Technical Information
    Jim Thomas        (202) 606-7155          USDL-97-287
    Bill Alterman      (202) 606-7108         For release: 10:00 A.M. E.D.T.
  Media contact:                              Tuesday, August 19, 1997
    Kathryn Hoyle      (202) 606-5902
  Internet Address:   http://stats.bls.gov/ipphome.htm
                                  
                U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES
                             -JULY 1997-
                                  
     The U.S. Import Price Index fell 0.2 percent in July, the Bureau
of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today.
Declines in both imported petroleum prices and nonpetroleum  prices
contributed to the July decrease.  Led by a continued decline in
agricultural prices, the U.S. Export Price Index also decreased in
July, falling 0.1 percent.
                                  
         Percent changes in import and export price indexes
                         by End Use category
                     - not seasonally adjusted -


                      IMPORTS                        EXPORTS          
                                                                                       
                                   Non-               Agri-      Nonagri-    
               All    Petroleum  petroleum    All     cultural   cultural 
             Imports   Imports    Imports   Exports   Exports    Exports
             
Month                                                                             
                                                                 
1996                                                             
July           -0.1       1.9      -0.4       -0.5      -1.9      -0.2 
August          0.1       2.2      -0.1       -0.2      -0.2      -0.2 
September       1.2       7.5       0.4       -0.8      -7.3       0.2 
October         0.5       7.1      -0.3       -0.2      -2.6       0.0 
November       -0.2      -0.8      -0.1       -0.4      -2.3       0.0 
December        0.3       2.0       0.1        0.0      -0.9       0.1 
1997                                                               
January        -0.3       0.6      -0.4        0.1       0.1       0.0 
February       -0.9      -8.1      -0.1        0.2       2.1       0.0 
March          -1.3      -8.7      -0.4        0.1       1.5      -0.1 
April          -1.1      -7.3 r    -0.5       -0.7      -6.9       0.1 
May             0.0       1.0 r     0.0 r     -0.3 r    -1.1      -0.2 r
June            0.0 r    -1.8 r     0.0 r      0.0 r    -1.9       0.2 r
July           -0.2      -0.7      -0.1       -0.1      -0.9       0.0 
                                                                   
July 1995-96   -0.5      14.8      -2.0        0.1      13.7      -1.7 
July 1996-97   -1.9      -8.2      -1.5       -2.3     -19.0       0.1 

r = revised to reflect late reports and corrections by respondents.


                            Import Goods
                                  
        Import prices declined on average in July, after remaining
unchanged in the previous two months.  The July decline resumed a
downward trend in the index that dates back to the beginning of 1997.
For the year ended in July, the index was down 1.9 percent.  Both
petroleum and nonpetroleum import prices contributed to the July
decline, falling 0.7 and 0.1 percent, respectively.  Imported
petroleum prices fell 23.3 percent over the past six months, and were
down 8.2 percent for the July 1996-1997 period.  Prices for
nonpetroleum imports have either declined or been unchanged over the
past seven months and were down 1.5 percent over the past 12 months.
                                  
      Capital goods prices led the decline in nonpetroleum imports,
falling 0.4 percent in July.  Most of the decline in capital goods
prices was attributable to falling prices for imported computers.
For the year ended in July, capital goods prices were down 5.6
percent.  The price index for imported foods, feeds, and beverages
also fell in July, down 1.9 percent.  This index was up 2.7 percent
over the past 12 months.
                                  
          In contrast, the import price indexes for nonpetroleum
industrial supplies and materials and automotive vehicles rose in
July, up 0.3 and 0.2 percent, respectively.  For the year ended in
July, both indexes were up 0.5 percent.  Prices for imported consumer
goods were unchanged last month and down 0.5 percent over the past 12
months.
                                  

                            Export Goods
                                  
      Export prices were largely unchanged for the second month in a
row, falling a modest 0.1 percent after recording no change in the
previous month.  For the year ended in July, export prices were down
2.3 percent.  The July decrease was led by agricultural export
prices, down 0.9 percent, due primarily to continued declines in
grain prices.  Prices for agricultural exports fell 10.6 percent over
the past four months and 19.0 percent for the year ended in July.  In
contrast, the price index for nonagricultural exports was unchanged
in July after increasing 0.2 percent in June.  Nonagricultural export
prices have not changed by more than 0.2 percent over the past year
and were up just 0.1 percent over the July 1996-1997 period.
                                  
         Prices for both consumer exports and exported automotive
vehicles increased 0.2 percent in July after recording little
movement the month before.  The index for consumer goods was up 0.1
percent in June and 0.9 percent over the past year, while average
prices of exported automotive vehicles were unchanged in June and up
1.3 percent for the year ended in July.  Exported nonagricultural
industrial supplies and materials prices were unchanged in July and
up 0.7 percent over the past 12 months.
                                  
       In contrast, the export price index for capital goods, which
accounts for about 44 percent of the overall export index, fell 0.1
percent last month.  Capital goods prices decreased or were unchanged
in each of the last six months and were down 0.7 percent over the
year ended in July.
                                  

                    Imports by Locality of Origin
                                  
       The price index for imports from Japan was unchanged in July
after rising 0.3 percent the month before. (See table 7.)  Despite
the recent upturn, the index was still down 4.3 percent over the past
12 months.
                                  
       Import prices from Canada fell 0.2 percent on average for the
second consecutive month.  For the year ended in July, the index was
down 0.9 percent.
                                  
       Prices for imports from the European Union fell 0.3 percent last
month after increasing in June.  The index was down 1.2 percent over
the July 1996-1997 period.
                                  
       The price index of imports from the Asian Newly Industrialized
Countries dropped 0.6 percent in July.  The decline followed similar
drops of 0.5 and 0.6 percent in June and May, respectively.  Over the
past year, the index fell 3.7 percent
                                  
                                  
                                  
                                  
                         CONTENTS OF RELEASE
                                  
This news release includes the following tables:

Table 1   Import Price Indexes, by End Use.....page  4
Table 2   Export Price Indexes, by End Use.....page  5
Table 3   Import Price Indexes, by SITC.....pages 6-7
Table 4   Export Price Indexes, by SITC.....pages  8-9
Table 5   Import Price Indexes, by Harmonized System.....pages 10-11
Table 6   Export Price Indexes, by Harmonized System.....pages 12-13
Table 7   Import Price Indexes, by Locality of Origin.....page  14
Table 8   U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes for Services.....page 15
Table 9   U.S. International Price Indexes for Services.....page  16
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Import and Export Price Index data for August are scheduled for
release on September 17 at 10:00 a.m. (EDT).

Table 1      U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, July 1996-July 1997                                   
                 1995=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                            
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change                                         
                                                        Relative                                                                   
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly                  
                                                         ance                           July    March     April     May       June 
END       Description                                                                   1996    1997      1997      1997      1997 
USE                                                     June       June        July     to      to        to        to        to   
                                                        1997       1997        1997     July    April     May       June      July 
                                                        1/         2/                   1997    1997      1997      1997      1997 
                                                                                                                                   
          ALL COMMODITIES                               100.000     98.3        98.1     -1.9    -1.1       0.0       0.0      -0.2
          ALL IMPORTS EXCLUDING PETROLEUM                91.694     97.3        97.2     -1.5    -0.5       0.0       0.0      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
0          FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES                      4.848    101.7        99.8      2.7    -1.8       1.9       0.2      -1.9
                                                                                                                                   
00          Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,                                                                                 
                excluding distilled beverages             3.510    101.1        98.0      0.9    -2.8       2.3      -0.2      -3.1
                                                                                                                                   
01          Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled                                                                                 
                beverages)                                1.338    103.1       104.3      7.3     0.8       0.9       1.3       1.2
                                                                                                                                   
1          INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS               26.810    100.4       100.5     -2.0    -2.9       0.6      -0.6       0.1
             INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS                                                                                       
                 EXCLUDING PETROLEUM                     18.504     98.0        98.3      0.5    -0.9       0.5       0.0       0.3
             INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,                                                                                      
                 DURABLE                                  9.892    100.2       100.0      2.5    -0.2       0.4       0.3      -0.2
             INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,                                                                                      
                 NONDURABLE EXCLUDING PETROLEUM           8.612     95.5        96.2     -1.9    -1.5       0.4      -0.2       0.7
                                                                                                                                   
