Technical Information:
 David Mead    (202) 606-7154                       USDL-99-86
 Bill Alterman (202) 606-7108                       Transmission of This
Media contact                                        Material is Embargoed
 Kathryn Hoyle (202) 606-5902                        Until: 10:00 A.M. E.D.T.
Internet Address: http://stats.bls.gov/ipphome.htm   Thursday,  April 8, 1999
                                    
                  U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES
                              -MARCH 1999-
  
    The U.S. Import Price Index edged up 0.1 percent in March,
the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor
reported today.  An increase in imported petroleum prices more
than offset a decline in nonpetroleum import prices.  In contrast,
the price index for U.S. exports fell 0.3 percent in March after
posting a 0.2 percent decline in February.

        Percent changes in import and export price indexes
                        by End Use category
                    - not seasonally adjusted -

                       IMPORTS                     EXPORTS
                                                                   
   Month                         Non-               Agri-    Nonagri-
               All     Petroleum petroleum All      cultural cultural
             Imports   Imports   Imports   Exports  Exports  Exports
                                                                   
1998                                                               
March          -0.8     -9.0     -0.3     -0.3      -0.5      -0.3 
April          -0.3      0.4     -0.3     -0.4      -1.6      -0.2 
May            -0.1      0.5     -0.2      0.1       1.0      -0.1 
June           -0.6     -4.4     -0.4     -0.5       0.0      -0.5 
July           -0.9     -5.4     -0.4     -0.3       0.3      -0.4 
August         -0.4     -0.6     -0.4     -0.5      -4.1      -0.1 
September       0.2      6.4     -0.2     -0.5      -2.9      -0.2 
October         0.2      2.3      0.1     -0.1       0.1      -0.1 
November       -0.5     -9.7      0.1      0.2       1.7       0.0 
December       -1.0 r  -13.3 r   -0.2     -0.1       0.7      -0.2 r
1999                                                               
January         0.4 r    4.2 r    0.1 r    0.0       0.0       0.0 r
February       -0.1      0.8 r    0.0 r   -0.2 r    -2.4       0.1 
March           0.1      7.7     -0.4     -0.3      -3.0      -0.1 
                                                                   
March 1997-98  -5.8    -32.4     -3.3     -2.8     -10.8      -1.8 
March 1998-99  -3.0    -12.5     -2.3     -2.7      -9.8      -1.9 
                                                                    
r = revised to reflect late reports and corrections by respondents.
                                 
                                 
                           Import Goods
                                 
   The March uptick in overall import prices, the second in
three months, was led by a 7.7 percent rise in imported petroleum
prices - the largest monthly rise in nearly three years.  Despite
the increase, the index was still down 3.0 percent over the past
12 months.  Petroleum prices have advanced in each of the past
three months, but were still down 12.5 percent for the year ended
in March.  In contrast, nonpetroleum import prices were down 0.4
percent in March, the largest monthly decline since August.  This
index had been largely unchanged for the past six months.   For
the 12 months ended in March, the index was down 2.3 percent.
                                 
   The decline in nonpetroleum import prices was led by a 0.8
percent drop in the price index for imported capital goods, as
computer prices continued to move lower.  The decrease in capital
goods prices was the largest monthly downturn since February 1998
and followed a five-month period when this index was relatively
stable.  For the year ended in March, the index was down 3.6
percent.
                                 
   Other broad areas posted moderate decreases.  The import
price index for consumer goods fell 0.5 percent in March after
increasing 0.3 and 0.2 percent in February and January,
respectively.  Over the past 12 months, consumer goods prices fell
0.7 percent.  The price indexes for nonpetroleum industrial
supplies and materials and for foods, feeds, and beverages
decreased in March, falling 0.3 and 0.6 percent, respectively.
Over the March 1998-99 period, nonpetroleum industrial supplies
and materials prices were down 4.5 percent and foods, feeds, and
beverages prices were down 4.3 percent.
                                 
   The only major nonpetroleum category that did not have a
price decline in March was automotive vehicles, which was
unchanged.  For the year ended in March, the index was up 0.1
percent.
                                 
                           Export Goods
                                 
    The decline in export prices continued a trend of decreases
in this index, which was down 2.7 percent over the past 12 months.
A 3.0 percent decrease in the price index for agricultural exports
led the decline in March.  The agricultural exports index was down
9.8 percent for the year ended in March.  The price index for
nonagricultural exports declined 0.1 percent in March, following a
0.1 percent increase in February.  Over the past 12 months,
nonagricultural export prices were down 1.9 percent, on average.
                                 
   Prices in each of the other major categories for exports
either declined or were unchanged in March.  The price index for
nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials fell 0.2 percent
in March and 5.0 percent over the past 12 months.  Prices for
exported consumer goods also fell last month, declining 0.1
percent; for the March 1998-99 period, the index was down 0.7
percent.
                                 
   The price indexes for exported capital goods and for
automotive vehicles both were unchanged in March.  Over the past
12 months, prices for exported capital goods fell 1.4 percent,
while the index of exported automotive vehicles rose 0.9 percent.
                           
                                 
                   Imports by Locality of Origin
                                 
   Prices of imports from Japan were down 0.6 percent in March,
resuming a downward trend after rising 2.2 percent over the
previous four months.  For the year ended in March, import prices
from Japan were down 1.7 percent.  The import price index for the
Asian Newly Industrialized Countries continued to decrease,
falling 0.7 percent in March--the 19th consecutive month this
index has declined;  over the past 12 months, this index was down
7.2 percent.  Prices of imports from the European Union were down
0.5 percent in March and were unchanged over the past 12 months.
                                 
   In contrast, the price indexes for imports from Canada and
Latin America increased in March, rising 0.3 and 0.6 percent,
respectively.  Prices of imports from Canada had posted declines
in each of the prior four months and were down 1.6 percent for the
year ended in March.  Import prices from Latin America also fell,
on average, over the past 12 months, declining 3.7 percent.
                                 
                    Import and Export Services
                                 
    The import air freight index rose 1.3 percent in the first
quarter of 1999, after rising 8.0 percent in the September-to-
December quarter last year.  For the year ended in March, the
index was up 9.1 percent.  In contrast, the price index for export
air freight was down 6.4 percent over the past three months after
increasing 1.2 percent in the last quarter of 1998.  The index
declined 4.6 percent for the 12 months ended in March.
                                 
    The import air passenger index declined 1.2 percent from
December to March.  Over the past 12 months, however, the index
was still up 0.5 percent because of a 9.0 percent increase posted
in the second quarter of 1998.  The price index for export air
passenger fares posted a second consecutive quarterly increase of
2.7 percent and was up 6.7 percent for the March 1998-99 period.
                                 
    The import ocean liner freight index was unchanged from
December to March and up 7.7 percent for the year ended in March.
                                 
                        CONTENTS OF RELEASE
                                 
This news release includes the following tables:

Table 1   Import Price Indexes, by End Use
Table 2   Export Price Indexes, by End Use
Table 3   Import Price Indexes, by SITC
Table 4   Export Price Indexes, by SITC
Table 5   Import Price Indexes, by Harmonized System
Table 6   Export Price Indexes, by Harmonized System
Table 7   Import Price Indexes, by Locality of Origin
Table 8   U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes for Services
Table 9   U.S. International Price Indexes for Services

Import and Export Price Index data for April are scheduled for
release on May 12 at 10:00 a.m. (EDT).

