Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until 

8:30 a.m. (EST) Tuesday, February 14, 2012 

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

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

USDL-12-0265

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

U.S. import prices rose 0.3 percent in January, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today, after 

ticking down 0.1 percent in December. Higher prices for both fuel and nonfuel imports contributed to the 

January increase. Prices for U.S. exports also advanced in January, rising 0.2 percent following a 0.5 percent 

decline the previous month. 

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

 Percent change 

1.5 1.7

3.0 2.6

0.1

-0.6

0.1

-0.4

-0.1

-0.4

0.7

-0.1

0.3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

Jan'11 Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan'12

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

 Percent change

5.6

7.6

10.3

11.9

12.9

13.6 13.7

12.9 12.7

11.1

10.1

8.5

7.1

0

4

8

12

16

Jan'11 Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan'12
 

All Imports: Overall import prices increased for the second time in three months in January, rising 0.3 

percent following a 0.1 percent downturn in December and a 0.7 percent advance in November. Prior to the 

past three months, import prices had trended mostly down between June and October. However, the price 

index for overall imports rose 7.1 percent over the past 12 months. In January, both a 1.0 percent increase in 

fuel prices and a 0.1 percent uptick in nonfuel prices contributed to the monthly rise. 

Fuel Imports: Prices for import fuels rose 1.0 percent in January after declining 0.6 percent the previous 

month and increasing 3.3 percent in November. The January advance was driven by a 1.2 percent rise in 

petroleum prices. In contrast, prices for natural gas decreased a further 5.8 percent in January following a 

4.1 percent drop in December. Fuel prices increased 20.8 percent for the year ended in January, led by a 

23.7 percent advance in petroleum prices, the largest component of import fuels, which more than offset a 

22.5 percent decline in the price index for natural gas. 

All Imports Excluding Fuel: Nonfuel import prices ticked up 0.1 percent in January after a 0.2 percent 

advance the previous month. In January, prices for the major nonfuel categories were mixed. The price 

indexes for foods, feeds, and beverages; capital goods; and automotive vehicles rose for the month, while 

prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials; and consumer goods declined. Prices for nonfuel 

imports increased 2.9 percent over the past year. 

Table A. Percent changes 

 

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

 Percent change 

1.3 1.3 1.5

0.8

0.4

0.1

-0.4

0.4 0.5

-2.0

0.1

-0.5

0.2

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

Jan'11 Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan'12

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

 Percent change

7.0

8.7

9.5 9.2 9.1

10.1 9.8 9.4 9.4

6.3

4.8

3.6

2.5

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Jan'11 Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan'12

All Exports: The price index for overall exports rose 0.2 percent in January, led by higher agricultural 

prices, after declining 0.5 percent in December. Export prices advanced 2.5 percent for the year ended in 

January, the smallest year-over-year increase since a 0.4 percent rise between November 2008 and 

November 2009. 

Agricultural Exports: Prices for agricultural exports rose 1.1 percent in January after falling 7.3 percent in 

the final quarter of 2011. An upturn in soybean and corn prices, which increased 6.3 percent and 6.1 

percent, respectively, drove the January advance. Agricultural prices fell 1.0 percent over the last 12 months 

as lower prices for soybeans, cotton, and wheat more than offset rising prices for meat, vegetable, and corn. 

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: Nonagricultural prices were unchanged in January after decreasing in 

each of the previous three months. In January, the price indexes for nonagricultural industrial supplies and 

materials and for consumer goods decreased, while prices for capital goods and automotive vehicles rose. 

The price index for nonagricultural exports increased 3.0 percent for the January 2011-12 period, as price 

increases for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials, and each of the major finished goods 

categories all contributed to the advance. 

 

3
4

SELECTED JANUARY HIGHLIGHTS 

Import Prices 

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials fell 0.8 

percent in January, led by a 1.9 percent drop in unfinished metals prices and a 0.7 percent decline in 

chemicals prices. Decreasing prices for nonmonetary gold and other precious metals were the main 

contributors to the lower metals prices, and a 5.4 percent fall in fertilizer prices drove the decline in the 

price index for import chemicals. 

Finished Goods: Prices for each of the major finished goods categories were mixed in January. Prices for 

capital goods and automotive vehicles rose for the month, increasing 0.4 percent and 0.5 percent, 

respectively. In contrast, consumer goods prices fell for the first time in ten months, decreasing 0.4 percent 

in January. 

 

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Foods, feeds, and beverages prices rose 2.3 percent in January following a 

0.4 percent decline in December. The January increase was led by 14.6 percent advance in the price index 

for import vegetables. 

Imports by Locality of Origin: Prices for imports from China advanced 0.3 percent in January and 3.5 

percent over the past year. The price index for imports from China has not recorded a monthly decrease 

since a 0.2 percent drop in June 2010. Import prices from Mexico and Japan also rose in January increasing 

1.2 percent and 0.2 percent, respectively. In contrast, prices for imports from the European Union fell 1.1 

percent in January and import prices from Canada declined 0.5 percent. 

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares increased 0.2 percent in January following a 1.6 

percent advance the previous month. The January rise was led by a 4.8 percent increase in European fares, 

which more than offset declining Asian and Latin American/Caribbean fares. The price index for import air 

freight decreased 3.3 percent in January. 