10          Fuels & lubricants                            9.382    105.0       105.3     -6.8    -7.4       0.9      -1.6       0.3
                                                                                                                                   
100          Petroleum & petroleum products               8.306    104.6       103.9     -8.2    -7.3       1.0      -1.8      -0.7
                                                                                                                                   
10000          Crude                                      6.549    103.8       103.8     -9.3    -7.8       2.1      -2.9       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
11          Paper & paper base stocks                     1.771     81.9        82.3     -8.9     0.4       2.4      -0.1       0.5
                                                                                                                                   
12          Materials associated with nondurable                                                                                   
                supplies & materials                      5.972     95.8        95.6     -2.1    -0.8       0.2      -0.5      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
13          Selected building materials                   2.181    112.3       112.8      6.4    -0.9       1.0      -2.2       0.4
                                                                                                                                   
14          Unfinished metals associated with                                                                                      
                durable goods                             4.582     98.0        97.4      3.9     0.3       0.4       1.9      -0.6
                                                                                                                                   
15          Finished metals associated with durable                                                                                
                goods                                     1.440     96.6        96.5     -2.5    -0.2       0.0      -0.4      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
16          Nonmetals associated with durable goods       1.482     96.0        96.3     -1.5    -0.7      -0.2       0.2       0.3
                                                                                                                                   
2          CAPITAL GOODS                                 28.740     92.1        91.7     -5.6    -1.0      -0.6       0.1      -0.4
                                                                                                                                   
20          Electric & electrical generating                                                                                       
                equipment                                 3.331     97.1        97.1     -2.1     0.0      -0.4      -0.1       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
21          Nonelectrical machinery                      23.735     90.1        89.6     -6.9    -1.1      -0.8       0.1      -0.6
                                                                                                                                   
3          AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES          17.607    100.8       101.0      0.5    -0.2      -0.3       0.5       0.2
                                                                                                                                   
4          CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING AUTOMOTIVES         21.995     99.7        99.7     -0.5     0.0       0.2      -0.1       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
40          Nondurables, manufactured                    10.852    101.2       101.2      0.6     0.3       0.5      -0.1       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
41          Durables, manufactured                       10.073     98.1        98.2     -1.7    -0.1      -0.4       0.1       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
42          Nonmanufactured consumer goods                1.069     98.9       100.0      1.5    -1.5       3.8      -3.7       1.1
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                          
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                       n.a.      Not available         
            1995 trade values.                                                                                                            
        2  Data for April, May and June 1997                                                                                              
            have been revised to reflect the availability                                                                                 
            of late reports and corrections by respondents.                                                                               
            All data are subject to revision in each of                                                                                   
            the three months after original publication.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                          
        NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately                                                           
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          
Table 2      U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, July 1996-July 1997                                   
                 1995=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                            
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change                                         
                                                        Relative                                                                   
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly                  
                                                         ance                           July    March     April     May       June 
END       Description                                                                   1996    1997      1997      1997      1997 
USE                                                     June       June        July     to      to        to        to        to   
                                                        1997       1997        1997     July    April     May       June      July 
                                                        1/         2/                   1997    1997      1997      1997      1997 
                                                                                                                                   
          ALL COMMODITIES                               100.000     98.7        98.6     -2.3    -0.7      -0.3       0.0      -0.1
          AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES                        9.998     94.9        94.0    -19.0    -6.9      -1.1      -1.9      -0.9
          NONAGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES                    90.002     99.1        99.1      0.1     0.1      -0.2       0.2       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
0          FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES                      8.936     95.2        94.3    -21.2    -7.5      -1.1      -1.9      -0.9
                                                                                                                                   
00          Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,                                                                                 
                excluding distilled beverages             8.242     96.0        95.0    -22.6    -8.0      -1.0      -2.0      -1.0
                                                                                                                                   
01          Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled                                                                                 
                beverages)                                0.694     87.6        87.9     -6.7    -1.4      -1.6      -0.5       0.3
                                                                                                                                   
1          INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS               25.523     95.5        95.5      0.7     0.0      -0.1       0.3       0.0
             INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,                                                                                      
                 DURABLE                                  9.944     96.5        96.5      0.7    -0.1      -0.1       0.4       0.0
             INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,                                                                                      
                 NONDURABLE                              15.578     94.8        94.9      0.7    -0.1       0.0       0.1       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
10          Agricultural industrial supplies &                                                                                     
                materials                                 1.756     91.6        91.7     -0.2    -1.9      -1.6      -1.1       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
            NONAGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES &                                                                                  
              MATERIALS                                  23.766     95.8        95.8      0.7     0.1       0.0       0.4       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
11          Fuels & lubricants                            2.431    110.0       109.7      0.9    -0.5      -0.2       0.0      -0.3
                                                                                                                                   
12          Nonagricultural supplies & materials                                                                                   
                excluding fuels & building materials     19.751     93.3        93.4      0.3     0.3       0.0       0.5       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
13          Selected building materials                   1.584     95.4        95.4      0.6    -1.6      -0.1       0.0       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
2          CAPITAL GOODS                                 44.120    100.1       100.0     -0.7    -0.1      -0.2       0.0      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
20          Electric & electrical generating                                                                                       
                Equipment                                 4.389    101.1       101.2      0.3     0.2      -0.1       0.5       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
21          Nonelectrical machinery                      34.364     97.6        97.4     -1.9    -0.1      -0.3      -0.3      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
3          AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES           9.649    102.1       102.3      1.3     0.3      -0.1       0.0       0.2
                                                                                                                                   
4          CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING AUTOMOTIVES         11.773    102.0       102.2      0.9     0.1       0.1       0.1       0.2
                                                                                                                                   
40          Nondurables, manufactured                     6.192    101.5       101.8      0.4    -0.3       0.1       0.3       0.3
                                                                                                                                   
41          Durables, manufactured                        5.040    101.9       102.0      1.0     0.6       0.1      -0.2       0.1
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                          
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                       n.a.      Not available         
            1995 trade values.                                                                                                            
        2  Data for April, May and June 1997                                                                                              
            have been revised to reflect the availability                                                                                 
            of late reports and corrections by respondents.                                                                               
            All data are subject to revision in each of the                                                                               
            three months after original publication.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                          
        NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately                                                           
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          
Table 3       U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, July 1996-July 1997                                   
                  1995=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                            
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change                                         
                                                        Relative                                                                   
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly                  
                                                         ance                           July    March     April     May       June 
SITC      Description                                                                   1996    1997      1997      1997      1997 
Rev. 3                                                  June       June        July     to      to        to        to        to   
                                                        1997       1997        1997     July    April     May       June      July 
                                                        1/         2/                   1997    1997      1997      1997      1997 
                                                                                                                                   
          ALL COMMODITIES                               100.000     98.3        98.1     -1.9    -1.1       0.0       0.0      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
0          FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS                          4.150    102.6       100.3      6.6    -2.3       4.1      -1.0      -2.2
01          Meat and meat preparations                    0.348    101.9       101.9     12.0     1.2      -1.1      -1.5       0.0
03          Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates                                                                               
               and preparations thereof                   1.016    103.6       104.5      9.3     0.7       1.7       1.5       0.9
05          Vegetables and fruit, prepared                                                                                         
               fresh or dried                             1.021     97.6       100.7      1.0    -8.6       5.2      -8.6       3.2
07          Coffee, tea, cocoa, spices and                                                                                         
               manufactures thereof                       0.824    118.4        99.5     21.8    -0.5       9.9       9.8     -16.0
       3/ Other food and live animals (9612=100)          0.940    100.4        99.9     n.a.     0.1       3.1      -2.5      -0.5
                                                                                                                                   
1          BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO                          0.838    107.5       107.7      3.5     0.3      -0.2       0.5       0.2
11          Beverages                                     0.704    104.0       104.2      2.7     0.3      -0.1       0.5       0.2
                                                                                                                                   
