Technical Information:
 Jim Thomas    (202) 606-7155                        USDL-99-13
 Bill Alterman  (202) 606-7108                       Transmission of This
Media contact:                                       Material is Embargoed
  Kathryn Hoyle      (202) 606-5902                  Until: 10:00 A.M. E.S.T.
Internet Address:   http://stats.bls.gov/ipphome.htm Friday, January 15, 1999
                                  
                U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES
                           -DECEMBER 1998-
                                  
     The U.S. Import Price Index decreased 0.7 percent in December,
the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor
reported today.  The decline followed a 0.5 percent decrease the
previous month and was again attributable to a large decline in
petroleum prices.  Prices for nonpetroleum imports were unchanged in
December.  Export prices edged down 0.1 percent in December, after
increasing 0.2 in November.

            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                                                                                                                      
                                                                 
1997                                                             
December          -1.0      -6.8      -0.4      -0.4      -0.8      -0.4 
1998                                                             
January           -1.3     -10.0      -0.6      -0.7      -2.7      -0.4 
February          -0.9      -6.5      -0.4      -0.3      -1.5      -0.2 
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 r
October            0.2       2.0 r     0.1      -0.1       0.1      -0.1 r
November          -0.5 r    -9.9 r     0.1       0.2 r     1.7 r     0.0 r
December          -0.7     -11.9       0.0      -0.1       0.7      -0.2 
                                                                  
December 1996-97  -5.2     -25.5      -2.8      -1.1      -3.0      -1.0 
December 1997-98  -6.1     -40.0      -3.1      -3.5      -9.3      -2.8 

r = revised to reflect late reports and corrections by respondents.
                                  

        Over the past year, import prices fell 6.1 percent after falling
5.2 percent in the December 1996-97 period.   The annual decrease was the
largest recorded for the import price index since publication of the series
began in 1983.  The decline in export prices, down 3.5 percent for the year
ended in December, was more than double the declines of 1.1 percent and
1.2 percent recorded in the two previous 12-month periods ended in
December 1997 and December 1996 respectively.  The annual decrease for the
December 1997-98 period also was the largest recorded for the export price
index since publication of the series began in 1984.

Import Goods

        After decreasing 9.9 percent in November, petroleum prices fell
11.9 percent in December, the largest monthly decline for the index
since February 1991.  Petroleum prices were at the lowest level since
publication of the index began in 1983.  Over the past year,
petroleum prices fell 40.0 percent following a 25.5 percent decline
over the December 1996-1997 period.   In contrast, the index for
nonpetroleum import prices was unchanged in December after posting
0.1 percent increases in each of the previous two months.  For the year
this index fell 3.1 percent, compared with a 2.8 percent decrease in 1997.
     
        Nonpetroleum import prices were unchanged, on average, in
December as gains recorded for the price indexes of motor vehicles
and of foods, feeds, and beverages were offset by declining prices
for consumer goods and for industrial supplies and materials excluding
petroleum.  The index for foods, feeds, and beverages rose 1.4 percent
last month after decreasing 1.3 percent in November. Despite recording
increases in three of the past four months, the index was down 1.7 percent
for the year ended in December.  The index for automotive vehicles parts
and engines rose for the third consecutive month, up 0.1 percent in December
after gaining 0.4 percent and 0.2 percent in November and October,
respectively.  Over the past year, however, the index was unchanged.
     
        In contrast, the indexes for capital goods, consumer goods, and
industrial supplies and materials excluding petroleum, which have
trended downward over the past three years, were either unchanged or
declined in December.  The price index for capital goods was unchanged
last month after increasing in November, the first upturn in 16 months.
For the year ended in December, the index dropped 4.8 percent.  After
increasing 0.1 percent in November, prices fell last month for both
industrial supplies and materials excluding petroleum, down 0.4 percent,
and consumer goods, down 0.2 percent. Over the past 12 months, these indexes
fell 6.6 percent and 1.2 percent, respectively.

Export Goods

     Prices for overall U.S. exports resumed a three-year downward
trend in December, as declines for nonagricultural prices more than
offset an increase in agricultural prices.  The decline in export
prices was the sixth in the past seven months.  Agricultural prices
rose 0.7 percent in December following a 1.7 percent increase in
November, as prices continued to move higher for grains and oilseeds.
Despite the recent upturn, however, agricultural prices fell 9.3
percent for the year ended in December and have decreased on an
annual basis in each of the last three years.  In contrast, after
recording no change in November, the index for nonagricultural export
prices resumed a downward trend, falling 0.2 percent in December.
Over the past year and a half, monthly prices for nonagricultural
exports have, on average, either decreased or posted no change.
Prices for nonagricultural exports were down 2.8 percent for the year
ended in December, compared with a 1.0 percent decrease in the prior
year.

     The indexes for nonagricultural industrial supplies and
materials, automotive vehicles, and consumer goods each fell in
December after increasing or posting no change in November.  Prices
for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials fell 0.3
percent in December and 6.7 percent over the past 12 months, marking
the third consecutive annual decline.  The index for automotive
vehicles, parts, and engines dipped 0.1 percent in December, the
first decrease since February 1998.  The index increased 0.5 percent
for the year ended in December.  Prices for consumer goods excluding
automotives fell 0.2 percent in December and 0.8 percent over the
past 12 months.
     
     The index for capital goods, which has not posted an increase
since August 1997, was unchanged in December.  For the year, the
index decreased 1.9 percent after falling 1.6 percent over the
December 1996-97 period.
     
           Summary of December-to-December percent changes
                                  
                         1989 1990  1991 1992  1993 1994 1995 1996  1997  1998
All merchandise imports   2.6  7.4  -4.2  0.2  -1.0  5.3  2.6  1.5  -5.2  -6.1
   Excluding petroleum   -0.2  3.1   0.2  0.8   1.4  3.9  2.2 -1.7  -2.8  -3.1
   Petroleum             32.6 48.7 -33.0 -6.0 -21.7 20.3  6.0 33.8 -25.5 -40.0
All merchandise exports   0.6  2.1  -0.6  0.7   1.1  3.7  3.4 -1.2  -1.1  -3.5
   Excluding agricultural 1.3  3.4   1.1  0.9   0.1  4.4  1.6 -0.3  -1.0  -2.8
     Agricultural        -3.7 -4.8   1.7 -0.5   8.3 -0.2 17.4 -6.9  -3.0  -9.3

Imports by Locality of Origin

        The price index for imports from Japan rose for two consecutive
months for the first time since mid-1995, increasing a modest 0.1 percent
in December after gaining 1.3 percent in November.  Despite the recent gains,
prices from Japan fell 3.0 percent over the past year.  Prices of imports
from the Asian Newly Industrialized Countries were unchanged on average
in December.  This index had decreased, however, over each of the previous
15 months and was down 8.2 percent for the year ended in December.
     
        In December the import price indexes for Canada and Latin
America decreased for the second consecutive month after both
increased 0.4 percent in October.  Import prices from Latin America
were down 1.7 percent in December and 9.9 percent over the past 12
months.  Canadian import prices decreased 0.8 percent last month and
3.5 percent for the year.  In addition, the index for imports from
the European Union also was down last month, falling 0.7 percent, the
first decline in this index since July.  Over the past 12 months, the
index was down 0.7 percent.
     