Export Prices 

 

Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: The price index for nonagricultural industrial 

supplies and materials fell 0.4 percent in January after a 0.7 percent decrease in December. The January 

drop in nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials prices was led by a 6.3 percent decrease in 

nonferrous metals prices, unlike December when the decline was driven by lower fuel prices. Export fuel 

prices rose 1.3 percent in January. 

 

Finished Goods: Both capital goods prices and prices for automotive vehicles advanced in January, rising 

0.4 percent and 0.2 percent, respectively. In contrast, consumer goods prices fell 0.4 percent in January 

following a 0.5 percent drop over the fourth quarter of 2011. The January decline was driven by lower 

prices for medicinal, dental, and pharmaceutical preparatory materials. 

Transportation Services: The index for export air passenger fares increased 3.2 percent after a 3.8 percent 

rise in December. Higher Asian and Latin American/Caribbean fares contributed to the advances in each 

month. Export air freight prices rose 1.6 percent after ticking up 0.1 percent the previous month. 

 

Import and Export Price Index data for February 2012 are scheduled for release on Wednesday, 

March 14, 2012 at 8:30 a.m. (EDT).
Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: January 2011 to

January 2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Dec.

20111

Index Percent change

Dec.

2011

Jan.

2012

Annual Monthly

Jan.

2011 to

Jan.

2012

Sept.

2011 to

Oct. 2011

Oct. 2011

to Nov.

2011

Nov.

2011 to

Dec.

2011

Dec.

2011 to

Jan.

2012

All commodities..................................... 100.000 142.1 142.5 7.1 -0.4 0.7 -0.1 0.3

All imports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100).......................................... 70.585 103.4 103.3 2.7 -0.2 -0.2 0.2 -0.1

All imports excluding petroleum................ 76.805 116.4 116.4 2.5 -0.3 -0.3 0.1 0.0

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)... 75.660 120.5 120.6 2.9 -0.2 -0.2 0.2 0.1

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 5.075 172.5 176.5 5.9 -0.6 -0.2 -0.4 2.3

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 3.930 194.0 199.0 6.1 -0.9 0.1 -0.5 2.6

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 1.145 123.7 125.5 4.8 0.2 -1.2 -0.3 1.5

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 37.494 263.1 264.0 14.7 -0.9 1.7 -0.5 0.3

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum..................................... 14.299 167.8 165.9 1.2 -2.1 -1.3 -0.5 -1.1

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)....................... 13.154 190.0 188.5 3.7 -1.5 -1.7 -0.2 -0.8

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 7.833 179.9 178.5 2.1 -2.5 -2.5 0.0 -0.8

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum......................... 5.320 153.4 151.2 0.1 -1.5 0.1 -1.2 -1.4

Fuels & lubricants............................... 10 24.341 355.4 358.8 20.8 -0.6 3.3 -0.6 1.0

Petroleum & petroleum products........... 100 23.196 396.7 401.6 23.7 -0.3 3.4 -0.5 1.2

Crude.......................................... 10000 17.547 408.3 411.9 23.4 0.0 4.4 0.2 0.9

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................... 101 0.839 115.0 109.3 -20.7 -8.4 2.5 -4.2 -5.0

Gas-natural................................... 10110 0.739 101.4 95.5 -22.5 -9.6 3.6 -4.1 -5.8

Paper & paper base stocks................... 11 0.592 114.8 112.7 -4.2 0.2 -0.9 -1.2 -1.8

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials......................... 12 4.815 175.0 174.7 8.8 0.3 -0.3 -0.5 -0.2

Selected building materials.................... 13 0.966 130.8 131.4 1.5 -0.7 -0.1 0.5 0.5

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods.......................................... 14 3.767 277.8 272.4 -0.7 -4.2 -5.1 0.2 -1.9

Finished metals related to durable goods. .. 15 1.526 162.2 161.1 5.0 -2.0 0.1 -0.2 -0.7

Nonmetals related to durable goods......... 16 1.488 115.2 114.6 3.8 0.0 -0.4 -0.5 -0.5

Capital goods..................................... 2 22.053 93.1 93.5 1.6 -0.2 0.1 0.3 0.4

Electric generating equipment................ 20 2.843 118.3 118.5 3.5 0.2 -0.2 -0.1 0.2

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 17.616 86.4 86.7 0.6 -0.3 0.0 0.3 0.3

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 1.593 130.0 131.7 8.0 0.9 0.9 0.9 1.3

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 11.389 113.3 113.9 3.9 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.5

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 23.989 107.6 107.2 2.6 0.6 0.1 0.3 -0.4

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 11.476 114.3 114.1 3.3 1.2 0.1 0.0 -0.2

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 11.218 100.2 99.7 1.0 -0.2 0.1 0.2 -0.5

Nonmanufactured consumer goods.......... 42 1.295 119.3 118.7 12.0 0.2 -0.5 4.2 -0.5

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

5
Table 2. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: January 2011 to

January 2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Dec.

20111

Index Percent change

Dec.

2011

Jan.

2012

Annual Monthly

Jan.

2011 to

Jan.

2012

Sept.

2011 to

Oct. 2011

Oct. 2011

to Nov.

2011

Nov.

2011 to

Dec.

2011

Dec.

2011 to

Jan.