2          CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS        2.990     97.2        97.3      4.8    -1.4       2.2      -2.5       0.1
23          Crude rubber (including synthetic and                                                                                  
               reclaimed)                                 0.278     83.9        78.2    -11.9    -4.0      -3.2       2.2      -6.8
24          Cork and wood                                 1.112    122.5       123.3     10.8    -1.0       1.6      -3.5       0.7
25          Pulp and waste paper                          0.364     65.8        66.6      0.8    -1.7       0.9       2.2       1.2
28          Metalliferous ores and metal scrap            0.643    105.5       103.7      8.2     2.9      -0.4      -0.1      -1.7
29          Crude animal and vegetable materials,                                                                                  
               n.e.s. (9612=100)                          0.246     95.9       103.9     n.a.   -10.4      24.2     -18.1       8.3
       3/ Other crude materials, inedible, except                                                                                  
             fuels (9612=100)                             0.347     97.2        97.7     n.a.    -0.2      -1.5       1.2       0.5
                                                                                                                                   
3          MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED                                                                                   
              MATERIALS                                   9.062    104.6       105.3     -6.4    -7.6       1.0      -1.7       0.7
33          Petroleum, petroleum products and                                                                                      
               related materials                          7.899    104.1       103.9     -8.1    -7.3       1.4      -2.1      -0.2
34          Gas, natural and manufactured                 1.042    113.3       121.2     12.5    -9.7      -1.5       1.2       7.0
                                                                                                                                   
5          CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.         5.561     96.4        96.4     -2.4    -1.2      -0.1      -0.1       0.0
51          Organic chemicals                             1.581     95.9        96.2     -2.9    -3.3       0.0      -0.6       0.3
52          Inorganic chemicals                           0.671     98.7        98.5     -1.9    -0.4      -0.3      -2.1      -0.2
53          Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials        0.289     97.9        97.5     -4.1     0.2       0.0       0.8      -0.4
54          Medicinal and pharmaceutical products         0.904     96.3        96.5     -2.9     0.0      -0.6       0.9       0.2
55          Essential oils; polishing and cleansing                                                                                
               preps                                      0.318     97.0        96.8     -3.9     0.6      -0.1      -1.7      -0.2
57          Plastics in primary forms                     0.363     91.6        91.6     -4.5    -2.2       1.5       0.8       0.0
58          Plastics in nonprimary forms                  0.559     88.6        89.6      3.6     0.1      -0.5       3.3       1.1
59          Chemical materials and products, n.e.s.       0.654    103.5       103.1     -3.4    -0.4       0.0      -0.7      -0.4
                                                                                                                                   
6          MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY                                                                                   
              BY MATERIAL                                12.545     96.8        96.7     -1.4    -0.1       0.5       0.4      -0.1
62          Rubber manufactures, n.e.s.                   0.731     97.6        97.7     -1.9     0.1      -0.1       0.2       0.1
63          Cork and wood manufactures other than                                                                                  
               furniture                                  0.555     99.0        99.2     n.a.     0.5      -0.2      -0.5       0.2
64          Paper, paperboard, and articles of                                                                                     
               paper pulp, paper or paper board           1.580     87.5        87.7    -11.1     0.7       2.7      -0.5       0.2
65          Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up                                                                                         
               articles, n.e.s., and related product      1.416    100.5       100.2     -0.3     0.2      -0.4       0.2      -0.3
66          Nonmetallic mineral manufactures,                                                                                      
               n.e.s.                                     2.132    102.6       103.0      1.5    -0.4       0.4      -0.6       0.4
67          Iron and steel                                2.031     96.3        96.5     -0.8     0.4      -0.1      -0.2       0.2
68          Nonferrous metals                             1.960     95.3        94.1      5.1    -0.5       1.3       3.8      -1.3
69          Manufactures of metals, n.e.s.                1.973     98.9        98.6     -2.3    -0.5      -0.1       0.0      -0.3
                                                                                                                                   
7          MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT             46.958     95.7        95.4     -3.1    -0.5      -0.5       0.2      -0.3
71          Power generating machinery and                                                                                         
               equipment (9612=100)                       2.969     99.2        99.3     n.a.     0.0      -0.3       0.0       0.1
72          Machinery specialized for particular                                                                                   
               industries                                 2.683     99.3        99.4     -1.4    -0.5      -0.3       0.4       0.1
73          Metalworking machinery                        0.821     98.3        98.0     -3.1     0.1       0.1       0.3      -0.3
74          General industrial machinery and equip-                                                                                
               ment, n.e.s. and machine parts, n.e.s      3.427     98.4        98.3     -2.4    -0.4      -0.1       0.4      -0.1
75          Computer equipment and office machines        7.289     81.2        79.8    -12.7    -1.4      -1.6      -0.9      -1.7
76          Telecommunications & sound recording                                                                                   
               & reproducing apparatus & equipment        4.567     93.4        93.2     -3.9    -0.7      -0.6       0.3      -0.2
77          Electrical machinery and equipment            9.662     90.2        90.1     -5.2    -0.8      -0.3       0.4      -0.1
78          Road vehicles                                14.498    100.8       101.0      0.4    -0.2      -0.2       0.4       0.2
                                                                                                                                   
8          MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES           17.435    100.4       100.5      0.0     0.2       0.2      -0.1       0.1
81          Prefabricated buildings; plumbing, heat                                                                                
               & lighting fixtures, n.e.s.                0.383     96.2        96.1     -4.9     0.1      -0.2       0.3      -0.1
82          Furniture and parts thereof                   1.257    102.9       103.2      2.2     1.1      -0.2      -0.4       0.3
83          Travel goods, handbags and similar                                                                                     
               containers                                 0.502    101.2       101.3     -0.4    -0.1      -0.2       0.1       0.1
84          Articles of apparel and clothing                                                                                       
               accessories                                5.825    103.1       103.1      1.8     0.8       0.9      -0.3       0.0
85          Footwear                                      1.762    101.1       101.3      0.9     0.0      -0.1       0.2       0.2
87          Professional, scientific and controlling                                                                               
               instruments and apparatus, n.e.s.          1.586     97.1        97.3     -2.5    -0.4      -0.4       0.5       0.2
88          Photographic apparatus, equipment and                                                                                  
               supplies and optical goods, n.e.s.;        1.342     94.4        95.0     -2.2     0.3      -1.3       0.0       0.6
89          Miscellaneous manufactured articles,                                                                                   
               n.e.s.                                     4.778     99.6        99.6     -1.2    -0.1       0.0      -0.1       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                          
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                       n.a.      Not available.        
            1995 trade values.                                                                                                            
        2  Data for April, May and June 1997                                                                                              
            have been revised to reflect the availability                                                                                 
            of late reports and corrections by respondents.                                                                               
            All data are subject to revision in each of the                                                                               
            three months after original publication.                                                                                      
        3  Product categories included in this group                                                                                      
            have been modified due to concordance                                                                                         
            or coverage limitations.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                          
        NOTE:   Published categories may include price data not shown separately                                                          
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                         
Table 4       U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, July 1996-July 1997                                   
                  1995=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                            
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change                                         
                                                        Relative                                                                   
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly                  
                                                         ance                           July    March     April     May       June 
SITC      Description                                                                   1996    1997      1997      1997      1997 
Rev. 3                                                  June       June        July     to      to        to        to        to   
                                                        1997       1997        1997     July    April     May       June      July 
                                                        1/         2/                   1997    1997      1997      1997      1997 
                                                                                                                                   
          ALL COMMODITIES                               100.000     98.7        98.6     -2.3    -0.7      -0.3       0.0      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
0          FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS                          7.247     93.3        92.7    -22.5    -6.0      -1.6      -2.4      -0.6
01          Meat and meat preparations                    1.137     95.3        95.7     -3.1     0.3      -1.0      -0.4       0.4
03          Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates                                                                               
               and preparations                           0.518     85.3        85.2     -8.3    -1.8      -1.8      -0.7      -0.1
04          Cereals and cereal preparations               2.324     78.6        77.3    -44.9   -15.1      -4.7      -7.4      -1.7
05          Vegetables, fruit and nuts,                                                                                            
               fresh or dried                             1.443    101.7       103.6     -1.6    -1.1       0.6       1.0       1.9
08          Feeding stuff for animals (not                                                                                         
               including unmilled cereals)                0.890    127.2       120.3      1.3     0.6       1.2      -0.3      -5.4
09          Miscellaneous edible products and                                                                                      
               preparations                               0.384    103.5       103.6     n.a.     0.0       0.4      -0.2       0.1
       3/ Other food and live animals (9612=100)          0.550    103.6       105.8     n.a.     0.2      -0.3       0.8       2.1
                                                                                                                                   
