Technical Information
  David Mead         (202) 606-7154              USDL-97-412
  Jim Thomas         (202) 606-7155              For release: 10:00 A.M. E.S.T.
Media contact:                                   Wednesday, November 19, 1997
  Kathryn Hoyle      (202) 606-5902
Internet Address:   http://stats.bls.gov/ipphome.htm
 
                        U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES
                                   -OCTOBER 1997-
	
	Led by increasing petroleum prices, the U.S. Import Price Index rose
0.1 percent in October, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department
of Labor reported.  The increase occurred despite a continued decline in
prices for nonpetroleum imports.  The Export Price Index decreased 0.3 percent
in October after a decline of 0.4 in September. 

             Percent changes in import and export price indexes
                          by End Use category
                      - not seasonally adjusted -


                IMPORTS                               EXPORTS
Month        All     Petroleum    Non-         All      Agri-      Nonagri-                                        
           Imports    Imports   Petroleum     Exports  cultural    cultural                            
                                 Imports                           Exports
1996
October     0.5         7.1        -0.3        -0.2      -2.6        0.0
November   -0.2        -0.8        -0.1        -0.4      -2.3        0.0
December    0.3         2.0         0.1         0.0      -0.9        0.1

1997
January    -0.3         0.6        -0.4         0.1       0.1        0.0
February   -0.9        -8.1        -0.1         0.2       2.1        0.0
March      -1.3        -8.7        -0.4         0.1       1.5       -0.1
April      -1.1        -7.3        -0.5         0.0      -0.4        0.0
May         0.0         1.1        -0.1        -0.3      -1.2        0.0
June       -0.1        -2.0         0.1        -0.1      -2.0        0.1
July       -0.2        -1.3r       -0.2         0.0r     -1.1r       0.0
August     -0.1         2.3r       -0.3r        0.0r      0.1r       0.0
September  -0.1        -0.5r       -0.1r       -0.4      -0.1       -0.3r
October     0.1         5.0        -0.3        -0.3      -1.7       -0.2

October
1995-96     2.0        39.2        -1.6        -0.9      -0.9       -0.9

October
1996-97    -3.8       -17.2        -2.3        -1.1      -5.8       -0.4

r = revised to reflect late reports and corrections by respondents.

Import Goods

	Import prices rose 0.1 percent last month, but were down 3.8 percent
over the year ended in October.  A 5.0 percent increase in imported petroleum
prices more than offset a continued decline in nonpetroleum imports, down 0.3
percent in October.  Despite the October rise, petroleum prices were down
17.2 percent over the past 12 months.  The price index for nonpetroleum
imports has fallen in 10 of the past 12 months and was down 2.3 percent for
the year ended in October.

	Prices for imported capital goods continued a two-year decline in
October, falling 0.8 percent.  Led by an ongoing drop in computer prices,
the index for capital goods has fallen 7.1 percent during the past year,
following a drop of 2.8 percent during the previous 12-month period.  The
import price indexes for nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials and
for foods, feeds, and beverages also fell in October, down 0.5 percent and
0.7 percent, respectively.

	The price indexes for imported consumer goods and automotive vehicles
both rose 0.2 percent last month.  Imported consumer goods prices rose after
declines of 0.2 percent in each of the past two months and were down 0.8
percent for the October 1996-97 period.  In contrast, the increase for
automotive vehicles marked the fifth consecutive monthly advance in this
component.  For the 12 months ended in October, the index was up just 0.6
percent.


Export Goods

	The price index of all exports declined 0.3 percent last month, the
seventh consecutive month that export prices were either down or unchanged.
For the year ended in October, the index decreased 1.1 percent.  Prices for
both agricultural and nonagricultural exports contributed to the October
decline in overall export prices.  Agricultural export prices fell 1.7
percent on average in October and were down 5.8 percent over the past 12
months.  The index of nonagricultural prices fell 0.2 percent after a decline
of 0.3 percent in September.  In the October 1996-97 period, the index
declined 0.4 percent.

	Contributing to the decline in nonagricultural exports was the third
consecutive monthly drop of 0.4 percent in the export price index for
nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials.  Capital goods export
prices also declined in October, falling 0.1 percent after a 0.7 percent drop
in September.  Over the last 12 months, the index was down 1.2 percent.

      In contrast, the export price indexes of consumer goods and automotive
vehicles each increased a modest 0.1 percent last month.  For the year ended
in October, the price indexes for consumer exports and automotive vehicles
have posted similar increases, up 0.9 percent and 1.0 percent, respectively.
	

Imports by Locality of Origin

	Import prices from Japan fell 0.6 percent in October, attributable in
part to the declining value of the Japanese yen. (See table 7.)  For the year
ended in October, the index was down 5.0 percent.

	The price index for imports from Canada fell 0.1 percent in October
after rising 0.4 and 0.3 percent over the previous two months.  Over the
October 1996-97 period, the index is down 0.9 percent.
	
	Prices for imports from the Asian Newly Industrialized Countries were
unchanged in October after falling 0.8 percent in the previous month.  For
the year ended in October, the index fell 4.0 percent.

	The price index of imports from the European Union rose 0.4 percent on
average in October, following a 0.6 percent decline in September.  Over the
past 12 months, however, the index was down 2.4 percent.


                              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.....pages  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. Import and Export Price Indexes for Services.....page  15
Table 9   U.S. International Price Indexes for Services.....page  16
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Import and Export Price Index data for November are scheduled for release on December 11 at 10:00 
a.m. (EST). 

Table 1      U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, October 1996-October 1997                             
                 1995=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                            
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change                                         
                                                        Relative                                                                   
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly                  
                                                         ance                           Oct.    June      July      Aug.      Sept.
END       Description                                                                   1996    1997      1997      1997      1997 
USE                                                     September  September   October  to      to        to        to        to   
                                                        1997       1997        1997     Oct.    July      Aug.      Sept.     Oct. 
                                                        1/         2/                   1997    1997      1997      1997      1997 
                                                                                                                                   
          ALL COMMODITIES                               100.000     97.8        97.9     -3.8    -0.2      -0.1      -0.1       0.1
          ALL IMPORTS EXCLUDING PETROLEUM                91.612     96.7        96.4     -2.3    -0.2      -0.3      -0.1      -0.3
                                                                                                                                   
0          FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES                      4.775     99.6        98.9      0.5    -2.5      -0.2       0.4      -0.7
                                                                                                                                   
00          Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,                                                                                 
                excluding distilled beverages             3.417     97.9        96.4     -1.9    -3.8      -0.2       0.6      -1.5
                                                                                                                                   
01          Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled                                                                                 
                beverages)                                1.358    104.1       105.3      6.9     1.1      -0.1       0.0       1.2
                                                                                                                                   
1          INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS               27.071    100.9       102.1     -6.3    -0.3       0.7       0.1       1.2
             INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS                                                                                       
                 EXCLUDING PETROLEUM                     18.683     98.4        97.9      0.3     0.2      -0.1       0.4      -0.5
             INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,                                                                                      
                 DURABLE                                  9.918     99.9        98.7      0.9    -0.2      -0.4       0.4      -1.2
             INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,                                                                                      
                 NONDURABLE EXCLUDING PETROLEUM           8.765     96.6        96.9     -0.4     0.6       0.1       0.4       0.3
                                                                                                                                   
10          Fuels & lubricants                            9.567    106.5       112.0    -15.0    -0.3       1.9      -0.1       5.2
                                                                                                                                   
100          Petroleum & petroleum products               8.388    105.0       110.3    -17.2    -1.3       2.3      -0.5       5.0
                                                                                                                                   
10000          Crude                                      6.628    104.5       110.6    -18.4    -0.8       2.4      -0.9       5.8
                                                                                                                                   
11          Paper & paper base stocks                     1.815     83.4        83.8      0.0     0.2       0.7       0.8       0.5
                                                                                                                                   