2012

All commodities..................................... 100.000 132.1 132.3 2.5 -2.0 0.1 -0.5 0.2

Agricultural commodities......................... 10.629 200.3 202.6 -1.0 -6.5 1.7 -2.4 1.1

All exports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100).......................................... 81.539 102.4 102.3 1.7 -0.9 -0.5 0.0 -0.1

Nonagricultural commodities.................... 89.371 127.3 127.3 3.0 -1.4 -0.1 -0.2 0.0

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 9.676 198.6 201.5 2.0 -6.9 2.1 -2.2 1.5

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 8.975 200.8 203.5 1.2 -7.5 2.3 -2.4 1.3

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 0.701 183.8 188.2 12.8 0.1 -1.2 0.7 2.4

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 34.729 184.4 183.8 3.7 -3.4 -0.2 -0.8 -0.3

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 12.480 188.1 184.2 2.8 -3.4 -1.5 0.5 -2.1

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................... 22.248 183.2 184.4 4.2 -3.5 0.5 -1.5 0.7

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials... 10 1.654 201.3 201.3 -11.7 -1.3 -1.4 -2.7 0.0

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials........................................ 33.075 184.0 183.3 4.7 -3.5 -0.1 -0.7 -0.4

Fuels & lubricants............................... 11 8.785 270.2 273.6 11.7 -5.5 3.5 -2.9 1.3

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . . . .. 12 23.357 173.6 171.9 2.4 -2.9 -1.5 0.2 -1.0

Selected building materials.................... 13 0.933 115.6 115.2 -0.9 0.3 0.1 -0.6 -0.3

Capital goods..................................... 2 34.483 104.6 105.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4

Electrical generating equipment.............. 20 3.553 113.0 113.3 2.7 -0.4 -0.6 0.0 0.3

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 25.044 94.2 94.5 0.3 0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.3

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 5.886 145.6 146.5 2.3 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.6

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 8.226 111.9 112.1 2.7 0.4 0.1 -0.1 0.2

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 12.886 116.8 116.3 3.5 -0.4 -0.2 0.1 -0.4

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 5.918 113.9 112.6 -0.3 -0.8 -0.2 0.3 -1.1

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 5.360 113.3 113.5 2.3 -0.2 -0.1 0.0 0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

6
Table 3. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: January 2011 to

January 2012

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Dec.

20111

Index Percent change

Dec.

2011

Jan.

2012

Annual Monthly

Jan.

2011 to

Jan.

2012

Sept.

2011 to

Oct. 2011

Oct. 2011

to Nov.

2011

Nov.

2011 to

Dec.

2011

Dec.

2011 to

Jan.

2012

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 20.938 174.3 175.3 17.7 -0.5 3.4 -0.2 0.6

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 1.854 175.0 176.1 1.9 -0.3 -1.7 -0.3 0.6

Crop production................................. 111 1.316 181.7 186.6 5.5 -0.9 -1.4 0.2 2.7

Mining.............................................. 21 19.084 173.9 174.8 19.5 -0.5 4.1 -0.2 0.5

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)..................................... 212 0.331 146.6 147.3 1.4 -0.8 -2.7 -2.7 0.5

Manufactured articles.............................. 78.600 117.9 118.1 4.2 -0.3 -0.1 -0.1 0.2

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 10.689 123.9 124.9 7.9 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.8

Food manufacturing............................ 311 2.968 157.4 159.9 9.4 -0.7 0.6 0.5 1.6

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.838 111.9 111.9 1.8 0.2 0.1 -0.1 0.0

Textile product mills............................ 314 0.882 118.6 117.8 9.4 0.1 -0.2 0.1 -0.7

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 4.028 111.3 111.8 7.2 0.4 -0.1 -0.2 0.4

Leather and allied product manufacturing. .. 316 1.580 116.8 118.4 8.4 0.8 0.9 0.3 1.4

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 17.855 139.5 140.2 8.6 0.5 0.1 -1.0 0.5

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.570 107.4 108.0 -0.4 -1.5 -0.6 0.3 0.6

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.086 111.7 110.5 -0.6 0.3 -0.2 -0.6 -1.1

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 4.789 177.4 182.5 27.7 -0.8 1.1 -2.6 2.9

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 8.649 134.3 133.2 2.0 1.4 -0.4 -0.5 -0.8

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 1.853 125.8 128.1 7.7 0.6 0.1 -0.2 1.8

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.820 128.6 129.3 3.0 -0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 50.056 110.0 109.9 1.9 -0.5 -0.3 0.3 -0.1

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.351 181.8 178.0 -0.1 -3.8 -4.2 0.3 -2.1

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.520 129.2 129.5 6.1 -0.8 0.5 0.2 0.2

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 5.507 119.5 120.3 3.9 -0.2 0.2 0.1 0.7

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 15.426 82.9 83.1 -1.7 -0.6 0.0 0.4 0.2

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.771 117.3 117.4 3.1 0.6 0.1 0.1 0.1

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 12.029 110.4 110.7 4.0 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.3

Furniture and related product

manufacturing................................ 337 1.291 112.8 112.8 4.9 0.5 0.1 -0.2 0.0

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 5.160 123.2 121.9 4.0 -0.2 0.4 0.4 -1.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

7
Table 4. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: January 2011 to

January 2012

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Dec.

20111

Index Percent change

Dec.

2011

Jan.