1          BEVERAGES ANB TOBACCO                          1.501    100.8       101.2      0.6     0.0       0.2       0.4       0.4
12          Tobacco and tobacco manufactures              1.239    100.9       101.3     n.a.    -0.1       0.4       0.5       0.4
                                                                                                                                   
2          CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS        5.777     89.3        89.4      0.1    -5.0       0.3       0.6       0.1
21          Hides, skins and furskins, raw                0.329    100.8        96.3      0.5    -1.6      -3.3      -8.4      -4.5
22          Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits               1.191    109.7       105.3    -19.3   -17.9       1.4      -1.0      -4.0
24          Cork and wood                                 0.978     94.0        93.8     -0.2    -1.9       0.0      -0.2      -0.2
25          Pulp and waste paper                          0.758     65.8        69.0     18.2     0.5       2.7       8.8       4.9
26          Textile fibers and their waste                0.826     83.4        84.2     -2.0    -2.0      -0.2       0.1       1.0
27          Crude fertilizers and crude minerals          0.334     97.8        97.9      0.9     0.0       0.4       0.5       0.1
28          Metalliferous ores and metal scrap            0.946     91.7        94.7     11.7    -0.3       0.2       2.3       3.3
       3/ Other crude materials, inedible, except                                                                                  
             fuels (9612=100)                             0.415     98.6        98.1     n.a.    -1.6      -0.8      -1.6      -0.5
                                                                                                                                   
3          MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED                                                                                   
              MATERIALS                                   2.139    110.9       110.5      1.5    -0.6       0.0       0.2      -0.4
32          Coal, coke and briquettes                     0.692    102.0       101.8     -0.7     0.3      -0.1      -0.4      -0.2
33          Petroleum, petroleum products and                                                                                      
               related materials                          1.301    119.4       119.1      4.9     0.3       0.1      -0.5      -0.3
                                                                                                                                   
4          ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE OILS, FATS AND                                                                                     
              WAXES                                       0.444     94.7        93.3     -0.5    -3.2       0.2       1.2      -1.5
                                                                                                                                   
5          CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.        10.900     96.5        96.3     -1.0    -0.2       0.1      -0.2      -0.2
51          Organic chemicals                             2.562     84.9        85.0     -3.3    -1.2       0.2      -0.5       0.1
52          Inorganic chemicals                           0.833     99.4        99.8     -2.3     0.3       0.2      -0.4       0.4
53          Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials        0.492    102.0       102.1      1.4    -0.4      -0.4       0.4       0.1
54          Medicinal and pharmaceutical products         1.225    101.6       101.2     -0.5     0.7      -0.1       0.1      -0.4
55          Essential oils; polishing and cleansing                                                                                
               preps                                      0.753    102.9       103.1      2.4     0.0       0.6       0.1       0.2
56          Fertilizers (9612=100)                        0.564     96.2        97.0     n.a.    -2.0       0.4       1.6       0.8
57          Plastics in primary forms                     1.889     97.1        95.9     -0.4     0.0      -0.2      -0.5      -1.2
58          Plastics in nonprimary forms                  0.825     99.1        99.1     -1.4    -0.2       0.9      -0.3       0.0
59          Chemical materials and products, n.e.s.       1.757    104.0       103.6      0.6     0.5       0.3      -0.3      -0.4
                                                                                                                                   
6          MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY                                                                                   
              BY MATERIAL                                 9.667     98.2        98.3      1.1     0.3      -0.1       0.5       0.1
62          Rubber manufactures, n.e.s.                   0.671    103.2       103.1      0.4     0.3       0.1       0.1      -0.1
63          Cork and wood manufactures other than                                                                                  
               furniture                                  0.288     90.8        91.4      1.1    -2.2      -0.8       0.9       0.7
64          Paper, paperboard, and articles of                                                                                     
               paper pulp, paper or paperboard            1.500     83.5        84.7     -3.0    -1.0       0.7       0.7       1.4
65          Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up                                                                                         
               articles, n.e.s., and related product      1.405    103.2       102.5     n.a.     2.0      -0.6       0.1      -0.7
66          Nonmetallic mineral manufactures,                                                                                      
               n.e.s.                                     1.290    104.3       104.5      2.7     0.0       0.1       0.2       0.2
67          Iron and steel                                1.099    102.8       102.9     n.a.    -0.2      -0.2      -0.2       0.1
68          Nonferrous metals                             1.291     93.2        92.5      2.4     0.3      -0.3       1.6      -0.8
69          Manufactures of metals, n.e.s.                1.966    104.4       104.3      3.5     0.8      -0.4       0.8      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
7          MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT             50.337    100.6       100.5     -0.1     0.1      -0.2       0.2      -0.1
71          Power generating machinery and                                                                                         
               equipment                                  4.243    106.4       106.4      2.2     0.7       0.2      -0.1       0.0
72          Machinery specialized for particular                                                                                   
               industries                                 4.627    104.2       104.1      1.2     0.1       0.5      -0.1      -0.1
73          Metalworking machinery                        0.943    104.4       104.6      2.2    -0.2      -0.7       0.5       0.2
74          General industrial machinery and equip-                                                                                
               ment, n.e.s. and machine parts, n.e.s      4.941    104.5       104.5      1.9     0.5      -0.2       0.1       0.0
75          Computer equipment and office machines        6.617     84.5        83.9     -9.0    -0.5      -1.4      -0.7      -0.7
76          Telecommunications & sound recording                                                                                   
               & reproducing apparatus & equipment        3.779     99.6        99.6     -1.4     0.0      -0.3       0.0       0.0
77          Electrical machinery and equipment           11.829     96.6        96.6     -1.5     0.2      -0.1      -0.2       0.0
78          Road vehicles                                 9.004    101.8       102.0      1.1     0.1      -0.2       0.1       0.2
                                                                                                                                   
8          MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES           11.151    101.7       101.7      0.9    -0.1       0.2       0.1       0.0
82          Furniture and parts thereof                   0.628    103.6       103.5      1.6     0.0       1.2      -0.2      -0.1
84          Articles of apparel and clothing                                                                                       
               accessories                                1.242    101.3       102.4     n.a.     0.0       0.0      -0.1       1.1
87          Professional, scientific and controlling                                                                               
               instruments and apparatus, n.e.s.          3.674    103.4       103.6      2.1    -0.7       0.2       0.1       0.2
88          Photographic apparatus, equipment and                                                                                  
               supplies and optical goods, n.e.s.         0.942     99.0        99.7     n.a.    -0.9       0.7       0.8       0.7
89          Miscellaneous manufactured articles,                                                                                   
               n.e.s.                                     4.213    100.6       100.0     -0.7     0.4       0.1       0.0      -0.6
       3/ Other miscellaneous manufactured                                                                                         
             articles (9612=100)                          0.452    100.9       100.9     n.a.     0.1       0.1       0.0       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                          
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                     n.a.      Not available.          
            1995 trade values.                                                                                                            
        2  Data for April, May and June 1997                                                                                              
            have been revised to reflect the availability                                                                                 
            of late reports and corrections by respondents.                                                                               
            All data are subject to revision in each of the                                                                               
            three months after original publication.                                                                                      
        3  Product categories included in this group                                                                                      
            have been modified due to concordance                                                                                         
            or coverage limitations.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                          
        NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately                                                           
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          
Table 5       U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, July 1996-July 1997                                   
                 1995=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                             
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change                                         
                                                        Relative                                                                   
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly                  
Harmo-                                                   ance                           July    March     April     May       June 
nized     Description                                                                   1996    1997      1997      1997      1997 
System                                                  June       June        July     to      to        to        to        to   
                                                        1997       1997        1997     July    April     May       June      July 
                                                        1/         2/                   1997    1997      1997      1997      1997 
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                   
I          LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS                  1.543    101.2       102.2      9.2     0.6       2.4      -1.4       1.0
02          Meat and edible meat offal                    0.266     96.1        97.6      9.7     1.1      -1.7      -2.2       1.6
03          Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and                                                                                     
               other aquatic invertebrates                0.888    103.8       104.5      9.8     0.6       2.2       0.7       0.7
       3/ Other live animals and animal                                                                                            
             products (9612=100)                          0.389    101.5       102.7     n.a.     0.4       5.7      -5.1       1.2
                                                                                                                                   