Table 1  U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods,
            March 1998-March 1999     1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                                               Percent Change
                                                          Relative
                                                           Import-               Annual        Monthly
                                                            ance                  March  Nov.   Dec.   Jan.   Feb.
END                        Description                                            1998   1998   1998   1999   1999
USE                                                     February February March    to     to     to     to     to
                                                           1999    1999    1999   March  Dec.   Jan.   Feb.   March
                                                            1/      2/            1999   1998   1999   1999   1999

       ALL COMMODITIES....................................100.000    90.7  90.8     -3.0   -1.0    0.4   -0.1  0.1
       ALL IMPORTS EXCLUDING PETROLEUM.................... 94.621    92.8  92.4     -2.3   -0.2    0.1    0.0 -0.4

0       FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES.........................  4.802    93.0  92.4     -4.3    0.0    0.8   -3.0 -0.6

00       Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,
             excluding distilled beverages................  3.344    88.9  87.9     -5.9    0.5    1.1   -4.7 -1.1

01       Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled
             beverages)...................................  1.458   103.8 104.2     -0.7   -1.6    0.5    1.2  0.4

1       INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS................... 23.915    82.7  83.9     -6.7   -3.7    1.0    0.1  1.5
          INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS
                EXCLUDING PETROLEUM....................... 18.537    90.6  90.3     -4.5   -0.5    0.1   -0.1 -0.3
          INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                DURABLE...................................  9.840    92.0  92.1     -3.9   -0.2    0.3    0.7  0.1
          INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                NONDURABLE EXCLUDING PETROLEUM............  8.698    89.0  88.4     -5.3   -1.1   -0.1   -0.9 -0.7

10       Fuels & lubricants...............................  6.563    67.9  71.5    -11.7  -10.9    4.0   -0.3  5.3

100       Petroleum & petroleum products..................  5.378    62.5  67.3    -12.5  -13.3    4.2    0.8  7.7

1000        Crude.........................................  4.135    60.5  66.7     -9.9  -15.1    7.0    1.3 10.2

11       Paper & paper base stocks........................  1.839    78.5  77.9     -4.5   -1.5   -0.6    0.3 -0.8

12       Materials associated with nondurable
             supplies & materials.........................  5.891    87.2  87.4     -4.8   -1.3   -0.5   -0.3  0.2

13       Selected building materials......................  2.267   107.8 107.9      3.2    1.2    1.4    3.5  0.1

14       Unfinished metals associated with
             durable goods................................  4.387    86.7  86.9     -7.6   -0.7   -0.2    0.1  0.2

15       Finished metals associated with durable
             goods........................................  1.487    92.2  91.7     -2.9   -0.6    0.1   -0.1 -0.5

16       Nonmetals associated with durable goods..........  1.481    88.6  88.1     -4.6   -0.1    0.3   -0.2 -0.6

2       CAPITAL GOODS..................................... 28.566    84.6  83.9     -3.6    0.0    0.1    0.0 -0.8

20       Electric & electrical generating
             equipment....................................  3.477    93.6  93.0     -2.6    0.2   -0.2    0.1 -0.6

21       Nonelectrical machinery.......................... 23.252    81.6  80.9     -3.9    0.0    0.1    0.0 -0.9

3       AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES.............. 19.206   101.5 101.5      0.1    0.1    0.1    0.1  0.0

4       CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING
             AUTOMOTIVES.................................. 23.510    98.4  97.9     -0.7   -0.4    0.2    0.3 -0.5

40       Nondurables, manufactured........................ 11.745   101.2 100.8     -0.1   -0.4    0.2    0.2 -0.4

41       Durables, manufactured........................... 10.584    95.2  94.8     -1.6   -0.3    0.2    0.0 -0.4

42       Nonmanufactured consumer goods...................  1.181   100.9  99.6      1.5    0.4    0.6    3.3 -1.3



    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                n.a.      Not available
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for December 1998, January and February 1999
        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,
            March 1998-March 1999     1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                                               Percent Change
                                                          Relative
                                                           Import-               Annual        Monthly
                                                            ance                  March  Nov.   Dec.   Jan.   Feb.
END                        Description                                            1998   1998   1998   1999   1999
USE                                                     February February March    to     to     to     to     to
                                                           1999    1999    1999   March  Dec.   Jan.   Feb.   March
                                                            1/      2/            1999   1998   1999   1999   1999

       ALL COMMODITIES....................................100.000    94.6  94.3     -2.7   -0.1    0.0   -0.2   -0.3
       AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES...........................  9.573    87.1  84.5     -9.8    0.7    0.0   -2.4   -3.0
       NONAGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES........................ 90.428    95.5  95.4     -1.9   -0.2    0.0    0.1   -0.1

0       FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES.........................  8.746    89.3  87.0     -7.8    0.7    0.2   -2.3   -2.6

00       Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,
             excluding distilled beverages................  7.935    88.6  85.9     -9.9    0.8    0.1   -2.7   -3.0

01       Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled
             beverages)...................................  0.811    98.2 100.0     16.0   -0.9    1.1    2.4    1.8

1       INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS................... 24.202    86.8  86.4     -5.5   -0.3   -0.3    0.0   -0.5
          INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                DURABLE...................................  9.471    88.1  87.7     -4.8   -0.6   -0.2   -0.1   -0.5
          INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                NONDURABLE................................ 14.732    86.0  85.7     -5.7   -0.2   -0.2    0.0   -0.3

10       Agricultural industrial supplies &
             materials....................................  1.638    81.9  79.9     -9.4   -0.2   -0.4   -0.6   -2.4

          NONAGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES
             & MATERIALS.................................. 22.564    87.2  87.0     -5.0   -0.3   -0.2    0.0   -0.2

11       Fuels & lubricants...............................  2.135    92.6  92.5    -10.5   -1.2    0.0   -0.2   -0.1

12       Nonagricultural supplies & materials
             excluding fuels & building materials......... 18.927    85.7  85.4     -4.8   -0.2   -0.3    0.0   -0.4

13       Selected building materials......................  1.502    86.8  87.3     -0.8   -0.5    0.2    0.6    0.6

2       CAPITAL GOODS..................................... 44.625    97.1  97.1     -1.4    0.1    0.0    0.0    0.0

20       Electric & electrical generating
             Equipment....................................  4.488    99.2  99.2     -2.1   -0.2   -0.4    0.1    0.0

21       Nonelectrical machinery.......................... 34.387    93.6  93.7     -1.9    0.0   -0.1    0.0    0.1

3       AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES.............. 10.162   103.1 103.1      0.9   -0.1    0.1    0.2    0.0

4       CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING
             AUTOMOTIVES.................................. 12.266   101.9 101.8     -0.7   -0.3    0.1    0.0   -0.1

40       Nondurables, manufactured........................  6.506   102.3 102.2     -0.1   -0.4    0.2    0.3   -0.1

41       Durables, manufactured...........................  5.173   100.3 100.1     -1.2   -0.1   -0.1   -0.3   -0.2



    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                n.a.      Not available
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for December 1998, January and February 1999
        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,
              March 1998-March 1999     1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                              Index                      Percent Change
                                                             Relative
                                                              Import-                    Annual          Monthly
                                                               ance                      March    Nov.     Dec.     Jan.     Feb.
SITC                         Description                                                  1998    1998     1998     1999     1999
Rev. 3                                                       February February   March     to      to       to       to       to
                                                               1999     1999     1999    March    Dec.     Jan.     Feb.    March
                                                                1/       2/               1999    1998     1999     1999     1999