12          Materials associated with nondurable                                                                                   
                supplies & materials                      5.977     95.4        94.6     -3.1    -0.3       0.1      -0.2      -0.8
                                                                                                                                   
13          Selected building materials                   2.180    111.6       107.5     -2.2     0.4      -1.0      -0.1      -3.7
                                                                                                                                   
14          Unfinished metals associated with                                                                                      
                durable goods                             4.626     98.4        97.4      5.2    -0.6      -0.1       1.1      -1.0
                                                                                                                                   
15          Finished metals associated with durable                                                                                
                goods                                     1.442     96.3        96.9     -2.5     0.0      -0.3       0.0       0.6
                                                                                                                                   
16          Nonmetals associated with durable goods       1.464     94.3        94.6     -3.3    -0.1      -0.5      -0.8       0.3
                                                                                                                                   
2          CAPITAL GOODS                                 28.385     90.5        89.8     -7.1    -0.4      -0.8      -0.5      -0.8
                                                                                                                                   
20          Electric & electrical generating                                                                                       
                equipment                                 3.335     96.7        96.6     -2.7    -0.2       0.2      -0.4      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
21          Nonelectrical machinery                      23.362     88.3        87.4     -8.5    -0.4      -1.0      -0.6      -1.0
                                                                                                                                   
3          AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES          17.749    101.1       101.3      0.6     0.1       0.1       0.1       0.2
                                                                                                                                   
4          CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING AUTOMOTIVES         22.020     99.2        99.4     -0.8     0.1      -0.2      -0.2       0.2
                                                                                                                                   
40          Nondurables, manufactured                    10.874    100.9       101.1      0.4    -0.1       0.1      -0.1       0.2
                                                                                                                                   
41          Durables, manufactured                       10.060     97.4        97.4     -2.4     0.0      -0.3      -0.4       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
42          Nonmanufactured consumer goods                1.086     99.9       101.4      1.6     0.7       0.0       0.1       1.5
                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                       n.a.      Not available         
            1995 trade values.                                                                                                            
        2  Data for July, August and September 1997                                                                                       
            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, October 1996-October 1997                             
                 1995=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                            
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change                                         
                                                        Relative                                                                   
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly                  
                                                         ance                           Oct.    June      July      Aug.      Sept.
END       Description                                                                   1996    1997      1997      1997      1997 
USE                                                     September  September   October  to      to        to        to        to   
                                                        1997       1997        1997     Oct.    July      Aug.      Sept.     Oct. 
                                                        1/         2/                   1997    1997      1997      1997      1997 
                                                                                                                                   
          ALL COMMODITIES                               100.000     98.9        98.6     -1.1     0.0       0.0      -0.4      -0.3
          AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES                       10.529    100.2        98.5     -5.8    -1.1       0.1      -0.1      -1.7
          NONAGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES                    89.472     98.8        98.6     -0.4     0.0       0.0      -0.3      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
0          FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES                      9.530    101.8        99.8     -5.8    -1.1       0.6       0.0      -2.0
                                                                                                                                   
00          Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,                                                                                 
                excluding distilled beverages             8.751    102.2       100.1     -6.6    -1.3       0.1      -0.3      -2.1
                                                                                                                                   
01          Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled                                                                                 
                beverages)                                0.779     98.6        98.0      2.9     1.6       8.2       2.4      -0.6
                                                                                                                                   
1          INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS               25.360     95.1        94.7     -0.6     0.3      -0.4      -0.3      -0.4
             INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,                                                                                      
                 DURABLE                                  9.853     95.9        94.8     -1.0     0.3      -0.5      -0.4      -1.1
             INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,                                                                                      
                 NONDURABLE                              15.508     94.7        94.7     -0.3     0.3      -0.2      -0.2       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
10          Agricultural industrial supplies &                                                                                     
                materials                                 1.778     93.0        93.1     -2.7     0.7       0.1       0.8       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
            NONAGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES &                                                                                  
              MATERIALS                                  23.583     95.3        94.9     -0.4     0.3      -0.4      -0.4      -0.4
                                                                                                                                   
11          Fuels & lubricants                            2.444    110.9       111.1     -2.5     0.1       0.3       0.5       0.2
                                                                                                                                   
12          Nonagricultural supplies & materials                                                                                   
                excluding fuels & building materials     19.594     92.8        92.4      0.2     0.3      -0.4      -0.4      -0.4
                                                                                                                                   
13          Selected building materials                   1.545     93.3        91.7     -5.6    -0.1      -0.6      -0.9      -1.7
                                                                                                                                   
2          CAPITAL GOODS                                 43.700     99.4        99.3     -1.2    -0.2       0.1      -0.7      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
20          Electric & electrical generating                                                                                       
                Equipment                                 4.405    101.8       101.9      1.3     0.1       1.0      -0.4       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
21          Nonelectrical machinery                      33.947     96.7        96.5     -2.4    -0.2       0.0      -0.8      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
3          AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES           9.629    102.2       102.3      1.0     0.2       0.0      -0.1       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
4          CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING AUTOMOTIVES         11.781    102.4       102.5      0.9     0.2       0.0       0.2       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
40          Nondurables, manufactured                     6.195    101.8       101.8      0.3     0.2       0.0       0.1       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
41          Durables, manufactured                        5.024    101.9       102.2      0.9     0.0       0.1      -0.2       0.3
                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                       n.a.      Not available         
            1995 trade values.                                                                                                            
        2  Data for July, August and September 1997                                                                                       
            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, October 1996-October 1997                             
                  1995=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                            
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change                                         
                                                        Relative                                                                   
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly                  
                                                         ance                           Oct.    June      July      Aug.      Sept.
SITC      Description                                                                   1996    1997      1997      1997      1997 
Rev. 3                                                  September  September   October  to      to        to        to        to   
                                                        1997       1997        1997     Oct.    July      Aug.      Sept.     Oct. 
                                                        1/         2/                   1997    1997      1997      1997      1997 
                                                                                                                                   
          ALL COMMODITIES                               100.000     97.8        97.9     -3.8    -0.2      -0.1      -0.1       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
0          FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS                          4.117    101.3       100.5      3.2    -3.1       0.4       0.4      -0.8
01          Meat and meat preparations                    0.357    103.9       102.7      0.1     0.0       2.3      -0.3      -1.2
03          Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates                                                                               
               and preparations thereof                   1.031    104.5       107.4     10.7     0.8       0.2      -0.1       2.8
05          Vegetables and fruit, prepared                                                                                         
               fresh or dried                             1.088    103.4       103.4     -5.8    -0.5       2.0       0.2       0.0
07          Coffee, tea, cocoa, spices and                                                                                         
               manufactures thereof                       0.700    100.0        92.2     19.1   -15.9      -2.1       2.6      -7.8
       3/ Other food and live animals (9612=100)          0.941    100.0        99.9     n.a.    -0.4       0.3      -0.3      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
1          BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO                          0.844    107.8       107.9      2.9     0.2       0.0       0.1       0.1
11          Beverages                                     0.710    104.3       104.4      1.9     0.2       0.0       0.1       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
2          CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS        2.986     96.6        94.7     -0.7    -0.1      -0.5      -0.2      -2.0
23          Crude rubber (including synthetic and                                                                                  
               reclaimed)                                 0.248     74.5        72.4    -13.3    -7.4      -0.6      -3.5      -2.8
24          Cork and wood                                 1.106    121.2       112.9     -5.0     0.7      -1.9       0.2      -6.8
25          Pulp and waste paper                          0.379     68.2        69.0      1.9     1.1       2.1       0.4       1.2
28          Metalliferous ores and metal scrap            0.639    104.3       103.6      6.6    -1.1       0.1      -0.4      -0.7
29          Crude animal and vegetable materials,                                                                                  
               n.e.s. (9612=100)                          0.266    103.1       113.2     n.a.     4.9      -0.3       1.3       9.8
       3/ Other crude materials, inedible, except                                                                                  
             fuels (9612=100)                             0.348     96.8        96.6     n.a.     0.4       0.2      -1.0      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
3          MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED                                                                                   
              MATERIALS                                   9.249    106.3       111.8    -15.2    -0.2       1.7       0.1       5.2
33          Petroleum, petroleum products and                                                                                      
               related materials                          7.983    104.7       110.1    -17.2    -1.0       1.9      -0.3       5.2
34          Gas, natural and manufactured                 1.143    123.7       131.1      6.2     5.7      -0.1       3.3       6.0
                                                                                                                                   