II         VEGETABLE PRODUCTS                             1.594     93.5        92.1      5.6    -6.7       8.2      -5.4      -1.5
07          Edible vegetables and certain roots and                                                                                
               tubers                                     0.238     n.a.        n.a.     n.a.   -21.6      21.2      n.a.      n.a.
08          Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus                                                                                  
               fruit or melons                            0.453    101.8       100.9      1.6    -2.3      -0.6      -2.0      -0.9
09          Coffee, tea, mate and spices                  0.502    104.5        91.9     18.4    -1.9      10.5       7.5     -12.1
       3/   Other vegetable products                      0.401     93.4        94.2     -0.5    -4.8       7.3      -8.2       0.9
                                                                                                                                   
IV         PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND                                                                                     
              TOBACCO                                     2.053    101.7       102.2     -1.0     0.5       0.1       0.3       0.5
20          Preparations of vegetables, fruit,                                                                                     
               nuts, or other parts of plants             0.274     92.3        92.0    -17.7    -2.9       0.2      -1.0      -0.3
22          Beverages, spirits, and vinegar               0.732    103.1       103.2      1.5     0.4      -0.3       0.1       0.1
       3/   Other prepared foodstuffs (9612=100)          1.047    101.0       101.9     n.a.     1.7       0.2       0.9       0.9
                                                                                                                                   
V          MINERAL PRODUCTS                               9.649    104.4       104.9     -6.4    -7.3       1.0      -1.6       0.5
26          Ores, slag and ash                            0.295    103.6       102.0      4.5     3.9       0.0      -0.2      -1.5
27          Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,                                                                                     
               bituminous substances and mineral wax      9.125    104.4       105.0     -7.1    -7.8       1.0      -1.6       0.6
                                                                                                                                   
VI         PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED                                                                                      
              INDUSTRIES                                  5.215     99.5        99.2     -1.9    -0.8      -0.1      -0.5      -0.3
28          Inorganic chemicals                           0.852    103.9       103.3      1.4     0.0      -0.4      -1.1      -0.6
29          Organic chemicals                             1.996     96.3        96.2     -3.7    -2.8       0.1      -0.2      -0.1
30          Pharmaceutical products                       0.552    102.6       103.2      1.5     0.6       0.1       0.8       0.6
32          Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye &                                                                                       
               pigments; varnish & paints; putty          0.291     97.4        96.9     -4.2     0.3      -0.1       1.5      -0.5
37          Photographic or cinematographic goods         0.356     99.3        99.5      1.2     1.8      -0.3      -1.1       0.2
38          Miscellaneaous chemical products                                                                                       
               (9612=100)                                 0.413     98.5        98.4     n.a.     0.3      -0.5      -0.1      -0.1
       3/   Other products of the chemical or                                                                                      
             allied industries (9612=100)                 0.756     97.6        96.3     n.a.     0.4      -0.5      -2.1      -1.3
                                                                                                                                   
VII        PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER                                                                                   
              AND ARTICLES THEREOF                        2.825     93.8        93.2     -2.0    -0.7      -0.2       0.9      -0.6
39          Plastics and articles thereof                 1.739     95.6        95.8      0.6    -0.6       0.2       1.2       0.2
40          Rubber and articles thereof                   1.086     91.1        89.4     -5.9    -1.1      -1.1       0.6      -1.9
                                                                                                                                   
VIII       RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,                                                                                    
              TRAVEL GOODS, ETC                           0.999    103.5       103.7      1.1    -0.4       0.6      -0.5       0.2
42          Articles of leather; travel goods, bags,                                                                               
               etc. of various materials                  0.807    102.0       101.9      0.4     0.1       0.2       0.3      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
IX         WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW, BASKET                                                                                
              AND WICKER                                  1.708    111.8       112.3      5.1    -1.0       1.2      -2.7       0.4
                                                                                                                                   
X          WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER                                                                                 
              AND ARTICLES THEREOF                        2.315     84.2        84.6     -6.8     0.1       1.9      -0.2       0.5
47          Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic                                                                                  
               material; waste paper/paperboard           0.364     66.6        67.3      0.6    -2.0       1.1       2.0       1.1
48          Paper and paperboard; articles of paper                                                                                
               pulp, paper or paperboard                  1.597     88.5        88.6    -10.1     0.7       2.3      -0.4       0.1
49          Printed matter                                0.354    101.1       101.8      1.2    -0.2       1.1      -0.7       0.7
                                                                                                                                   
XI         TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES                   6.887    102.2       102.2      1.5     0.7       0.9      -0.4       0.0
61          Articles of apparel and clothing                                                                                       
               accessories, knitted or crocheted          2.016    101.2       100.8     -1.0     0.7      -0.2      -0.1      -0.4
62          Articles of apparel and clothing                                                                                       
               accessories, not knitted or crocheted      3.335    104.9       105.3      4.1     1.0       2.1      -0.7       0.4
63          Made-up or worn textile articles and                                                                                   
               clothing; needlecraft sets; rags           0.339     97.4        97.5     -2.8    -0.3      -1.2       0.5       0.1
       3/   Other textile & textile                                                                                                
             articles (9612=100)                          1.197    100.6       100.3     n.a.     0.2      -0.2      -0.3      -0.3
                                                                                                                                   
XII        FOOTWEAR, HEADGEAR, UMBRELLAS, WHIPS,                                                                                   
              ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS, ETC.                    2.058    101.3       101.4      0.9     0.1       0.0       0.2       0.1
64          Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts                                                                                  
               of such articles                           1.772    100.9       101.1      0.7     0.0      -0.1       0.2       0.2
       3/ Other footwear, headgear, umbrellas,                                                                                     
             whips, art. flowers, etc. (9612=100)         0.286    101.6       101.5     n.a.     1.1       0.2       0.1      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
XIII       STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,CERAMIC                                                                                
              GLASS ETC.                                  1.137    102.5       102.9      0.2    -0.4       0.2      -1.0       0.4
69          Ceramic products                              0.429     99.3        99.6     n.a.    -0.8      -0.4      -1.3       0.3
70          Glass and glassware                           0.444    103.4       103.5      0.3     1.0      -0.2      -1.1       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
XIV        PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,                                                                                        
              IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS                2.173     98.3        98.6     -0.4    -0.1       0.4       0.6       0.3
                                                                                                                                   
XV         BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METAL         5.899     96.2        95.3      0.0     0.0       0.3       0.7      -0.9
72          Iron and steel                                1.743     95.5        95.5     -0.8     0.3      -0.1       0.0       0.0
73          Articles of iron or steel                     1.281     97.4        97.1     -3.7    -0.4      -0.1      -0.8      -0.3
74          Copper and articles thereof                   0.466     87.0        87.7      9.4     0.7      -1.6       3.0       0.8
76          Aluminum and articles thereof                 0.981     94.6        92.2      1.1    -1.0       0.5       1.8      -2.5
83          Miscellaneous articles of base metal          0.411    102.1       102.0      0.1     0.7      -0.1      -1.1      -0.1
       3/   Miscellaneous nonferrous metals and                                                                                    
             articles, including scrap (9612=100)         0.573    115.4       110.0     n.a.     2.6       3.8       3.5      -4.7
                                                                                                                                   