         ALL COMMODITIES..............................       100.000      90.7    90.8      -3.0    -1.0      0.4     -0.1      0.1

0         FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS.......................         4.054      92.9    92.6      -5.4    -0.6      1.2     -3.5     -0.3
01         Meat and meat preparations.................         0.341      92.2    95.8      -5.3    -3.2      0.1      0.3      3.9
03         Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates
              and preparations thereof................         1.087     102.7   103.1      -3.7    -2.2      0.8      1.8      0.4
05         Vegetables, fruit and nuts,
              fresh or dried..........................         1.141     101.0    98.7       3.1     0.9      2.0    -10.5     -2.3
07         Coffee, tea, cocoa, spices and
              manufactures thereof....................         0.543      72.3    71.0     -24.5     0.5      1.6     -5.1     -1.8
      3/ Other food and live animals (9612=100).......         0.942      93.2    93.7      -3.0    -0.9      0.5     -0.6      0.5

1         BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO.......................         0.926     110.1   110.5       1.2     0.2      0.5     -0.3      0.4
11         Beverages..................................         0.780     106.7   106.9       1.0     0.2      0.1      0.0      0.2

2         CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS.....         2.902      87.4    86.7      -4.8     1.2      0.2      3.7     -0.8
24         Cork and wood..............................         1.114     113.7   113.2       2.4     4.0      1.6      4.7     -0.4
25         Pulp and waste paper.......................         0.345      57.9    57.6     -10.3    -0.3     -1.0      1.2     -0.5
28         Metalliferous ores and metal scrap.........         0.595      90.5    90.1     -10.3     0.0     -1.9     -0.5     -0.4
29         Crude animal and vegetable materials,
              n.e.s. (9612=100).......................         0.335     120.7   112.8       2.5     2.6      4.0     16.7     -6.5
      3/ Other crude materials, inedible, except
            fuels (9612=100)..........................         0.326      84.6    87.1      -7.7    -0.5     -1.1      0.5      3.0

3         MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED
             MATERIALS................................         6.286      67.2    70.8     -11.8   -11.1      4.5     -0.4      5.4
33         Petroleum, petroleum products and
              related materials.......................         5.091      62.2    67.1     -11.8   -13.8      4.9      1.0      7.9
34         Gas, natural and manufactured..............         1.063     107.1    99.8     -13.0     0.6      2.5     -5.6     -6.8

5         CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.......         5.672      91.1    90.7      -3.0    -1.3      0.2     -0.2     -0.4
51         Organic chemicals..........................         1.613      90.7    90.2      -2.1    -2.1      1.1      0.0     -0.6
52         Inorganic chemicals........................         0.649      88.5    88.3      -6.9    -4.2     -0.9     -1.8     -0.2
53         Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials.....         0.300      94.0    94.2      -0.7    -0.8     -1.9     -0.7      0.2
54         Medicinal and pharmaceutical products......         0.987      97.4    96.7       0.9    -0.2      1.4      0.4     -0.7
55         Essential oils; polishing and cleansing
              preps...................................         0.334      94.3    93.4      -1.1    -0.1     -0.6     -0.3     -1.0
57         Plastics in primary forms..................         0.394      92.2    92.1      -2.4    -0.2      0.5      0.4     -0.1
58         Plastics in nonprimary forms...............         0.497      73.0    73.2     -10.2    -0.5     -0.3     -0.7      0.3
59         Chemical materials and products, n.e.s.....         0.669      98.1    97.7      -3.9     0.2     -0.6     -0.7     -0.4

6         MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY
             BY MATERIAL..............................        12.838      91.8    91.8      -3.1    -0.9     -0.1      0.2      0.0
62         Rubber manufactures, n.e.s.................         0.765      94.7    94.4      -0.3    -0.3      0.2      0.1     -0.3
63         Cork and wood manufactures other than
              furniture...............................         0.598      98.9   100.5       8.2    -2.1      1.6      2.3      1.6
64         Paper, paperboard, and articles of
              paper pulp, paper or paper board........         1.668      85.5    85.0      -3.3    -1.6     -0.6     -0.1     -0.6
65         Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up
              articles, n.e.s., and related prod......         1.447      95.2    95.5      -2.5    -0.3     -0.2     -1.0      0.3
66         Nonmetallic mineral manufactures,
              n.e.s...................................         2.265     101.0   101.4       0.8    -0.1      0.1      0.3      0.4
67         Iron and steel.............................         1.963      86.2    85.0     -10.4    -1.6     -0.6     -0.6     -1.4
68         Nonferrous metals..........................         1.875      84.4    85.9      -5.8    -1.0     -0.1      1.8      1.8
69         Manufactures of metals, n.e.s..............         2.083      96.8    96.0      -1.3    -0.7      0.5     -0.3     -0.8

7         MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT...........        48.416      91.4    91.1      -1.9     0.0      0.1      0.1     -0.3
71         Power generating machinery and
              equipment (9612=100)....................         3.181      98.4    98.6      -1.3     0.2     -0.1      0.6      0.2
72         Machinery specialized for particular
              industries..............................         2.879      98.8    98.4       0.3    -0.3      0.1      0.3     -0.4
73         Metalworking machinery.....................         0.877      97.3    96.1      -1.5    -0.4     -0.1     -0.2     -1.2
74         General industrial machinery,
              equipment, & machine parts, n.e.s.......         3.727      99.1    98.6       2.1    -0.3      0.2      0.5     -0.5
75         Computer equipment and office machines.....         6.380      65.9    64.3     -11.9     0.2     -0.1     -1.1     -2.4
76         Telecommunications & sound recording
              & reproducing apparatus & equipment.....         4.672      88.5    88.4      -2.6    -0.2      0.0      0.2     -0.1
77         Electrical machinery and equipment.........         9.747      84.3    84.4      -1.3     0.1     -0.2      0.5      0.1
78         Road vehicles..............................        15.830     102.0   102.0       0.5     0.1      0.4      0.1      0.0

8         MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.........        18.456      98.4    98.2      -1.0    -0.3      0.2      0.0     -0.2
81         Prefabricated buildings; plumbing, heat
              & lighting fixtures, n.e.s..............         0.400      93.1    93.3      -3.5    -0.8      0.4     -1.7      0.2
82         Furniture and parts thereof................         1.320     100.1   100.2      -2.6     0.1      0.0     -0.2      0.1
83         Travel goods, handbags and similar
              containers..............................         0.542     101.2   100.7       1.2     0.6      0.1      0.1     -0.5
84         Articles of apparel and clothing
              accessories.............................         6.243     102.4   102.1      -0.6    -0.7      0.0      0.3     -0.3
85         Footwear...................................         1.908     101.4   100.7       0.0    -0.2      0.4      0.1     -0.7
87         Professional, scientific and controlling
              instruments and apparatus, n.e.s........         1.676      95.0    94.6      -0.4    -0.3     -0.1      0.1     -0.4
88         Photographic apparatus, equipment and
              supplies and optical goods, n.e.s.;.....         1.413      92.1    91.8       0.0    -0.2      0.9      0.2     -0.3
89         Miscellaneous manufactured articles,
              n.e.s...................................         4.955      95.7    95.4      -2.2    -0.1      0.3     -0.1     -0.3