Import and Export Services
     
     The import air freight index increased 8.0 percent from
September to December after a third quarter decrease of 1.5 percent.
For the year ended in December, the index edged up 0.1 percent.  The
export air freight index also was up over the past three months,
increasing 1.2 percent for the second consecutive quarter.  Over the
past 12 months, this index rose 3.6 percent.
     
     The import air passenger index dropped 6.8 percent from
September to December.  For the year ended in December, however, the
index gained 0.8 percent as gains posted in the second and third
quarters countered the recent decline.  In contrast, export air
passenger fares continued to increase, rising 2.7 percent in the
fourth quarter.  Over the past year, this index rose 6.4 percent.
     
     The import ocean liner freight index decreased 0.6 percent over
the past three months after increasing in the previous two quarters.
The index rose 7.6 percent over the past 12 months.
     
     
                         CONTENTS OF RELEASE
                                  
This news release includes the following tables:

Table 1   Import Price Indexes, by End Use.....page  5
Table 2   Export Price Indexes, by End Use.....page  6
Table 3   Import Price Indexes, by SITC.....pages 7-8
Table 4   Export Price Indexes, by SITC.....pages  9-10
Table 5   Import Price Indexes, by Harmonized System.....pages 11-12
Table 6   Export Price Indexes, by Harmonized System.....pages 13-14
Table 7   Import Price Indexes, by Locality of Origin.....page  15
Table 8   U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes for Services.....page 16
Table 9   U.S. International Price Indexes for Services.....page  17
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Import and Export Price Index data for January are scheduled for
release on February 17, 1999 at 10:00 a.m. (EST).


Table 1   U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, December 1997-December 1998
              1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
                                                              ance                       Dec.    Aug.    Sept.     Oct.     Nov.
END                         Description                                                  1997    1998     1998     1998     1998
USE                                                         NovemberNovember  December    to      to       to       to       to
                                                              1998    1998      1998     Dec.   Sept.     Oct.     Nov.     Dec.
                                                               1/      2/                1998    1998     1998     1998     1998

        ALL COMMODITIES..............................       100.000      91.3    90.7      -6.1     0.2      0.2     -0.5   -0.7
        ALL IMPORTS EXCLUDING PETROLEUM..............        94.161      92.9    92.9      -3.1    -0.2      0.1      0.1   0.0

0        FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES...................         4.875      95.1    96.4      -1.7     1.5      1.0     -1.3   1.4

00        Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,
              excluding distilled beverages..........         3.426      91.7    94.1      -1.7     2.1      1.4     -1.4   2.6

01        Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled
              beverages).............................         1.449     103.8   102.3      -1.7    -0.1      0.4     -1.3   -1.4

1        INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS.............        24.358      84.8    82.1     -16.7     1.2      0.2     -2.5   -3.2
           INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS
                 EXCLUDING PETROLEUM.................        18.518      91.1    90.7      -6.6    -0.4     -0.5      0.1   -0.4
           INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                 DURABLE.............................         9.701      91.3    91.2      -6.7    -0.8     -1.0     -0.4   -0.1
           INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                 NONDURABLE EXCLUDING PETROLEUM......         8.818      90.8    90.1      -6.5    -0.3      0.1      0.7   -0.8

10        Fuels & lubricants.........................         7.044      73.3    66.2     -35.9     5.4      1.8     -7.9   -9.7

100        Petroleum & petroleum products............         5.840      68.3    60.2     -40.0     6.4      2.0     -9.9  -11.9

1000         Crude...................................         4.439      65.4    56.3     -42.8     9.1      2.2    -12.2  -13.9

11        Paper & paper base stocks..................         1.847      79.3    78.3      -6.0    -0.2      0.2     -1.1   -1.3

12        Materials associated with nondurable
              supplies & materials...................         5.982      89.2    88.4      -5.8    -0.3      0.1      0.7   -0.9

13        Selected building materials................         2.129     101.9   102.8      -4.5     0.2     -3.3      0.9   0.9

14        Unfinished metals associated with
              durable goods..........................         4.397      87.4    87.0      -8.9    -1.3     -0.3     -1.4   -0.5

15        Finished metals associated with durable
              goods..................................         1.488      92.8    92.2      -4.4     0.3     -0.3     -0.1   -0.6

16        Nonmetals associated with durable goods....         1.471      88.6    88.5      -6.1    -0.9     -0.4      0.1   -0.1

2        CAPITAL GOODS...............................        28.421      84.7    84.7      -4.8    -0.5     -0.1      0.4   0.0

20        Electric & electrical generating
              equipment..............................         3.454      93.6    93.7      -2.4    -1.6      0.3      0.8   0.1

21        Nonelectrical machinery....................        23.140      81.7    81.7      -5.5    -0.4     -0.1      0.2   0.0

3        AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES........        19.018     101.2   101.3       0.0    -0.1      0.2      0.4   0.1

4        CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING
              AUTOMOTIVES............................        23.329      98.2    98.0      -1.2    -0.1      0.3      0.1   -0.2

40        Nondurables, manufactured..................        11.673     101.2   100.9      -0.1     0.0      0.3      0.1   -0.3

41        Durables, manufactured.....................        10.531      95.3    95.0      -2.3    -0.2      0.3      0.3   -0.3

42        Nonmanufactured consumer goods.............         1.125      96.7    97.6      -1.8     0.5      0.1     -1.0   0.9



    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for September, October and November 1998
        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, December 1997-December 1998
              1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
                                                              ance                       Dec.    Aug.    Sept.     Oct.     Nov.
END                         Description                                                  1997    1998     1998     1998     1998
USE                                                         NovemberNovember  December    to      to       to       to       to
                                                              1998    1998      1998     Dec.   Sept.     Oct.     Nov.     Dec.
                                                               1/      2/                1998    1998     1998     1998     1998

        ALL COMMODITIES..............................       100.000      94.9    94.8      -3.5    -0.5     -0.1      0.2     -0.1
        AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES.....................         9.714      88.6    89.2      -9.3    -2.9      0.1      1.7      0.7
        NONAGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES..................        90.287      95.6    95.4      -2.8    -0.2     -0.1      0.0     -0.2

0        FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES...................         8.850      90.6    91.2      -8.2    -3.1      0.6      2.3      0.7

00        Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,
              excluding distilled beverages..........         8.061      90.3    91.0      -9.0    -3.2      0.5      2.6      0.8

01        Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled
              beverages).............................         0.789      95.8    94.9       0.9    -2.2      1.3     -0.3     -0.9

1        INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS.............        24.304      87.4    87.2      -6.9    -1.0     -0.6     -0.1     -0.2
           INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                 DURABLE.............................         9.533      89.0    88.5      -5.0    -1.0     -0.2      0.0     -0.6
           INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                 NONDURABLE..........................        14.771      86.5    86.3      -8.3    -1.0     -0.8     -0.1     -0.2

10        Agricultural industrial supplies &
              materials..............................         1.653      82.9    82.7     -10.8    -1.8     -1.6     -2.0     -0.2

           NONAGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES
              & MATERIALS............................        22.652      87.8    87.5      -6.7    -1.0     -0.5      0.0     -0.3

11        Fuels & lubricants.........................         2.149      93.5    92.4     -16.2    -1.2      1.1     -0.4     -1.2

12        Nonagricultural supplies & materials
              excluding fuels & building materials...        19.010      86.3    86.1      -5.8    -1.0     -0.7      0.1     -0.2

