cinematographic goods         0.497     96.8        96.7     -5.8     0.0       0.2      -2.8      -0.1
38          Miscellaneous chemical products               1.359    112.3       112.3      1.7     1.4      -1.1       0.8       0.0
 
VII        PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER
              AND ARTICLES THEREOF                        4.073    114.4       115.3     -5.7     0.0       0.2       1.1       0.8
39          Plastics and articles thereof                 3.221    115.8       116.9     -6.9     0.0       0.4       1.5       0.9
40          Rubber and articles thereof                   0.852    109.3       109.6     -0.9     0.1      -0.7      -0.5       0.3
 
VIII       RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,
              TRAVEL GOODS, ETC.                          0.760    102.6       104.0    -12.2    -0.9       0.4      -1.2       1.4
41          Raw hides and skins (other than
               furskins) and leather                      0.593     99.2       100.9    -15.8    -1.2       0.5      -1.5       1.7
 
IX         WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW, BASKET
              AND WICKER                                  1.884    115.3       114.1     -7.2     0.3      -0.6      -1.5      -1.0
 
X          WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER
              AND ARTICLES THEREOF                        3.364    108.4       108.5    -26.7    -7.1      -7.4      -5.0       0.1
47          Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic
               material; waste paper/paperboard           1.036    101.8       103.2    -49.2   -14.6     -18.9     -12.1       1.4
48          Paper and paperboard; articles of paper
               pulp, paper or paperboard                  1.484    115.5       114.1    -13.8    -2.8      -0.6      -2.2      -1.2
49          Printed material                              0.844    105.5       106.1      2.4    -0.4       0.3       0.1       0.6
 
XI         TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES                   3.257    119.4       119.6     -4.5    -1.1      -0.8       0.4       0.2
52          Cotton, including yarns and woven
               fabrics thereof                            1.251    147.6       147.5    -10.2    -1.8      -2.0       0.7      -0.1
 
XIV        PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,
              IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS                1.849    110.7       110.1     -0.2     1.9       0.1      -0.5      -0.5
 
XV         BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METALS        5.171    119.0       119.3     -3.0    -1.0      -0.7       0.3       0.3
72          Iron and steel                                1.242    123.7       122.9     -3.4    -1.7      -0.7      -0.2      -0.6
73          Articles of iron or steel                     0.986    111.1       111.0      2.8    -0.4       1.0       0.4      -0.1
74          Copper and articles thereof                   0.565    118.3       118.7     -5.0    -2.8      -0.4       1.0       0.3
76          Aluminum and articles thereof                 1.249    125.0       126.1    -11.3    -1.0      -2.4       0.9       0.9
83          Miscellaneous articles of base metal          0.333    110.3       106.8     -5.1     0.4       0.4      -0.1      -3.2
 
XVI        MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV
              IMAGE AND SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC      28.938     97.5        97.4      0.0     0.1       0.0       0.0      -0.1
84          Specialized machinery & computer
               equipment                                 17.799     96.4        96.3     -0.3     0.0       0.1      -0.1      -0.1
85          Electrical machinery and equip, sound
               & tv recorders & reproducers, parts       11.139     99.2        99.1      0.4     0.2      -0.1       0.0      -0.1
 
XVII       VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND
              ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT             15.394    106.2       106.4      1.6     0.4      -0.5      -0.1       0.2
87          Motor vehicles and their parts                7.967    104.4       104.5      1.2     0.1       0.1      -0.1       0.1
 
XVIII      OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &
              MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; CLOCKS & WATCHES       4.685    104.2       104.3      1.2     0.2       0.1      -0.3       0.1
 
XX         MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES            1.255    103.1       102.9      1.3     0.2       0.0       0.3      -0.2
94          Furniture; stuffed furnishings;
               lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;         0.593    104.7       104.2      2.4     0.9       0.1       0.1      -0.5
95          Toys, games and sports equipment; parts
               and accessories thereof                    0.491     99.8       100.0      0.0    -0.3      -0.2       0.5       0.2
 
 
 
 
        1  Relative importance figures are based on
            1990 trade values.
        2  Data for February, March and April 1996
            have been revised to reflect the availability
            of late reports and corrections by respondents.
            All data are subject to revision in each of
            the three months after original publication.
        3  Product categories included in this group
            have been modified due to concordance
            or coverage limitations.
 
        NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately
 
 
 Table  7    U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes by Locality of Origin,May 1995-May 1996
        December  1990=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                  Index                    Percent Change
                                                   Percentage
                                                      of                            Annual                  Monthly
                                                    US Imports                    May     Jan.         Feb.        March    April
    Description 1/                                                                1995    1996         1996        1996     1996
                                                    1990       April     May      to      to           to          to       to
                                                               1996      1996     May     Feb.         March       April    May
                                                               2/                 1996    1996         1996        1996     1996
 
3/  Developed Countries                                59.3    111.2     110.8     -0.4    -0.3          0.1         0.1     -0.4
       Manufactured Goods                              55.5    113.1     112.8     -0.8    -0.3         -0.2        -0.2     -0.3
       Nonmanufactured Goods                            3.5    109.3     108.4      8.6    -0.1          6.0         4.7     -0.8
 
3/  Developing Countries                               40.7     94.7      94.4      1.7     0.0          1.7         1.6     -0.3
       Manufactured Goods                              30.2    103.6     103.9      0.9    -0.2          0.4         0.1      0.3
       Nonmanufactured Goods                           10.4     89.4      87.2      4.8     1.2          6.6         7.1     -2.5
 
 
    Canada                                             18.1    105.1     104.4      0.4     0.0          0.0         0.5     -0.7
       Manufactured Goods                              15.7    106.3     105.8     -1.0    -0.1         -0.8        -0.4     -0.5
       Nonmanufactured Goods                            2.2    112.1     110.7     13.1     0.6          6.5         6.5     -1.2
 
4/  European Union                                     17.8    108.1     107.8      1.9    -0.1          0.5         0.1     -0.3
       Manufactured Goods                              17.3    109.0     108.8      1.7    -0.1          0.4        -0.1     -0.2
       Nonmanufactured Goods                            0.5    110.4     108.2      9.0     0.7          4.1         4.8     -2.0
 
    Japan                                              18.5    117.1     116.7     -2.8    -0.3         -0.3        -0.3     -0.3
 
5/  Asian Newly Industrialized Countries               12.5     98.9      98.8     -0.9     0.1         -0.2        -0.3     -0.1
 
     1    Regions are not mutually exclusive.
 
     2    Data for February, March and April 1996
          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 Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan.
 
 
 
 Table  8    U.S. International Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services.
        March 1995-March 1996  1990 = 100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                 Index                             Percent Change
 
                                                                                  Annual          Quarterly
                                                    Trade                         March   March    June        Sept.    Dec.
    Description                                     (Mil.                         1995    1995     1995        1995     1995
                                                    of         Dec.      March    to      to       to          to       to
                                                    Dollars)   1995      1996     March   June     Sept.       Dec.     March
                                                                                  1996    1995     1995        1995     1996
 
    Air Freight (Inbound) (9/90 = 100)              3308       113.3     110.5     -4.2     2.5     -4.7         0.6     -2.5
     Atlantic (9/90 =100)                           1025       101.5      96.4     -5.5    -0.3     -0.9         0.7     -5.0
     Pacific (9/90 = 100)                           2028       121.1     119.6     -3.0     4.1     -6.9         1.3     -1.2
 
    Air Freight (Outbound) (9/92 = 100)             2694        98.1      97.7     -0.7     0.0      0.5        -0.8     -0.4
     Atlantic (9/92 = 100)                          920        105.1     103.2     -1.7    -1.0      2.5        -1.3     -1.8
     Pacific (9/92 = 100)                           1224        97.3      97.6      1.0     0.7     -0.8         0.8      0.3
 
    Air Passenger Fares (U.S. Carrier)              24233      117.4     119.1      2.6    10.8     -1.6        -7.2      1.4
1/   Atlantic                                       10075      109.7     111.1      7.1    20.7      0.0       -12.4      1.3
1/   Pacific                                        7271       120.4     122.2     -2.8     9.0     -7.9        -4.6      1.5
1/   Latin American / Caribbean                     4492       126.7     130.3      2.9    -1.9      3.3        -1.2      2.8
     Canadian                                       1264       139.1     139.3      6.0    -2.2      6.5         1.6      0.1
 