     1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available.
         1995 trade values.
     2  Data for December 1998, January and February 1999
         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,
              March 1998-March 1999     1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                              Index                      Percent Change
                                                             Relative
                                                              Import-                    Annual          Monthly
                                                               ance                      March    Nov.     Dec.     Jan.     Feb.
SITC                         Description                                                  1998    1998     1998     1999     1999
Rev. 3                                                       February February   March     to      to       to       to       to
                                                               1999     1999     1999    March    Dec.     Jan.     Feb.    March
                                                                1/       2/               1999    1998     1999     1999     1999

         ALL COMMODITIES..............................       100.000      94.6    94.3      -2.7    -0.1      0.0     -0.2     -0.3

0         FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS.......................         7.199      89.1    87.5      -5.4     0.4      0.9     -1.3     -1.8
01         Meat and meat preparations.................         1.158      93.3    90.0      -2.3    -0.9      0.3      3.4     -3.5
03         Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates
              and preparations thereof................         0.623      98.6   101.0      21.8    -0.8      0.4      2.6      2.4
04         Cereals and cereal preparations............         2.394      77.8    75.9     -16.0     0.9      0.5     -1.9     -2.4
05         Vegetables, fruit and nuts,
              fresh or dried..........................         1.446      97.9    95.0       3.6     0.4      3.5     -5.1     -3.0
08         Feeding stuff for animals (not
              including unmilled cereals).............         0.656      90.1    90.5     -10.5     3.1     -1.1     -1.2      0.4
09         Miscellaneous edible products and
              preparations............................         0.413     106.8   106.8       1.9     0.1      0.0      0.0      0.0
      3/ Other food and live animals (9612=100).......         0.510      92.3    91.4      -4.5    -1.3      0.4     -3.6     -1.0

1         BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO.......................         1.570     101.4   101.2       1.0     0.2      0.6      0.1     -0.2
12         Tobacco and tobacco manufactures...........         1.296     101.5   101.2       1.0     0.0      0.9      0.2     -0.3

2         CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS.....         5.047      75.0    74.0     -12.1     0.8     -0.9     -0.8     -1.3
21         Hides, skins and furskins, raw.............         0.276      81.4    81.5      -9.5     7.0     -3.5     -1.6      0.1
22         Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits............         0.960      84.9    78.3     -27.8     2.5     -4.4     -7.1     -7.8
24         Cork and wood..............................         0.881      81.5    81.6      -2.9    -0.1     -0.1      0.2      0.1
25         Pulp and waste paper.......................         0.735      61.3    62.0      -4.6     0.2      3.5      2.7      1.1
26         Textile fibers and their waste.............         0.730      70.8    69.7     -10.5    -1.1     -0.3      0.6     -1.6
27         Crude fertilizers and crude minerals.......         0.332      93.4    93.6      -3.6     0.0     -1.8      0.0      0.2
28         Metalliferous ores and metal scrap.........         0.738      68.8    69.8     -12.4     0.1     -0.3      1.6      1.5
      3/ Other crude materials, inedible, except
            fuels (9612=100)..........................         0.395      90.2    89.9     -11.6    -0.6      0.0     -0.1     -0.3

3         MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED
             MATERIALS................................         1.873      93.4    93.0     -12.4    -0.8     -0.4      0.1     -0.4
32         Coal, coke and briquettes..................         0.701      99.3    99.3      -1.7     0.0     -0.1      0.0      0.0
33         Petroleum, petroleum products and
              related materials.......................         1.035      91.3    90.7     -17.9    -1.8     -0.9     -0.1     -0.7

4         ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE OILS, FATS AND
             WAXES....................................         0.442      90.6    82.6     -18.1    -3.1     -1.7     -7.6     -8.8

5         CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.......        10.630      90.5    90.5      -3.3    -0.2     -0.4     -0.1      0.0
51         Organic chemicals..........................         2.314      73.7    73.5      -7.3     0.3     -0.4     -0.3     -0.3
52         Inorganic chemicals........................         0.899     103.2   103.1       1.1    -0.1     -0.1     -0.1     -0.1
53         Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials.....         0.508     101.2   101.2      -0.9    -0.1      0.7      0.4      0.0
54         Medicinal and pharmaceutical products......         1.255     100.1   100.3      -2.0    -0.4     -0.6      0.1      0.2
55         Essential oils; polishing and cleansing
              preps...................................         0.772     101.4   101.5       0.0    -0.1     -0.3      0.1      0.1
56         Fertilizers (9612=100).....................         0.580      95.2    93.7       1.8    -1.1     -0.2     -0.5     -1.6
57         Plastics in primary forms..................         1.707      84.4    84.6      -7.7    -0.3     -1.2     -0.2      0.2
58         Plastics in nonprimary forms...............         0.825      95.4    96.4      -3.3    -0.5      0.5     -0.5      1.0
59         Chemical materials and products, n.e.s.....         1.769     100.7   100.6       0.1     0.1     -0.9      0.4     -0.1

6         MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY
             BY MATERIAL..............................         9.907      96.8    96.1      -2.2    -0.3      0.3      0.1     -0.7
62         Rubber manufactures, n.e.s.................         0.727     107.6   106.7       4.5    -0.1      0.5      1.0     -0.8
63         Cork and wood manufactures other than
              furniture...............................         0.311      94.3    95.0       3.0    -1.0     -0.3      2.1      0.7
64         Paper, paperboard, and articles of
              paper pulp, paper or paperboard.........         1.511      80.9    80.9      -4.5    -0.7     -1.1      0.6      0.0
65         Textile yarn, fabrics, and
              made-up articles, n.e.s.................         1.410      99.6    99.6      -3.9     0.4     -0.1     -1.3      0.0
66         Nonmetallic mineral manufactures,
              n.e.s...................................         1.375     106.9   106.6      -0.4     0.1     -0.4      0.0     -0.3
67         Iron and steel.............................         1.077      96.9    95.6      -5.1    -0.6      0.8     -0.9     -1.3
68         Nonferrous metals..........................         1.231      85.4    82.9      -9.1    -1.8      0.8      0.9     -2.9
69         Manufactures of metals, n.e.s..............         2.117     108.1   107.6       2.5    -0.1      1.6      0.0     -0.5

7         MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT...........        51.087      98.1    98.1      -1.2     0.0     -0.1      0.0      0.0
71         Power generating machinery and
              equipment...............................         4.533     109.3   109.5       2.5     0.5      0.6      0.2      0.2
72         Machinery specialized for particular
              industries..............................         4.880     105.6   105.8       0.8    -0.3      0.5     -0.1      0.2
73         Metalworking machinery.....................         1.031     109.2   109.0       1.1     0.2      0.2      0.1     -0.2
74         General industrial machinery,
              equipment, & parts, n.e.s...............         5.280     107.4   107.1       1.2     0.0      0.5      0.4     -0.3
75         Computer equipment and office machines.....         5.967      73.3    73.0      -8.5    -0.1     -1.1     -0.4     -0.4
76         Telecommunications & sound recording
              & reproducing apparatus & equipment.....         3.844      97.4    97.6      -1.0     0.1      0.0     -0.2      0.2
77         Electrical machinery and equipment.........        11.449      89.9    90.1      -3.2    -0.2     -0.8      0.0      0.2
78         Road vehicles..............................         9.410     102.3   102.3       0.5    -0.1      0.0      0.2      0.0