13        Selected building materials................         1.493      86.5    86.8      -2.8    -0.2      0.0     -0.3      0.3

2        CAPITAL GOODS...............................        44.477      97.0    97.0      -1.9     0.0     -0.1     -0.1      0.0

20        Electric & electrical generating
              Equipment..............................         4.502      99.7    99.6      -2.5    -0.1     -0.1     -0.3     -0.1

21        Nonelectrical machinery....................        34.299      93.7    93.6      -2.4     0.0     -0.1     -0.1     -0.1

3        AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES........        10.112     102.9   102.8       0.5     0.0      0.4      0.1     -0.1

4        CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING
              AUTOMOTIVES............................        12.257     102.1   101.9      -0.8     0.1      0.1      0.0     -0.2

40        Nondurables, manufactured..................         6.488     102.3   101.8      -0.3     0.2      0.2      0.1     -0.5

41        Durables, manufactured.....................         5.184     100.8   100.7      -1.3     0.0      0.0     -0.1     -0.1



    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for September, October and November 1998
        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, December 1997-December 1998
              1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
                                                              ance                       Dec.    Aug.    Sept.     Oct.     Nov.
SITC                        Description                                                  1997    1998     1998     1998     1998
Rev. 3                                                      NovemberNovember  December    to      to       to       to       to
                                                              1998    1998      1998     Dec.   Sept.     Oct.     Nov.     Dec.
                                                               1/      2/                1998    1998     1998     1998     1998

        ALL COMMODITIES..............................       100.000      91.3    90.7      -6.1     0.2      0.2     -0.5     -0.7

0        FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS.......................         4.153      95.8    97.0      -2.6     1.7      1.6     -1.2      1.3
01        Meat and meat preparations.................         0.348      94.8    91.8     -11.9    -0.6     -1.7     -0.7     -3.2
03        Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates
             and preparations thereof................         1.076     102.3   100.2      -5.1    -0.2      0.5     -1.8     -2.1
05        Vegetables, fruit and nuts,
             fresh or dried..........................         1.227     109.3   117.3      14.4     8.8      6.9     -4.2      7.3
07        Coffee, tea, cocoa, spices and
             manufactures thereof....................         0.557      74.6    75.0     -18.6    -2.5     -4.5      0.9      0.5
     3/ Other food and live animals (9612=100).......         0.945      94.1    93.3      -5.0    -1.1      1.2      1.8     -0.9

1        BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO.......................         0.917     109.7   109.9       1.2     0.0      0.2     -0.2      0.2
11        Beverages..................................         0.773     106.4   106.7       1.4     0.1      0.2     -0.2      0.3

2        CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS.....         2.744      83.2    84.3      -9.8     0.0     -2.0     -1.0      1.3
23        Crude rubber (including synthetic and
             reclaimed)..............................         0.194      54.6    51.0     -26.2     0.0      1.9     -0.4     -6.6
24        Cork and wood..............................         1.005     103.2   107.0      -5.4     0.7     -4.5      0.7      3.7
25        Pulp and waste paper.......................         0.344      58.0    57.8     -15.9    -2.7     -2.8     -1.9     -0.3
28        Metalliferous ores and metal scrap.........         0.606      92.8    92.8      -9.3    -1.4      0.3     -0.4      0.0
29        Crude animal and vegetable materials,
             n.e.s. (9612=100).......................         0.267      96.9   102.4      -4.3     4.3     -1.3     -6.6      5.7
     3/ Other crude materials, inedible, except
           fuels (9612=100)..........................         0.328      85.5    85.5     -11.0    -0.1     -0.3     -1.4      0.0

3        MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED
            MATERIALS................................         6.733      72.5    65.4     -36.7     5.6      1.7     -8.0     -9.8
33        Petroleum, petroleum products and
             related materials.......................         5.516      67.8    59.6     -40.5     6.8      2.2    -10.3    -12.1
34        Gas, natural and manufactured..............         1.086     110.1   110.8     -16.9    -0.4     -0.6      4.1      0.6

5        CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.......         5.725      92.5    91.7      -3.7    -0.3      0.2      0.5     -0.9
51        Organic chemicals..........................         1.622      91.7    90.9      -4.6    -0.2     -0.5      1.0     -0.9
52        Inorganic chemicals........................         0.692      95.0    91.1      -6.4    -0.7      0.7      0.4     -4.1
53        Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials.....         0.310      97.7    96.8      -0.1     0.0      1.6      1.5     -0.9
54        Medicinal and pharmaceutical products......         0.975      96.8    96.6      -0.2    -0.3      1.1      1.3     -0.2
55        Essential oils; polishing and cleansing
             preps...................................         0.335      95.3    95.2      -2.4     0.4      1.3      0.3     -0.1
57        Plastics in primary forms..................         0.386      90.9    91.1      -1.0     0.4     -0.9      0.1      0.2
58        Plastics in nonprimary forms...............         0.500      73.9    74.1     -10.5    -1.9     -0.3      0.0      0.3
59        Chemical materials and products, n.e.s.....         0.673      99.3    99.1      -3.9     0.3     -1.5      0.2     -0.2

6        MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY
            BY MATERIAL..............................        12.839      92.4    91.6      -4.6    -0.4      0.0     -0.3     -0.9
62        Rubber manufactures, n.e.s.................         0.760      94.7    94.4      -1.2     0.1      0.0      0.4     -0.3
63        Cork and wood manufactures other than
             furniture...............................         0.585      97.2    95.2      -3.9    -1.2     -1.0      2.5     -2.1
64        Paper, paperboard, and articles of
             paper pulp, paper or paper board........         1.678      86.6    85.4      -3.5     0.1      0.5     -0.9     -1.4
65        Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up
             articles, n.e.s., and related prod......         1.461      96.7    96.5      -2.8    -0.1     -0.2      0.2     -0.2
66        Nonmetallic mineral manufactures,
             n.e.s...................................         2.244     100.7   100.6      -1.1    -0.3      0.4      0.2     -0.1
67        Iron and steel.............................         2.005      88.6    87.4      -9.2    -0.8     -0.7     -1.0     -1.4
68        Nonferrous metals..........................         1.850      83.8    83.1      -9.8    -1.8     -0.5     -2.4     -0.8
69        Manufactures of metals, n.e.s..............         2.081      97.3    96.6      -1.9     0.4      0.2      0.5     -0.7

7        MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT...........        48.079      91.3    91.4      -2.8    -0.3      0.1      0.3      0.1
71        Power generating machinery and
             equipment (9612=100)....................         3.146      98.0    98.2      -0.8    -0.1      0.2      0.6      0.2
72        Machinery specialized for particular
             industries..............................         2.861      98.8    98.4      -0.7    -0.4      1.1      1.0     -0.4
73        Metalworking machinery.....................         0.878      98.0    97.6      -1.1     0.1      0.8      0.6     -0.4
74        General industrial machinery,
             equipment, & machine parts, n.e.s.......         3.688      98.7    98.4       1.1     0.1      1.2      0.9     -0.3
75        Computer equipment and office machines.....         6.421      66.7    66.9     -12.9    -0.9     -2.2     -0.7      0.3
76        Telecommunications & sound recording
             & reproducing apparatus & equipment.....         4.637      88.4    88.2      -3.8    -0.1     -0.6      0.0     -0.2
77        Electrical machinery and equipment.........         9.703      84.5    84.5      -2.4    -0.7      0.6      1.0      0.0
78        Road vehicles..............................        15.633     101.4   101.5       0.0    -0.1      0.3      0.4      0.1

