Technical Information:
Jim Thomas     (202) 606-7155                       USDL-99-294
Bill Alterman  (202) 606-7108                       Transmission of This
Media contact:                                      Material is Embargoed
Kathryn Hoyle  (202) 606-5902                       Until 8:30 A.M. E.D.T.
Internet Address: http://stats.bls.gov/ipphome.htm  Thursday, October 14, 1999


                   U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES
                             -SEPTEMBER 1999-

     The U.S. Import Price Index increased 0.7 percent
in September, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S.
Department of Labor reported today.  The increase followed
gains of 1.0 percent and 0.8 percent in the previous two
months and was largely attributable to the continued increase
in prices for imported petroleum.  U.S. export prices were up
0.2 percent in September, following a 0.3 percent increase in
August.
     
               Percent changes in import and export price indexes
                            by End Use category
                        - not seasonally adjusted -

                           IMPORTS                    EXPORTS           
                                                                             
   Month                              Non-             Agri-     Nonagri-
                   All   Petroleum  petroleum  All     cultural  cultural                                             
                 Imports  Imports   Imports   Exports  Exports   Exports
                                                                                                                                    
1998                                                               
September           0.2      6.4     -0.2     -0.5      -2.9      -0.2 
October             0.2      2.3      0.1     -0.1       0.1      -0.1 
November           -0.5     -9.7      0.1      0.2       1.7       0.0 
December           -1.0    -13.3     -0.2     -0.1       0.7      -0.2 
1999                                                               
January             0.4      4.2      0.1      0.0       0.0       0.0 
February           -0.1     -0.5      0.0     -0.2      -2.4       0.1 
March               0.2     13.9     -0.5     -0.4      -3.0      -0.2 
April               1.1     20.3     -0.2      0.2       0.5       0.2 
May                 0.7      7.3      0.2      0.1       0.4       0.0 
June               -0.1      0.4 r   -0.2      0.0      -0.2       0.1 
July                0.8     11.5 r   -0.1 r   -0.2 r    -2.2      -0.1 
August              1.0     10.4 r    0.1 r    0.3 r     1.9       0.2 
September           0.7      7.2      0.1      0.2      -0.5       0.2 
                                                                   
September 1997-98  -6.3    -29.7     -4.2     -4.2     -13.2      -3.1 
September 1998-99   3.4     62.0     -0.5      0.0      -3.1       0.2 
                                                                   
r = revised to reflect late reports and corrections by
respondents.

Import Goods

     Import prices continued a recent upswing, gaining 0.7
percent in September and 2.5 percent over the past three
months.  For the year, the index was up 3.4 percent, after
declining 6.3 percent over the September 1997-98 period.
The September increase was led by a 7.2-percent increase in
petroleum prices.  Imported petroleum prices were up 62.0
percent over the past 12 months, in contrast to the 29.7
percent decline over the previous 12-month period.  The
price index of nonpetroleum imports edged up 0.1 percent in
September, the same as in the previous month.  Despite
recent modest gains, nonpetroleum import prices dipped 0.5
percent over the year.

     The price indexes for consumer goods and for industrial
supplies and materials excluding petroleum both increased
0.3 percent in September.  The September increase was the
largest for consumer goods since December 1995 and was led
by gains for nondurable and nonmanufactured goods.  The
increase for industrial supplies and materials excluding
petroleum marked the fifth consecutive monthly increase in
this component. Import prices for capital goods and
automotive vehicles, parts, and engines were both unchanged
in September.  For the year ended in September, capital
goods prices fell 3.2 percent and prices for automotive
vehicles, parts, and engines gained 1.3 percent.

     The index for foods, feeds, and beverages fell for the
fourth consecutive month, down 0.1 percent in September.
Over the past 12 months, the index fell 3.1 percent.


Export Goods

     Overall export prices rose 0.2 percent in September and
were unchanged over the past 12 months.  Increasing prices
for nonagricultural exports pushed overall export prices up
in September and more than offset a decline in agricultural
prices.  The 0.5-percent decline in agricultural prices in
September followed a 1.9-percent increase in the previous
month.   For the year, the index for agricultural exports
prices fell 3.1 percent.   In contrast, nonagricultural
export prices, which had posted little movement during the
past year, were up 0.2 percent for the second consecutive
month.  For the September 1998-99 period, the index also
rose 0.2 percent.

     The increase in nonagricultural export prices continued to
be led by rising  prices for nonagricultural industrial
supplies and materials.  This index increased for the sixth
consecutive month, up 1.0 percent in September, the same as
in August.  Over the past 12 months, the index for
nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials gained 2.7
percent.

     In contrast, the price indexes for the major finished goods
areas were either unchanged or edged up only slightly last
month.  Prices for exported capital goods and consumer goods
were both unchanged in September.  Over the past 12 months,
capital goods prices were down 1.0 percent, while consumer
goods prices were unchanged over the same period.   Exported
automotive vehicles, parts, and engines edged up 0.1 percent
in September, after posting no change in the previous two
months.  For the year, the index gained 0.9 percent.


Imports by Locality of Origin
     
     
     The price index for imports from Japan increased 0.6
percent in September, paralleling the recent rise in the
value of the yen.  The September gain was the largest
increase in the index since November 1998.  Over the past 12
months, the index was up 1.9 percent.
     
     Prices of imports from the Asian Newly Industrialized
Countries were unchanged last month, after posting a 0.2-
percent increase in August-which had represented the first
monthly increase for the index since March 1997.   For the
year ended in September, the index was down 2.2 percent.
     
     The price indexes for imports from Latin America and
the European Union rose 1.8 percent and 0.8 percent,
respectively, in September.  Over the September 1998-99
period, the prices of imports from Latin America rose 9.5
percent, while the prices of imports from the European Union
were up 1.5 percent.
     
     The price index of imports from Canada increased 0.4
percent in September, as price increases for nonmanufactured
goods outweighed price declines for manufactured goods. The
overall index for imports from Canada rose 4.3 percent for
the year ended in September.
     
     
Import and Export Services

     The import price index for air freight increased 1.9
percent in the third quarter of 1999, after decreasing 2.7
percent in the second quarter.  Over the past 12 months, the
index rose 8.3 percent.  In contrast, the export air freight
index decreased 1.7 percent last quarter and was down 6.6
percent for the year ended in September.

     Import air passenger fares increased 0.6 percent in the
third quarter, as gains posted in the Atlantic region
countered declines in the Pacifc and Latin
American/Caribbean regions.  For the year ended in
September, overall import air passenger fares were up 4.6
percent on average.  Export air passenger fares also
increased for the third quarter, up 3.9 percent.  Over the
September 1998-99 period, the index increased 11.0 percent.

     The index for import ocean liner freight was up 7.9 percent
last quarter, after increasing 22.6 percent in the second
quarter.  Over the past 12 months, the index increased 31.2
percent.

                        CONTENTS OF RELEASE

This news release includes the following tables:

Table 1  Import Price Indexes, by End Use
Table 2  Export Price Indexes, by End Use
Table 3  Import Price Indexes, by SITC
Table 4  Export Price Indexes, by SITC
Table 5  Import Price Indexes, by Harmonized System
Table 6  Export Price Indexes, by Harmonized System
Table 7  Import Price Indexes, by Locality of Origin
Table 8  U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes for Services
Table 9  U.S. International Price Indexes for Services
                              
-------
Import and Export Price Index data for October are scheduled
for release on November 9th at 8:30 A.M. (E.S.T).