8         MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.........        11.517     101.0   101.1      -0.3    -0.2      0.3      0.1      0.1
82         Furniture and parts thereof................         0.656     103.9   104.2      -0.2     0.0     -0.3      0.0      0.3
84         Articles of apparel and clothing
              accessories.............................         1.290     101.2   101.1      -2.6    -1.6     -0.2      0.5     -0.1
87         Professional, scientific and controlling
              instruments and apparatus, n.e.s........         3.872     104.8   105.5       1.8     0.1      0.7      0.0      0.7
88         Photographic apparatus, equipment and
              supplies and optical goods, n.e.s.......         0.944      95.4    95.1      -0.4    -0.1      0.5      0.5     -0.3
89         Miscellaneous manufactured articles,
              n.e.s...................................         4.278      98.2    98.0      -1.4    -0.1      0.1      0.0     -0.2
      3/ Other miscellaneous manufactured
            articles (9612=100).......................         0.477     102.2   102.3       0.2     0.0      0.1      0.0      0.1




     1  Relative importance figures are based on                                   n.a.      Not available.
         1995 trade values.
     2  Data for December 1998, January and February 1999
         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,
              March 1998-March 1999     1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                              Index                      Percent Change
                                                             Relative
                                                              Import-                    Annual          Monthly
Harmo-                                                         ance                      March    Nov.     Dec.     Jan.     Feb.
nized                        Description                                                  1998    1998     1998     1999     1999
System                                                       February February   March     to      to       to       to       to
                                                               1999     1999     1999    March    Dec.     Jan.     Feb.    March
                                                                1/       2/               1999    1998     1999     1999     1999


I         LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS...............         1.632      98.9   100.8      -2.7    -1.8      0.8      0.6      1.9
02       Meat and edible meat offal...................         0.278      92.7    97.8       0.2    -2.8      0.0      0.1      5.5
03       Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and...........
            other aquatic invertebrates...............         0.967     104.5   105.5      -2.0    -1.4      1.3      1.3      1.0
      3/ Other live animals and animal................
            products (9612=100).......................         0.387      93.3    94.7      -6.4    -2.3      0.4     -0.4      1.5

II        VEGETABLE PRODUCTS..........................         1.589      86.2    84.5      -4.4     1.0      1.7     -6.2     -2.0
07       Edible vegetables and certain roots and......
            tubers....................................         0.294     101.6    92.9      -5.5    10.2     -1.8    -29.3     -8.6
08       Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus........
            fruit or melons...........................         0.490     101.6   102.1       6.1    -5.3      3.8      0.5      0.5
09       Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................         0.369      70.9    70.1     -20.0    -0.8      2.8     -4.6     -1.1
      3/ Other vegetable products.....................         0.436      94.0    93.4       1.6     1.7      1.8      7.9     -0.6

IV        PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND.........
            TOBACCO...................................         2.197     100.6   100.4      -0.3     0.5      0.5     -0.2     -0.2
20       Preparations of vegetables, fruit,...........
            nuts, or other parts of plants............         0.301      93.6    94.3       8.0     3.0      2.9     -1.3      0.7
22       Beverages, spirits, and vinegar..............         0.807     105.0   104.9       0.8    -0.2      0.2     -0.1     -0.1
      3/ Other prepared foodstuffs (9612=100).........         1.089      97.0    96.6      -3.2     0.4     -0.1      0.0     -0.4

V         MINERAL PRODUCTS............................         6.940      69.4    72.8     -11.1   -10.1      3.6     -0.1      4.9
26       Ores, slag and ash...........................         0.313     101.5   101.5      -0.6     0.0     -0.1      0.0      0.0
27       Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,...........
            bituminous substances and mineral wax.....         6.390      67.5    71.1     -11.9   -10.9      4.0     -0.3      5.3

VI        PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED..........
            INDUSTRIES................................         5.329      93.9    93.4      -3.1    -1.3     -0.1     -0.4     -0.5
28       Inorganic chemicals..........................         0.814      91.7    91.4      -7.7    -2.7     -1.3     -2.0     -0.3
29       Organic chemicals............................         2.025      90.3    89.7      -3.8    -1.6      0.3     -0.1     -0.7
30       Pharmaceutical products......................         0.612     105.1   104.5       3.1    -0.4      1.2      0.3     -0.6
32       Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye &.............
            pigments; varnish & paints; putty.........         0.298      92.3    92.3      -0.9    -0.8     -1.7     -0.8      0.0
37       Photographic or cinematographic goods........         0.369      95.4    95.6      -0.6     0.0      0.0      0.3      0.2
38       Miscellaneous chemical products..............
            (9612=100)................................         0.413      91.0    90.4      -5.7     0.8     -0.5     -1.3     -0.7
      3/ Other products of the chemical or............
            allied industries (9612=100)..............         0.798      95.1    94.4      -1.3    -0.8     -0.5      0.5     -0.7

VII       PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER.......
            AND ARTICLES THEREOF......................         2.791      85.6    85.5      -4.3    -0.6      0.1      0.0     -0.1
39       Plastics and articles thereof................         1.751      89.0    89.0      -4.1    -0.1      0.3     -0.2      0.0
40       Rubber and articles thereof..................         1.040      80.6    80.2      -4.6    -1.4      0.0      0.4     -0.5

VIII      RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,........
            TRAVEL GOODS, ETC.........................         1.071     102.6   102.1       0.6    -0.2     -0.1      0.1     -0.5
42       Articles of leather; travel goods, bags,.....
            etc. of various materials.................         0.901     100.8   100.4       0.5    -0.2      0.0      0.1     -0.4

IX        WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW, BASKET....
            AND WICKER................................         1.756     106.2   106.1       3.1     1.9      1.6      3.8     -0.1

X         WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER.....
            AND ARTICLES THEREOF......................         2.412      81.1    80.7      -4.0    -1.1     -0.4      0.1     -0.5
47       Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic........
            material; waste paper/paperboard..........         0.344      58.2    57.9     -10.6    -0.2     -1.0      1.2     -0.5
48       Paper and paperboard; articles of paper......
            pulp, paper or paperboard.................         1.692      86.6    86.1      -2.9    -1.5     -0.5      0.0     -0.6
49       Printed matter...............................         0.376      99.2    99.0      -2.4    -0.4      0.4     -0.2     -0.2

XI        TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES................         7.290     100.0    99.8      -1.4    -0.5      0.0     -0.1     -0.2
61       Articles of apparel and clothing.............
            accessories, knitted or crocheted.........         2.150      99.8    99.3      -2.6    -1.3      0.1     -0.2     -0.5
62       Articles of apparel and clothing.............
            accessories, not knitted or crocheted.....         3.584     104.2   104.1       0.7     0.0      0.1      0.3     -0.1
63       Made-up or worn textile articles and.........
            clothing; needlecraft sets; rags..........         0.353      93.6    93.4      -0.5    -1.2      0.6      0.1     -0.2
      3/ Other textile & textile......................
            articles (9612=100).......................         1.203      93.5    93.8      -5.0    -0.4     -0.4     -1.5      0.3

XII       FOOTWEAR, HEADGEAR, UMBRELLAS, WHIPS,.......
            ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS, ETC...................         2.234     101.6   101.0       0.1    -0.3      0.4      0.1     -0.6
64       Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts........
            of such articles..........................         1.919     101.0   100.4       0.0    -0.4      0.4      0.1     -0.6
      3/ Other footwear, headgear, umbrellas,.........
            whips, art. flowers, etc. (9612=100)......         0.315     103.2   103.0       1.2     0.0      0.1     -0.1     -0.2