8        MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.........        18.351      98.5    98.2      -1.5     0.0      0.1      0.1     -0.3
81        Prefabricated buildings; plumbing, heat
             & lighting fixtures, n.e.s..............         0.406      95.1    94.0      -2.4     0.1     -0.8      0.4     -1.2
82        Furniture and parts thereof................         1.312     100.2   100.3      -2.7    -0.2     -0.1      0.2      0.1
83        Travel goods, handbags and similar
             containers..............................         0.534     100.4   101.2       0.8     0.1      0.6     -0.3      0.8
84        Articles of apparel and clothing
             accessories.............................         6.227     102.7   102.0      -0.8     0.2     -0.1     -0.1     -0.7
85        Footwear...................................         1.891     101.1   101.0      -0.2     0.0      0.4     -0.2     -0.1
87        Professional, scientific and controlling
             instruments and apparatus, n.e.s........         1.670      95.3    95.0      -1.3    -0.2      0.6      0.2     -0.3
88        Photographic apparatus, equipment and
             supplies and optical goods, n.e.s.;.....         1.391      91.3    91.1      -2.1    -0.6      0.7      0.7     -0.2
89        Miscellaneous manufactured articles,
             n.e.s...................................         4.919      95.6    95.6      -2.5    -0.3      0.2      0.2      0.0




    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available.
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for September, October and November 1998
        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, December 1997-December 1998
              1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
                                                              ance                       Dec.    Aug.    Sept.     Oct.     Nov.
SITC                        Description                                                  1997    1998     1998     1998     1998
Rev. 3                                                      NovemberNovember  December    to      to       to       to       to
                                                              1998    1998      1998     Dec.   Sept.     Oct.     Nov.     Dec.
                                                               1/      2/                1998    1998     1998     1998     1998

        ALL COMMODITIES..............................       100.000      94.9    94.8      -3.5    -0.5     -0.1      0.2     -0.1

0        FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS.......................         7.187      89.2    89.6      -7.3    -3.2      1.2      1.7      0.4
01        Meat and meat preparations.................         1.123      90.7    89.9      -5.0    -2.1     -2.6     -3.3     -0.9
03        Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates
             and preparations thereof................         0.608      96.5    95.7       2.8    -1.2      1.1     -0.5     -0.8
04        Cereals and cereal preparations............         2.397      78.1    78.9     -16.4    -6.3      4.6      6.4      1.0
05        Vegetables, fruit and nuts,
             fresh or dried..........................         1.460      99.2   100.1       8.8    -2.9      0.2     -0.2      0.9
08        Feeding stuff for animals (not
             including unmilled cereals).............         0.649      89.4    92.2     -18.8    -2.2     -2.5      3.6      3.1
09        Miscellaneous edible products and
             preparations............................         0.411     106.7   106.8       1.8     1.2      0.4      0.0      0.1
     3/ Other food and live animals (9612=100).......         0.539      97.8    96.5      -4.7     0.5      2.6     -1.0     -1.3

1        BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO.......................         1.552     100.5   100.7       0.1    -0.1      0.3      0.5      0.2
12        Tobacco and tobacco manufactures...........         1.279     100.4   100.4       0.0    -0.1      0.4      0.6      0.0

2        CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS.....         5.087      75.8    76.2     -13.2    -2.5     -3.0      0.3      0.5
21        Hides, skins and furskins, raw.............         0.271      80.1    85.7     -16.5    -0.5     -3.1     -1.0      7.0
22        Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits............         1.052      93.3    95.6     -17.9    -3.7     -4.2      6.1      2.5
24        Cork and wood..............................         0.879      81.5    81.5      -4.8    -0.2      0.4     -1.2      0.0
25        Pulp and waste paper.......................         0.689      57.6    57.7     -13.6    -2.8     -5.7     -2.5      0.2
26        Textile fibers and their waste.............         0.735      71.4    70.6     -11.8    -0.8     -3.4     -3.1     -1.1
27        Crude fertilizers and crude minerals.......         0.336      95.1    95.1      -2.4     0.0     -1.9      0.0      0.0
28        Metalliferous ores and metal scrap.........         0.726      67.8    67.4     -19.7    -4.0     -3.2      0.4     -0.6
     3/ Other crude materials, inedible, except
           fuels (9612=100)..........................         0.400      91.6    90.5     -10.6    -7.1     -1.5      0.9     -1.2

3        MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED
            MATERIALS................................         1.884      94.1    93.4     -17.2    -1.4      1.0     -0.2     -0.7
32        Coal, coke and briquettes..................         0.699      99.3    99.3      -2.0    -0.1      0.0     -0.1      0.0
33        Petroleum, petroleum products and
             related materials.......................         1.054      93.3    92.0     -22.7    -2.3      2.9     -0.1     -1.4

4        ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE OILS, FATS AND
            WAXES....................................         0.500     102.9    99.7      -6.4    -0.7      0.1      0.1     -3.1

5        CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.......        10.710      91.4    91.4      -3.7    -0.3     -0.3     -0.1      0.0
51        Organic chemicals..........................         2.315      73.9    74.3     -11.0    -1.1     -1.3     -0.3      0.5
52        Inorganic chemicals........................         0.900     103.5   103.4       4.2    -0.2     -0.5      0.8     -0.1
53        Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials.....         0.500      99.9    99.7      -2.9     0.3      0.2      0.1     -0.2
54        Medicinal and pharmaceutical products......         1.265     101.0   100.8      -0.1     0.0     -0.6      0.0     -0.2
55        Essential oils; polishing and cleansing
             preps...................................         0.772     101.7   101.6      -0.3     1.3      0.1     -1.1     -0.1
56        Fertilizers (9612=100).....................         0.590      97.0    95.9       1.8    -0.1     -0.1     -0.8     -1.1
57        Plastics in primary forms..................         1.765      87.4    87.4      -6.1    -0.3     -0.5      0.2      0.0
58        Plastics in nonprimary forms...............         0.831      96.3    96.3      -2.4    -0.3     -0.2     -0.8      0.0
59        Chemical materials and products, n.e.s.....         1.772     101.1   101.2      -0.7    -0.4      0.5      0.6      0.1

6        MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY
            BY MATERIAL..............................         9.873      96.7    96.4      -2.1    -0.5     -0.2      0.1     -0.3
62        Rubber manufactures, n.e.s.................         0.715     106.1   106.0       3.8    -0.3      1.9      1.7     -0.1
63        Cork and wood manufactures other than
             furniture...............................         0.308      93.6    94.9       3.3    -0.2     -0.9      1.8      1.4
64        Paper, paperboard, and articles of
             paper pulp, paper or paperboard.........         1.522      81.7    81.1      -4.7    -1.1     -0.2      0.7     -0.7
65        Textile yarn, fabrics, and
             made-up articles, n.e.s.................         1.416     100.3   100.8      -2.2    -0.6     -1.0      0.0      0.5
66        Nonmetallic mineral manufactures,
             n.e.s...................................         1.375     107.2   107.3       0.2     0.0      0.3      0.1      0.1
67        Iron and steel.............................         1.082      97.6    97.0      -5.9    -0.3     -1.8     -0.4     -0.6
68        Nonferrous metals..........................         1.227      85.4    84.0      -7.7    -1.4      0.2     -0.4     -1.6
69        Manufactures of metals, n.e.s..............         2.081     106.5   106.4       1.9    -0.1     -0.1     -0.1     -0.1