5          CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.         5.580     96.2        95.6     -3.5    -0.2       0.2      -0.2      -0.6
51          Organic chemicals                             1.609     97.1        95.5     -2.7     0.4       1.2      -0.3      -1.6
52          Inorganic chemicals                           0.681     99.7        99.8     -3.5    -1.1       0.7       1.1       0.1
53          Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials        0.279     94.0        94.2     -7.0    -0.2      -2.4      -1.5       0.2
54          Medicinal and pharmaceutical products         0.904     95.8        96.0     -4.1     0.0      -0.1      -0.4       0.2
55          Essential oils; polishing and cleansing                                                                                
               preps                                      0.319     96.9        97.3     -3.9    -0.1       0.9      -0.9       0.4
57          Plastics in primary forms                     0.369     92.6        92.2     -1.3     0.1       0.2       0.8      -0.4
58          Plastics in nonprimary forms                  0.551     86.9        86.0     -1.4     0.1      -1.5      -0.6      -1.0
59          Chemical materials and products, n.e.s.       0.655    103.2       102.7     -4.6    -0.3       0.1      -0.1      -0.5
                                                                                                                                   
6          MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY                                                                                   
              BY MATERIAL                                12.613     96.8        96.7      0.7    -0.2      -0.1       0.3      -0.1
62          Rubber manufactures, n.e.s.                   0.715     95.1        95.3     -4.0    -0.9      -0.9      -0.7       0.2
63          Cork and wood manufactures other than                                                                                  
               furniture                                  0.560     99.4        99.9     n.a.     0.2       0.7      -0.5       0.5
64          Paper, paperboard, and articles of                                                                                     
               paper pulp, paper or paper board           1.612     88.8        89.0     -0.6     0.1       0.5       0.9       0.2
65          Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up                                                                                         
               articles, n.e.s., and related product      1.415    100.0       100.1     -0.1    -0.4      -0.3       0.2       0.1
66          Nonmetallic mineral manufactures,                                                                                      
               n.e.s.                                     2.131    102.1       102.1     -0.1     0.4      -0.5      -0.4       0.0
67          Iron and steel                                2.042     96.3        96.3     -1.5     0.1      -0.1       0.0       0.0
68          Nonferrous metals                             2.004     96.9        95.2     12.0    -1.2       0.6       2.4      -1.8
69          Manufactures of metals, n.e.s.                1.967     98.1        98.5     -2.4    -0.2      -0.5      -0.2       0.4
                                                                                                                                   
7          MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT             46.731     94.7        94.5     -4.0    -0.3      -0.4      -0.3      -0.2
71          Power generating machinery and                                                                                         
               equipment (9612=100)                       2.974     98.8        98.8     n.a.     0.1      -0.3      -0.2       0.0
72          Machinery specialized for particular                                                                                   
               industries                                 2.672     98.5        98.6     -2.6     0.0      -0.7      -0.1       0.1
73          Metalworking machinery                        0.816     97.3        97.8     -3.6    -0.3       0.0      -0.7       0.5
74          General industrial machinery and equip-                                                                                
               ment, n.e.s. and machine parts, n.e.s      3.405     97.2        97.5     -3.7    -0.1      -0.6      -0.4       0.3
75          Computer equipment and office machines        7.049     78.1        77.0    -13.9    -1.2      -1.6      -1.0      -1.4
76          Telecommunications & sound recording                                                                                   
               & reproducing apparatus & equipment        4.553     92.6        92.2     -4.3    -0.1      -0.4      -0.3      -0.4
77          Electrical machinery and equipment            9.595     89.1        88.7     -5.8    -0.6      -0.1      -0.6      -0.4
78          Road vehicles                                14.622    101.2       101.4      0.5     0.1       0.2       0.1       0.2
                                                                                                                                   
8          MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES           17.447     99.9       100.1     -0.5     0.0       0.0      -0.3       0.2
81          Prefabricated buildings; plumbing, heat                                                                                
               & lighting fixtures, n.e.s.                0.380     95.2        95.9     -5.0    -0.1      -0.6      -0.3       0.7
82          Furniture and parts thereof                   1.257    102.4       103.0      2.3     0.1      -0.1      -0.5       0.6
83          Travel goods, handbags and similar                                                                                     
               containers                                 0.503    101.0       100.9     -0.3     0.1      -0.1      -0.2      -0.1
84          Articles of apparel and clothing                                                                                       
               accessories                                5.849    103.0       103.3      2.3    -0.1       0.2       0.3       0.3
85          Footwear                                      1.765    100.7       100.9      0.1     0.1      -0.1      -0.4       0.2
87          Professional, scientific and controlling                                                                               
               instruments and apparatus, n.e.s.          1.591     96.9        96.8     -3.1     0.2      -0.1      -0.3      -0.1
88          Photographic apparatus, equipment and                                                                                  
               supplies and optical goods, n.e.s.;        1.337     93.6        93.4     -4.3     0.7      -0.7      -0.8      -0.2
89          Miscellaneous manufactured articles,                                                                                   
               n.e.s.                                     4.764     98.8        98.7     -2.2     0.0      -0.2      -0.4      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                       n.a.      Not available.        
            1995 trade values.                                                                                                            
        2  Data for July, August and September 1997                                                                                       
            have been revised to reflect the availability                                                                                 
            of late reports and corrections by respondents.                                                                               
            All data are subject to revision in each of the                                                                               
            three months after original publication.                                                                                      
        3  Product categories included in this group                                                                                      
            have been modified due to concordance                                                                                         
            or coverage limitations.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                          
        NOTE:   Published categories may include price data not shown separately                                                          
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          
Table 4       U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, October 1996-October 1997                             
                  1995=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                            
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change                                         
                                                        Relative                                                                   
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly                  
                                                         ance                           Oct.    June      July      Aug.      Sept.
SITC      Description                                                                   1996    1997      1997      1997      1997 
Rev. 3                                                  September  September   October  to      to        to        to        to   
                                                        1997       1997        1997     Oct.    July      Aug.      Sept.     Oct. 
                                                        1/         2/                   1997    1997      1997      1997      1997 
                                                                                                                                   
          ALL COMMODITIES                               100.000     98.9        98.6     -1.1     0.0       0.0      -0.4      -0.3
                                                                                                                                   
0          FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS                          7.707     99.5        98.4     -6.8    -0.7       1.9      -0.2      -1.1
01          Meat and meat preparations                    1.133     95.2        95.1     -3.8     0.4       0.5      -1.0      -0.1
03          Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates                                                                               
               and preparations                           0.602     99.4        98.6      5.0     1.5      11.2       3.2      -0.8
04          Cereals and cereal preparations               2.801     95.0        93.5    -10.6    -2.6       3.7       1.9      -1.6
05          Vegetables, fruit and nuts,                                                                                            
               fresh or dried                             1.382     97.7        98.2     -9.9     2.7      -0.9      -5.5       0.5
08          Feeding stuff for animals (not                                                                                         
               including unmilled cereals)                0.843    120.8       116.8     -5.8    -5.4      -0.3       0.8      -3.3
09          Miscellaneous edible products and                                                                                      
               preparations                               0.389    105.0       104.0     n.a.     0.1       0.0       1.4      -1.0
       3/ Other food and live animals (9612=100)          0.557    105.2       102.8     n.a.     2.0       0.9      -1.3      -2.3
                                                                                                                                   