XIII      STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,CERAMIC....
            GLASS ETC.................................         1.218     101.5   101.9       0.8    -0.2      0.2      0.3      0.4
69       Ceramic products.............................         0.462      98.7    98.6       0.6    -0.4      0.4      0.8     -0.1
70       Glass and glassware..........................         0.466     100.3   101.7       0.9    -0.1      0.1     -0.1      1.4

XIV       PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,............
            IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS..............         2.400     100.3   101.5       2.5    -0.1      0.8      1.1      1.2

XV        BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METAL......         5.606      84.4    83.9      -8.3    -1.2     -0.8      0.0     -0.6
72       Iron and steel...............................         1.680      85.0    84.0     -10.7    -0.9     -0.5     -0.8     -1.2
73       Articles of iron or steel....................         1.322      92.9    92.6      -2.8    -0.6     -0.2     -0.1     -0.3
74       Copper and articles thereof..................         0.391      67.4    66.6      -7.6    -0.9     -2.4     -1.2     -1.2
76       Aluminum and articles thereof................         0.897      79.9    79.3     -11.3    -1.2     -0.9     -0.6     -0.8
83       Miscellaneous articles of base metal.........         0.436     100.0   100.0      -2.0    -0.7     -0.7      0.3      0.0
      3/ Miscellaneous nonferrous metals and..........
            articles, including scrap (9612=100)......         0.403      74.9    76.4     -21.1    -6.0     -4.3      7.8      2.0

XVI       MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV.........
            IMAGE & SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC.......        30.469      84.1    83.6      -3.7     0.1     -0.1      0.1     -0.6
84       Specialized machinery & computer.............
            equipment.................................        15.754      83.8    82.9      -5.0     0.0      0.0     -0.2     -1.1
85       Electrical machinery and equip, sound........
            and TV recorders & reproducers, parts.....        14.715      84.4    84.4      -2.1     0.1     -0.1      0.5      0.0

XVII      VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND.............
            ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT............        17.155     102.1   102.1       0.6     0.1      0.4      0.1      0.0
87       Motor vehicles and their parts...............        16.204     101.8   101.8       0.6     0.1      0.4      0.1      0.0

XVIII     OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &........
            MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES.........         3.730      92.1    91.9      -0.6    -0.2      0.2      0.0     -0.2
90       Optical, photographic, measuring and.........
            medical instruments.......................         3.176      91.7    91.5      -0.9    -0.2      0.2      0.0     -0.2
91       Clocks and watches and parts thereof.........         0.405      94.7    95.0       1.8    -0.7      0.8     -0.3      0.3

XX        MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.........         3.907      97.8    97.6      -1.8    -0.1      0.2     -0.3     -0.2
94       Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps........
            and lighting fittings nes;................         1.686      98.5    98.5      -1.8    -0.1      0.3     -0.3      0.0
95       Toys, games and sports equipment; parts......
            and accessories thereof...................         1.913      97.8    97.4      -2.3     0.0      0.1     -0.2     -0.4
96       Miscellaneous manufactured articles..........         0.308      94.4    94.0       0.9    -0.6      0.6     -1.3     -0.4



     1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available
         1995 trade values.
     2  Data for December 1998, January and February 1999
         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,
              March 1998-March 1999     1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                              Index                      Percent Change
                                                             Relative
                                                              Import-                    Annual          Monthly
Harmo-                                                         ance                      March    Nov.     Dec.     Jan.     Feb.
nized                        Description                                                  1998    1998     1998     1999     1999
System                                                       February February   March     to      to       to       to       to
                                                               1999     1999     1999    March    Dec.     Jan.     Feb.    March
                                                                1/       2/               1999    1998     1999     1999     1999


I         LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS...............         1.940      93.2    91.6       2.0    -1.4      0.3      2.3     -1.7
02       Meat & edible meat offal.....................         1.048      88.6    85.1      -4.9    -1.3     -0.6      3.4     -4.0
03       Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and...........
            other aquatic invertebrates...............         0.551      95.7    98.0      22.0    -1.2      2.1      3.8      2.4
      3/ Other live animals and animal................
            products (9612=100).......................         0.341      89.9    88.3      -3.4    -1.9      0.4     -2.8     -1.8

II        VEGETABLE PRODUCTS..........................         4.654      83.5    80.9     -14.8     1.2      0.1     -3.6     -3.1
07       Edible vegetables and certain roots and......
            tubers....................................         0.305      92.7    92.6      -3.2     3.8      7.8    -15.8     -0.1
08       Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus........
            fruit or melons...........................         0.771     101.0    99.1       9.0    -0.9      1.9      0.1     -1.9
10       Cereals......................................         2.176      76.0    73.8     -17.3     1.2      0.8     -1.8     -2.9
12       Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds,............
            fruits, plants, straw and fodder..........         1.166      89.5    83.8     -24.6     2.4     -3.4     -5.7     -6.4

III       ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE FATS AND OILS...........         0.481      91.6    83.0     -18.9    -3.0     -2.2     -7.2     -9.4

IV        PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND.........
            TOBACCO...................................         3.493      98.0    97.5      -1.6     1.4     -0.3     -0.6     -0.5
20       Preparations of vegetables, fruit,...........
            nuts, or other parts of plants............         0.361      97.2    93.0      -2.0     5.8     -2.6     -2.1     -4.3
21       Miscellaneous edible preparations............         0.382     107.0   107.0       1.0     0.2      0.0      0.0      0.0
22       Beverages, spirits, and vinegar..............         0.341      98.9    99.1       1.1     1.4     -1.1     -0.3      0.2
23       Residues and waste from the food.............
            industries; prepared animal feed..........         0.585      86.7    86.8      -9.4     4.5     -1.4     -2.3      0.1
24       Tobacco and manufactured tobacco.............
            substitutes...............................         1.306     101.4   101.2       1.0     0.0      0.7      0.2     -0.2
      3/ Other prepared foods.........................         0.517     100.0    99.9      -1.9    -0.2     -0.1     -0.1     -0.1

V         MINERAL PRODUCTS............................         2.432      91.9    91.9     -10.7    -0.6     -0.8      0.8      0.0
26       Ores, slag and ash (9812=100)................         0.254     105.4   107.5     n.a.    n.a.      -2.4      8.0      2.0
27       Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,...........
            bituminous substances and mineral wax.....         1.918      93.9    93.5     -12.5    -0.8     -0.5      0.0     -0.4

VI        PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED..........
            INDUSTRIES................................         8.738      92.1    91.9      -2.0     0.0     -0.3      0.0     -0.2
28       Inorganic chemicals..........................         0.964     101.7   101.6       1.9    -0.1      0.1     -0.5     -0.1
29       Organic chemicals............................         2.603      76.7    76.5      -7.3     0.3     -0.8     -0.1     -0.3
30       Pharmaceutical products......................         0.939     103.0   103.4      -1.2    -0.2      0.1      0.0      0.4
31       Fertilizers (9612=100).......................         0.647      95.2    93.7       1.8    -1.1     -0.2     -0.5     -1.6
32       Tanning or dyeing extracts; dyes and.........
            pigments; paints & varnish; putty;ink.....         0.521     101.4   101.4      -0.3    -0.2      0.6      0.3      0.0
33       Essential oils and resinoids;................
            perfumery, cosmetic or toilet.............         0.552     103.3   103.6       0.4     0.0     -0.4      0.0      0.3
34       Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or........
            scouring products; candles, pastes........         0.330     104.3   104.1       1.1     0.0      0.1      0.5     -0.2
37       Photographic or cinematographic goods........         0.417      89.1    87.6       0.7    -0.1      1.3      1.2     -1.7
38       Miscellaneous chemical products..............         1.534      99.4    99.5      -0.1     0.0     -1.1      0.2      0.1