7        MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT...........        50.986      98.2    98.2      -1.6    -0.1      0.0      0.0      0.0
71        Power generating machinery and
             equipment...............................         4.468     108.0   108.0       1.7     0.2      0.0      0.9      0.0
72        Machinery specialized for particular
             industries..............................         4.861     105.5   105.2       0.3     0.2      0.0      0.0     -0.3
73        Metalworking machinery.....................         1.025     108.7   108.9       3.0    -0.1      0.2      0.0      0.2
74        General industrial machinery,
             equipment, & parts, n.e.s...............         5.220     106.4   106.4       0.9    -0.1      0.1     -0.1      0.0
75        Computer equipment and office machines.....         6.051      74.5    74.3      -8.9    -0.8     -0.4      0.0     -0.3
76        Telecommunications & sound recording
             & reproducing apparatus & equipment.....         3.838      97.5    97.6      -1.1     0.0     -0.1     -0.6      0.1
77        Electrical machinery and equipment.........        11.523      90.7    90.7      -3.9     0.1     -0.1     -0.4      0.0
78        Road vehicles..............................         9.381     102.2   102.1       0.1     0.0      0.2      0.0     -0.1

8        MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.........        11.473     100.8   100.6      -1.2     0.0      0.2      0.0     -0.2
82        Furniture and parts thereof................         0.656     104.2   104.2       0.4    -0.1      0.0      0.1      0.0
84        Articles of apparel and clothing
             accessories.............................         1.304     102.5   100.5      -2.9     0.1      0.0      0.0     -2.0
87        Professional, scientific and controlling
             instruments and apparatus, n.e.s........         3.835     104.0   104.1       0.6     0.0      0.1      0.1      0.1
88        Photographic apparatus, equipment and
             supplies and optical goods, n.e.s.......         0.933      94.5    94.4      -3.7    -0.3      1.0      1.2     -0.1
89        Miscellaneous manufactured articles,
             n.e.s...................................         4.271      98.3    98.2      -2.0     0.0      0.1     -0.1     -0.1
     3/ Other miscellaneous manufactured
           articles (9612=100).......................         0.475     102.1   102.3       0.9    -0.3     -0.2      0.0      0.2




    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                   n.a.      Not available.
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for September, October and November 1998
        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, December 1997-December 1998
             1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
Harmo-                                                        ance                       Dec.    Aug.    Sept.     Oct.     Nov.
nized                       Description                                                  1997    1998     1998     1998     1998
System                                                      NovemberNovember  December    to      to       to       to       to
                                                              1998    1998      1998     Dec.   Sept.     Oct.     Nov.     Dec.
                                                               1/      2/                1998    1998     1998     1998     1998


I        LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS...............         1.627      99.3    97.4      -5.1     0.3      0.3     -0.4     -1.9
02      Meat and edible meat offal...................         0.284      95.3    92.6      -8.0     0.4     -1.8      1.1     -2.8
03      Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and...........
           other aquatic invertebrates...............         0.950     103.2   101.7      -4.2     0.4      0.9     -2.4     -1.5
     3/ Other live animals and animal................
           products (9612=100).......................         0.394      95.5    93.3      -5.3     0.2      0.4      3.1     -2.3

II       VEGETABLE PRODUCTS..........................         1.635      89.3    94.0       1.4     5.2      3.4     -4.5      5.3
07      Edible vegetables and certain roots and......
           tubers....................................         0.379     132.0   164.3      28.1    23.8     20.5    -18.4     24.5
08      Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus........
           fruit or melons...........................         0.491     102.5    99.3       6.1     2.0     -1.4      3.5     -3.1
09      Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................         0.376      72.9    72.3     -16.6    -3.1     -3.9      1.8     -0.8
     3/ Other vegetable products.....................         0.389      84.2    86.9      -7.6     2.7     -0.1     -3.8      3.2

IV       PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND.........
           TOBACCO...................................         2.166      99.8   100.4      -1.4     0.2     -0.4     -0.4      0.6
20      Preparations of vegetables, fruit,...........
           nuts, or other parts of plants............         0.285      89.4    92.1       3.5    -1.0      0.9      0.9      3.0
22      Beverages, spirits, and vinegar..............         0.803     105.1   104.9       0.8     0.4     -0.8      1.0     -0.2
     3/ Other prepared foodstuffs (9612=100).........         1.078      96.7    97.3      -4.0     0.4     -0.6     -1.6      0.6

V        MINERAL PRODUCTS............................         7.397      74.4    67.8     -34.4     4.9      1.6     -7.3     -8.9
26      Ores, slag and ash...........................         0.311     101.6   101.6      -0.8    -0.1     -0.1      0.1      0.0
27      Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,...........
           bituminous substances and mineral wax.....         6.850      72.9    65.9     -36.2     5.4      1.8     -7.8     -9.6

VI       PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED..........
           INDUSTRIES................................         5.403      95.8    95.1      -3.5    -0.4      0.4      0.4     -0.7
28      Inorganic chemicals..........................         0.861      97.5    94.9      -7.0    -0.9      0.9      0.1     -2.7
29      Organic chemicals............................         2.054      92.2    91.6      -4.1    -0.5      0.2      0.5     -0.7
30      Pharmaceutical products......................         0.602     104.0   103.6       0.1    -0.4      1.8      1.6     -0.4
32      Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye &.............
           pigments; varnish & paints; putty.........         0.308      95.9    95.0      -0.7     0.0      1.6      1.5     -0.9
37      Photographic or cinematographic goods........         0.366      95.1    95.1      -3.1    -0.3     -0.6      0.0      0.0
38      Miscellaneous chemical products..............
           (9612=100)................................         0.414      91.9    92.3      -6.3    -0.3     -2.8      0.3      0.4
     3/ Other products of the chemical or............
           allied industries (9612=100)..............         0.799      95.9    95.6      -0.3    -0.3      1.5     -0.4     -0.3

VII      PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER.......
           AND ARTICLES THEREOF......................         2.782      85.9    85.5      -5.3    -0.3     -0.1      0.2     -0.5
39      Plastics and articles thereof................         1.738      88.8    89.1      -4.6    -0.8     -0.1      0.0      0.3
40      Rubber and articles thereof..................         1.044      81.4    80.2      -6.3     0.2      0.0      0.2     -1.5

VIII     RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,........
           TRAVEL GOODS, ETC.........................         1.068     102.9   102.6      -0.2    -0.1      0.6      0.4     -0.3
42      Articles of leather; travel goods, bags,.....
           etc. of various materials.................         0.895     100.7   100.7      -0.1    -0.2      0.6      0.0      0.0

IX       WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW, BASKET....
           AND WICKER................................         1.628      99.1   100.7      -5.3     0.2     -4.0      1.0      1.6

X        WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER.....
           AND ARTICLES THEREOF......................         2.415      81.7    81.0      -4.9    -0.1     -0.2     -0.7     -0.9
47      Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic........
           material; waste paper/paperboard..........         0.342      58.2    58.1     -16.4    -2.7     -3.6     -1.9     -0.2
48      Paper and paperboard; articles of paper......
           pulp, paper or paperboard.................         1.698      87.5    86.3      -3.3     0.3      0.1     -0.7     -1.4
49      Printed matter...............................         0.374      99.4    99.8      -0.6     0.5      0.8      0.5      0.4