1          BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO                          1.499    101.0       100.8      0.4     0.4      -0.4       0.2      -0.2
12          Tobacco and tobacco manufactures              1.236    101.0       100.8     n.a.     0.4      -0.5       0.2      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
2          CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS        5.914     91.7        88.9     -0.7     0.2      -0.9      -1.2      -3.1
21          Hides, skins and furskins, raw                0.325    100.1       101.6    -13.5    -4.8       2.4       1.8       1.5
22          Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits               1.302    120.2       108.3     -4.9    -4.5      -6.3      -0.2      -9.9
24          Cork and wood                                 0.950     91.7        89.4     -7.5    -0.4       0.1      -1.3      -2.5
25          Pulp and waste paper                          0.783     68.2        69.3     17.7     4.9       3.3      -4.5       1.6
26          Textile fibers and their waste                0.828     83.7        83.4     -2.5     1.0       0.2      -0.8      -0.4
27          Crude fertilizers and crude minerals          0.333     97.9        97.9      0.9     0.1       0.0       0.0       0.0
28          Metalliferous ores and metal scrap            0.971     94.4        90.1      4.2     4.4       0.6      -2.0      -4.6
       3/ Other crude materials, inedible, except                                                                                  
             fuels (9612=100)                             0.422    100.6       100.5     n.a.     2.4      -1.5       1.0      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
3          MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED                                                                                   
              MATERIALS                                   2.150    111.8       112.3     -3.5     0.0       0.3       0.5       0.4
32          Coal, coke and briquettes                     0.689    101.9       102.3      0.8    -0.4       0.0       0.3       0.4
33          Petroleum, petroleum products and                                                                                      
               related materials                          1.323    121.8       121.3     -5.3     1.3       0.3       0.4      -0.4
                                                                                                                                   
4          ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE OILS, FATS AND                                                                                     
              WAXES                                       0.444     94.9        97.9      0.6    -1.5       0.0       1.7       3.2
                                                                                                                                   
5          CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.        10.745     95.5        95.5     -0.9    -0.1      -0.9       0.0       0.0
51          Organic chemicals                             2.518     83.7        83.8     -1.6     0.0      -0.8      -0.6       0.1
52          Inorganic chemicals                           0.825     98.7        98.8     -2.6     0.8      -2.3       0.8       0.1
53          Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials        0.494    102.7       102.7      0.5     0.1      -0.3       0.9       0.0
54          Medicinal and pharmaceutical products         1.217    101.2       101.5     -0.2    -0.4       0.0       0.1       0.3
55          Essential oils; polishing and cleansing                                                                                
               preps                                      0.757    103.7       103.3      1.6     0.2      -0.5       1.1      -0.4
56          Fertilizers (9612=100)                        0.555     95.0        94.7     n.a.     0.7      -2.3       0.4      -0.3
57          Plastics in primary forms                     1.815     93.6        93.7     -2.0    -1.2      -2.0      -0.4       0.1
58          Plastics in nonprimary forms                  0.820     98.9        98.7      1.0    -0.1       0.0      -0.1      -0.2
59          Chemical materials and products, n.e.s.       1.744    103.6       103.4      0.4     0.0       0.1      -0.4      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
6          MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY                                                                                   
              BY MATERIAL                                 9.685     98.7        98.6      2.0     0.3       0.1       0.1      -0.1
62          Rubber manufactures, n.e.s.                   0.660    101.9       102.2     -0.6    -0.1      -0.9      -0.3       0.3
63          Cork and wood manufactures other than                                                                                  
               furniture                                  0.288     91.3        91.5      1.2     0.8      -0.8       0.6       0.2
64          Paper, paperboard, and articles of                                                                                     
               paper pulp, paper or paperboard            1.521     85.0        85.3     -0.7     1.1       1.1      -0.4       0.4
65          Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up                                                                                         
               articles, n.e.s., and related product      1.402    103.3       103.2     n.a.    -0.7       0.6       0.1      -0.1
66          Nonmetallic mineral manufactures,                                                                                      
               n.e.s.                                     1.311    106.3       106.3      3.0     0.2       0.1       1.6       0.0
67          Iron and steel                                1.097    102.9       102.7     n.a.     0.1       0.1      -0.1      -0.2
68          Nonferrous metals                             1.289     93.3        92.1      5.6    -0.9       0.9      -0.1      -1.3
69          Manufactures of metals, n.e.s.                1.959    104.3       104.2      2.7     1.0      -0.6      -0.5      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
7          MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT             49.971    100.1       100.1     -0.4    -0.1       0.1      -0.5       0.0
71          Power generating machinery and                                                                                         
               equipment                                  4.222    106.2       106.2      2.0    -0.1       0.3       0.0       0.0
72          Machinery specialized for particular                                                                                   
               industries                                 4.628    104.5       104.5      1.4    -0.1       0.3       0.1       0.0
73          Metalworking machinery                        0.945    104.4       104.4      2.2     0.1      -0.1       0.1       0.0
74          General industrial machinery and equip-                                                                                
               ment, n.e.s. and machine parts, n.e.s      4.960    105.2       105.5      2.4    -0.2       0.3      -0.1       0.3
75          Computer equipment and office machines        6.533     83.7        83.2     -7.5    -0.8       0.1      -0.5      -0.6
76          Telecommunications & sound recording                                                                                   
               & reproducing apparatus & equipment        3.750     99.2        99.4     -0.9     0.1       0.0      -0.5       0.2
77          Electrical machinery and equipment           11.594     95.0        94.6     -3.0     0.0       0.2      -1.8      -0.4
78          Road vehicles                                 8.980    101.8       102.0      0.8     0.2      -0.1      -0.1       0.2
                                                                                                                                   
8          MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES           11.098    101.5       101.4      0.5     0.1       0.0      -0.3      -0.1
82          Furniture and parts thereof                   0.626    103.5       103.8      1.5    -0.1       0.1      -0.1       0.3
84          Articles of apparel and clothing                                                                                       
               accessories                                1.240    101.4       101.4     n.a.     0.5      -0.2      -0.2       0.0
87          Professional, scientific and controlling                                                                               
               instruments and apparatus, n.e.s.          3.659    103.3       103.2      1.3     0.1       0.0      -0.2      -0.1
88          Photographic apparatus, equipment and                                                                                  
               supplies and optical goods, n.e.s.         0.936     98.6        98.2     n.a.     0.6      -0.6      -0.4      -0.4
89          Miscellaneous manufactured articles,                                                                                   
               n.e.s.                                     4.186    100.2       100.1     -0.3    -0.1       0.1      -0.4      -0.1
       3/ Other miscellaneous manufactured                                                                                         
             articles (9612=100)                          0.452    101.1       101.1     n.a.     0.0       0.1       0.1       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                     n.a.      Not available.          
            1995 trade values.                                                                                                            
        2  Data for July, August and September 1997                                                                                       
            have been revised to reflect the availability                                                                                 
            of late reports and corrections by respondents.                                                                               
            All data are subject to revision in each of the                                                                               
            three months after original publication.                                                                                      
        3  Product categories included in this group                                                                                      
            have been modified due to concordance                                                                                         
            or coverage limitations.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                          
        NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately                                                           
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          
Table 5       U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, October 1996-October 1997                             
                 1995=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                             
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change                                         
                                                        Relative                                                                   
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly                  
Harmo-                                                   ance                           Oct.    June      July      Aug.      Sept.
nized     Description                                                                   1996    1997      1997      1997      1997 
System                                                  September  September   October  to      to        to        to        to   
                                                        1997       1997        1997     Oct.    July      Aug.      Sept.     Oct. 
                                                        1/         2/                   1997    1997      1997      1997      1997 
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                   
I          LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS                  1.578    103.0       104.5      8.4     1.0       0.7       0.1       1.5
02          Meat and edible meat offal                    0.282    101.4       100.2      5.3     1.6       2.5       1.4      -1.2
03          Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and                                                                                     
               other aquatic invertebrates                0.899    104.6       107.8     12.1     0.6       0.6      -0.4       3.1
       3/ Other live animals and animal                                                                                            
             products (9612=100)                          0.397    103.0       102.7     n.a.     1.6      -0.4       0.3      -0.3
                                                                                                                                   