XVI        MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV                                                                                     
              IMAGE & SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC.       30.791     92.0        91.5     -5.5    -1.1      -0.5       0.1      -0.5
84          Specialized machinery & computer                                                                                       
               equipment                                 16.172     93.1        92.5     -5.2    -1.2      -0.6      -0.1      -0.6
85          Electrical machinery and equip, sound                                                                                  
               and TV recorders & reproducers, parts     14.619     90.7        90.3     -5.8    -1.0      -0.6       0.4      -0.4
                                                                                                                                   
XVII       VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND                                                                                         
              ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT             15.685    101.0       101.2      0.4    -0.2      -0.2       0.4       0.2
87          Motor vehicles and their parts               14.820    100.8       100.9      0.2    -0.1      -0.3       0.5       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
XVIII      OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &                                                                                    
              MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; CLOCKS & WATCHES       3.528     94.3        94.3     -3.9    -0.3      -0.7       0.3       0.0
90          Optical, photographic, measuring and                                                                                   
               medical instruments                        3.014     94.2        94.1     -4.0    -0.3      -0.8       0.3      -0.1
91          Clocks and watches and parts thereof          0.373     94.4        95.3     -3.0    -0.2      -0.6       0.3       1.0
                                                                                                                                   
XX         MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES            3.686     99.9       100.2     -0.3     0.5      -0.3       0.0       0.3
94          Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps                                                                                  
               and lighting fittings nes;                 1.586    100.3       100.5      0.7     0.8      -0.2      -0.1       0.2
95          Toys, games and sports equipment; parts                                                                                
               and accessories thereof                    1.815    100.5       100.8     -1.0     0.1      -0.1      -0.2       0.3
96          Miscellaneous manufactured articles           0.285     94.6        94.8     -1.3     1.1      -1.7       1.4       0.2
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                          
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                       n.a.      Not available         
            1995 trade values.                                                                                                            
        2  Data for April, May and June 1997                                                                                              
            have been revised to reflect the availability                                                                                 
            of late reports and corrections by respondents.                                                                               
            All data are subject to revision in each of                                                                                   
            the three months after original publication.                                                                                  
        3  Product categories included in this group                                                                                      
            have been modified due to concordance                                                                                         
            or coverage limitations.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                          
        NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately                                                           
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          
Table 6       U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, July 1996-July 1997                                   
                  1995=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                            
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change                                         
                                                        Relative                                                                   
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly                  
Harmo-                                                   ance                           July    March     April     May       June 
nized     Description                                                                   1996    1997      1997      1997      1997 
System                                                  June       June        July     to      to        to        to        to   
                                                        1997       1997        1997     July    April     May       June      July 
                                                        1/         2/                   1997    1997      1997      1997      1997 
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                   
I          LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS                  1.874     93.9        94.5     -3.9    -0.4      -1.0      -0.6       0.6
02          Meat & edible meat offal                      1.058     93.2        93.5     -4.2     0.4      -1.2      -0.4       0.3
03          Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and                                                                                     
               other aquatic invertebrates                0.462     83.6        84.1     -9.5    -2.0      -1.1      -0.9       0.6
       3/ Other live animals and animal                                                                                            
             products (9612=100)                          0.354     97.2        98.9     n.a.    -0.7      -0.9      -1.3       1.7
                                                                                                                                   
II         VEGETABLE PRODUCTS                             4.799     89.8        88.7    -32.5   -12.7      -1.9      -3.6      -1.2
07          Edible vegetables and certain roots and                                                                                
               tubers                                     0.292     92.6        97.9     -2.5    -4.7       1.0      -3.1       5.7
08          Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus                                                                                  
               fruit or melons                            0.744    101.6       104.7      0.0    -0.2       0.6       3.1       3.1
10          Cereals                                       2.093     76.2        74.9    -48.2   -16.3      -5.3      -8.1      -1.7
12          Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds,                                                                                      
               fruits, plants, straw and fodder           1.372    109.8       105.2    -17.7   -15.7       0.9      -1.3      -4.2
                                                                                                                                   
III        ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE FATS AND OILS              0.477     94.7        93.6     -1.5    -2.8       0.3       1.0      -1.2
                                                                                                                                   
IV         PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND                                                                                     
              TOBACCO                                     3.610    105.6       104.3     -0.5     0.1       0.0       0.0      -1.2
20          Preparations of vegetables, fruit,                                                                                     
               nuts, or other parts of plants             0.382    107.1       103.8     -2.8    -0.2      -1.9      -0.1      -3.1
21          Miscellaneous edible preparations             0.357    104.3       104.4      1.4     0.0       0.4      -0.2       0.1
22          Beverages, spirits, and vinegar               0.329     99.4        99.4     n.a.     0.1      -0.5      -0.1       0.0
23          Residues and waste from the food                                                                                       
               industries; prepared animal feed           0.797    123.0       117.1     -1.5     0.5       0.6      -0.9      -4.8
24          Tobacco and manufactured tobacco                                                                                       
               substitutes                                1.247    100.9       101.3     n.a.    -0.1       0.4       0.5       0.4
       3/   Other prepared foods                          0.499    100.5       100.8     n.a.     0.5      -0.5       0.3       0.3
                                                                                                                                   
V          MINERAL PRODUCTS                               2.766    109.0       110.1      4.8    -0.5       0.0       0.4       1.0
27          Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,                                                                                     
               bituminous substances and mineral wax      2.210    112.7       112.4      2.2    -0.6       0.1      -0.1      -0.3
                                                                                                                                   
VI         PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED                                                                                      
              INDUSTRIES                                  8.843     97.1        97.2     -0.8    -0.3       0.2      -0.1       0.1
28          Inorganic chemicals                           0.923    101.5       101.7     -1.2     0.5       0.3      -0.5       0.2
29          Organic chemicals                             2.886     88.6        88.7     -2.6    -0.7       0.2      -0.4       0.1
30          Pharmaceutical products                       0.881    100.7       100.4     -0.5     0.1      -0.1       0.0      -0.3
31          Fertilizers (9612=100)                        0.627     96.2        97.0     n.a.    -2.0       0.4       1.6       0.8
32          Tanning or dyeing extracts; dyes and                                                                                   
               pigments; paints & varnish; putty;ink      0.501    101.6       101.8      1.1    -0.5      -0.5       0.4       0.2
33          Essential oils and resinoids;                                                                                          
               perfumery, cosmetic or toilet              0.531    103.6       103.8      3.3     0.0       0.7       0.1       0.2
34          Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or                                                                                  
               scouring products; candles, pastes         0.308    101.3       101.5      0.8     0.1       0.3       0.0       0.2
37          Photographic or cinematographic goods         0.430     95.8        97.2      0.4    -2.0      -0.3       1.4       1.5
38          Miscellaneous chemical products               1.534    103.7       103.2     -0.1     0.3       0.2      -0.3      -0.5
                                                                                                                                   
VII        PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER                                                                                   
              AND ARTICLES THEREOF                        4.387     98.4        97.9     -0.6    -0.2       0.1      -0.2      -0.5
39          Plastics and articles thereof                 3.486     98.0        97.4     -0.8    -0.1       0.1      -0.1      -0.6
40          Rubber and articles thereof                   0.901     99.7        99.7      0.1    -0.6      -0.1      -0.5       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
VIII       RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,                                                                                    
              TRAVEL GOODS, ETC.                          0.556     95.6        93.8      0.0    -0.9      -1.4      -6.8      -1.9
41          Raw hides and skins (other than                                                                                        
               furskins) and leather                      0.407     94.2        91.7      5.5    -1.1      -2.3      -5.5      -2.7
                                                                                                                                   
IX         WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW, BASKET                                                                                
              AND WICKER                                  1.291     93.9        93.8      0.3    -1.9      -0.2       0.0      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
X          WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER                                                                                 
              AND ARTICLES THEREOF                        2.939     77.7        79.1      0.9    -0.8       1.5       2.5       1.8
47          Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic                                                                                  
               material; waste paper/paperboard           0.693     62.5        65.4      9.7     0.0       2.1       8.5       4.6
48          Paper and paperboard; articles of paper                                                                                
               pulp, paper or paperboard                  1.457     83.4        84.7     -3.4    -1.8       1.0       0.8       1.6
49          Printed material                              0.789    106.6       106.5      2.7     0.6       1.6       0.9      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
XI         TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES                   3.230     93.5        93.7     -0.5     0.3      -0.3       0.1       0.2
52          Cotton, including yarns and woven                                                                                      
               fabrics thereof                            0.711     83.0        84.0     -1.9    -1.5      -0.2       0.0       1.2
                                                                                                                                   