Table 1   U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods,
             September 1998-September 1999     1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
                                                              ance                      Sept.    May      June     July     Aug.
END                         Description                                                  1998    1999     1999     1999     1999
USE                                                          August  August   September   to      to       to       to       to
                                                              1999    1999      1999    Sept.    June     July     Aug.    Sept.
                                                               1/      2/                1999    1999     1999     1999     1999

        ALL COMMODITIES..............................       100.000      94.0    94.7       3.4    -0.1      0.8      1.0   0.7
        ALL IMPORTS EXCLUDING PETROLEUM..............        90.670      92.1    92.2      -0.5    -0.2     -0.1      0.1   0.1

0        FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES...................         4.608      92.5    92.4      -3.1    -1.2     -1.0     -0.3   -0.1

00        Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,
             excluding distilled beverages...........         3.182      87.7    87.6      -4.5    -1.1     -1.6     -0.2   -0.1

01        Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled
             beverages)..............................         1.426     105.1   105.1       0.3    -1.2      0.3     -0.4   0.0

1        INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS.............        27.612      98.9   101.6      17.1     0.3      4.1      3.5   2.7
           INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS
               EXCLUDING PETROLEUM...................        18.282      92.5    92.8       1.4     0.3      1.1      0.2   0.3
           INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
               DURABLE...............................         9.796      94.9    94.4       1.9     1.2      1.0      0.3   -0.5
           INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
               NONDURABLE EXCLUDING PETROLEUM........         8.485      89.9    91.0       1.0    -0.7      1.1      0.3   1.2

10        Fuels & lubricants.........................        10.626     113.8   121.4      55.2    -0.2     11.4      9.6   6.7

100        Petroleum & petroleum products............         9.330     112.3   120.4      62.0     0.4     11.5     10.4   7.2

1000         Crude...................................         7.540     114.3   122.5      68.0    -0.4     12.6     10.3   7.2

11        Paper & paper base stocks..................         1.736      76.7    78.0      -2.5    -0.9     -0.1     -0.3   1.7

12        Materials associated with nondurable
             supplies & materials....................         5.664      86.9    87.6      -1.0     0.1     -0.3     -0.2   0.8

13        Selected building materials................         2.421     119.2   113.8       9.0     3.3      5.9     -1.4   -4.5

14        Unfinished metals associated with
             durable goods...........................         4.348      89.0    89.8       1.0     1.1     -0.7      1.5   0.9

15        Finished metals associated with durable
             goods...................................         1.417      91.0    91.5      -1.8    -0.4     -0.8      0.0   0.5

16        Nonmetals associated with durable goods....         1.400      86.8    87.4      -1.7    -0.3     -0.5      0.2   0.7

2        CAPITAL GOODS...............................        26.694      81.8    81.8      -3.2    -0.5     -1.0      0.0   0.0

20        Electric & electrical generating
             equipment...............................         3.276      91.3    91.6      -1.1    -0.9     -0.3      0.1   0.3

21        Nonelectrical machinery....................        21.641      78.6    78.6      -3.7    -0.5     -1.1      0.0   0.0

3        AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES........        18.613     101.9   101.9       1.3    -0.1      0.1      0.1   0.0

4        CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING
             AUTOMOTIVES.............................        22.473      97.4    97.7      -0.1    -0.1     -0.1      0.0   0.3

40        Nondurables, manufactured..................        11.252     100.4   100.8       0.0    -0.1     -0.2      0.2   0.4

41        Durables, manufactured.....................        10.108      94.1    94.2      -0.5    -0.1     -0.1     -0.2   0.1

42        Nonmanufactured consumer goods.............         1.114      98.6    99.2       1.6    -0.8      0.3      0.3   0.6



    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for June, July and August 1999
        have been revised to reflect the availability
        of late reports and corrections by respondents.
        All data are subject to revision in each of
        the three months after original publication.

    NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately



Table 2   U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods,
             September 1998-September 1999     1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
                                                              ance                      Sept.    May      June     July     Aug.
END                         Description                                                  1998    1999     1999     1999     1999
USE                                                          August  August   September   to      to       to       to       to
                                                              1999    1999      1999    Sept.    June     July     Aug.    Sept.
                                                               1/      2/                1999    1999     1999     1999     1999

        ALL COMMODITIES..............................       100.000      94.6    94.8       0.0     0.0     -0.2      0.3      0.2
        AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES.....................         9.304      84.7    84.3      -3.1    -0.2     -2.2      1.9     -0.5
        NONAGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES..................        90.697      95.7    95.9       0.2     0.1     -0.1      0.2      0.2

0        FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES...................         8.608      87.9    87.3      -0.9    -0.1     -2.5      1.4     -0.7

00        Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,
             excluding distilled beverages...........         7.780      86.9    86.4      -1.4     0.0     -2.1      2.2     -0.6

01        Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled
             beverages)..............................         0.828     100.2    97.7       3.0    -1.0     -5.6     -6.2     -2.5

1        INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS.............        24.732      88.7    89.5       1.7     0.3      0.3      1.0      0.9
           INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
               DURABLE...............................         9.445      87.9    88.0      -1.3     0.1     -0.2      0.2      0.1
           INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
               NONDURABLE............................        15.288      89.2    90.5       3.7     0.6      0.8      1.5      1.5

10        Agricultural industrial supplies &
             materials...............................         1.524      76.2    76.6     -10.9    -1.4     -2.8      0.0      0.5

          NONAGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES
             & MATERIALS.............................        23.209      89.7    90.6       2.7     0.5      0.7      1.0      1.0

11        Fuels & lubricants.........................         2.460     106.7   111.6      20.1     1.4      0.2      6.7      4.6

12        Nonagricultural supplies & materials
             excluding fuels & building materials....        19.220      87.0    87.6       0.9     0.4      0.8      0.3      0.7

13        Selected building materials................         1.529      88.3    87.4       0.7     0.3      0.2      0.3     -1.0

2        CAPITAL GOODS...............................        44.217      96.2    96.2      -1.0    -0.2     -0.3      0.0      0.0

20        Electric & electrical generating
             Equipment...............................         4.438      98.1    98.4      -1.7     0.1     -0.8     -0.1      0.3

21        Nonelectrical machinery....................        33.999      92.6    92.5      -1.5    -0.3     -0.3      0.0     -0.1

3        AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES........        10.170     103.2   103.3       0.9     0.2      0.0      0.0      0.1

4        CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING
             AUTOMOTIVES.............................        12.273     102.0   102.0       0.0     0.2     -0.1      0.1      0.0

40        Nondurables, manufactured..................         6.490     102.0   102.0       0.0     0.1     -0.1      0.0      0.0

41        Durables, manufactured.....................         5.196     100.8   100.9       0.0     0.2      0.1      0.2      0.1



    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for June, July and August 1999
        have been revised to reflect the availability
        of late reports and corrections by respondents.
        All data are subject to revision in each of the
        three months after original publication.

    NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately



Table 3   U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods,
             September 1998-September 1999     1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
                                                              ance                      Sept.    May      June     July     Aug.
SITC                        Description                                                  1998    1999     1999     1999     1999
Rev. 3                                                       August  August   September   to      to       to       to       to
                                                              1999    1999      1999    Sept.    June     July     Aug.    Sept.
                                                               1/      2/                1999    1999     1999     1999     1999

        ALL COMMODITIES..............................       100.000      94.0    94.7       3.4    -0.1      0.8      1.0      0.7

0        FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS.......................         3.880      92.0    91.7      -4.0    -1.7     -0.9     -0.5     -0.3
01        Meat and meat preparations.................         0.344      96.6    99.7       2.6     0.9     -0.2      2.4      3.2
03        Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates
             and preparations thereof................         1.062     103.8   103.2      -0.5    -1.6     -0.1     -0.4     -0.6
05        Vegetables, fruit and nuts,
             fresh or dried..........................         1.119     102.6   102.1      -4.3    -4.5      0.3     -0.9     -0.5
07        Coffee, tea, cocoa, spices and
             manufactures thereof....................         0.459      63.2    61.1     -21.1     1.5     -7.3     -1.7     -3.3
     3/ Other food and live animals (9612=100).......         0.896      91.8    91.9       0.7    -0.3      0.2     -0.8      0.1

1        BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO.......................         0.903     111.2   112.2       2.3     0.0      0.2      0.5      0.9
11        Beverages..................................         0.760     107.7   109.1       2.5     0.0      0.4      0.1      1.3

2        CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS.....         2.971      92.7    91.7       7.0     2.0      3.4     -0.7     -1.1
24        Cork and wood..............................         1.225     129.4   122.6      14.3     3.4      8.3     -2.3     -5.3
25        Pulp and waste paper.......................         0.352      61.1    65.9       8.4     4.3      1.3     -0.5      7.9
28        Metalliferous ores and metal scrap.........         0.596      93.8    94.3       1.5     1.1      0.0      2.1      0.5
29        Crude animal and vegetable materials,
             n.e.s. (9612=100).......................         0.273     101.9   107.3       2.0    -5.7      1.1     -0.9      5.3
     3/ Other crude materials, inedible, except
           fuels (9612=100)..........................         0.355      95.4    91.1       4.7     5.0     -1.1     -0.2     -4.5

3        MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED
            MATERIALS................................        10.292     114.0   121.8      57.2    -0.4     12.0      9.8      6.8
33        Petroleum, petroleum products and
             related materials.......................         8.891     112.4   120.8      63.2     0.2     11.6     10.3      7.5
34        Gas, natural and manufactured..............         1.282     133.7   138.3      30.0    -5.0     16.5      7.7      3.4

5        CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.......         5.435      90.4    91.2      -0.7     0.0      0.0     -0.2      0.9
51        Organic chemicals..........................         1.559      90.8    91.4       0.1    -0.7      0.2      0.4      0.7
52        Inorganic chemicals........................         0.609      86.0    86.4      -8.0    -0.1     -0.3     -0.5      0.5
53        Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials.....         0.279      90.5    90.2      -4.9     0.2     -1.4     -0.1     -0.3
54        Medicinal and pharmaceutical products......         0.942      96.3    97.0       2.5     0.6      0.0      0.1      0.7
55        Essential oils; polishing and cleansing
             preps...................................         0.313      91.8    92.3      -1.6    -0.3     -0.8      0.1      0.5
57        Plastics in primary forms..................         0.385      93.1    93.9       2.5     0.2      0.1     -0.6      0.9
58        Plastics in nonprimary forms...............         0.498      75.7    77.5       4.6     2.2      0.1      0.0      2.4
59        Chemical materials and products, n.e.s.....         0.646      98.2    98.2      -2.4    -0.6      0.6      0.2      0.0

6        MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY
            BY MATERIAL..............................        12.473      92.3    92.6      -0.1     0.2     -0.1      0.4      0.3
62        Rubber manufactures, n.e.s.................         0.737      94.5    95.0       0.7    -0.4      0.1      0.1      0.5
63        Cork and wood manufactures other than
             furniture...............................         0.634     108.4   104.2       8.8     4.4      3.4      0.2     -3.9
64        Paper, paperboard, and articles of
             paper pulp, paper or paper board........         1.569      83.3    83.4      -4.1    -1.8     -0.2     -0.2      0.1
65        Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up
             articles, n.e.s., and related prod......         1.388      94.5    94.7      -2.1    -0.3     -0.1     -0.1      0.2
66        Nonmetallic mineral manufactures,
             n.e.s...................................         2.186     100.9   101.1       1.0     0.1     -0.1      0.1      0.2
67        Iron and steel.............................         1.883      85.7    86.5      -4.0     0.1     -0.6      0.6      0.9
68        Nonferrous metals..........................         1.927      89.9    91.1       5.6     2.2     -0.1      2.6      1.3
69        Manufactures of metals, n.e.s..............         1.988      95.6    95.8      -0.8    -0.3     -0.3     -0.2      0.2

7        MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT...........        45.964      89.8    89.8      -1.2    -0.3     -0.4     -0.1      0.0
71        Power generating machinery and
             equipment (9612=100)....................         3.069      98.4    98.5       1.3    -0.8     -0.2      0.3      0.1
72        Machinery specialized for particular
             industries..............................         2.736      97.2    97.6       0.9    -0.2     -0.3     -0.1      0.4
73        Metalworking machinery.....................         0.822      94.4    94.3      -2.4    -0.3      0.3     -0.5     -0.1
74        General industrial machinery,
             equipment, & machine parts, n.e.s.......         3.533      97.3    97.3       0.7    -0.1     -0.3      0.0      0.0
75        Computer equipment and office machines.....         5.783      61.8    61.6     -10.3    -0.8     -1.7     -0.3     -0.3
76        Telecommunications & sound recording
             & reproducing apparatus & equipment.....         4.424      86.8    86.8      -2.4    -0.2     -0.6     -0.3      0.0
77        Electrical machinery and equipment.........         9.167      82.1    82.2      -1.2    -0.7     -1.0      0.2      0.1
78        Road vehicles..............................        15.343     102.4   102.3       1.6     0.0      0.1      0.0     -0.1

8        MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.........        17.681      97.7    97.9      -0.4    -0.1     -0.2      0.1      0.2
81        Prefabricated buildings; plumbing, heat
             & lighting fixtures, n.e.s..............         0.382      92.2    91.2      -4.5     0.1     -0.1     -0.8     -1.1
82        Furniture and parts thereof................         1.254      98.5    98.5      -1.6    -0.3      0.2     -0.4      0.0
83        Travel goods, handbags and similar
             containers..............................         0.527     102.1   102.5       2.4     1.6      0.1      0.2      0.4
84        Articles of apparel and clothing
             accessories.............................         5.989     101.7   102.1      -0.8    -0.2     -0.3      0.2      0.4
85        Footwear...................................         1.829     100.6   100.7      -0.2     0.2      0.0     -0.1      0.1
87        Professional, scientific and controlling
             instruments and apparatus, n.e.s........         1.601      94.0    94.5       0.0    -0.1     -0.1      0.0      0.5
88        Photographic apparatus, equipment and
             supplies and optical goods, n.e.s.;.....         1.350      91.1    91.4       1.4    -0.1     -0.1     -0.1      0.3
89        Miscellaneous manufactured articles,
             n.e.s...................................         4.748      95.0    95.2       0.0    -0.3     -0.2      0.2      0.2




    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for June, July and August 1999
        have been revised to reflect the availability
        of late reports and corrections by respondents.
        All data are subject to revision in each of the
        three months after original publication.
    3  Product categories included in this group
        have been modified due to concordance
        or coverage limitations.