II         VEGETABLE PRODUCTS                             1.623     94.8        93.5      5.2    -4.1       2.4       0.3      -1.4
07          Edible vegetables and certain roots and                                                                                
               tubers                                     0.324     n.a.       121.5     -3.1    n.a.      n.a.      n.a.      n.a.
08          Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus                                                                                  
               fruit or melons                            0.436     97.5        97.1      0.9    -1.1      -2.8      -0.4      -0.4
09          Coffee, tea, mate and spices                  0.450     93.2        86.9     21.9   -12.5       0.0       2.0      -6.8
       3/   Other vegetable products                      0.413     95.8        97.5      6.0    -0.2       3.1      -0.8       1.8
                                                                                                                                   
IV         PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND                                                                                     
              TOBACCO                                     2.063    101.7       101.9     -1.5     0.5      -0.2      -0.3       0.2
20          Preparations of vegetables, fruit,                                                                                     
               nuts, or other parts of plants             0.270     90.6        89.5    -15.8    -0.3      -1.0      -0.5      -1.2
22          Beverages, spirits, and vinegar               0.737    103.2       102.9      0.2     0.1       0.4      -0.4      -0.3
       3/   Other prepared foodstuffs (9612=100)          1.056    101.3       102.4     n.a.     0.9      -0.4      -0.2       1.1
                                                                                                                                   
V          MINERAL PRODUCTS                               9.840    105.9       111.3    -14.8    -0.1       1.5       0.1       5.1
26          Ores, slag and ash                            0.293    102.5       102.6      3.2    -0.6      -0.3      -0.1       0.1
27          Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,                                                                                     
               bituminous substances and mineral wax      9.317    106.0       111.7    -15.6    -0.1       1.6       0.1       5.4
                                                                                                                                   
VI         PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED                                                                                      
              INDUSTRIES                                  5.217     99.0        98.6     -3.0    -0.3       0.2      -0.4      -0.4
28          Inorganic chemicals                           0.865    104.9       104.5      0.2    -1.3       0.7       1.5      -0.4
29          Organic chemicals                             2.008     96.5        95.7     -3.3    -0.1       0.7      -0.4      -0.8
30          Pharmaceutical products                       0.553    102.3       102.1     -2.8     0.4      -0.2      -0.5      -0.2
32          Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye &                                                                                       
               pigments; varnish & paints; putty          0.280     93.5        93.7     -7.2    -0.3      -1.6      -2.1       0.2
37          Photographic or cinematographic goods         0.354     98.4        98.2     -1.1     0.2      -1.0      -0.1      -0.2
38          Miscellaneaous chemical products                                                                                       
               (9612=100)                                 0.411     97.5        97.9     n.a.    -0.1       0.0      -0.9       0.4
       3/   Other products of the chemical or                                                                                      
             allied industries (9612=100)                 0.745     95.7        95.2     n.a.    -1.0       0.2      -1.2      -0.5
                                                                                                                                   
VII        PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER                                                                                   
              AND ARTICLES THEREOF                        2.777     91.7        91.4     -3.1    -1.0      -0.6      -0.5      -0.3
39          Plastics and articles thereof                 1.735     94.9        94.6     -0.5     0.2      -0.5      -0.2      -0.3
40          Rubber and articles thereof                   1.042     86.9        86.7     -7.0    -2.5      -1.0      -1.0      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
VIII       RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,                                                                                    
              TRAVEL GOODS, ETC                           1.001    103.2       103.3      1.2     0.2       0.1      -0.6       0.1
42          Articles of leather; travel goods, bags,                                                                               
               etc. of various materials                  0.842    101.4       101.4      0.3    -0.1      -0.1      -0.4       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
IX         WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW, BASKET                                                                                
              AND WICKER                                  1.709    111.3       106.1     -4.1     0.4      -1.1       0.2      -4.7
                                                                                                                                   
X          WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER                                                                                 
              AND ARTICLES THEREOF                        2.353     85.2        85.6     -0.7     0.4       0.4       0.5       0.5
47          Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic                                                                                  
               material; waste paper/paperboard           0.380     69.0        69.8      1.6     1.1       2.2       0.3       1.2
48          Paper and paperboard; articles of paper                                                                                
               pulp, paper or paperboard                  1.624     89.5        89.7     -0.9     0.0       0.5       0.7       0.2
49          Printed matter                                0.349     99.3        99.8     -2.8     0.7      -1.6      -0.9       0.5
                                                                                                                                   
XI         TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES                   6.909    102.0       102.2      1.9    -0.1       0.2       0.4       0.2
61          Articles of apparel and clothing                                                                                       
               accessories, knitted or crocheted          2.021    101.0       101.7      0.1    -0.6       0.2       0.1       0.7
62          Articles of apparel and clothing                                                                                       
               accessories, not knitted or crocheted      3.340    104.5       104.5      3.5     0.2       0.3       0.5       0.0
63          Made-up or worn textile articles and                                                                                   
               clothing; needlecraft sets; rags           0.345     98.6        98.5     -1.2     0.1      -0.4       1.5      -0.1
       3/   Other textile & textile                                                                                                
             articles (9612=100)                          1.203    100.6       100.7     n.a.    -0.2      -0.3       0.6       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
XII        FOOTWEAR, HEADGEAR, UMBRELLAS, WHIPS,                                                                                   
              ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS, ETC.                    2.061    100.9       101.2      0.3     0.1       0.0      -0.5       0.3
64          Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts                                                                                  
               of such articles                           1.773    100.5       100.7      0.0     0.2      -0.2      -0.4       0.2
       3/ Other footwear, headgear, umbrellas,                                                                                     
             whips, art. flowers, etc. (9612=100)         0.288    101.9       102.1     n.a.    -0.1       0.8      -0.4       0.2
                                                                                                                                   
XIII       STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,CERAMIC                                                                                
              GLASS ETC.                                  1.134    101.8       102.0     -0.6     0.4      -0.5      -0.6       0.2
69          Ceramic products                              0.431     99.2        99.1     n.a.     0.3      -0.8       0.4      -0.1
70          Glass and glassware                           0.438    101.5       102.0     -0.9     0.0      -0.2      -1.6       0.5
                                                                                                                                   
XIV        PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,                                                                                        
              IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS                2.181     98.2        98.0     -0.5     0.4      -0.6       0.1      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
XV         BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METAL         5.903     95.7        95.4      1.4    -0.8      -0.1       0.5      -0.3
72          Iron and steel                                1.750     95.4        95.3     -1.0     0.0      -0.1       0.0      -0.1
73          Articles of iron or steel                     1.280     96.8        97.1     -3.7    -0.2      -0.3      -0.1       0.3
74          Copper and articles thereof                   0.448     83.3        79.9      4.3     1.2      -3.4      -1.5      -4.1
76          Aluminum and articles thereof                 0.988     94.8        93.6      7.5    -2.3       0.4       2.8      -1.3
83          Miscellaneous articles of base metal          0.412    101.8       102.0     -0.8     0.0      -0.2      -0.3       0.2
       3/   Miscellaneous nonferrous metals and                                                                                    
             articles, including scrap (9612=100)         0.581    116.4       117.8     n.a.    -4.5       3.4       2.2       1.2
                                                                                                                                   
