Bureau of Labor Statistics Washington, D.C. 20212 

Technical information: USDL-09-0169 

 (202) 691-7101 Transmission of this 

Media contact: material is embargoed 

 (202) 691-5902 until 8:30 A.M. EST 

Internet address: http://www.bls.gov/mxp Wednesday, February 18, 2009 

U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES 

- JANUARY 2009 - 

The U.S. Import Price Index declined 1.1 percent in January, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of 

the U.S. Department of Labor reported today, following decreases in each of the previous five months. 

In contrast, export prices rose for the first time in six months, advancing 0.5 percent in January. 

Percent changes in import and export price indexes 

by End Use category 

- not seasonally adjusted - 

News United States 

 Department 

of Labor
Import Goods

Import prices fell 1.1 percent in January and 23.4 percent over the past six months. For the sixth 

consecutive month, petroleum prices and nonpetroleum prices decreased, falling 2.4 percent and 0.8 

percent, respectively, in January. However, prices for both overall imports and petroleum decreased at a 

smaller rate in January than in each of the previous five months since prices last rose in July. Petroleum 

prices fell 69.1 percent over the past six months and 55.0 percent over the past year, the largest 12-

month decline since the index was first published in June 1982. Overall, import prices fell 12.5 percent 

for the year ended in January, the largest 12-month decline since the index was first published in 

September 1982. Nonpetroleum prices decreased 5.7 percent over the past six months and 0.6 percent 

over the past year. 

 

The 0.8 percent January decrease in nonpetroleum prices was led by a 4.8 percent drop in the 

price index for nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials. Falling prices for chemicals and natural 

gas were the largest contributors to the decline. Nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials prices 

decreased 7.6 percent over the past year, led primarily by declining unfinished metals prices. 

In contrast, prices for automotive vehicles increased in January, rising 0.2 percent after 

decreasing the previous two months. For the year ended in January, the index increased 0.7 percent. 

The price indexes for consumer goods, capital goods, and foods, feeds, and beverages were 

unchanged in January. Over the past year, consumer goods prices increased 1.5 percent, capital goods 

prices advanced 0.9 percent, and prices for foods, feeds, and beverages rose 3.3 percent. 

Export Goods 

Export prices rose 0.5 percent in January after declining in each of the previous five months. 

The increase was driven by a 6.2 percent rise in agricultural prices as nonagricultural prices were 

unchanged. The rise in agricultural prices followed decreases in four of the previous five months. 

Higher prices for corn, soybeans, and wheat accounted for the increase in January. Despite the January 

increase, agricultural prices fell 9.7 percent over the past 12 months. Nonagricultural prices recorded no 

change in January after falling in each of the previous five months. The price index for nonagricultural 

exports declined 2.9 percent for the year ended in January, the largest 12-month decrease since a 2.9 

percent drop for the February 2001-2002 period. Similarly, overall export prices fell 3.6 percent over 

the past year, the largest 12-month decrease since the index fell 3.8 percent for the year ended in 

November 1998. 

Finished goods prices also contributed to the rise in overall export prices in January. The price 

indexes for capital goods and automotive vehicles each advanced 0.3 percent in January. Capital goods 

prices and prices for automotive vehicles increased 0.9 percent and 1.3 percent, respectively, over the 

past year. Consumer goods prices rose 0.7 percent in January and 2.2 percent for the January 2008-2009 

period. 

In contrast, prices for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials continued to move lower 

in January, falling 1.2 percent. The index decreased in each of the past six months, dropping a 

cumulative 22.4 percent. Lower prices for chemicals, particularly organic chemicals and plastics, 

largely drove the January decline. 

2
Imports by Locality of Origin 

 

Prices of imports from China decreased for the fifth consecutive month, falling 0.7 percent in 

January after a 0.5 percent decline in December. Despite the recent decreases, import prices from China 

advanced 1.2 percent over the past 12 months. 

 

Import prices from Canada fell for the sixth consecutive month, declining 0.9 percent in January 

following a 4.8 percent drop the previous month. Falling fuel prices continued to lead the decrease. 

The index fell 11.3 percent for the year ended in January, the largest 12-month decline since an identical 

drop for the February 2001-2002 period. The price index for imports from Mexico also decreased in 

January, falling 2.3 percent. The index fell 9.5 percent over the past year, the largest 12-month decline 

since the index was first published in December 2003. 

In contrast, prices of imports from Japan and from the European Union each rose in January, 

increasing 0.3 percent and 0.1 percent, respectively. The price index for imports from Japan increased 

2.2 percent for the year ended in January, the largest 12-month advance since the index rose 2.3 percent 

for the July 1999-2000 period. Import prices from the European Union fell 1.8 percent over the past 

year. 

Import and Export Services

 Import air passenger fares decreased 5.6 percent in January after a 0.2 percent decline in 

December. The January decrease was driven by an 11.7 percent drop in Asian fares and a 19.7 percent 

fall in Latin American/Caribbean fares. Despite the recent decreases, the index of import air passenger 

fares increased 12.2 percent for the January 2008-2009 period. In contrast, export air passenger fares 

advanced 3.2 percent in January as a 10.5 percent increase in Asian fares and a 7.0 percent rise in Latin 

American/Caribbean fares more than offset a 3.4 percent fall in European fares. Export air passenger 

fares rose 4.9 percent over the past 12 months. 