XIII       STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,                                                                                       
              CERAMIC, GLASS ETC.                         0.847    103.3       103.6     n.a.     0.1       0.0       0.1       0.3
70          Glass and glassware                           0.485    101.2       101.2     n.a.     0.1      -0.1       0.2       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
XIV        PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,                                                                                        
              IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS                1.894     98.1        98.5     -1.5     1.0      -1.2       1.6       0.4
                                                                                                                                   
XV         BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METALS        4.646     97.1        96.9      2.1     0.5      -0.5       0.7      -0.2
72          Iron and steel                                0.980     94.7        95.1     -1.6     0.5      -1.1       1.3       0.4
73          Articles of iron or steel                     1.234    106.4       106.4      5.2     0.5      -0.3       0.2       0.0
74          Copper and articles thereof                   0.457     87.9        86.8      6.0     0.8      -0.9       0.5      -1.3
76          Aluminum and articles thereof                 0.883     89.4        88.9      1.8     0.1      -0.2       0.6      -0.6
82          Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and                                                                                 
               forks, of base metal; parts thereof        0.410    103.4       103.4     n.a.    -0.4      -0.2       0.4       0.0
83          Miscellaneous articles of base metal          0.376    101.4       101.3      1.7     0.6      -0.3       1.6      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                   
XVI        MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV                                                                                     
              IMAGE AND SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC      36.891     97.6        97.3     -1.9     0.1      -0.3      -0.2      -0.3
84          Specialized machinery & computer                                                                                       
               equipment                                 20.290     97.8        97.4     -2.1     0.0      -0.4      -0.2      -0.4
85          Electrical machinery and equip, sound                                                                                  
               & tv recorders & reproducers, parts       16.601     97.3        97.0     -1.8     0.1      -0.1      -0.2      -0.3
                                                                                                                                   
XVII       VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND                                                                                         
              ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT             13.596    104.6       104.7      2.4     0.1      -0.1       0.8       0.1
87          Motor vehicles and their parts                9.435    102.0       102.1      1.1     0.0      -0.1       0.2       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
XVIII      OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &                                                                                    
              MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; CLOCKS & WATCHES       5.375    102.6       102.6      1.4    -0.2       0.0       0.5       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                   
XX         MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES            1.762    102.1       102.1      0.8     0.0       0.5      -0.1       0.0
94          Furniture; stuffed furnishings;                                                                                        
               lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;         0.866    103.8       103.7      1.5     0.1       1.0      -0.1      -0.1
95          Toys, games and sports equipment; parts                                                                                
               and accessories thereof                    0.724    100.3       100.5      0.1    -0.1       0.0      -0.2       0.2
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                          
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                       n.a.      Not available         
            1995 trade values.                                                                                                            
        2  Data for April, May and June 1997                                                                                              
            have been revised to reflect the availability                                                                                 
            of late reports and corrections by respondents.                                                                               
            All data are subject to revision in each of                                                                                   
            the three months after original publication.                                                                                  
        3  Product categories included in this group                                                                                      
            have been modified due to concordance                                                                                         
            or coverage limitations.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                          
        NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately                                                           
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          
   Table  7    U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes by Locality of Origin,July 1996-July 1997                                     
          1995=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                           
                                                                  Index                    Percent Change                    
                                                   Percentage                                                                                          
                                                      of                            Annual                  Monthly                                     
                                                    US Imports                    July    March        April       May      June   
    Description 1/                                                                1996    1997         1997        1997     1997   
                                                    1995       June      July     to      to           to          to       to     
                                                               1997      1997     July    April        May         June     July   
                                                               2/                 1997    1997         1997        1997     1997   
                                                                                                                                   
3/  Developed Countries                                55.6     97.4      97.2     -2.4    -0.8         -0.1         0.0     -0.2  
      Manufactured Goods                               52.2     97.1      97.1     -2.0    -0.4         -0.3         0.1      0.0  
      Nonmanufactured Goods                             3.1    104.4     102.2     -7.8    -6.6          1.8        -1.5     -2.1  
                                                                                                                                   
3/  Developing Countries                               42.7    102.0     101.3     -0.2    -1.2          0.2        -0.1     -0.7  
      Manufactured Goods                               35.4     99.7      99.5     -0.2    -0.2         -0.3        -0.1     -0.2  
      Nonmanufactured Goods                             7.1    107.4     105.1     -3.0    -6.2          3.0        -0.6     -2.1  
                                                                                                                                   
    Canada                                             18.9     99.1      98.9     -0.9    -0.7          0.3        -0.2     -0.2  
      Manufactured Goods                               16.5     98.7      98.7      0.5    -0.1          0.0         0.1      0.0  
      Nonmanufactured Goods                             2.2    105.2     103.5     -9.3    -4.8          1.8        -2.1     -1.6  
                                                                                                                                   
4/  European Union                                     17.0    101.1     100.8     -1.2    -0.6         -0.1         0.2     -0.3  
      Manufactured Goods                               16.4    100.8     100.5     -1.2    -0.1         -0.2         0.1     -0.3  
      Nonmanufactured Goods                             0.5    113.9     110.3     -2.0   -12.9          3.2         2.4     -3.2  
                                                                                                                                   
    Japan                                              16.6     93.1      93.1     -4.3    -0.7         -0.7         0.3      0.0  
                                                                                                                                   
5/  Asian Newly Industrialized Countries               10.9     95.3      94.7     -3.7     0.1         -0.6        -0.5     -0.6  
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
1    Regions are not mutually exclusive.                                              
                                                                                      
2    Data for April, May and June 1997                                                
     have been revised to reflect the availability                                    
     of late reports and corrections by respondents.                                  
                                                                                      
3    Defined according to the Standard Census Definition.                             
                                                                                      
4    Includes EU  15 countries                                                        
                                                                                      
5    Includes Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan.                          
                                                                                      
   Table  9    U.S. International Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services.                                   
        June 1996-June 1997    1995 = 100                                                                                                                            
                                                                 Index                             Percent Change                    
                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                  Annual          Quarterly
                                                    Trade                         June    June     Sept.       Dec.     March
    Description                                     (Mil.                         1996    1996     1996        1996     1997   
                                                    of         March     June     to      to       to          to       to     
                                                    Dollars)   1997      1997     June    Sept.    Dec.        March    June   
                                                                                  1997    1996     1996        1997     1997   
                                                                                                                               
     Air Freight (Inbound)                          5495        89.5      89.9     -5.5     0.5     -0.6        -5.8      0.4  
      Atlantic                                      1880        89.7      88.9     -4.6     1.8      1.8        -7.1     -0.9  
      Pacific                                       3151        89.8      91.1     -5.3    -0.6     -1.7        -4.5      1.4  
                                                                                                                               
     Air Freight (Outbound)                         5835        99.8      99.2     -0.2    -0.5      0.3         0.6     -0.6  
      Atlantic                                      2080        99.9      99.4      0.5    -0.2      0.3         0.9     -0.5  
      Pacific                                       3222       100.3     100.0     -0.7    -0.9      0.4         0.1     -0.3  
                                                                                                                               
     Air Passenger Fares (U.S. Carrier)             30673       97.1     113.0      8.3     2.9     -5.3        -4.4     16.4  
1/    Atlantic                                      8811        97.5     118.3      8.9     6.0    -13.5        -2.1     21.3  
1/    Pacific                                       15900       86.4     102.2      1.9    -1.7     -3.7        -9.1     18.3  
1/    Latin American / Caribbean                    4542       106.8     114.9     11.9     0.2      0.0         3.8      7.6  
      Canadian                                      1367       155.7     162.6     52.2    15.7     24.3         1.4      4.4  
                                                                                                                               