XVI        MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV                                                                                     
              IMAGE & SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC.       30.383     90.3        89.5     -7.1    -0.4      -0.7      -0.7      -0.9
84          Specialized machinery & computer                                                                                       
               equipment                                 15.890     91.1        89.8     -7.7    -0.4      -1.0      -0.8      -1.4
85          Electrical machinery and equip, sound                                                                                  
               and TV recorders & reproducers, parts     14.493     89.5        89.1     -6.3    -0.6      -0.2      -0.4      -0.4
                                                                                                                                   
XVII       VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND                                                                                         
              ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT             15.812    101.3       101.4      0.3     0.1       0.1       0.1       0.1
87          Motor vehicles and their parts               14.936    101.0       101.2      0.3     0.1       0.2       0.0       0.2
                                                                                                                                   
XVIII      OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &                                                                                    
              MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; CLOCKS & WATCHES       3.522     93.6        94.0     -4.2     0.1      -0.2      -0.5       0.4
90          Optical, photographic, measuring and                                                                                   
               medical instruments                        3.006     93.5        93.8     -4.1     0.0      -0.3      -0.4       0.3
91          Clocks and watches and parts thereof          0.374     94.1        94.5     -5.4     1.0      -0.6      -0.6       0.4
                                                                                                                                   
XX         MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES            3.693     99.6        99.8     -0.5     0.2      -0.2      -0.3       0.2
94          Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps                                                                                  
               and lighting fittings nes;                 1.585     99.7       100.2      0.7     0.1      -0.2      -0.5       0.5
95          Toys, games and sports equipment; parts                                                                                
               and accessories thereof                    1.827    100.6       100.3     -1.3     0.3      -0.1      -0.1      -0.3
96          Miscellaneous manufactured articles           0.281     92.8        94.2     -2.1     0.0      -1.2      -0.7       1.5
                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                       n.a.      Not available         
            1995 trade values.                                                                                                            
        2  Data for July, August and September 1997                                                                                       
            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, October 1996-October 1997                             
                  1995=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                            
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change                                         
                                                        Relative                                                                   
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly                  
Harmo-                                                   ance                           Oct.    June      July      Aug.      Sept.
nized     Description                                                                   1996    1997      1997      1997      1997 
System                                                  September  September   October  to      to        to        to        to   
                                                        1997       1997        1997     Oct.    July      Aug.      Sept.     Oct. 
                                                        1/         2/                   1997    1997      1997      1997      1997 
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                   
I          LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS                  1.940     97.5        96.5     -2.4     1.0       2.7       0.1      -1.0
02          Meat & edible meat offal                      1.054     93.2        92.9     -3.9     0.3       0.5      -0.9      -0.3
03          Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and                                                                                     
               other aquatic invertebrates                0.530     96.1        95.3      1.5     2.0       9.4       3.0      -0.8
       3/ Other live animals and animal                                                                                            
             products (9612=100)                          0.356     98.2        94.8     n.a.     1.7       0.4      -1.1      -3.5
                                                                                                                                   
II         VEGETABLE PRODUCTS                             5.365    100.7        98.1     -7.9    -1.2      -0.3      -0.1      -2.6
07          Edible vegetables and certain roots and                                                                                
               tubers                                     0.308     98.1        94.9     -4.9     5.7       2.5      -1.9      -3.3
08          Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus                                                                                  
               fruit or melons                            0.709     97.1       101.5     -9.6     6.1      -3.4      -6.7       4.5
10          Cereals                                       2.575     94.1        92.5    -11.4    -2.6       4.0       2.2      -1.7
12          Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds,                                                                                      
               fruits, plants, straw and fodder           1.493    120.0       110.2     -2.6    -3.5      -6.1       0.8      -8.2
                                                                                                                                   
III        ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE FATS AND OILS              0.480     95.6        98.5      2.0    -1.2      -0.2       2.4       3.0
                                                                                                                                   
IV         PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND                                                                                     
              TOBACCO                                     3.511    103.1       102.4     -3.1    -1.2      -0.7      -0.5      -0.7
20          Preparations of vegetables, fruit,                                                                                     
               nuts, or other parts of plants             0.317     89.3        91.6    -12.3    -3.1      -5.4      -9.1       2.6
21          Miscellaneous edible preparations             0.366    107.2       106.3      2.7     0.2       1.0       1.2      -0.8
22          Beverages, spirits, and vinegar               0.329     99.8        99.6     n.a.    -0.2       0.2       0.4      -0.2
23          Residues and waste from the food                                                                                       
               industries; prepared animal feed           0.750    116.3       112.5     -9.4    -4.8      -0.7       0.0      -3.3
24          Tobacco and manufactured tobacco                                                                                       
               substitutes                                1.243    101.0       100.8     n.a.     0.4      -0.5       0.2      -0.2
       3/   Other prepared foods                          0.505    102.3       102.0     n.a.     0.3       0.6       0.9      -0.3
                                                                                                                                   
V          MINERAL PRODUCTS                               2.827    111.8       110.4     -1.0     1.8       0.6       0.1      -1.3
27          Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,                                                                                     
               bituminous substances and mineral wax      2.214    113.3       113.7     -3.2     0.0       0.2       0.4       0.4
                                                                                                                                   
VI         PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED                                                                                      
              INDUSTRIES                                  8.770     96.7        96.5     -0.7     0.3      -0.7       0.0      -0.2
28          Inorganic chemicals                           0.921    101.6       101.9     -0.3     1.1      -1.9       1.0       0.3
29          Organic chemicals                             2.839     87.5        87.0     -1.8     0.0      -0.7      -0.6      -0.6
30          Pharmaceutical products                       0.876    100.6       101.2      0.3    -0.3       0.0       0.2       0.6
31          Fertilizers (9612=100)                        0.617     95.0        94.7     n.a.     0.7      -2.3       0.4      -0.3
32          Tanning or dyeing extracts; dyes and                                                                                   
               pigments; paints & varnish; putty;ink      0.502    102.3       102.3      0.4     0.2      -0.4       0.9       0.0
33          Essential oils and resinoids;                                                                                          
               perfumery, cosmetic or toilet              0.532    104.3       103.5      2.1     0.2      -0.5       0.9      -0.8
34          Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or                                                                                  
               scouring products; candles, pastes         0.312    103.0       103.0      2.0     0.2       0.0       1.5       0.0
37          Photographic or cinematographic goods         0.429     96.1        95.1     -2.0     1.5      -0.3      -0.8      -1.0
38          Miscellaneous chemical products               1.521    103.2       103.0     -0.3     0.1       0.0      -0.4      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
VII        PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER                                                                                   
              AND ARTICLES THEREOF                        4.285     96.4        96.4     -1.1    -0.4      -1.0      -0.5       0.0
39          Plastics and articles thereof                 3.398     95.9        95.9     -1.0    -0.6      -0.9      -0.6       0.0
40          Rubber and articles thereof                   0.887     98.5        98.7     -1.1     0.0      -0.9      -0.3       0.2
                                                                                                                                   
VIII       RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,                                                                                    
              TRAVEL GOODS, ETC.                          0.556     95.9        97.2     -9.2    -2.0       1.0       1.4       1.4
41          Raw hides and skins (other than                                                                                        
               furskins) and leather                      0.406     94.2        95.9     -7.3    -2.8       0.9       1.9       1.8
                                                                                                                                   
IX         WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW, BASKET                                                                                
              AND WICKER                                  1.262     92.1        90.4     -5.5    -0.1      -0.1      -1.0      -1.8
                                                                                                                                   
X          WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER                                                                                 
              AND ARTICLES THEREOF                        2.986     79.2        80.0      2.3     1.8       0.9      -0.8       1.0
47          Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic                                                                                  
               material; waste paper/paperboard           0.718     65.0        66.7     11.2     4.6       1.8      -2.5       2.6
48          Paper and paperboard; articles of paper                                                                                
               pulp, paper or paperboard                  1.480     85.1        85.5     -0.7     1.4       0.9      -0.4       0.5
49          Printed material                              0.788    106.7       106.9      1.6    -0.1       0.0       0.2       0.2
                                                                                                                                   