2012

Annual Monthly

Jan.

2011 to

Jan.

2012

Sept.

2011 to

Oct. 2011

Oct. 2011

to Nov.

2011

Nov.

2011 to

Dec.

2011

Dec.

2011 to

Jan.

2012

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 8.369 165.5 165.9 -5.2 -8.9 2.3 -2.6 0.2

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 6.015 186.7 190.6 -4.6 -10.6 3.4 -3.1 2.1

Crop production................................. 111 5.594 193.2 197.8 -5.4 -11.4 4.3 -3.3 2.4

Mining.............................................. 21 2.354 117.9 112.7 -6.6 -4.1 -0.2 -1.7 -4.4

Mining (except oil and gas).................... 212 1.616 141.3 138.0 4.2 -2.4 -0.9 -1.1 -2.3

Manufactured articles.............................. 88.634 119.9 120.1 3.6 -0.9 -0.1 -0.2 0.2

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 7.026 143.0 142.3 3.9 -0.8 -0.3 -1.0 -0.5

Food manufacturing............................ 311 4.857 162.2 162.6 6.1 -0.2 -0.4 -1.3 0.2

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.552 115.2 114.0 -0.2 -1.4 1.8 -0.9 -1.0

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 0.417 118.6 119.8 11.5 1.1 1.1 1.5 1.0

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 26.403 132.6 133.3 5.9 -2.4 0.5 -0.7 0.5

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.407 114.5 114.6 1.1 -0.4 -0.2 0.4 0.1

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.857 119.6 118.8 -4.4 -0.8 -1.7 -1.6 -0.7

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 6.131 163.8 167.7 16.0 -6.6 4.3 -3.6 2.4

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 15.078 130.9 130.8 3.7 -1.4 -0.5 0.3 -0.1

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 2.175 116.0 117.1 8.5 0.9 -0.1 -0.1 0.9

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.754 110.7 111.1 0.4 0.2 -0.1 -0.3 0.4

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 55.205 112.7 112.9 2.5 -0.3 -0.3 0.1 0.2

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 5.063 179.7 172.4 4.4 -2.9 -2.7 1.2 -4.1

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.631 128.9 129.3 4.4 0.5 0.5 0.1 0.3

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 10.941 117.8 120.6 4.3 0.0 0.2 0.0 2.4

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 14.462 89.5 89.3 -2.1 0.2 -0.2 0.0 -0.2

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.208 111.3 112.2 2.1 -1.2 -0.3 -0.3 0.8

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 13.326 115.1 115.5 2.5 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.3

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 5.282 124.3 123.7 9.9 -0.1 -0.2 0.1 -0.5

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

8
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: January 2011 to

January 2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Dec.

20111

Index Percent change

Dec.

2011

Jan.

2012

Annual Monthly

Jan.

2011 to

Jan.

2012

Sept.

2011 to

Oct. 2011

Oct. 2011

to Nov.

2011

Nov.

2011 to

Dec.

2011

Dec.

2011 to

Jan.

2012

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.155 166.4 169.8 5.6 0.7 -0.6 -0.2 2.0

Meat and edible meat offal....................... 02 0.267 215.0 220.7 10.6 0.2 3.0 -0.5 2.7

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.609 121.5 124.2 1.6 0.3 -2.4 -0.8 2.2

Vegetable products................................ II 1.652 211.6 218.0 11.6 -1.5 -1.1 1.8 3.0

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers............ 07 0.305 306.4 365.9 10.6 1.3 0.5 -4.1 19.4

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.447 113.5 116.9 -2.1 -7.3 -0.6 -0.3 3.0

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................... 09 0.451 295.8 298.8 32.2 -1.4 -1.0 2.9 1.0

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.260 134.1 135.9 -9.6 -7.2 2.1 1.6 1.3

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.358 157.3 158.2 5.4 0.1 0.3 -0.6 0.6

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec.

2009=100)....................................... 18 0.181 84.9 85.6 -13.3 -4.4 2.2 -12.0 0.8

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100).............. 19 0.223 125.3 124.8 -4.3 -0.9 -0.1 -0.2 -0.4

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or other

parts of plants................................... 20 0.349 174.2 178.0 17.8 2.2 4.2 2.4 2.2

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.................. 22 0.793 122.5 122.6 2.2 0.5 0.0 -0.1 0.1

Mineral products.................................... V 24.012 357.1 360.5 21.1 -0.6 3.3 -0.6 1.0

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 23.693 353.2 356.6 21.3 -0.5 3.4 -0.6 1.0

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 8.200 149.7 148.2 2.1 1.4 0.2 -0.3 -1.0

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 0.965 390.8 371.3 8.8 1.3 2.7 -0.5 -5.0

Organic chemicals................................. 29 2.396 137.1 138.2 1.6 -0.1 -0.3 -0.4 0.8

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 2.983 116.4 114.0 -1.7 3.9 0.0 0.1 -2.1

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)...................... 31 0.456 144.6 137.5 14.1 -0.3 0.5 -4.2 -4.9

Tanning extracts; dye, pigments, varnish,

paints & putty (Dec. 2011=100)............... 32 0.172 100.0 110.2 – – – – 10.2

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec.