VII       PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER.......
            AND ARTICLES THEREOF......................         4.203      90.4    90.5      -5.1    -0.2     -0.3      0.0      0.1
39       Plastics and articles thereof................         3.252      87.7    88.0      -7.0    -0.3     -0.5     -0.2      0.3
40       Rubber and articles thereof..................         0.951     100.9   100.2       2.0    -0.3      0.3      0.8     -0.7

VIII      RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,........
            TRAVEL GOODS, ETC.........................         0.504      83.2    83.2      -6.6     4.1     -2.0     -1.4      0.0
41       Raw hides and skins (other than..............
            furskins) and leather.....................         0.348      77.1    77.2     -11.1     5.7     -2.7     -2.2      0.1

IX        WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW,...........
            BASKET AND WICKER.........................         1.218      85.0    85.2      -1.5    -0.2      0.0      0.7      0.2

X         WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER.....
            AND ARTICLES THEREOF......................         3.002      76.1    76.0      -3.2    -0.4      0.1      0.8     -0.1
47       Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic........
            material; waste paper/paperboard..........         0.676      58.5    58.7      -5.3     0.0      2.7      2.5      0.3
48       Paper and paperboard; articles of paper......
            pulp, paper or paperboard.................         1.479      81.2    81.0      -5.2    -1.0     -1.2      0.5     -0.2
49       Printed material.............................         0.847     109.7   109.5       2.3    -0.1      0.7      0.0     -0.2

XI        TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES................         3.174      88.1    87.7      -5.3    -0.6     -0.3     -0.2     -0.5
52       Cotton, including yarns and woven............
            fabrics thereof...........................         0.650      72.8    71.5      -8.1    -1.0      0.0      0.7     -1.8
55       Manmade staple fibers, includ. yarns.........
            and woven fabrics (9812=100)..............         0.268      98.4    98.4     n.a.    n.a.      -0.1     -1.5      0.0
61       Apparel and clothing access.,................
            knitted or crocheted (9812=100)...........         0.485     101.1   100.9     n.a.    n.a.       0.1      1.0     -0.2
62       Apparel and clothing access.,................
            not knitted or crocheted (9812=100).......         0.666      98.9    98.9     n.a.    n.a.      -1.1      0.0      0.0

XIII      STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,...........
            CERAMIC, GLASS ETC........................         0.883     103.4   103.4      -0.6    -0.3      0.0     -0.1      0.0
70       Glass and glassware..........................         0.512     102.5   102.1       0.2     0.0     -0.3      0.0     -0.4

XIV       PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,............
            IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS..............         1.917      95.2    96.1      -0.7    -0.1      0.9      1.4      0.9

XV        BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METALS.....         4.469      89.6    88.6      -5.4    -0.7      0.3     -0.2     -1.1
72       Iron and steel...............................         0.836      77.5    77.3     -12.9    -0.9      0.1     -1.5     -0.3
73       Articles of iron or steel....................         1.325     109.6   109.4       0.4     0.0     -0.1      0.1     -0.2
74       Copper and articles thereof..................         0.336      62.0    61.8     -10.4    -2.0     -4.5     -0.3     -0.3
76       Aluminum and articles thereof................         0.823      79.9    77.0     -12.2    -0.9     -0.4      0.3     -3.6
82       Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and.......
            forks, of base metal; parts thereof.......         0.443     107.1   107.0       2.8     0.4      4.4     -0.1     -0.1
83       Miscellaneous articles of base metal.........         0.394     102.1   103.2       2.9     0.0      0.8      0.5      1.1


XVI       MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV.........
            IMAGE AND SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC.....        36.877      93.1    93.1      -2.3    -0.1     -0.2      0.0      0.0
84       Specialized machinery & computer.............
            equipment.................................        20.674      94.7    94.6      -1.8     0.0      0.1     -0.1     -0.1
85       Electrical machinery and equip, sound........
            & tv recorders & reproducers, parts.......        16.203      91.1    91.3      -2.9    -0.1     -0.7      0.1      0.2

XVII      VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND.............
            ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT............        14.337     105.8   105.8       0.8     0.1      0.1      0.1      0.0
87       Motor vehicles and their parts...............         9.879     102.4   102.4       0.4    -0.2      0.0      0.2      0.0

XVIII     OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &........
            MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES.........         5.609     102.7   103.1       0.6     0.1      0.6     -0.2      0.4


XX        MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.........         1.839     102.2   102.4      -0.2     0.0      0.0      0.0      0.2
94       Furniture; stuffed furnishings;..............
            lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;........         0.905     104.0   104.2      -0.4     0.0     -0.2      0.0      0.2
95       Toys, games and sports equipment; parts......
            and accessories thereof...................         0.757     100.7   100.6      -0.1     0.0      0.0      0.2     -0.1



     1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available
         1995 trade values.
     2  Data for December 1998, January and February 1999
         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,  March 1998-March 1999
                1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                        Index                            Percent Change
                                                             Percentage
                                                                of                       Annual          Monthly
                                                             US Imports                  March    Nov.     Dec.     Jan.     Feb.
                            Description 1/                                                1998    1998     1998     1999     1999
                                                               1995    Feb.      March     to      to       to       to       to
                                                                       1999      1999    March    Dec.     Jan.     Feb.    March
                                                                        2/                1999    1998     1999     1999     1999

      3/ Developed Countries..........................          55.6      95.1    94.9      -0.6    -0.4      0.4      0.0     -0.2
           Manufactured Goods.........................          52.2      96.0    95.7      -0.3    -0.3      0.4      0.1     -0.3
           Nonmanufactured Goods......................           3.1      84.3    86.0      -4.7    -3.4      0.9     -1.5      2.0

      3/ Developing Countries.........................          42.7      89.2    89.6      -5.4    -1.7      0.2      0.0      0.4
           Manufactured Goods.........................          35.4      91.6    91.2      -4.7    -0.3     -0.3     -0.2     -0.4
           Nonmanufactured Goods......................           7.1      72.8    76.9      -8.7    -9.3      4.5      1.0      5.6

         Canada.......................................          18.9      94.6    94.9      -1.6    -0.9     -0.1     -0.2      0.3
           Manufactured Goods.........................          16.5      96.1    96.4      -1.0    -0.9     -0.2      0.1      0.3
           Nonmanufactured Goods......................           2.2      87.3    87.9      -5.2    -1.8      0.6     -2.8      0.7

      4/ European Union...............................          17.0     100.5   100.0       0.0    -0.7      0.1     -0.1     -0.5
           Manufactured Goods.........................          16.4     101.4   100.8       0.4    -0.5      0.1     -0.2     -0.6
           Nonmanufactured Goods......................           0.5      74.2    78.5     -13.6    -8.6     -1.5      1.8      5.8

      5/ Latin America  (9712=100)....................          14.1      90.7    91.2      -3.7    -2.0      0.2      0.2      0.6
           Manufactured Goods  (9712=100).............          10.4      95.1    94.6      -3.1    -0.5     -1.1      0.0     -0.5
           Nonmanufactured Goods (9712=100)...........           3.5      77.9    81.3      -5.4    -7.2      5.7      0.5      4.4

         Japan........................................          16.6      88.9    88.4      -1.7     0.2      0.2      0.5     -0.6

      6/ Asian Newly Industrialized Countries.........          10.9      83.9    83.3      -7.2    -0.4     -0.4     -0.1     -0.7



         1    Regions are not mutually exclusive.

         2    Data for  December 1998, January and February 1999
              have been revised to reflect the availability
              of late reports and corrections by respondents.