XI         TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES                   3.229     93.8        93.7     -0.2     0.1       0.3      -0.1      -0.1
52          Cotton, including yarns and woven                                                                                      
               fabrics thereof                            0.714     83.6        83.3     -2.6     1.2       0.4      -0.8      -0.4
                                                                                                                                   
XIII       STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,                                                                                       
              CERAMIC, GLASS ETC.                         0.839    102.8       102.9     n.a.     0.3      -0.8       0.0       0.1
70          Glass and glassware                           0.484    101.4       101.4     n.a.     0.0       0.1       0.1       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
XIV        PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,                                                                                        
              IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS                1.866     97.0        97.7     -3.5     0.4      -1.2      -0.3       0.7
                                                                                                                                   
XV         BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METALS        4.607     96.6        95.7      2.2     0.1      -0.2      -0.4      -0.9
72          Iron and steel                                0.968     93.9        93.1     -1.2     0.4       0.1      -1.2      -0.9
73          Articles of iron or steel                     1.241    107.4       107.1      5.4     1.7      -0.9       0.2      -0.3
74          Copper and articles thereof                   0.423     81.6        78.8      0.5    -1.4      -2.7      -3.3      -3.4
76          Aluminum and articles thereof                 0.887     90.1        89.0      5.8    -0.7       0.7       0.8      -1.2
82          Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and                                                                                 
               forks, of base metal; parts thereof        0.408    103.3       103.3     n.a.    -0.1       0.0       0.0       0.0
83          Miscellaneous articles of base metal          0.374    101.3       101.3      2.2    -0.1       0.0       0.0       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                   
XVI        MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV                                                                                     
              IMAGE AND SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC      36.624     96.7        96.5     -2.2    -0.3       0.2      -0.8      -0.2
84          Specialized machinery & computer                                                                                       
               equipment                                 20.354     97.6        97.4     -1.5    -0.3       0.2      -0.1      -0.2
85          Electrical machinery and equip, sound                                                                                  
               & tv recorders & reproducers, parts       16.270     95.7        95.3     -3.0    -0.1       0.0      -1.5      -0.4
                                                                                                                                   
XVII       VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND                                                                                         
              ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT             13.558    104.7       104.8      1.8     0.1       0.0       0.0       0.1
87          Motor vehicles and their parts                9.394    101.9       102.0      0.6     0.1      -0.1      -0.1       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
XVIII      OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &                                                                                    
              MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; CLOCKS & WATCHES       5.323    102.0       101.9      0.7    -0.3      -0.1      -0.1      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                   
XX         MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES            1.757    102.2       102.2      0.9     0.3       0.0      -0.2       0.0
94          Furniture; stuffed furnishings;                                                                                        
               lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;         0.859    103.3       103.6      1.1    -0.1       0.2      -0.6       0.3
95          Toys, games and sports equipment; parts                                                                                
               and accessories thereof                    0.726    101.1       100.9      0.7     0.7       0.0       0.1      -0.2
                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                       n.a.      Not available         
            1995 trade values.                                                                                                            
        2  Data for July, August and September 1997                                                                                       
            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,  October 1996-October 1997                             
          1995=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                           
                                                                  Index                    Percent Change                    
                                                   Percentage                                                                                          
                                                      of                            Annual                  Monthly                                     
                                                    US Imports                    Oct.    June         July        Aug.     Sept.  
    Description 1/                                                                1996    1997         1997        1997     1997   
                                                    1995       Sept.     Oct.     to      to           to          to       to     
                                                               1997      1997     Oct.    July         Aug.        Sept.    Oct.   
                                                               2/                 1997    1997         1997        1997     1997   
                                                                                                                                   
3/  Developed Countries                                55.6     97.3      97.3     -2.8    -0.1          0.3        -0.3      0.0  
      Manufactured Goods                               52.2     97.1      96.8     -2.4     0.0          0.3        -0.3     -0.3  
      Nonmanufactured Goods                             3.1    105.1     108.8     -8.5    -1.4          1.5         0.3      3.5  
                                                                                                                                   
3/  Developing Countries                               42.7    101.1     102.0     -3.4    -0.7          0.4        -0.5      0.9  
      Manufactured Goods                               35.4     98.9      98.8     -1.5    -0.3         -0.2        -0.3     -0.1  
      Nonmanufactured Goods                             7.1    106.1     112.1    -10.7    -2.1          2.9        -1.6      5.7  
                                                                                                                                   
    Canada                                             18.9     99.7      99.6     -0.9    -0.1          0.3         0.4     -0.1  
      Manufactured Goods                               16.5     99.1      98.5      0.4     0.0          0.1         0.3     -0.6  
      Nonmanufactured Goods                             2.2    107.6     111.8     -8.3    -0.6          1.4         1.0      3.9  
                                                                                                                                   
4/  European Union                                     17.0    100.2     100.6     -2.4    -0.5          0.2        -0.6      0.4  
      Manufactured Goods                               16.4    100.1     100.3     -2.1    -0.3          0.0        -0.4      0.2  
      Nonmanufactured Goods                             0.5    105.4     111.7    -10.6    -6.8          3.5        -4.0      6.0  
                                                                                                                                   
    Japan                                              16.6     92.5      91.9     -5.0     0.0         -0.3        -0.2     -0.6  
                                                                                                                                   
5/  Asian Newly Industrialized Countries               10.9     93.9      93.9     -4.0    -0.6          0.0        -0.8      0.0  
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
1    Regions are not mutually exclusive.                                              
                                                                                      
2    Data for  July, August and September 1997                                        
     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  9    U.S. International Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services.                                   
        September 1996-September 1997    1995 = 100                                                                                                                  
                                                                 Index                             Percent Change                    
                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                  Annual          Quarterly                                   
                                                    Trade                         Sept.   Sept.    Dec.        March    June   
    Description                                     (Mil.                         1996    1996     1996        1997     1997   
                                                    of         June      Sept.    to      to       to          to       to     
                                                    Dollars)   1997      1997     Sept.   Dec.     March       June     Sept.  
                                                                                  1997    1996     1997        1997     1997   
                                                                                                                               
     Air Freight (Inbound)                          5495        89.9      88.5     -7.4    -0.6     -5.8         0.4     -1.6  
      Atlantic                                      1880        88.9      85.6     -9.8     1.8     -7.1        -0.9     -3.7  
      Pacific                                       3151        91.1      91.0     -4.8    -1.7     -4.5         1.4     -0.1  
                                                                                                                               
     Air Freight (Outbound)                         5835        99.2      98.8     -0.1     0.3      0.6        -0.6     -0.4  
      Atlantic                                      2080        99.4      99.0      0.3     0.3      0.9        -0.5     -0.4  
      Pacific                                       3222       100.0      99.7     -0.1     0.4      0.1        -0.3     -0.3  
                                                                                                                               
     Air Passenger Fares (U.S. Carrier)             30673      112.1     109.2      1.8    -5.3     -4.4        15.4     -2.6  
1/    Atlantic                                      8811       118.3     119.0      3.4   -13.5     -2.1        21.3      0.6  
1/    Pacific                                       15900      102.1      95.9     -2.7    -3.7     -9.1        18.2     -6.1  
1/    Latin American / Caribbean                    4542       109.6     110.5      7.4     0.0      3.8         2.6      0.8  
      Canadian                                      1367       161.2     162.2     31.2    24.3      1.4         3.5      0.6  
                                                                                                                               