XI       TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES................         7.294     100.6   100.2      -1.4     0.1     -0.1     -0.1     -0.4
61      Articles of apparel and clothing.............
           accessories, knitted or crocheted.........         2.167     101.2   100.0      -1.5     0.0     -0.2      0.0     -1.2
62      Articles of apparel and clothing.............
           accessories, not knitted or crocheted.....         3.551     103.8   103.8       0.0     0.3     -0.1     -0.2      0.0
63      Made-up or worn textile articles and.........
           clothing; needlecraft sets; rags..........         0.352      94.0    93.4      -1.4    -0.4      0.2      0.8     -0.6
     3/ Other textile & textile......................
           articles (9612=100).......................         1.225      95.7    95.4      -5.2     0.0      0.0     -0.2     -0.3

XII      FOOTWEAR, HEADGEAR, UMBRELLAS, WHIPS,.......
           ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS, ETC...................         2.217     101.4   101.3      -0.1     0.1      0.4     -0.2     -0.1
64      Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts........
           of such articles..........................         1.904     100.9   100.7      -0.4     0.0      0.5     -0.1     -0.2
     3/ Other footwear, headgear, umbrellas,.........
           whips, art. flowers, etc. (9612=100)......         0.313     103.2   103.2       1.1     0.0      0.3     -0.2      0.0

XIII     STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,CERAMIC....
           GLASS ETC.................................         1.207     101.2   101.0      -0.8    -0.2      0.5      0.3     -0.2
69      Ceramic products.............................         0.455      97.9    97.6      -1.5    -0.1      0.3      0.1     -0.3
70      Glass and glassware..........................         0.464     100.4   100.3      -0.8    -0.5      0.5      0.6     -0.1

XIV      PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,............
           IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS..............         2.342      98.5    98.4       1.9    -0.8      0.1      0.3     -0.1

XV       BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METAL......         5.680      86.1    85.2      -9.5    -0.8     -0.2     -1.1     -1.0
72      Iron and steel...............................         1.707      86.9    86.4      -9.3    -1.3     -0.9     -1.1     -0.6
73      Articles of iron or steel....................         1.325      93.7    93.1      -4.0     0.2      0.0     -0.3     -0.6
74      Copper and articles thereof..................         0.406      70.4    69.6      -9.6    -0.3      0.3     -1.7     -1.1
76      Aluminum and articles thereof................         0.916      82.1    81.3     -13.4    -0.7      0.7     -1.0     -1.0
83      Miscellaneous articles of base metal.........         0.438     101.1   100.5      -2.0     0.7     -0.1      1.0     -0.6
     3/ Miscellaneous nonferrous metals and..........
           articles, including scrap (9612=100)......         0.412      77.2    72.6     -30.1    -5.7     -2.0     -6.7     -6.0

XVI      MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV.........
           IMAGE & SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC.......        30.326      84.2    84.3      -4.9    -0.5     -0.1      0.2      0.1
84      Specialized machinery & computer.............
           equipment.................................        15.707      84.1    84.2      -6.0    -0.4     -0.5      0.1      0.1
85      Electrical machinery and equip, sound........
           and TV recorders & reproducers, parts.....        14.619      84.3    84.3      -3.5    -0.5      0.2      0.4      0.0

XVII     VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND.............
           ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT............        16.944     101.5   101.6       0.1    -0.1      0.3      0.4      0.1
87      Motor vehicles and their parts...............        16.003     101.2   101.3       0.0     0.0      0.3      0.4      0.1

XVII     OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &........
           MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES.........         3.707      92.1    91.9      -1.9    -0.2      0.5      0.1     -0.2
90      Optical, photographic, measuring and.........
           medical instruments.......................         3.156      91.7    91.5      -2.2    -0.2      0.5      0.0     -0.2
91      Clocks and watches and parts thereof.........         0.404      94.9    94.1       0.1    -1.0      1.5      0.2     -0.8

XX       MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.........         3.889      98.0    97.9      -1.9    -0.2      0.2      0.5     -0.1
94      Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps........
           and lighting fittings nes;................         1.677      98.6    98.5      -1.8    -0.1      0.2      0.7     -0.1
95      Toys, games and sports equipment; parts......
           and accessories thereof...................         1.902      97.9    97.9      -2.4    -0.4      0.1      0.2      0.0
96      Miscellaneous manufactured articles..........         0.310      95.6    95.0       1.0     0.0      0.4      2.0     -0.6



    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for September, October and November 1998
        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, December 1997-December 1998
              1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
Harmo-                                                        ance                       Dec.    Aug.    Sept.     Oct.     Nov.
nized                       Description                                                  1997    1998     1998     1998     1998
System                                                      NovemberNovember  December    to      to       to       to       to
                                                              1998    1998      1998     Dec.   Sept.     Oct.     Nov.     Dec.
                                                               1/      2/                1998    1998     1998     1998     1998


I        LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS...............         1.912      92.1    90.8      -4.8    -3.5      0.1     -1.8     -1.4
02      Meat & edible meat offal.....................         1.031      87.3    86.2      -6.2    -2.3     -3.0     -3.4     -1.3
03      Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and...........
           other aquatic invertebrates...............         0.526      91.4    90.3      -1.8    -3.9      1.9      0.1     -1.2
     3/ Other live animals and animal................
           products (9612=100).......................         0.355      93.9    92.1      -5.2    -6.9      8.2     -0.2     -1.9

II       VEGETABLE PRODUCTS..........................         4.751      85.5    86.5     -12.5    -4.6      1.4      4.5      1.2
07      Edible vegetables and certain roots and......
           tubers....................................         0.322      98.1   102.1       5.8    -7.5      1.6     -1.3      4.1
08      Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus........
           fruit or melons...........................         0.761      99.9    99.1       5.8    -0.3      1.0     -1.6     -0.8
10      Cereals......................................         2.170      75.9    76.8     -17.9    -6.9      5.2      7.1      1.2
12      Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds,............
           fruits, plants, straw and fodder..........         1.247      96.0    98.2     -16.1    -3.5     -4.2      6.2      2.3

III      ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE FATS AND OILS...........         0.545     104.0   100.9      -6.7    -0.5     -0.1      0.3     -3.0

IV       PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND.........
           TOBACCO...................................         3.463      97.4    99.0      -2.4    -0.5      0.2      0.5      1.6
20      Preparations of vegetables, fruit,...........
           nuts, or other parts of plants............         0.357      96.3   102.3      13.2    -0.8      0.8      0.3      6.2
21      Miscellaneous edible preparations............         0.382     107.3   107.4       1.4     1.1      0.5      0.0      0.1
22      Beverages, spirits, and vinegar..............         0.340      98.9   100.3       0.7     0.0      0.0     -0.2      1.4
23      Residues and waste from the food.............
           industries; prepared animal feed..........         0.580      86.1    90.0     -17.4    -3.4     -0.1      2.0      4.5
24      Tobacco and manufactured tobacco.............
           substitutes...............................         1.291     100.5   100.5       0.1    -0.1      0.4      0.7      0.0
     3/ Other prepared foods.........................         0.514      99.6    99.9      -2.2     0.2     -0.2     -0.5      0.3