         3    Defined according to the Standard Census Definition.

         4    Includes EU  15 countries.

         5    Includes Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.

         6    Includes Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan.

         Table  8     U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services,
              March 1998-March 1999  1995 = 100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                        Index                            Percent Change

                                                                                         Annual          Quarterly
                                                              Trade                      March   March     June    Sept.     Dec.
                             Description                      (Mil.                       1998    1998     1998     1998     1998
                                                                of     Dec.      March     to      to       to       to       to
                                                             Dollars)  1998      1999    March    June    Sept.     Dec.    March
                                                                                          1999    1998     1998     1998     1999


         IMPORT

          Air Freight                                            3188     86.7   87.8        9.1     1.2     -1.5      8.0      1.3
           Atlantic                                              1278     91.7   89.1        3.8     2.3     -0.5      4.9     -2.8
           Pacific                                               1674     83.8   87.9       15.2     0.5     -2.3     11.9      4.9

          Air Passenger Fares                                   11127    105.1   103.8       0.5     9.0      0.2     -6.8     -1.2
      1/   Atlantic                                              4922     98.1   97.1       -1.8    18.6      1.6    -17.7     -1.0
      1/   Pacific                                               2340    104.7   97.4       -0.9     7.7     -6.5      5.8     -7.0
      1/   Latin American / Caribbean                            3021    109.0   112.5       5.2    -0.6      2.8     -0.3      3.2

      1/  Crude Oil Tanker Freight                               1346     82.3    n.a.     n.a.    -14.6     -3.9      5.0    n.a.

          Ocean Liner Freight                                    9868    100.6   100.6       7.7     7.9      0.4     -0.6      0.0
           U.S. East Coast                                       4271     99.0   99.0        2.6     2.8      1.1     -1.3      0.0
            from Atlantic                                        1952     97.4   97.5        0.3    -0.5      0.7      0.0      0.1
            from Pacific                                         1774    103.3   103.3       9.0     6.8      1.9      0.2      0.0
      1/   U.S. West Coast                                       5596    101.2   101.1      11.7    12.2     -0.2     -0.1     -0.1

         EXPORT

          Air Freight (9612 = 100)                               2562     96.7   90.5       -4.6    -0.4      1.2      1.2     -6.4

          Air Passenger Fares                                   17272     98.0   100.6       6.7     0.8      0.3      2.7      2.7
      1/   Atlantic                                              4120    109.0   106.5       4.7     8.8      4.1     -5.4     -2.3
      1/   Pacific                                              10700     82.0   85.1        6.9    -2.4     -1.7      7.3      3.8
           Latin American / Caribbean                            1392    113.1   111.6       4.0     1.6      3.9     -0.1     -1.3
           Canadian                                              1006    166.0   188.6      13.5    -3.6     -3.3      7.2     13.6



         1     Detailed data available upon request.                                            n.a.    Not available.

         Table  9    U.S. International Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services,
              March 1998-March 1999    1995 = 100
                                                                        Index                            Percent Change

                                                                                         Annual          Quarterly
                                                              Trade                      March   March     June    Sept.     Dec.
                             Description                      (Mil.                       1998    1998     1998     1998     1998
                                                                of     Dec.      March     to      to       to       to       to
                                                             Dollars)  1998      1999    March    June    Sept.     Dec.    March
                                                                                          1999    1998     1998     1998     1999


          Air Freight (Inbound)                                  5495     87.4   88.0        6.2     0.6     -1.9      6.8      0.7
           Atlantic                                              1880     91.6   89.1        4.3     3.5     -0.5      4.1     -2.7
           Pacific                                               3151     85.5   88.0        8.2    -1.2     -3.0      9.8      2.9

          Air Freight (Outbound)                                 5835     95.2   92.7       -4.6    -1.2     -0.2     -0.6     -2.6
           Atlantic                                              2080    104.1   104.1       3.1     1.2      1.1      0.8      0.0
           Pacific                                               3222     89.7   85.3      -10.7    -3.2     -1.1     -1.9     -4.9

          Air Passenger Fares (U.S. Carrier)                    30673    103.1   104.5       5.2     8.6     -0.5     -3.9      1.4
     1/    Atlantic                                              8811     98.0   96.9        2.9    24.0      3.1    -18.6     -1.1
     1/    Pacific                                              15900     93.4   94.6        5.2     4.1     -4.4      4.4      1.3
     1/    Latin American / Caribbean                            4542    116.7   118.4       6.9     0.7      5.0     -0.4      1.5
           Canadian                                              1367    171.9   190.5       9.7    -3.3     -3.2      5.7     10.8

          Air Passenger Fares (Foreign Carrier)                 31694    101.1   98.9        1.3     4.9      1.6     -2.8     -2.2
     1/    Atlantic                                             13572    102.9   98.3       -0.5    13.3      5.4    -12.7     -4.5
     1/    Pacific                                              12570     87.9   86.6        2.2    -2.2     -3.7     10.3     -1.5
     1/    Latin American / Caribbean                            4224    107.9   109.8       4.3    -0.2      2.5      0.2      1.8

     1/   Crude Oil Tanker Freight (Inbound)                     1949     82.7    n.a.     n.a.    -15.6     -5.1     -0.2    n.a.

          Ocean Liner Freight (Inbound)                         12253    104.2   104.1      11.9    11.0      1.7     -0.8     -0.1
           U.S. East Coast                                       5410     96.7   96.7        1.4     2.2      0.9     -1.7      0.0
            from Atlantic                                        2647     95.4   95.5        0.3    -0.4      0.6      0.0      0.1
            from Pacific                                         1874    100.7   100.7       8.2     6.1      1.8      0.1      0.0
     1/    U.S. West Coast                                       6844    109.6   109.5      20.9    18.4      2.2     -0.1     -0.1



         1     Detailed data available upon request.                                            n.a.    Not available.

                                                                     
                           TECHNICAL NOTE
   
Import and Export Merchandise and Services Price Indexes -- All indexes use 
a modified Laspeyres formula and are weighted with 1995 trade weights.  The 
merchandise price indexes are published using three classifications:  the 
Harmonized System (HS), the Bureau of Economic Analysis End Use System,
and the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) system, Rev. 3.  
Price indexes for internationally traded services are presented using two 
definitions: Balance of Payments (which represents transactions between U.S. 
and foreign residents) and International (which represents all transactions
with U.S. importers or exporters, regardless of nationality).  Published
series use a base year of 1995=100 where possible.  Net transaction price
data are collected every month for over 20,000 products from over 6,000
companies and secondary sources.  Indexes are not seasonally adjusted.  More
detailed index series and additional information may be obtained from the
Division of International Prices, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2 Massachusetts
Avenue N.E., PSB 3955, Washington, DC 20212 or (202) 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.



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