2001=100)....................................... 33 0.410 124.5 124.6 1.1 -0.3 -0.6 -0.7 0.1

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 0.479 104.7 103.4 -1.7 -0.7 -1.6 0.3 -1.2

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 3.058 151.6 151.9 5.2 0.2 -0.5 -0.7 0.2

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 1.849 142.4 143.0 6.0 0.1 -0.4 0.3 0.4

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.209 169.2 168.9 3.9 0.3 -0.7 -2.3 -0.2

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.568 123.2 125.7 8.1 0.4 0.5 0.0 2.0

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

various materials................................ 42 0.521 123.7 126.5 8.7 0.5 0.5 0.1 2.3

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.599 129.9 130.5 0.2 -1.3 -0.5 0.3 0.5

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 1.186 114.2 113.2 -1.1 0.3 -0.1 -0.6 -0.9

Pulp wood, waste paper, and paperboard

(Dec. 2011=100)................................ 47 0.177 100.0 95.6 – – – – -4.4

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 0.799 109.7 109.4 2.0 0.6 0.5 -0.2 -0.3

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 5.180 115.5 115.7 7.8 0.3 -0.2 -0.1 0.2

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted............................ 61 2.006 106.2 106.6 4.7 0.2 -0.4 -0.3 0.4

See footnotes at end of table.

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

January 2012 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Dec.

20111

Index Percent change

Dec.

2011

Jan.

2012

Annual Monthly

Jan.

2011 to

Jan.

2012

Sept.

2011 to

Oct. 2011

Oct. 2011

to Nov.

2011

Nov.

2011 to

Dec.

2011

Dec.

2011 to

Jan.

2012

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted........................ 62 1.889 116.9 117.5 11.4 0.4 0.2 -0.1 0.5

Made-up or worn textile articles................. 63 0.649 112.8 112.0 10.2 -0.1 -0.2 0.0 -0.7

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.. .. XII 1.304 117.0 117.6 7.4 1.1 1.1 0.5 0.5

Footwear and parts of such articles............ 64 1.108 116.0 116.7 7.7 1.0 1.0 0.6 0.6

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 0.745 131.0 131.3 3.4 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.2

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or

mica (Dec. 2001=100)......................... 68 0.239 124.2 124.1 3.7 1.5 0.2 0.1 -0.1

Ceramic products.................................. 69 0.224 141.2 141.2 1.6 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.282 126.1 126.8 4.4 -0.2 0.6 0.6 0.6

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 3.340 207.0 203.1 12.1 -4.1 -2.1 2.6 -1.9

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 4.829 189.2 190.1 -0.5 -2.3 -2.2 -0.4 0.5

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.131 246.0 250.1 4.9 -2.5 -2.9 -0.6 1.7

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.409 161.7 161.3 5.1 0.4 0.0 0.1 -0.2

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.432 339.9 344.2 -14.3 -9.5 -5.5 0.4 1.3

Nickel and articles thereof (Dec. 2009=100). .. 75 0.137 106.5 104.9 -19.7 -6.7 -7.5 -2.5 -1.5

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.704 140.1 138.3 -4.7 -2.2 -2.6 -2.4 -1.3

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.349 124.3 128.6 5.2 -0.4 0.1 0.4 3.5

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.396 131.7 132.3 3.2 0.2 0.0 -0.1 0.5

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 24.581 85.9 86.2 0.7 -0.1 0.0 0.4 0.3

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 12.276 89.1 89.8 1.7 -0.1 0.2 0.3 0.8

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and TV

recorders & reproducers, parts............... 85 12.305 82.8 82.7 -0.4 -0.2 -0.1 0.2 -0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 10.050 114.7 115.0 3.8 -0.2 0.0 0.1 0.3

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 9.278 114.0 114.2 4.0 -0.2 0.0 0.2 0.2

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)....................................... 88 0.685 115.8 116.1 1.8 -0.1 0.0 0.0 0.3

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 3.235 106.0 103.8 -0.3 -0.2 0.1 0.6 -2.1

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical

instruments...................................... 90 2.985 103.6 101.3 -0.5 0.0 0.1 0.5 -2.2

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . . . .. 91 0.190 127.7 127.6 2.2 -1.2 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 3.632 111.5 111.3 3.4 0.6 0.0 -0.1 -0.2

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs........... 94 1.933 115.1 114.4 3.6 0.5 0.0 -0.2 -0.6

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 1.502 104.6 104.8 3.3 0.9 0.1 0.1 0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles........... 96 0.197 132.9 132.8 4.0 -0.1 0.0 -0.2 -0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

10
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: January 2011 to

January 2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Dec.

20111

Index Percent change

Dec.

2011

Jan.

2012

Annual Monthly

Jan.

2011 to

Jan.

2012

Sept.

2011 to

Oct. 2011

Oct. 2011

to Nov.

2011

Nov.

2011 to

Dec.

2011

Dec.

2011 to

Jan.