     Air Passenger Fares (Foreign Carrier)          31694      106.1     104.2     -1.2    -4.5     -2.2         7.7     -1.8  
1/    Atlantic                                      13572      110.2     110.8      0.6    -8.9     -3.2        13.5      0.5  
1/    Pacific                                       12570       96.4      91.0     -3.6    -0.2     -2.0         4.4     -5.6  
1/    Latin American / Caribbean                    4224       104.8     104.4      1.0     0.2      0.9         0.3     -0.4  
                                                                                                                               
1/   Crude Oil Tanker Freight (Inbound)             1949       108.2      n.a.     n.a.     8.1      7.2         0.8     n.a.  
                                                                                                                               
     Ocean Liner Freight (Inbound)                  12253       96.8      94.9     -3.2     0.4     -0.8        -0.8     -2.0  
      U.S. East Coast                               5410        99.6      97.0     -3.7     1.0     -1.9        -0.2     -2.6  
       from Atlantic                                2647        98.7      96.0     -5.0     0.3     -2.0        -0.7     -2.7  
       from Pacific                                 1874        98.9      95.2     -3.3     0.1     -0.1         0.5     -3.7  
      U.S. West Coast                               6844        94.1      92.8     -2.7     0.0      0.0        -1.4     -1.4  
       from Pacific                                 6347        93.9      92.7     -2.4    -0.2      0.3        -1.3     -1.3  
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
    1     Detailed data available upon request.                          n.a.    N                                             
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
   Table  8     U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services.                              
        September 1996-September 1997  1995 = 100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                            
                                                                 Index                             Percent Change                    
                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                  Annual          Quarterly                                   
                                                    Trade                         Sept.   Sept.    Dec.        March    June   
    Description                                     (Mil.                         1996    1996     1996        1997     1997   
                                                    of         June      Sept.    to      to       to          to       to     
                                                    Dollars)   1997      1997     Sept.   Dec.     March       June     Sept.  
                                                                                  1997    1996     1997        1997     1997   
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
    IMPORT                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                               
    Air Freight                                     3188        90.4      88.6     -8.5    -1.2     -5.8         0.3     -2.0  
      Atlantic                                      1278        90.3      86.4    -12.2    -0.2     -7.1        -1.0     -4.3  
      Pacific                                       1674        91.8      91.5     -5.4    -2.0     -4.5         1.4     -0.3  
                                                                                                                               
     Air Passenger Fares                            11127      113.2     111.1      7.9    -2.9      0.5        12.6     -1.9  
1/    Atlantic                                      4922       121.2     121.2     14.6    -7.0      1.9        20.8      0.0  
1/    Pacific                                       2340       111.4     100.5      9.1     7.5     -0.9        13.6     -9.8  
1/    Latin American / Caribbean                    3021       106.1     105.9      1.8     0.1      1.0         1.0     -0.2  
                                                                                                                               
1/   Crude Oil Tanker Freight                       1346       101.9      n.a.     n.a.     6.3      5.8         2.2     n.a.  
                                                                                                                               
     Ocean Liner Freight                            9868        97.1      95.3     -3.6    -0.3     -0.6        -0.9     -1.9  
      U.S. East Coast                               4271       100.6      98.3     -3.2     0.1     -1.2         0.1     -2.3  
       from Atlantic                                1952        99.9      98.3     -4.6    -0.1     -2.4        -0.5     -1.6  
       from Pacific                                 1774       100.8      97.0     -3.2     0.2     -0.2         0.6     -3.8  
      U.S. West Coast                               5596        93.9      92.4     -4.0    -0.6     -0.3        -1.6     -1.6  
       from Pacific                                 5126        93.5      92.2     -3.7    -0.8      0.1        -1.6     -1.4  
                                                                                                                               
    EXPORT                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                               
     Air Freight (9612 = 100)                       2562        97.8      96.6     n.a.    n.a.     -1.5        -0.7     -1.2  
                                                                                                                               
     Air Passenger Fares                            17272      103.0     100.0     -2.8    -3.1     -9.9        14.7     -2.9  
1/    Atlantic                                      4120       109.7     109.5     -3.6    -7.8     -5.8        11.3     -0.2  
1/    Pacific                                       10700       91.1      86.4     -8.0    -4.6    -15.7        20.7     -5.2  
      Latin American / Caribbean                    1392       106.9     107.5      6.6     0.8      0.2         5.0      0.6  
      Canadian                                      1006       157.0     157.5     36.5    26.3      6.3         1.3      0.3  
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
    1     Detailed data available upon request.                          n.a.    N                                             
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
                                                                     
                           TECHNICAL NOTE
   
Import and Export Merchandise and Services Price Indexes -- All indexes use 
a modified Laspeyres formula and are weighted with 1995 trade weights.  The 
merchandise price indexes are published using three classifications:  the 
Harmonized System (HS), the Bureau of Economic Analysis End Use System,
and the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) system, Rev. 3.  
Price indexes for internationally traded services are presented using two 
definitions: Balance of Payments (which represents transactions between U.S. 
and foreign residents) and International (which represents all transactions
with U.S. importers or exporters, regardless of nationality).  Published
series use a base year of 1995=100 where possible.  Net transaction price
data are collected every month for over 20,000 products from over 6,000
companies and secondary sources.  Indexes are not seasonally adjusted.  More
detailed index series and additional information may be obtained from the
Division of International Prices, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2 Massachusetts
Avenue N.E., PSB 3955, Washington, DC 20212 or (202) 606-7155.

Import Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the 1995 Harmonized 
Tariff Schedule of the United States Annotated (TSUSA).  Import prices are 
based on U.S. dollar prices paid by the U.S. importer.  The prices are
generally either "free on board" (f.o.b.) foreign port or "cost, insurance,
and freight" (c.i.f.) U.S. port transaction prices, depending on the
practices of the individual industry.  The index for crude petroleum is
calculated from data collected by the U.S. Department of Energy.  

Export Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the 1995 Harmonized 
Schedule B classification system of the U.S. Bureau of the Census.  The
prices used are generally either "free alongside ship" (f.a.s.) factory
or "free on board" (f.o.b.) transaction prices, depending on the practices of
the individual industry.  Prices used in the grain index, excluding rice,
are obtained from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Import Indexes by Locality of Origin -- Prices used in these indexes are a
subset of the data collected for the Import Price Indexes.  Prior to
January 1993, nonmanufactured goods were defined as SITC 0-4 and manufactured
goods were defined as SITC 5-8.  Beginning with January 1993, the indexes are
defined by locality of origin using a nomenclature based upon the Standard
Industrial Classification (SIC-based).  Nonmanufactured goods are defined as
SIC 0-1, and manufactured goods are defined as SIC 2-3.  The indexes use 1995
weights and a base of 1995=100.

Import, Export, and International Services Indexes -- Indexes are calculated
on a quarterly basis.  The figures for services indexes will not sum up to
the aggregate dollar value because not all categories are shown in the tables.
Revenue figures for air passenger indexes exclude frequent flyer tickets and
those sold by consolidators.  Indexes for crude oil tanker freight are
calculated from data collected by the U. S. Department of Energy and the 
publication of these indexes is lagged one quarter.  

Revision policy -- Data are revised for the previous three months to reflect
the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents.

Uses of the Data -- The primary use of the indexes is to deflate trade
statistics.  For merchandise trade, the End Use classification system is the
structure used by the U.S. Department of Commerce in the construction of the
foreign trade sector of the National Income and Product Accounts.  Indexes
published using the Harmonized System and the Standard International Trade
Classification, Rev. 3, both international structures, are useful for general
market analysis.  For trade in international services, Balance of Payments
indexes are used for deflating National Accounts data, while International
indexes are more appropriate for market analysis. Merchandise and services
indexes also can be used to study U.S. competitiveness and price elasticities,
and the merchandise import indexes by country or region of origin are useful
for terms of trade analysis.



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 index and percent change 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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5. Locality of Origin Indexes      ------

6. Services Indexes                ------

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