    NOTE:   Published categories may include price data not shown separately


Table 4   U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods,
             September 1998-September 1999     1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
                                                              ance                      Sept.    May      June     July     Aug.
SITC                        Description                                                  1998    1999     1999     1999     1999
Rev. 3                                                       August  August   September   to      to       to       to       to
                                                              1999    1999      1999    Sept.    June     July     Aug.    Sept.
                                                               1/      2/                1999    1999     1999     1999     1999

        ALL COMMODITIES..............................       100.000      94.6    94.8       0.0     0.0     -0.2      0.3      0.2

0        FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS.......................         7.079      87.7    86.3      -0.5     0.0     -2.0      0.3     -1.6
01        Meat and meat preparations.................         1.206      97.3    97.4       1.1     1.8      3.0      3.3      0.1
03        Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates
             and preparations thereof................         0.631     100.0    96.4       0.5    -1.8     -8.3     -8.0     -3.6
04        Cereals and cereal preparations............         2.252      73.3    72.7       3.6    -0.4     -6.6      3.4     -0.8
05        Vegetables, fruit and nuts,
             fresh or dried..........................         1.442      97.8    93.1      -6.1     0.9      1.4     -2.1     -4.8
08        Feeding stuff for animals (not
             including unmilled cereals).............         0.644      88.6    87.7      -0.9    -1.3      2.4     -0.2     -1.0
09        Miscellaneous edible products and
             preparations............................         0.415     107.6   107.3       0.9     0.0     -0.3      0.8     -0.3
     3/ Other food and live animals (9612=100).......         0.488      88.5    88.9      -7.7    -0.3     -0.2      0.0      0.5

1        BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO.......................         1.563     101.1   101.5       1.8     0.1     -0.1      0.0      0.4
12        Tobacco and tobacco manufactures...........         1.290     101.2   101.6       2.2     0.1     -0.1      0.1      0.4

2        CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS.....         5.141      76.5    77.6      -0.4     0.4     -0.3      2.4      1.4
21        Hides, skins and furskins, raw.............         0.282      83.4    86.9       4.1     0.0      1.6      3.9      4.2
22        Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits............         0.904      80.1    85.0      -7.4    -0.4     -8.1     10.0      6.1
24        Cork and wood..............................         0.896      82.9    82.6       0.5     0.4      1.1      0.0     -0.4
25        Pulp and waste paper.......................         0.880      73.5    74.9      19.5     4.9      8.3      2.8      1.9
26        Textile fibers and their waste.............         0.670      65.1    64.4     -15.6    -2.1     -5.0     -0.2     -1.1
27        Crude fertilizers and crude minerals.......         0.330      93.0    93.3      -3.7     0.0      0.1     -0.6      0.3
28        Metalliferous ores and metal scrap.........         0.781      72.9    73.2       5.0     0.1      2.3      0.8      0.4
     3/ Other crude materials, inedible, except
           fuels (9612=100)..........................         0.398      90.9    89.5      -2.9    -0.8     -0.9     -0.3     -1.5

3        MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED
            MATERIALS................................         2.267     113.1   118.0      26.3     1.3      1.2      9.6      4.3
32        Coal, coke and briquettes..................         0.693      98.3    97.6      -1.8    -0.1     -0.1      0.1     -0.7
33        Petroleum, petroleum products and
             related materials.......................         1.387     122.5   130.7      43.9     2.2      1.9     11.8      6.7

4        ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE OILS, FATS AND
            WAXES....................................         0.370      76.0    78.5     -23.6    -6.5      0.0     -0.8      3.3

5        CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.......        10.772      91.8    92.5       0.8     0.6      0.4      0.2      0.8
51        Organic chemicals..........................         2.411      76.9    79.1       5.3     0.7      1.3      0.9      2.9
52        Inorganic chemicals........................         0.878     100.8   100.7      -2.4     1.3     -0.4      0.2     -0.1
53        Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials.....         0.505     100.8   101.0       1.4     0.0     -0.2     -0.1      0.2
54        Medicinal and pharmaceutical products......         1.252      99.9    99.6      -2.0     0.0     -0.3     -0.4     -0.3
55        Essential oils; polishing and cleansing
             preps...................................         0.775     101.8   102.1      -0.6     0.1      0.0     -0.1      0.3
56        Fertilizers (9612=100).....................         0.535      87.9    84.9     -13.3    -1.5     -0.4     -1.5     -3.4
57        Plastics in primary forms..................         1.832      90.6    92.0       5.0     2.1      1.6      0.9      1.5
58        Plastics in nonprimary forms...............         0.841      97.4    97.6       0.3     0.9      0.2      0.0      0.2
59        Chemical materials and products, n.e.s.....         1.742      99.3    99.2      -0.8     0.1     -0.2     -0.1     -0.1

6        MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY
            BY MATERIAL..............................         9.954      97.3    97.5       0.7     0.2      0.3      0.2      0.2
62        Rubber manufactures, n.e.s.................         0.714     105.8   107.0       4.5    -0.4      0.1      0.2      1.1
63        Cork and wood manufactures other than
             furniture...............................         0.324      98.5    94.0       1.4     0.9      1.0      0.9     -4.6
64        Paper, paperboard, and articles of
             paper pulp, paper or paperboard.........         1.593      85.4    86.2       6.0     0.6      1.2      1.2      0.9
65        Textile yarn, fabrics, and
             made-up articles, n.e.s.................         1.404      99.3    98.6      -2.7    -0.2      0.1      0.0     -0.7
66        Nonmetallic mineral manufactures,
             n.e.s...................................         1.366     106.3   106.1      -0.7     0.0      0.0      0.0     -0.2
67        Iron and steel.............................         1.052      94.8    95.0      -4.8     0.0      0.4     -0.1      0.2
68        Nonferrous metals..........................         1.250      86.9    88.0       2.9     0.4      0.4      1.9      1.3
69        Manufactures of metals, n.e.s..............         2.098     107.3   107.2       0.5     0.6     -0.4     -0.9     -0.1

7        MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT...........        50.676      97.3    97.3      -0.9    -0.2     -0.3      0.0      0.0
71        Power generating machinery and
             equipment...............................         4.658     110.1   110.1       2.9     0.1      0.5      0.0      0.0
72        Machinery specialized for particular
             industries..............................         4.882     105.8   106.0       0.5     0.2     -0.3      0.0      0.2
73        Metalworking machinery.....................         1.027     108.8   108.8       0.3    -0.6      0.1     -0.1      0.0
74        General industrial machinery,
             equipment, & parts, n.e.s...............         5.278     107.5   107.6       1.1     0.1      0.2      0.0      0.1
75        Computer equipment and office machines.....         5.769      71.0    70.4      -5.9    -0.8     -0.8      0.0     -0.8
76        Telecommunications & sound recording
             & reproducing apparatus & equipment.....         3.819      96.9    96.9      -1.3    -0.2      0.1     -0.1      0.0
77        Electrical machinery and equipment.........        11.130      87.5    87.6      -3.9    -0.4     -1.0     -0.2      0.1
78        Road vehicles..............................         9.400     102.3   102.4       0.4     0.2     -0.1     -0.1      0.1

8        MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.........        11.529     101.2   101.3       0.7     0.0      0.1      0.1      0.1
82        Furniture and parts thereof................         0.664     105.4   105.5       1.3     0.1      0.7      0.0      0.1
84        Articles of apparel and clothing
             accessories.............................         1.277     100.3   100.3      -2.1    -0.4     -0.1      0.1      0.0
87        Professional, scientific and controlling
             instruments and apparatus, n.e.s........         3.891     105.4   105.5       1.6    -0.2      0.2      0.0      0.1
88        Photographic apparatus, equipment and
             supplies and optical goods, n.e.s.......         0.937      94.8    95.7       3.5    -0.1      0.4      0.0      0.9
89        Miscellaneous manufactured articles,
             n.e.s...................................         4.286      98.5    98.5       0.2     0.4      0.0      0.2      0.0
     3/ Other miscellaneous manufactured
           articles (9612=100).......................         0.473     101.6   101.8      -0.5     0.0     -0.7      0.1      0.2




    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                   n.a.      Not available
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for June, July and August 1999
        have been revised to reflect the availability
        of late reports and corrections by respondents.
        All data are subject to revision in each of the
        three months after original publication.
    3  Product categories included in this group
        have been modified due to concordance
        or coverage limitations.

    NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately


Table 5   U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods,
             September 1998-September 1999     1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
Harmo-                                                        ance                      Sept.    May      June     July     Aug.
nized                       Description                                                  1998    1999     1999     1999     1999
System                                                       August  August   September   to      to       to       to       to
                                                              1999    1999      1999    Sept.    June     July     Aug.    Sept.
                                                               1/      2/                1999    1999     1999     1999     1999


I        LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS...............         1.611     101.2   102.3       2.9    -1.4      1.1     -0.1      1.1
02        Meat and edible meat offal.................         0.286      98.8   101.2       5.4     1.0      0.3      2.3      2.4
03        Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and
             other aquatic invertebrates.............         0.957     107.2   107.6       2.7    -2.3      1.6     -0.5      0.4
     3/   Other live animals and animal
             products (9612=100).....................         0.369      92.1    93.7       1.6    -0.8      0.4     -0.6      1.7

II       VEGETABLE PRODUCTS..........................         1.520      85.4    85.0      -6.0    -1.6     -2.0     -1.0     -0.5
07        Edible vegetables and certain roots and
             tubers..................................         0.289     103.6   106.9     -20.3    -8.8      3.1     -4.9      3.2
08        Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus
             fruit or melons.........................         0.501     107.9   105.4       5.0    -1.6     -0.3      1.3     -2.3
09        Coffee, tea, mate and spices...............         0.328      65.3    64.6     -13.3     4.1     -7.2     -0.5     -1.1
     3/   Other vegetable products...................         0.402      89.7    89.4       2.1    -0.3     -3.7     -1.1     -0.3

IV       PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND
            TOBACCO..................................         2.074      98.4    97.6      -3.0    -1.2     -0.2     -0.3     -0.8
20        Preparations of vegetables, fruit,
             nuts, or other parts of plants..........         0.283      91.1    90.7       3.3    -1.6      0.0     -0.9     -0.4
22        Beverages, spirits, and vinegar............         0.774     104.4   105.5       0.6     0.1     -0.5     -0.3      1.1
     3/   Other prepared foodstuffs (9612=100).......         1.017      93.9    91.7      -7.3    -2.1     -0.1     -0.2     -2.3

V        MINERAL PRODUCTS............................        10.866     112.6   120.0      51.9    -0.3     11.1      8.9      6.6
26        Ores, slag and ash.........................         0.293      98.5    98.6      -3.0     0.2     -1.9      0.0      0.1
27        Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,
             bituminous substances and mineral wax...        10.341     113.3   121.1      55.9    -0.4     11.8      9.5      6.9

VI       PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED
            INDUSTRIES...............................         5.106      93.3    93.9      -1.2    -0.2      0.1      0.2      0.6
28        Inorganic chemicals........................         0.778      90.8    91.1      -5.6     0.3     -0.9      0.8      0.3
29        Organic chemicals..........................         1.977      91.4    92.0       0.5    -0.6      0.7      1.1      0.7
30        Pharmaceutical products....................         0.586     104.3   105.3       4.7     0.9      0.1      0.1      1.0
32        Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye &
             pigments; varnish & paints; putty.......         0.276      88.5    88.5      -4.8     0.0     -1.6     -0.1      0.0
37        Photographic or cinematographic goods......         0.360      96.3    96.3       0.6     0.0      0.0      0.0      0.0
38        Miscellaneous chemical products
             (9612=100)..............................         0.391      89.3    89.5      -5.0    -0.2      0.6      0.0      0.2
     3/   Other products of the chemical or
             allied industries (9612=100)............         0.739      91.3    92.9      -2.1    -0.5     -0.5     -2.0      1.8

VII      PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER
            AND ARTICLES THEREOF.....................         2.695      85.7    86.6       0.9     0.0      0.0     -0.1      1.1
39        Plastics and articles thereof..............         1.705      89.8    90.8       2.1     0.2      0.0     -0.1      1.1
40        Rubber and articles thereof................         0.990      79.5    80.2      -1.2    -0.3     -0.3      0.0      0.9

VIII     RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,
            TRAVEL GOODS, ETC........................         1.013     100.5   101.4      -0.5     0.4     -1.5      0.1      0.9
42        Articles of leather; travel goods, bags,
             etc. of various materials...............         0.830     100.5   100.8       0.7     0.6      0.0      0.1      0.3

IX       WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW, BASKET
            AND WICKER...............................         1.905     119.4   113.0      10.6     3.7      7.2     -1.8     -5.4

X        WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER
            AND ARTICLES THEREOF.....................         2.304      80.3    81.1      -1.7    -0.4     -0.1      0.0      1.0
47        Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic
             material; waste paper/paperboard........         0.355      62.1    66.1       7.5     5.1      1.1     -0.2      6.4
48        Paper and paperboard; articles of paper
             pulp, paper or paperboard...............         1.585      84.1    84.1      -4.4    -1.7     -0.4     -0.1      0.0
49        Printed matter.............................         0.365      99.8    99.7       1.6     0.4     -0.2      0.8     -0.1

XI       TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES................         7.041     100.1   100.3      -0.5     0.0      0.1      0.2      0.2
61        Articles of apparel and clothing
             accessories, knitted or crocheted.......         2.108     101.4   101.7       0.3     0.1      0.2      0.0      0.3
62        Articles of apparel and clothing
             accessories, not knitted or crocheted...         3.436     103.5   103.7      -0.4    -0.3      0.0      0.5      0.2
63        Made-up or worn textile articles and
             clothing; needlecraft sets; rags........         0.342      94.1    94.9       1.9    -0.9      2.5      0.1      0.9
     3/   Other textile & textile
             articles (9612=100).....................         1.155      93.0    92.8      -3.2     0.5     -0.5     -0.2     -0.2

XII      FOOTWEAR, HEADGEAR, UMBRELLAS, WHIPS,
            ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS, ETC..................         2.148     101.2   101.3       0.1     0.2      0.0     -0.1      0.1
64        Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts
             of such articles........................         1.843     100.6   100.7       0.2     0.2      0.1      0.0      0.1
     3/   Other footwear, headgear, umbrellas,
             whips, art. flowers, etc. (9612=100)....         0.305     103.7   103.7       0.6    -0.1     -0.6      0.0      0.0

XIII     STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,CERAMIC
            GLASS ETC................................         1.165     100.6   100.7       0.3    -0.3     -0.1      0.0      0.1
69        Ceramic products...........................         0.441      97.6    97.5       0.0     0.1     -0.1      0.0     -0.1
70        Glass and glassware........................         0.450     100.4   100.6       1.3    -0.3     -0.1      0.1      0.2

XIV      PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,
            IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS.............         2.307      99.9    99.8       1.7     0.9     -1.0      0.4     -0.1

XV       BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METAL......         5.504      85.9    86.8      -0.6     0.2     -0.1      1.1      1.0
72        Iron and steel.............................         1.623      85.1    86.0      -3.0     0.0     -0.5      0.4      1.1
73        Articles of iron or steel..................         1.263      92.0    92.3      -1.8    -0.3     -0.8      0.3      0.3
74        Copper and articles thereof................         0.393      70.3    70.6      -1.1    -1.5      1.2      2.9      0.4
76        Aluminum and articles thereof..............         0.915      84.5    85.1       3.4     2.1     -0.4      2.4      0.7
83        Miscellaneous articles of base metal.......         0.431     102.4   102.2       2.0    -1.0      1.0      0.0     -0.2
     3/   Miscellaneous nonferrous metals and
             articles, including scrap (9612=100)....         0.432      83.3    88.1       4.4     2.5      1.8      4.5      5.8