     Air Passenger Fares (Foreign Carrier)          31694       98.5     106.1      3.0     2.4     -4.5        -2.2      7.7  
1/    Atlantic                                      13572       97.1     110.2      4.1     4.0     -8.9        -3.2     13.5  
1/    Pacific                                       12570       92.3      96.4     -0.5    -2.6     -0.2        -2.0      4.4  
1/    Latin American / Caribbean                    4224       104.5     104.8      2.6     1.3      0.2         0.9      0.3  
                                                                                                                               
1/   Crude Oil Tanker Freight (Inbound)             1949       107.3      n.a.     n.a.   -11.0      8.1         7.2     n.a.  
                                                                                                                               
     Ocean Liner Freight (Inbound)                  12253       97.6      96.8     -2.8    -1.6      0.4        -0.8     -0.8  
      U.S. East Coast                               5410        99.8      99.6     -1.9    -0.8      1.0        -1.9     -0.2  
       from Atlantic                                2647        99.4      98.7     -3.7    -1.4      0.3        -2.0     -0.7  
       from Pacific                                 1874        98.4      98.9      0.3    -0.2      0.1        -0.1      0.5  
      U.S. West Coast                               6844        95.4      94.1     -3.8    -2.5      0.0         0.0     -1.4  
       from Pacific                                 6347        95.1      93.9     -3.6    -2.5     -0.2         0.3     -1.3  
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
    1     Detailed data available upon request.                          n.a.    N                                             
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
   Table  8     U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services.                              
        June 1996-June 1997  1995 = 100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                      
                                                                 Index                             Percent Change                    
                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                  Annual          Quarterly
                                                    Trade                         June    June     Sept.       Dec.     March
    Description                                     (Mil.                         1996    1996     1996        1996     1997   
                                                    of         March     June     to      to       to          to       to     
                                                    Dollars)   1997      1997     June    Sept.    Dec.        March    June   
                                                                                  1997    1996     1996        1997     1997   
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
    IMPORT                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                               
    Air Freight                                     3188        90.1      90.7     -6.6    -0.3     -1.2        -5.8      0.7  
      Atlantic                                      1278        91.2      91.2     -5.5     2.0     -0.2        -7.1      0.0  
      Pacific                                       1674        90.5      91.8     -6.4    -1.4     -2.0        -4.5      1.4  
                                                                                                                               
     Air Passenger Fares                            11127      100.5     113.2      8.3    -1.4     -2.9         0.5     12.6  
1/    Atlantic                                      4922       100.3     121.2     14.2    -0.3     -7.0         1.9     20.8  
1/    Pacific                                       2340        98.1     111.4      9.9    -9.2      7.5        -0.9     13.6  
1/    Latin American / Caribbean                    3021       105.1     106.1      3.4     1.4      0.1         1.0      1.0  
                                                                                                                               
1/   Crude Oil Tanker Freight                       1346        99.7      n.a.     n.a.   -11.3      6.3         5.8     n.a.  
                                                                                                                               
     Ocean Liner Freight                            9868        98.0      97.1     -3.1    -1.3     -0.3        -0.6     -0.9  
      U.S. East Coast                               4271       100.5     100.6     -1.1    -0.1      0.1        -1.2      0.1  
       from Atlantic                                1952       100.4      99.9     -2.8     0.2     -0.1        -2.4     -0.5  
       from Pacific                                 1774       100.2     100.8      0.4    -0.2      0.2        -0.2      0.6  
      U.S. West Coast                               5596        95.4      93.9     -4.9    -2.4     -0.6        -0.3     -1.6  
       from Pacific                                 5126        95.0      93.5     -4.8    -2.5     -0.8         0.1     -1.6  
                                                                                                                               
    EXPORT                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                               
     Air Freight (9612 = 100)                       2562        98.5      97.8     n.a.    n.a.     n.a.        -1.5     -0.7  
                                                                                                                               
     Air Passenger Fares                            17272       89.8     103.1      3.7     3.5     -3.1        -9.9     14.8  
1/    Atlantic                                      4120        98.6     109.9      4.8     8.3     -7.8        -5.8     11.5  
1/    Pacific                                       10700       75.5      91.1     -2.8     0.2     -4.6       -15.7     20.7  
      Latin American / Caribbean                    1392       101.8     106.9      6.9     0.8      0.8         0.2      5.0  
      Canadian                                      1006       155.0     158.8     47.3     7.1     26.3         6.3      2.5  
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
    1     Detailed data available upon request.                          n.a.    N                                             
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
                                                                     
                           TECHNICAL NOTE
   
Import and Export Merchandise and Services Price Indexes -- All indexes use 
a modified Laspeyres formula and are weighted with 1995 trade weights.  The 
merchandise price indexes are published using three classifications:  the 
Harmonized System (HS), the Bureau of Economic Analysis End Use System,
and the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) system, Rev. 3.  
Price indexes for internationally traded services are presented using two 
definitions: Balance of Payments (which represents transactions between U.S. 
and foreign residents) and International (which represents all transactions
with U.S. importers or exporters, regardless of nationality).  Published
series use a base year of 1995=100 where possible.  Net transaction price
data are collected every month for over 20,000 products from over 6,000
companies and secondary sources.  Indexes are not seasonally adjusted.  More
detailed index series and additional information may be obtained from the
Division of International Prices, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2 Massachusetts
Avenue N.E., PSB 3955, Washington, DC 20212 or (202) 606-7155.

Import Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the 1995 Harmonized 
Tariff Schedule of the United States Annotated (TSUSA).  Import prices are 
based on U.S. dollar prices paid by the U.S. importer.  The prices are
generally either "free on board" (f.o.b.) foreign port or "cost, insurance,
and freight" (c.i.f.) U.S. port transaction prices, depending on the
practices of the individual industry.  The index for crude petroleum is
calculated from data collected by the U.S. Department of Energy.  

Export Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the 1995 Harmonized 
Schedule B classification system of the U.S. Bureau of the Census.  The
prices used are generally either "free alongside ship" (f.a.s.) factory
or "free on board" (f.o.b.) transaction prices, depending on the practices of
the individual industry.  Prices used in the grain index, excluding rice,
are obtained from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Import Indexes by Locality of Origin -- Prices used in these indexes are a
subset of the data collected for the Import Price Indexes.  Prior to
January 1993, nonmanufactured goods were defined as SITC 0-4 and manufactured
goods were defined as SITC 5-8.  Beginning with January 1993, the indexes are
defined by locality of origin using a nomenclature based upon the Standard
Industrial Classification (SIC-based).  Nonmanufactured goods are defined as
SIC 0-1, and manufactured goods are defined as SIC 2-3.  The indexes use 1995
weights and a base of 1995=100.

Import, Export, and International Services Indexes -- Indexes are calculated
on a quarterly basis.  The figures for services indexes will not sum up to
the aggregate dollar value because not all categories are shown in the tables.
Revenue figures for air passenger indexes exclude frequent flyer tickets and
those sold by consolidators.  Indexes for crude oil tanker freight are
calculated from data collected by the U. S. Department of Energy and the 
publication of these indexes is lagged one quarter.  

Revision policy -- Data are revised for the previous three months to reflect
the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents.

Uses of the Data -- The primary use of the indexes is to deflate trade
statistics.  For merchandise trade, the End Use classification system is the
structure used by the U.S. Department of Commerce in the construction of the
foreign trade sector of the National Income and Product Accounts.  Indexes
published using the Harmonized System and the Standard International Trade
Classification, Rev. 3, both international structures, are useful for general
market analysis.  For trade in international services, Balance of Payments
indexes are used for deflating National Accounts data, while International
indexes are more appropriate for market analysis. Merchandise and services
indexes also can be used to study U.S. competitiveness and price elasticities,
and the merchandise import indexes by country or region of origin are useful
for terms of trade analysis.



The import and export news release contains monthly price indexes at the
two-digit level of detail.  If you would like to be added to the mailing list
for more detailed index and percent change tables, please fill out the form
below and mail or fax it to the following address:


                       Division of International Prices
                       Bureau of Labor Statistics
                       PSB Building, Rm. 3955                                                                      
                       2 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E.
                       Washington, DC 20212


     Phone Number: (202) 606-7155           Fax Number: (202) 606-7179

         
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