V        MINERAL PRODUCTS............................         2.433      92.2    91.6     -15.7    -1.6     -0.1      0.0     -0.7
27      Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,...........
           bituminous substances and mineral wax.....         1.932      94.8    94.1     -17.2    -1.4      1.0     -0.1     -0.7

VI       PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED..........
           INDUSTRIES................................         8.746      92.4    92.4      -3.6    -0.3     -0.3      0.2      0.0
28      Inorganic chemicals..........................         0.967     102.2   102.2       0.1    -0.4     -1.0      1.3      0.0
29      Organic chemicals............................         2.614      77.2    77.4     -10.8    -0.9     -1.4     -0.1      0.3
30      Pharmaceutical products......................         0.939     103.2   103.2       2.8     0.1     -0.9      0.0      0.0
31      Fertilizers (9612=100).......................         0.658      97.0    95.9       1.8    -0.1     -0.1     -0.8     -1.1
32      Tanning or dyeing extracts; dyes and.........
           pigments; paints & varnish; putty;ink.....         0.514     100.2    99.8      -2.4     0.2      0.3      0.2     -0.4
33      Essential oils and resinoids;................
           perfumery, cosmetic or toilet.............         0.553     103.7   103.7       0.7     0.7      0.1     -0.3      0.0
34      Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or........
           scouring products; candles, pastes........         0.328     103.7   103.7       0.6     2.0      0.3     -1.3      0.0
37      Photographic or cinematographic goods........         0.406      87.0    86.9      -8.3    -1.0      2.4      2.7     -0.1
38      Miscellaneous chemical products..............         1.543     100.3   100.4      -0.6    -0.6      0.7      0.9      0.1

VII      PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER.......
           AND ARTICLES THEREOF......................         4.256      91.8    91.7      -4.7    -0.2      0.0      0.3     -0.1
39      Plastics and articles thereof................         3.313      89.6    89.6      -6.4    -0.3     -0.2      0.0      0.0
40      Rubber and articles thereof..................         0.943     100.4   100.0       1.8    -0.2      0.9      1.6     -0.4

VIII     RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,........
           TRAVEL GOODS, ETC.........................         0.500      82.7    86.1     -12.0     0.0     -2.4     -1.2      4.1
41      Raw hides and skins (other than..............
           furskins) and leather.....................         0.345      76.6    81.0     -16.3     0.0     -3.5     -1.8      5.7

IX       WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW,...........
           BASKET AND WICKER.........................         1.210      84.6    84.9      -3.1    -0.1      0.0     -0.6      0.4

X        WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER.....
           AND ARTICLES THEREOF......................         2.977      75.7    75.3      -5.3    -1.2     -1.2      0.1     -0.5
47      Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic........
           material; waste paper/paperboard..........         0.641      55.6    55.5     -14.7    -3.4     -5.3     -1.9     -0.2
48      Paper and paperboard; articles of paper......
           pulp, paper or paperboard.................         1.496      82.4    81.5      -4.8    -1.0     -0.2      1.2     -1.1
49      Printed material.............................         0.841     109.2   109.2       2.1     0.3      0.6      0.0      0.0

XI       TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES................         3.200      89.1    88.4      -5.2    -0.3     -1.2     -0.7     -0.8
52      Cotton, including yarns and woven............
           fabrics thereof...........................         0.651      73.0    72.3      -9.3    -1.3     -3.6     -3.3     -1.0

XIII     STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,...........
           CERAMIC, GLASS ETC........................         0.883     103.7   103.7       1.1    -0.2      0.5      0.0      0.0
70      Glass and glassware..........................         0.512     102.8   102.8       1.5     0.1      1.0     -0.1      0.0

XIV      PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,............
           IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS..............         1.871      93.2    93.1      -1.9    -2.9      0.5      1.3     -0.1

XV       BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METALS.....         4.482      90.1    89.5      -5.8    -0.7     -0.7     -0.1     -0.7
72      Iron and steel...............................         0.853      79.3    78.4     -14.6    -2.7     -1.7      0.1     -1.1
73      Articles of iron or steel....................         1.322     109.6   109.6       1.5     0.0     -0.9     -0.2      0.0
74      Copper and articles thereof..................         0.359      66.4    65.1     -12.4    -1.6      0.3     -0.2     -2.0
76      Aluminum and articles thereof................         0.829      80.7    79.9     -10.5    -0.1      0.7     -0.9     -1.0
82      Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and.......
           forks, of base metal; parts thereof.......         0.422     102.3   102.7      -0.7     0.0     -0.4      0.0      0.4
83      Miscellaneous articles of base metal.........         0.388     100.8   100.8       0.7     0.0      0.0      0.0      0.0


XVI      MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV.........
           IMAGE AND SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC.....        36.887      93.4    93.2      -3.0    -0.1      0.0     -0.1     -0.2
84      Specialized machinery & computer.............
           equipment.................................        20.618      94.7    94.6      -2.4    -0.2     -0.1      0.2     -0.1
85      Electrical machinery and equip, sound........
           & tv recorders & reproducers, parts.......        16.269      91.7    91.6      -3.8     0.0     -0.1     -0.4     -0.1

XVII     VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND.............
           ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT............        14.254     105.5   105.6       0.7     0.0      0.2      0.1      0.1
87      Motor vehicles and their parts...............         9.849     102.4   102.2       0.1     0.0      0.3      0.0     -0.2

XVII     OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &........
           MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES.........         5.569     102.2   102.3       0.1     0.2      0.0      0.0      0.1


XX       MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.........         1.835     102.2   102.2      -0.2    -0.1      0.0     -0.2      0.0
94      Furniture; stuffed furnishings;..............
           lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;........         0.904     104.2   104.2       0.4    -0.1     -0.1      0.0      0.0
95      Toys, games and sports equipment; parts......
           and accessories thereof...................         0.754     100.5   100.5      -0.5     0.0      0.0     -0.4      0.0



    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for September, October and November 1998
        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,  December 1997-December 1998
               1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                       Index                            Percent Change
                                                            Percentage
                                                               of                       Annual          Monthly
                                                            US Imports                   Dec.    Aug.    Sept.     Oct.     Nov.
                           Description 1/                                                1997    1998     1998     1998     1998
                                                              1995    Nov.      Dec.      to      to       to       to       to
                                                                      1998      1998     Dec.   Sept.     Oct.     Nov.     Dec.
                                                                       2/                1998    1998     1998     1998     1998

     3/ Developed Countries..........................          55.6      95.1    94.7      -2.4    -0.1      0.4      0.5     -0.4
          Manufactured Goods.........................          52.2      95.8    95.6      -1.2    -0.2      0.3      0.6     -0.2
          Nonmanufactured Goods......................           3.1      88.1    83.9     -19.5     2.1      3.2     -2.0     -4.8

     3/ Developing Countries.........................          42.7      90.4    89.1     -10.0     0.4     -0.1     -1.3     -1.4
          Manufactured Goods.........................          35.4      92.5    92.3      -5.2    -0.5     -0.4     -0.1     -0.2
          Nonmanufactured Goods......................           7.1      75.8    69.2     -31.8     6.2      2.6     -8.0     -8.7