XVI      MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV
            IMAGE & SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC......        28.556      81.7    81.7      -2.9    -0.5     -0.8      0.0      0.0
84        Specialized machinery & computer
             equipment...............................        14.705      81.1    81.0      -4.0    -0.5     -0.9     -0.1     -0.1
85        Electrical machinery and equip, sound
             and TV recorders & reproducers, parts...        13.851      82.3    82.4      -1.7    -0.5     -0.7      0.0      0.1

XVII     VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND
            ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT...........        16.612     102.5   102.4       1.6     0.0      0.0      0.1     -0.1
87        Motor vehicles and their parts.............        15.691     102.2   102.1       1.6     0.0      0.0      0.1     -0.1

XVII     OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &
            MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES........         3.580      91.6    91.9       0.4    -0.1      0.0      0.0      0.3
90        Optical, photographic, measuring and
             medical instruments.....................         3.053      91.4    91.7       0.5     0.0     -0.1      0.1      0.3
91        Clocks and watches and parts thereof.......         0.383      92.7    93.1      -0.2    -0.1     -0.6     -0.1      0.4

XX       MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.........         3.734      96.9    97.0      -0.3    -0.3      0.1     -0.2      0.1
94        Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps
             and lighting fittings nes;..............         1.604      97.1    97.2      -0.5    -0.3      0.1     -0.4      0.1
95        Toys, games and sports equipment; parts
             and accessories thereof.................         1.836      97.3    97.4      -0.2    -0.2      0.0      0.0      0.1
96        Miscellaneous manufactured articles........         0.294      93.4    93.8       0.5    -0.5     -0.4      0.5      0.4



    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for June, July and August 1999
        have been revised to reflect the availability
        of late reports and corrections by respondents.
        All data are subject to revision in each of
        the three months after original publication.
    3  Product categories included in this group
        have been modified due to concordance
        or coverage limitations.

    NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately


Table 6   U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods,
             September 1998-September 1999     1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
Harmo-                                                        ance                      Sept.    May      June     July     Aug.
nized                       Description                                                  1998    1999     1999     1999     1999
System                                                       August  August   September   to      to       to       to       to
                                                              1999    1999      1999    Sept.    June     July     Aug.    Sept.
                                                               1/      2/                1999    1999     1999     1999     1999


I        LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS...............         1.977      94.9    94.3       0.6     0.9     -0.4     -0.5     -0.6
02        Meat & edible meat offal...................         1.105      93.3    93.6       0.4     2.5      3.3      3.2      0.3
03        Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and
             other aquatic invertebrates.............         0.559      96.9    93.6       4.5    -0.9     -6.5     -7.4     -3.4
     3/   Other live animals and animal
             products (9612=100).....................         0.313      82.4    83.5      -4.0    -0.2      0.0     -0.2      1.3

II       VEGETABLE PRODUCTS..........................         4.475      80.3    79.7      -1.2    -0.4     -4.9      2.4     -0.7
07        Edible vegetables and certain roots and
             tubers..................................         0.333     101.1   101.3       3.6     2.3      0.5      2.1      0.2
08        Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus
             fruit or melons.........................         0.757      99.1    91.7      -8.8    -0.7      1.8     -6.7     -7.5
10        Cereals....................................         2.040      71.2    70.6       4.7    -0.5     -7.2      3.9     -0.8
12        Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds,
             fruits, plants, straw and fodder........         1.099      84.3    87.9      -6.9    -1.1     -7.1      7.4      4.3

III      ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE FATS AND OILS...........         0.394      75.0    77.0     -25.8    -6.0     -1.0     -0.5      2.7

IV       PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND
            TOBACCO..................................         3.474      97.4    97.4       0.7    -0.1      0.6      0.1      0.0
20        Preparations of vegetables, fruit,
             nuts, or other parts of plants..........         0.348      93.6    92.5      -2.8    -0.1     -1.1      0.0     -1.2
21        Miscellaneous edible preparations..........         0.384     107.7   107.4       0.6     0.1     -0.2      0.7     -0.3
22        Beverages, spirits, and vinegar............         0.339      98.3    98.3      -0.8     0.0      0.0     -0.3      0.0
23        Residues and waste from the food
             industries; prepared animal feed........         0.576      85.3    85.4       1.1    -1.7      3.7      0.4      0.1
24        Tobacco and manufactured tobacco
             substitutes.............................         1.303     101.1   101.6       2.2     0.1     -0.1      0.1      0.5
     3/   Other prepared foods.......................         0.523     101.1   100.6       0.3     0.7      1.1      0.0     -0.5

V        MINERAL PRODUCTS............................         2.815     106.3   110.2      19.4     0.7      1.7      5.8      3.7
26        Ores, slag and ash (9812=100)..............         0.282     116.9   118.6     n.a.     -4.1      9.8      1.3      1.5
27        Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,
             bituminous substances and mineral wax...         2.269     110.9   115.6      23.0     1.5      0.8      7.0      4.2

VI       PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED
            INDUSTRIES...............................         8.756      92.2    92.8       0.3     0.3      0.2      0.1      0.7
28        Inorganic chemicals........................         0.948      99.9    99.8      -2.1     1.7     -0.7      0.1     -0.1
29        Organic chemicals..........................         2.716      79.9    82.1       4.7     0.6      1.3      0.9      2.8
30        Pharmaceutical products....................         0.943     103.4   102.9      -1.2     0.1      0.1     -0.7     -0.5
31        Fertilizers (9612=100).....................         0.598      87.9    85.0     -13.2    -1.5     -0.3     -1.6     -3.3
32        Tanning or dyeing extracts; dyes and
             pigments; paints & varnish; putty;ink...         0.519     100.9   101.0       1.3    -0.1     -0.3     -0.2      0.1
33        Essential oils and resinoids;
             perfumery, cosmetic or toilet...........         0.556     104.0   104.3       0.4    -0.1      0.0     -0.1      0.3
34        Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or
             scouring products; candles, pastes......         0.330     104.2   104.6      -0.2     0.3     -0.1      0.1      0.4
37        Photographic or cinematographic goods......         0.407      87.0    88.9       7.5    -0.3      1.0      0.0      2.2
38        Miscellaneous chemical products............         1.516      98.3    98.1      -0.6    -0.1      0.0     -0.1     -0.2

VII      PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER
            AND ARTICLES THEREOF.....................         4.326      93.0    93.7       2.4     1.0      0.9      0.4      0.8
39        Plastics and articles thereof..............         3.390      91.4    92.1       2.6     1.2      1.1      0.6      0.8
40        Rubber and articles thereof................         0.936      99.3   100.0       2.1    -0.3      0.1      0.3      0.7

VIII     RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,
            TRAVEL GOODS, ETC........................         0.515      84.8    86.7       1.0     0.1      1.0      2.2      2.2
41        Raw hides and skins (other than
             furskins) and leather...................         0.358      79.2    82.1       1.6     0.1      1.6      3.1      3.7

IX       WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW,
            BASKET AND WICKER........................         1.247      86.9    85.5       0.5     0.5      1.0      0.2     -1.6

X        WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER
            AND ARTICLES THEREOF.....................         3.201      81.1    82.1       7.3     1.3      1.9      1.2      1.2
47        Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic
             material; waste paper/paperboard........         0.790      68.3    69.9      16.7     4.1      5.7      2.6      2.3
48        Paper and paperboard; articles of paper
             pulp, paper or paperboard...............         1.562      85.8    86.9       6.5     0.5      1.1      1.4      1.3
49        Printed material...........................         0.849     109.9   109.8       1.1     0.4      0.4     -0.1     -0.1