2012

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.961 207.9 206.4 14.4 1.3 0.0 -0.1 -0.7

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100). . .. 02 1.130 170.2 168.5 15.6 1.7 0.4 -0.6 -1.0

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.403 200.8 205.8 11.7 -0.1 -1.0 2.0 2.5

Vegetable products................................ II 5.509 232.1 235.5 -1.6 -11.5 4.8 -2.4 1.5

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.872 138.7 130.9 -2.4 1.2 4.8 6.7 -5.6

Cereals.............................................. 10 2.105 271.0 279.8 1.0 -15.7 6.3 -7.1 3.2

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder....................... 12 1.882 231.3 243.3 -7.7 -15.6 4.1 -3.3 5.2

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.469 145.7 147.3 -2.4 -6.5 -1.8 -1.7 1.1

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.576 147.7 148.9 1.6 -0.1 -1.3 -1.9 0.8

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other

parts of plants (Dec. 2009=100).............. 20 0.322 109.7 110.1 5.6 0.7 0.3 -0.5 0.4

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar (Dec.

2008=100)....................................... 22 0.388 105.0 105.8 1.8 -0.3 -0.5 0.1 0.8

Residues and waste from the food industries;

prepared animal feed........................... 23 0.700 199.6 200.6 -7.6 -2.1 -4.7 -5.4 0.5

Mineral products.................................... V 8.746 318.1 320.7 10.2 -5.7 2.9 -2.8 0.8

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 8.122 314.3 317.7 11.7 -6.0 3.2 -3.0 1.1

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 12.345 154.9 153.2 3.2 -0.8 0.3 0.2 -1.1

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 1.092 199.7 180.8 -8.1 0.2 0.6 1.7 -9.5

Organic chemicals................................. 29 3.450 166.3 169.5 8.5 -2.4 0.4 0.6 1.9

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 3.162 123.6 120.8 -2.7 -1.2 -0.2 -0.4 -2.3

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations................ 33 0.753 133.4 134.8 6.6 -0.5 -0.3 0.2 1.0

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or scouring

products; candles, pastes..................... 34 0.477 124.7 124.1 2.6 0.2 1.3 -0.1 -0.5

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 1.746 150.1 149.2 3.3 -0.5 -0.3 0.2 -0.6

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 5.455 147.3 147.8 4.2 -1.6 -2.4 0.0 0.3

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 4.372 138.1 139.0 2.7 -2.0 -2.1 0.3 0.7

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.083 191.2 189.1 11.0 -0.1 -3.8 -1.0 -1.1

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.345 120.7 123.2 -2.1 -2.3 -4.9 -2.6 2.1

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.536 107.7 105.5 -3.1 -0.1 0.2 -1.6 -2.0

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 2.314 116.7 117.1 -6.7 -1.8 -3.8 -2.7 0.3

Woodpulp and recovered paper................. 47 0.622 121.1 122.9 -17.8 -4.2 -10.2 -7.3 1.5

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 1.240 117.3 117.2 -1.4 -0.7 -0.8 -0.7 -0.1

Printed material.................................... 49 0.452 119.3 119.0 0.8 0.2 0.0 0.0 -0.3

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 2.024 132.6 132.6 -9.4 -1.3 -0.7 -1.7 0.0

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof............................................ 52 0.717 170.0 167.5 -27.2 -3.8 -2.5 -4.9 -1.5

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc. (Dec. 2008=100)..................... XIII 0.741 116.4 116.7 1.0 0.3 0.0 -0.3 0.3

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.405 98.8 98.7 -0.3 0.5 -0.1 -0.5 -0.1

See footnotes at end of table.

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

January 2012 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Dec.

20111

Index Percent change

Dec.

2011

Jan.

2012

Annual Monthly

Jan.

2011 to

Jan.

2012

Sept.

2011 to

Oct. 2011

Oct. 2011

to Nov.

2011

Nov.

2011 to

Dec.

2011

Dec.

2011 to

Jan.

2012

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 5.614 295.9 284.3 17.7 -2.9 -1.5 1.5 -3.9

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.561 173.9 176.5 0.6 -4.0 -1.1 -0.2 1.5

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.691 212.5 221.5 3.2 -3.9 -5.1 -0.1 4.2

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.369 172.7 174.3 6.9 0.4 0.9 0.0 0.9

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.654 249.1 248.0 -10.8 -17.1 6.0 0.6 -0.4

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.830 125.9 126.6 -4.4 -4.4 -0.9 -2.0 0.6

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.377 128.4 128.8 2.7 0.9 0.0 0.0 0.3

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.319 136.3 136.2 7.3 0.0 0.0 0.4 -0.1

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 27.630 96.3 96.7 0.8 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.4

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 15.913 108.6 109.2 1.8 -0.1 0.1 0.0 0.6

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts

and accessories thereof....................... 85 11.717 82.9 83.0 -0.6 0.0 -0.4 0.0 0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 10.869 124.6 125.6 2.5 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.8

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 7.191 111.2 112.5 3.3 0.5 0.1 0.0 1.2

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 5.825 105.6 104.6 -1.4 0.1 -0.2 0.1 -0.9

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 1.334 108.4 108.1 0.7 -0.5 -0.2 0.0 -0.3

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;........................... 94 0.697 119.1 118.6 0.1 -0.7 -0.3 -0.1 -0.4

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 0.516 89.8 89.8 -1.9 -0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

12
Table 7. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes by locality of origin: January 2011 to January 2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Percent of

U.S.

imports1

Index Percent change

Dec.

2011

Jan.

2012

Annual Monthly

Jan. 2011

to Jan.

2012

Sept. 2011

to Oct.

2011

Oct. 2011

to Nov.

2011

Nov. 2011

to Dec.

2011

Dec. 2011

to Jan.