        Canada.......................................          18.9      95.8    95.0      -3.5    -0.3      0.4     -0.2     -0.8
          Manufactured Goods.........................          16.5      97.0    96.4      -1.6    -0.4      0.0      0.0     -0.6
          Nonmanufactured Goods......................           2.2      91.1    88.5     -16.0     1.5      4.1     -2.4     -2.9

     4/ European Union...............................          17.0     101.2   100.5      -0.7     0.1      0.9      0.5     -0.7
          Manufactured Goods.........................          16.4     102.0   101.5       0.5     0.1      0.9      0.6     -0.5
          Nonmanufactured Goods......................           0.5      81.6    74.4     -31.6    -0.7      1.8     -1.7     -8.8

     5/ Latin America  (9712=100)....................          14.1      91.7    90.1      -9.9     1.1      0.4     -2.0     -1.7
          Manufactured Goods  (9712=100).............          10.4      96.7    96.4      -3.6    -0.5      0.3     -0.1     -0.3
          Nonmanufactured Goods (9712=100)...........           3.5      77.5    71.7     -28.3     6.9      1.1     -8.7     -7.5

        Japan........................................          16.6      88.2    88.3      -3.0    -0.5     -0.1      1.3      0.1

     6/ Asian Newly Industrialized Countries.........          10.9      84.5    84.5      -8.2    -0.8     -0.4     -0.4      0.0



        1    Regions are not mutually exclusive.

        2    Data for  September, October and November 1998
             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.
             December 1997-December 1998  1995 = 100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                       Index                            Percent Change

                                                                                        Annual          Quarterly
                                                             Trade                       Dec.    Dec.    March     June    Sept.
                            Description                      (Mil.                       1997    1997     1998     1998     1998
                                                               of     Sept.     Dec.      to      to       to       to       to
                                                            Dollars)  1998      1998     Dec.   March     June    Sept.     Dec.
                                                                                         1998    1998     1998     1998     1998


        IMPORT

         Air Freight                                            3188     80.3   86.7        0.1    -7.0      1.2     -1.5      8.0
          Atlantic                                              1278     87.4   91.7        1.7    -4.9      2.3     -0.5      4.9
          Pacific                                               1674     74.9   83.8       -1.1    -9.9      0.5     -2.3     11.9

         Air Passenger Fares                                   11127    112.8   105.1       0.8    -1.0      9.0      0.2     -6.8
     1/   Atlantic                                              4922    119.2   98.1       -2.3    -1.5     18.6      1.6    -17.7
     1/   Pacific                                               2340     99.0   104.7      -1.4    -7.4      7.7     -6.5      5.8
     1/   Latin American / Caribbean                            3021    109.3   109.0       3.6     1.6     -0.6      2.8     -0.3

     1/  Crude Oil Tanker Freight                               1346     78.4    n.a.     n.a.     -0.1    -14.6     -3.9    n.a.

         Ocean Liner Freight                                    9868    101.2   100.6       7.6    -0.1      7.9      0.4     -0.6
          U.S. East Coast                                       4271    100.3   99.0        2.4    -0.2      2.8      1.1     -1.3
           from Atlantic                                        1952     97.4   97.4        0.7     0.5     -0.5      0.7      0.0
           from Pacific                                         1774    103.1   103.3       9.0     0.0      6.8      1.9      0.2
     1/   U.S. West Coast                                       5596    101.3   101.2      11.7    -0.1     12.2     -0.2     -0.1

        EXPORT

         Air Freight (9612 = 100)                               2562     95.6   96.7        3.6     1.7     -0.4      1.2      1.2

         Air Passenger Fares                                   17272     95.4   98.0        6.4     2.4      0.8      0.3      2.7
     1/   Atlantic                                              4120    115.2   109.0       7.5     0.3      8.8      4.1     -5.4
     1/   Pacific                                              10700     76.4   82.0        5.0     1.9     -2.4     -1.7      7.3
          Latin American / Caribbean                            1392    113.2   113.1       6.2     0.8      1.6      3.9     -0.1
          Canadian                                              1006    154.9   166.0      12.9    13.0     -3.6     -3.3      7.2



        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.
             December 1997-December 1998    1995 = 100
                                                                       Index                            Percent Change

                                                                                        Annual          Quarterly
                                                             Trade                       Dec.    Dec.    March     June    Sept.
                            Description                      (Mil.                       1997    1997     1998     1998     1998
                                                               of     Sept.     Dec.      to      to       to       to       to
                                                            Dollars)  1998      1998     Dec.   March     June    Sept.     Dec.
                                                                                         1998    1998     1998     1998     1998


         Air Freight (Inbound)                                  5495     81.8   87.4        1.0    -4.2      0.6     -1.9      6.8
          Atlantic                                              1880     88.0   91.6        2.2    -4.7      3.5     -0.5      4.1
          Pacific                                               3151     77.9   85.5        0.7    -4.2     -1.2     -3.0      9.8

         Air Freight (Outbound)                                 5835     95.8   95.2       -2.6    -0.5     -1.2     -0.2     -0.6
          Atlantic                                              2080    103.3   104.1       3.0    -0.1      1.2      1.1      0.8
          Pacific                                               3222     91.4   89.7       -6.9    -0.8     -3.2     -1.1     -1.9

         Air Passenger Fares (U.S. Carrier)                    30673    107.3   103.1       3.6    -0.2      8.6     -0.5     -3.9
    1/    Atlantic                                              8811    120.4   98.0        0.2    -3.7     24.0      3.1    -18.6
    1/    Pacific                                              15900     89.5   93.4        3.5    -0.3      4.1     -4.4      4.4
    1/    Latin American / Caribbean                            4542    117.2   116.7       6.9     1.5      0.7      5.0     -0.4
          Canadian                                              1367    162.6   171.9      11.6    12.7     -3.3     -3.2      5.7

         Air Passenger Fares (Foreign Carrier)                 31694    104.0   101.1       1.4    -2.1      4.9      1.6     -2.8
    1/    Atlantic                                             13572    117.9   102.9       2.4    -1.7     13.3      5.4    -12.7
    1/    Pacific                                              12570     79.7   87.9       -1.5    -5.0     -2.2     -3.7     10.3
    1/    Latin American / Caribbean                            4224    107.7   107.9       3.0     0.5     -0.2      2.5      0.2

    1/   Crude Oil Tanker Freight (Inbound)                     1949     82.9    n.a.     n.a.      0.3    -15.6     -5.1    n.a.

         Ocean Liner Freight (Inbound)                         12253    105.0   104.2      12.2     0.1     11.0      1.7     -0.8
          U.S. East Coast                                       5410     98.4   96.7        1.0    -0.3      2.2      0.9     -1.7
           from Atlantic                                        2647     95.4   95.4        0.6     0.4     -0.4      0.6      0.0
           from Pacific                                         1874    100.6   100.7       8.2     0.0      6.1      1.8      0.1
    1/    U.S. West Coast                                       6844    109.7   109.6      21.5     0.4     18.4      2.2     -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.



The import and export news release contains monthly price indexes at the
two-digit level of detail.  If you would like to be added to the mailing list
for more detailed index and percent change tables, please fill out the form
below and mail or fax it to the following address:


                       Division of International Prices
                       Bureau of Labor Statistics
                       PSB Building, Rm. 3955                                                                      
                       2 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E.
                       Washington, DC 20212


     Phone Number: (202) 606-7155           Fax Number: (202) 606-7179

         
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