XI       TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES................         3.096      85.9    85.6      -5.7    -0.9     -1.3      0.1     -0.3
52        Cotton, including yarns and woven
             fabrics thereof.........................         0.585      65.4    63.8     -18.5    -1.8     -7.4     -0.8     -2.4
55        Manmade staple fibers, includ. yarns
             and woven fabrics (9812=100)............         0.276     101.3   101.3     n.a.     -2.3      4.0      0.1      0.0
61        Apparel and clothing access.,
             knitted or crocheted (9812=100).........         0.481     100.3   100.3     n.a.      0.0      0.1      0.0      0.0
62        Apparel and clothing access.,
             not knitted or crocheted (9812=100).....         0.661      98.0    98.0     n.a.     -1.0     -0.4      0.5      0.0

XIII     STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,
            CERAMIC, GLASS ETC.......................         0.879     102.9   103.3       0.1     0.0     -0.7      0.3      0.4
70        Glass and glassware........................         0.508     101.7   101.7      -0.2    -0.1     -0.2      0.1      0.0

XIV      PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,
            IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS.............         1.825      90.6    91.1      -0.4    -0.8     -1.2     -0.3      0.6

XV       BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METALS.....         4.537      90.9    91.0       0.2     0.6      0.2      0.3      0.1
72        Iron and steel.............................         0.854      79.1    79.1      -1.9     0.8      1.2      0.3      0.0
73        Articles of iron or steel..................         1.323     109.3   109.3      -1.4     0.2     -0.1     -0.4      0.0
74        Copper and articles thereof................         0.364      67.2    66.9       0.9     0.0     -0.3      4.5     -0.4
76        Aluminum and articles thereof..............         0.860      83.5    83.9       3.8     1.1      1.3      0.6      0.5
82        Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and
             forks, of base metal; parts thereof.....         0.436     105.3   104.7       1.9     0.5      0.3     -2.1     -0.6
83        Miscellaneous articles of base metal.......         0.393     101.7   101.7       0.9     0.0      0.0     -0.1      0.0


XVI      MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV
            IMAGE AND SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC....        36.388      91.8    91.8      -1.8    -0.2     -0.4     -0.1      0.0
84        Specialized machinery & computer
             equipment...............................        20.519      94.0    93.8      -0.8    -0.2     -0.2      0.0     -0.2
85        Electrical machinery and equip, sound
             & tv recorders & reproducers, parts.....        15.869      89.2    89.3      -3.1    -0.3     -0.8     -0.1      0.1

XVII     VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND
            ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT...........        14.374     106.0   106.2       1.0     0.2      0.0      0.0      0.2
87        Motor vehicles and their parts.............         9.887     102.4   102.6       0.5     0.1      0.0     -0.1      0.2

XVII     OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &
            MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES........         5.645     103.3   103.4       1.2     0.0      0.1      0.0      0.1


XX       MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.........         1.848     102.6   102.6       0.2     0.1      0.3     -0.1      0.0
94        Furniture; stuffed furnishings;
             lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;......         0.913     104.9   105.0       0.7     0.2      0.6      0.0      0.1
95        Toys, games and sports equipment; parts
             and accessories thereof.................         0.757     100.6   100.5      -0.4    -0.1     -0.1      0.0     -0.1



    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for June, July and August 1999
        have been revised to reflect the availability
        of late reports and corrections by respondents.
        All data are subject to revision in each of
        the three months after original publication.
    3  Product categories included in this group
        have been modified due to concordance
        or coverage limitations.

    NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately


        Table  7    U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes by Locality of Origin,  September 1998-September 1999
               1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                       Index                            Percent Change
                                                            Percentage
                                                               of                       Annual          Monthly
                                                            US Imports                  Sept.    May      June     July     Aug.
                           Description 1/                                                1998    1999     1999     1999     1999
                                                              1995    Aug.      Sept.     to      to       to       to       to
                                                                      1999      1999    Sept.    June     July     Aug.    Sept.
                                                                       2/                1999    1999     1999     1999     1999

     3/ Developed Countries..........................       100.000      96.7    97.3       3.3    -0.1      0.4      0.6      0.6
          Manufactured Goods.........................        93.335      96.1    96.5       1.7     0.0      0.0      0.2      0.4
          Nonmanufactured Goods......................         6.465     111.1   117.1      34.4    -0.4      6.5      5.4      5.4

     3/ Developing Countries.........................       100.000      95.3    96.5       5.2     0.2      1.2      1.7      1.3
          Manufactured Goods.........................        80.447      91.7    92.1      -1.0     0.0     -0.2      0.4      0.4
          Nonmanufactured Goods......................        19.286     108.9   113.9      41.8     1.2      7.8      7.7      4.6

        Canada.......................................       100.000      99.3    99.7       4.3     0.2      1.5      0.9      0.4
          Manufactured Goods.........................        86.314      97.8    97.5       0.5     0.3      0.8      0.2     -0.3
          Nonmanufactured Goods......................        13.183     114.6   120.2      34.2    -0.2      6.3      5.8      4.9

     4/ European Union...............................       100.000     100.5   101.3       1.5    -0.1     -0.1      0.5      0.8
          Manufactured Goods.........................        96.922     100.7   101.4       0.9    -0.2     -0.2      0.3      0.7
          Nonmanufactured Goods......................         3.078      99.5   105.9      29.9     1.5      5.6      2.2      6.4

     5/ Latin America  (9712=100)....................       100.000     100.3   102.1       9.5    -0.5      1.9      2.8      1.8
          Manufactured Goods  (9712=100).............        72.038      97.6    98.6       2.2     0.3      0.3      1.0      1.0
          Nonmanufactured Goods (9712=100)...........        27.250     109.0   113.0      34.5    -3.0      6.6      7.7      3.7

        Japan........................................       100.000      88.4    88.9       1.9    -0.3     -0.1      0.1      0.6

     6/ Asian Newly Industrialized Countries.........       100.000      83.2    83.2      -2.2    -0.1     -0.4      0.2      0.0



        1    Regions are not mutually exclusive.

        2    Data for  June, July and August 1999
             have been revised to reflect the availability
             of late reports and corrections by respondents.

        3    Defined according to the Standard Census Definition.

        4    Includes EU  15 countries.

        5    Includes Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.

        6    Includes Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan.



        Table  8     U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services
             September 1998-September 1999  1995 = 100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                       Index                            Percent Change

                                                                                        Annual          Quarterly
                                                             Trade                      Sept.   Sept.     Dec.    March     June
                            Description                      (Mil.                       1998    1998     1998     1999     1999
                                                               of     June      Sept.     to      to       to       to       to
                                                            Dollars)  1999      1999    Sept.    Dec.    March     June    Sept.
                                                                                         1999    1998     1999     1999     1999


        IMPORT

         Air Freight                                            3188     85.4   87.0        8.3     8.0      1.3     -2.7      1.9
          Atlantic                                              1278     84.9   85.0       -2.7     4.9     -2.8     -4.7      0.1
          Pacific                                               1674     86.4   89.5       19.5    11.9      4.9     -1.7      3.6

         Air Passenger Fares                                   11127    117.3   118.0       4.6    -6.8     -1.2     13.0      0.6
     1/   Atlantic                                              4922    124.7   131.2      10.1   -17.7     -1.0     28.4      5.2
     1/   Pacific                                               2340    105.0   98.5       -0.5     5.8     -7.0      7.8     -6.2
     1/   Latin American / Caribbean                            3021    111.2   110.3       0.9    -0.3      3.2     -1.2     -0.8

     1/  Crude Oil Tanker Freight                               1346     70.6    n.a.     n.a.      5.0    -11.8     -2.8    n.a.