2012

Industrialized Countries2

..................... 38.296 133.1 132.4 3.5 -0.3 0.4 0.0 -0.5

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 4.447 246.6 245.3 9.2 0.4 5.2 0.2 -0.5

Manufactured articles......................... 33.487 123.8 123.2 2.7 -0.4 -0.4 -0.1 -0.5

Other Countries3

............................... 61.704 142.1 142.8 8.8 -0.3 1.0 0.0 0.5

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 12.907 364.8 368.4 21.5 -0.8 3.1 0.2 1.0

Manufactured articles......................... 48.593 111.8 112.2 4.4 0.0 0.1 -0.1 0.4

Canada............................................ 14.414 155.0 154.2 2.9 -1.0 1.0 0.0 -0.5

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 4.027 235.9 234.8 7.7 -0.3 5.9 0.1 -0.5

Manufactured articles......................... 10.122 137.3 136.5 0.6 -1.3 -1.3 -0.1 -0.6

European Union4

............................... 15.813 136.9 135.4 3.8 0.4 0.1 -0.2 -1.1

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 0.262 371.5 371.3 32.7 5.6 0.4 0.0 -0.1

Manufactured articles......................... 15.467 133.2 131.8 3.3 0.4 0.1 -0.3 -1.1

France (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 1.736 121.2 121.0 -0.7 0.2 0.1 0.5 -0.2

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)..................... 4.265 115.4 114.4 1.5 -0.3 -0.1 -0.1 -0.9

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)........... 2.397 132.7 133.1 2.0 -0.4 -0.2 -0.2 0.3

Latin America5

.................................. 19.049 181.4 183.1 9.4 -1.1 2.0 0.0 0.9

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 5.633 399.3 404.7 23.9 -0.8 5.8 0.4 1.4

Manufactured articles......................... 13.328 134.2 135.1 1.3 -1.2 -0.5 -0.2 0.7

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 12.091 147.8 149.5 5.4 -0.7 1.0 -0.1 1.2

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec.

2008=100)................................... 2.017 211.1 218.1 24.0 -0.6 5.6 -0.7 3.3

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100). . .. 10.028 95.9 96.3 0.1 -0.8 -0.4 0.1 0.4

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6

................ 34.659 104.7 104.8 2.3 -0.2 0.3 -0.1 0.1

China (Dec. 2003=100)......................... 19.583 105.1 105.4 3.5 0.4 0.3 0.0 0.3

Japan.............................................. 6.349 102.1 102.3 1.9 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.2

Asian NICs7

..................................... 5.471 90.7 90.4 1.5 -1.0 0.1 -0.3 -0.3

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8

..................... 5.652 104.9 104.9 2.4 -0.9 0.4 -0.2 0.0

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9........... 3.948 272.0 273.5 17.6 -0.3 -0.3 -1.4 0.6

1 Percentage of trade figures are based on 2010 trade values.

2 Includes Western Europe, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

3 Includes Eastern Europe, Latin America, OPEC countries, and other countries in Asia, Africa and the Western Hemisphere.

4 Includes European Union countries.

5 Includes Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean.

6 Includes China, Japan, Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Macao, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines and Asian Newly Industrialized

Countries.

7 Asian Newly Industrialized Countries. Includes Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan.

8 Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and

Vietnam.

9 Includes Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.

Regions are not mutually exclusive.

Dash = Not available

13
Table 8. U.S. international price indexes and percent changes for selected transportation services: January

2011 to January 2012

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Dec.

20111

Index Percent change

Dec.

2011

Jan.

2012

Annual Monthly

Jan. 2011

to Jan.

2012

Sept.

2011 to

Oct. 2011

Oct. 2011

to Nov.

2011

Nov. 2011

to Dec.

2011

Dec. 2011

to Jan.

2012

Air Freight

Import Air Freight..................................... 100.000 176.9 171.1 2.3 -2.4 -1.8 -0.6 -3.3

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 24.676 168.2 164.0 15.7 -2.9 -3.3 -0.4 -2.5

Asia.................................................... 70.887 156.2 150.3 -1.9 -2.3 -1.3 -0.6 -3.8

Export Air Freight..................................... 100.000 144.2 146.5 10.5 -0.8 -0.9 0.1 1.6

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)............................ 36.005 129.6 131.5 8.9 -0.3 -1.1 -0.6 1.5

Inbound Air Freight................................... 100.000 160.5 157.1 2.9 -0.5 -0.9 -0.9 -2.1

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 25.054 149.4 146.9 10.8 -2.9 -2.4 0.0 -1.7

Asia.................................................... 63.621 144.4 140.6 0.5 0.4 -0.3 -1.5 -2.6

Outbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 144.6 144.1 11.0 0.4 -0.6 0.7 -0.3

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 30.980 163.0 162.3 9.0 2.1 -0.3 -0.2 -0.4

Asia.................................................... 48.863 135.2 135.0 13.2 -1.6 -1.0 1.1 -0.1

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 179.5 179.9 8.8 1.9 -0.7 1.6 0.2

Europe................................................. 36.969 176.4 184.8 4.5 2.0 -3.5 -2.0 4.8

Asia.................................................... 28.459 162.6 155.9 9.7 -0.3 2.5 4.8 -4.1

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 13.004 186.9 178.6 13.3 2.0 1.2 8.0 -4.4

Export Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 191.1 197.3 10.5 -2.2 -2.3 3.8 3.2

Europe................................................. 25.295 206.9 206.8 11.8 -0.6 -7.3 -2.7 0.0

Asia.................................................... 29.227 178.9 191.7 8.9 -5.2 1.6 2.7 7.2

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 22.119 204.8 215.7 9.0 -2.1 1.7 7.3 5.3

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2010 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.