    Air Passenger Fares (Foreign Carrier)           22669      115.3     114.5      0.6    10.0     -3.0        -5.0     -0.7
     Atlantic                                       13156      111.6     109.8      3.3    12.9     -0.6        -6.5     -1.6
     Pacific                                        5663       117.2     116.9     -5.2    12.8    -10.4        -5.9     -0.3
     Latin American / Caribbean                     2890       128.0     130.2      1.6    -1.2      0.2         0.8      1.7
 
    Crude Oil Tanker Freight (Inbound)              2153       133.6     116.0     -0.8     3.5     -3.9        14.9    -13.2
     Atlantic                                       572        108.5     121.0     -2.1   -10.8      9.3        -9.9     11.5
     Gulf                                           1455       136.2     106.4      0.6    10.1     -6.8        25.4    -21.9
 
    Ocean Liner Freight (Inbound)                   8065       113.1     112.6      3.8     3.4      1.2        -0.4     -0.4
     U.S. East Coast                                3769       116.5     117.6      4.2     1.7      1.1         0.3      0.9
      from Atlantic                                 1889       120.0     125.3      1.9    -3.2      0.8        -0.1      4.4
      from Pacific                                  1154       113.7     109.0      8.0    10.6      1.9         0.0     -4.1
     U.S. West Coast                                4296       110.1     108.2      3.4     5.1      1.3        -1.1     -1.7
      from Pacific                                  3943       112.0     109.6      3.5     5.8      1.1        -1.1     -2.1
 
 
 
       1  Detailed data available upon request.
 
 
 Table  9     U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services.
        March 1995-March 1996  1990 = 100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                 Index                             Percent Change
 
                                                                                  Annual          Quarterly
                                                    Trade                         March   March    June        Sept.    Dec.
    Description                                     (Mil.                         1995    1995     1995        1995     1995
                                                    of         Dec.      March    to      to       to          to       to
                                                    Dollars)   1995      1996     March   June     Sept.       Dec.     March
                                                                                  1996    1995     1995        1995     1996
 
 
    IMPORT
 
    Air Freight (9/90 = 100)                        2001       119.4     118.0     -1.7     2.5     -4.9         2.0     -1.2
     Atlantic (9/90 = 100)                          738        101.2      98.9      0.9     2.9     -1.1         1.5     -2.3
     Pacific (9/90 = 100)                           1102       136.2     135.2     -1.9     2.6     -7.3         3.9     -0.7
 
    Air Passenger Fares                             10450      116.2     115.3      2.2     9.9     -2.0        -4.4     -0.8
     Atlantic                                       6577       112.5     110.7      3.3    13.2     -0.9        -6.5     -1.6
     Pacific                                        2051       116.9     115.7     -0.8    10.7     -7.0        -2.6     -1.0
     Latin American / Caribbean                     1678       129.4     132.2      2.1    -0.9      0.2         0.7      2.2
 
    Crude Oil Tanker Freight                        1985       144.7 r   116.7     -5.5     2.7     -3.2        17.9 r  -19.4
     Atlantic                                       534        113.0 r   123.4     -3.0   -11.6     10.5        -9.1 r    9.2
     Gulf                                           1328       150.9 r   106.5     -6.5     8.9     -6.0        29.5 r  -29.4
 
    Ocean Liner Freight                             6017       112.7 r   112.5      4.7     4.0      1.4        -0.6 r   -0.2
     U.S. East Coast                                2832       117.7     118.9      5.8     3.0      1.8        -0.2      1.0
      from Atlantic                                 1336       122.6     128.5      3.0    -3.4      1.8        -0.2      4.8
      from Pacific                                  1094       116.7     112.8     11.9    13.6      1.9         0.0     -3.3
     U.S. West Coast                                3185       108.4 r   106.9      3.6     4.9      1.1        -1.0 r   -1.4
      from Pacific                                  2840       110.7 r   108.6      3.6     5.8      0.9        -1.1 r   -1.9
 
    EXPORT
 
    Air Passenger Fares                             11867      119.9     121.8      0.7     7.5     -3.0        -4.9      1.6
1/   Atlantic                                       4159       116.9     119.2      7.4    13.8      0.1        -7.5      2.0
1/   Pacific                                        4679       120.4     123.2     -4.0     7.2     -8.0        -4.9      2.3
     Latin American / Caribbean                     1775       126.6     125.8      0.6    -2.3      1.1         2.5     -0.6
     Canadian                                       619        128.4     133.5      1.0    -4.2      2.7        -1.2      4.0
 
 
 
       1 Detailed data available upon request.