         Ocean Liner Freight                                    9868    123.1   132.8      31.2    -0.6     -0.2     22.6      7.9
          U.S. East Coast                                       4271    102.0   111.6      11.3    -1.3     -0.4      3.4      9.4
           from Atlantic                                        1952     87.7   99.9        2.6     0.0     -0.9     -9.1     13.9
           from Pacific                                         1774    121.1   127.9      24.1     0.2      0.0     17.2      5.6
     1/   U.S. West Coast                                       5596    138.6   148.1      46.2    -0.1     -0.1     37.1      6.9

        EXPORT

         Air Freight (9612 = 100)                               2562     90.8   89.3       -6.6     1.2     -6.4      0.3     -1.7

         Air Passenger Fares                                   17272    101.9   105.9      11.0     2.7      2.7      1.3      3.9
     1/   Atlantic                                              4120    113.2   114.6      -0.5    -5.4     -2.3      6.3      1.2
     1/   Pacific                                              10700     83.9   90.3       18.2     7.3      3.8     -1.4      7.6
          Latin American / Caribbean                            1392    114.0   116.0       2.5    -0.1     -1.3      2.2      1.8
          Canadian                                              1006    192.2   183.2      18.3     7.2     13.6      1.9     -4.7



        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
             September 1998-September 1999    1995 = 100
                                                                       Index                            Percent Change

                                                                                        Annual          Quarterly
                                                             Trade                      Sept.   Sept.     Dec.    March     June
                            Description                      (Mil.                       1998    1998     1998     1999     1999
                                                               of     June      Sept.     to      to       to       to       to
                                                            Dollars)  1999      1999    Sept.    Dec.    March     June    Sept.
                                                                                         1999    1998     1999     1999     1999


         Air Freight (Inbound)                                  5495     86.2   87.9        7.5     6.8      0.7     -2.0      2.0
          Atlantic                                              1880     86.5   86.5       -1.7     4.1     -2.7     -2.9      0.0
          Pacific                                               3151     86.3   89.3       14.6     9.8      2.9     -1.9      3.5

         Air Freight (Outbound)                                 5835     92.8   92.7       -3.2    -0.6     -2.6      0.1     -0.1
          Atlantic                                              2080    104.5   104.6       1.3     0.8      0.0      0.4      0.1
          Pacific                                               3222     85.2   85.0       -7.0    -1.9     -4.9     -0.1     -0.2

         Air Passenger Fares (U.S. Carrier)                    30673    112.3   113.9       6.2    -3.9      1.4      7.5      1.4
    1/    Atlantic                                              8811    119.5   122.9       2.1   -18.6     -1.1     23.3      2.8
    1/    Pacific                                              15900     96.1   97.5        8.9     4.4      1.3      1.6      1.5
    1/    Latin American / Caribbean                            4542    119.7   120.7       3.0    -0.4      1.5      1.1      0.8
          Canadian                                              1367    194.7   189.1      16.3     5.7     10.8      2.2     -2.9

         Air Passenger Fares (Foreign Carrier)                 31694    106.3   108.6       4.4    -2.8     -2.2      7.5      2.2
    1/    Atlantic                                             13572    113.9   117.3      -0.5   -12.7     -4.5     15.9      3.0
    1/    Pacific                                              12570     88.4   90.7       13.8    10.3     -1.5      2.1      2.6
    1/    Latin American / Caribbean                            4224    108.7   109.3       1.5     0.2      1.8     -1.0      0.6

    1/   Crude Oil Tanker Freight (Inbound)                     1949     71.4    n.a.     n.a.     -0.2     -9.8     -4.3    n.a.

         Ocean Liner Freight (Inbound)                         12253    133.7   146.9      39.9    -0.8     -1.5     30.3      9.9
          U.S. East Coast                                       5410     97.8   107.5       9.2    -1.7     -0.3      1.5      9.9
           from Atlantic                                        2647     85.9   97.9        2.6     0.0     -0.8     -9.2     14.0
           from Pacific                                         1874    117.5   123.9      23.2     0.1      0.5     16.1      5.4
    1/    U.S. West Coast                                       6844    161.4   177.3      61.6    -0.1     -2.4     50.8      9.9



        1     Detailed data available upon request.                                            n.a.    Not available

                                                                     
                           TECHNICAL NOTE
   
Import and Export Merchandise and Services Price Indexes -- All indexes use 
a modified Laspeyres formula and are weighted with 1995 trade weights.  The 
merchandise price indexes are published using three classifications:  the 
Harmonized System (HS), the Bureau of Economic Analysis End Use System,
and the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) system, Rev. 3.  
Price indexes for internationally traded services are presented using two 
definitions: Balance of Payments (which represents transactions between U.S. 
and foreign residents) and International (which represents all transactions
with U.S. importers or exporters, regardless of nationality).  Published
series use a base year of 1995=100 where possible.  Net transaction price
data are collected every month for over 20,000 products from over 6,000
companies and secondary sources.  Indexes are not seasonally adjusted.  More
detailed index series and additional information may be obtained from the
Division of International Prices, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2 Massachusetts
Avenue N.E., PSB 3955, Washington, DC 20212 or (202) 606-7155.

Import Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the 1995 Harmonized 
Tariff Schedule of the United States Annotated (TSUSA).  Import prices are 
based on U.S. dollar prices paid by the U.S. importer.  The prices are
generally either "free on board" (f.o.b.) foreign port or "cost, insurance,
and freight" (c.i.f.) U.S. port transaction prices, depending on the
practices of the individual industry.  The index for crude petroleum is
calculated from data collected by the U.S. Department of Energy.  

Export Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the 1995 Harmonized 
Schedule B classification system of the U.S. Bureau of the Census.  The
prices used are generally either "free alongside ship" (f.a.s.) factory
or "free on board" (f.o.b.) transaction prices, depending on the practices of
the individual industry.  Prices used in the grain index, excluding rice,
are obtained from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Import Indexes by Locality of Origin -- Prices used in these indexes are a
subset of the data collected for the Import Price Indexes.  Prior to
January 1993, nonmanufactured goods were defined as SITC 0-4 and manufactured
goods were defined as SITC 5-8.  Beginning with January 1993, the indexes are
defined by locality of origin using a nomenclature based upon the Standard
Industrial Classification (SIC-based).  Nonmanufactured goods are defined as
SIC 0-1, and manufactured goods are defined as SIC 2-3.  The indexes use 1995
weights and a base of 1995=100.

Import, Export, and International Services Indexes -- Indexes are calculated
on a quarterly basis.  The figures for services indexes will not sum up to
the aggregate dollar value because not all categories are shown in the tables.
Revenue figures for air passenger indexes exclude frequent flyer tickets and
those sold by consolidators.  Indexes for crude oil tanker freight are
calculated from data collected by the U. S. Department of Energy and the 
publication of these indexes is lagged one quarter.  

Revision policy -- Data are revised for the previous three months to reflect
the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents.

Uses of the Data -- The primary use of the indexes is to deflate trade
statistics.  For merchandise trade, the End Use classification system is the
structure used by the U.S. Department of Commerce in the construction of the
foreign trade sector of the National Income and Product Accounts.  Indexes
published using the Harmonized System and the Standard International Trade
Classification, Rev. 3, both international structures, are useful for general
market analysis.  For trade in international services, Balance of Payments
indexes are used for deflating National Accounts data, while International
indexes are more appropriate for market analysis. Merchandise and services
indexes also can be used to study U.S. competitiveness and price elasticities,
and the merchandise import indexes by country or region of origin are useful
for terms of trade analysis.



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