Dash = Not available

14
TECHNICAL NOTE

Import and Export Merchandise and Services Price Indexes -- All indexes use a modified Laspeyres 

formula and are not seasonally adjusted. Price indexes are reweighted annually, with a two-year lag in 

the weights. Published series use a base year of 2000=100 where possible. More detailed index series 

and additional information may be obtained at http://www.bls.gov/mxp, or by calling (202) 691-7101. 

Merchandise Goods Classification Systems -- The merchandise price indexes are published using 

three classification systems. Items are classified by end use according to the Bureau of Economic 

Analysis Classification System, by industry according to the North American Industry Classification 

System (NAICS), and by product category according to the Harmonized System (HS). While 

classification by end use and product category are self-explanatory, some notes are in order for 

classifying items by industry. In the NAICS imports and exports tables, items are classified by output 

industry, not input industry. As an example, NAICS import index 326 (plastics and rubber products 

manufacturing) include outputs such as manufactured plastic rather than inputs such as petroleum. The 

NAICS classification structure also matches the classification system used by the PPI (Producer Price 

Index) to produce the NAICS primary products indexes.

Import Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United 

States Annotated (TSUSA). Import prices are based on U.S. dollar prices paid by the U.S. importer. 

The prices are generally either "free on board" (f.o.b.) foreign port or "cost, insurance, and freight" 

(c.i.f.) U.S. port transaction prices, depending on the practices of the individual industry. The index for 

crude petroleum is calculated from data collected by the U.S. Department of Energy. 

Export Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the Harmonized Schedule B classification 

system of the U.S. Bureau of the Census. The prices used are generally either "free alongside ship" 

(f.a.s.) factory or "free on board" (f.o.b.) transaction prices, depending on the practices of the individual 

industry. Prices used in the grain index, excluding rice, are obtained from the U.S. Department of 

Agriculture. 

Services Price Indexes -- Starting in September 2008 the Import Air Passenger Fares Indexes represent 

changes in the average revenue per passenger received by foreign carriers from U.S. residents and are 

calculated from data obtained from an airline consulting service. These data include tickets sold by 

travel agencies and travel websites. Tickets sold directly by the airlines are excluded, as are frequent 

flyer tickets generally. Starting in January 2008 the Export Air Passenger Fares Indexes represent 

changes in the average revenue per passenger received by U.S. carriers from foreign residents and are 

calculated from data collected directly from airlines. These data include frequent flyer tickets and those 

sold by consolidators. Taxes and fees are included in the Import Air Passenger Fares Index and excluded 

from the Export Air Passenger Fares Index. The Air Freight Indexes are calculated from data collected 

directly from airlines. These data exclude mail and passenger baggage. The scope of the service being 

priced is the movement of freight from airport to airport only, and does not include any ground 

transportation or port service. The Air Freight Indexes are presented using two definitions: Balance of 

Payments (which represent transactions between U.S. and foreign residents) and International (which 

represent transactions inbound to and outbound from the U.S.). Fact sheets specifying detailed 

information for each services industry are available at http://www.bls.gov/mxp under "MXP 

Publications."

15
Import Indexes by Locality of Origin -- Prices used in these indexes are a subset of the data collected 

for the Import Price Indexes. Beginning with January 2002, the indexes are defined by locality of origin 

using a nomenclature based upon the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). 

Nonmanufactured goods are defined as NAICS 11 and 21 and manufactured goods are defined as 

NAICS 31-33. 

Revision Policy -- To reflect the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents, monthly 

data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication. After three months, no 

further data revisions take place. So, for example, data released in the January release will be subject to 

revision in the releases for February, March, and April. 

Uses of the Data -- The primary use of the indexes is to deflate trade statistics, notably the foreign trade 

sector of the National Income and Product Accounts constructed by the Department of Commerce. 

Other published indexes are useful for general market analysis. For trade in international services, 

Balance of Payments indexes are used for deflating National Income and Product Accounts, while 

International indexes are more appropriate for market analysis. Merchandise and services indexes also 

can be used to study U.S. competitiveness and to compute price elasticities, and the merchandise import 

indexes by country or region of origin are useful in terms of trade analysis. 

E-Mail Subscription -- The U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes news release is available through an 

e-mail subscription service at (http://www.bls.gov/bls/list.htm). 

 

Additional Information -- More detailed data are available on the Import/Export Price Indexes home 

page at (http://www.bls.gov/mxp). Flat Files and the FTP server are available for users requiring access 

to either a large volume of time series data or other related documentation. The FTP site can be accessed 

at ftp://ftp.bls.gov. For technical assistance in using the BLS Internet site, send e-mail to 

(labstat.helpdesk@bls.gov). For Import/Export Price Index data requests, send e-mail to 

(mxpinfo@bls.gov). 

Information from this release will be made available to sensory impaired individuals upon request. 

Voice phone: 202-691-5200; Federal Relay Service: 1-800-877-8339. 

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