 

The price index for import air freight fell for the sixth consecutive month, declining 1.4 percent 

in January. The index decreased 2.5 percent over the past 12 months. Similarly, export air freight 

prices fell for the fifth consecutive month, declining 1.7 percent in January. The recent decreases 

notwithstanding, export air freight prices advanced 0.8 percent for the year ended in January. 

CONTENTS OF RELEASE 

This news release includes the following tables: 

Table 1 U.S. Import Price Indexes, by End Use.....page 4 

Table 2 U.S. Export Price Indexes, by End Use.....page 5 

Table 3 U.S. Import Price Indexes, by NAICS.....page 6 

Table 4 U.S. Export Price Indexes, by NAICS.....page 7 

Table 5 U.S. Import Price Indexes, by Harmonized System.....pages 8-9 

Table 6 U.S. Export Price Indexes, by Harmonized System.....pages 10-11 

Table 7 U.S. Import Price Indexes, by Locality of Origin.....page 12 

Table 8 U.S. International Price Indexes for Selected Transportation Services.....page 13 

------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Import and Export Price Index data for February 2009 are scheduled for release on March 13, 2009 at 

8:30 A.M. (E.D.T.). 

3
Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: January 2008 to

January 2009

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Dec.

20081

Index Percent change

Dec.

2008

Jan.

2009

Annual Monthly

Jan.

2008 to

Jan.

2009

Sept.

2008 to

Oct. 2008

Oct. 2008

to Nov.

2008

Nov.

2008 to

Dec.

2008

Dec.

2008 to

Jan.

2009

All commodities..................................... 100.000 114.2 113.0 -12.5 -6.0 -7.3 -5.0 -1.1

All imports excluding petroleum................ 89.002 109.9 109.0 -0.6 -0.9 -1.7 -1.1 -0.8

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)... 86.741 112.7 111.9 -0.3 -0.8 -1.7 -1.1 -0.7

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 5.045 142.6 142.6 3.3 -1.3 -4.5 2.2 0.0

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 3.933 159.7 159.5 4.2 -1.4 -5.2 3.4 -0.1

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 1.112 103.8 104.4 0.1 -1.0 -2.0 -1.9 0.6

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 28.482 149.1 143.3 -34.3 -14.2 -18.0 -14.8 -3.9

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum..................................... 17.484 146.0 139.0 -7.6 -3.3 -5.1 -4.9 -4.8

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)....................... 15.223 155.2 148.1 -6.7 -3.4 -5.3 -5.5 -4.6

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 9.287 142.1 138.1 -7.6 -4.4 -6.7 -6.1 -2.8

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum......................... 5.936 150.5 139.8 -7.5 -2.0 -2.9 -3.3 -7.1

Fuels & lubricants............................... 10 13.260 150.8 146.2 -51.6 -20.8 -27.6 -24.0 -3.1

Petroleum & petroleum products........... 100 10.999 147.4 143.9 -55.0 -22.2 -29.9 -27.2 -2.4

Crude.......................................... 10000 7.876 149.1 147.8 -54.9 -23.9 -30.9 -26.3 -0.9

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................... 101 2.048 178.6 166.6 -11.1 -3.1 -3.4 -0.1 -6.7

Gas-natural................................... 10110 1.867 169.6 156.0 -14.5 -3.8 -3.8 -0.1 -8.0

Paper & paper base stocks................... 11 0.812 113.3 110.2 -2.0 -2.9 -1.1 -1.6 -2.7

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials......................... 12 5.204 148.0 136.8 -4.7 -1.4 -3.1 -4.7 -7.6

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.748 118.1 117.1 1.0 -1.9 -1.3 -0.6 -0.8

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods.......................................... 14 3.695 185.7 175.7 -18.4 -7.3 -11.4 -11.4 -5.4

Finished metals related to durable goods. .. 15 2.050 141.7 139.4 1.2 -2.5 -5.3 -4.1 -1.6

Nonmetals related to durable goods......... 16 1.714 109.2 107.1 1.6 -0.4 -0.5 -1.1 -1.9

Capital goods..................................... 2 25.069 92.7 92.7 0.9 0.0 -0.4 -0.2 0.0

Electric generating equipment................ 20 3.232 111.3 111.4 3.4 -0.5 -0.5 -0.4 0.1

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 19.661 87.5 87.5 0.1 -0.1 -0.5 -0.2 0.0

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 2.176 120.2 121.1 5.1 1.4 0.3 0.0 0.7

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 14.650 107.7 107.9 0.7 0.2 -0.5 -0.1 0.2

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 26.754 104.6 104.6 1.5 0.0 -0.5 0.0 0.0

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 12.316 108.2 109.1 2.4 -0.1 -0.1 0.2 0.8

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 13.133 100.9 100.4 0.8 0.0 -0.5 -0.4 -0.5

Nonmanufactured consumer goods.......... 42 1.305 103.6 102.7 -1.3 -0.7 -2.5 0.4 -0.9

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

4
Table 2. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: January 2008 to

January 2009

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Dec.

20081

Index Percent change

Dec.

2008

Jan.

2009

Annual Monthly

Jan.

2008 to

Jan.

2009

Sept.

2008 to

Oct. 2008

Oct. 2008

to Nov.

2008

Nov.

2008 to

Dec.

2008

Dec.

2008 to

Jan.

2009

All commodities..................................... 100.000 115.8 116.4 -3.6 -2.1 -3.2 -2.2 0.5

Agricultural commodities......................... 8.367 150.8 160.2 -9.7 -8.4 -6.8 -6.2 6.2

Nonagricultural commodities.................... 91.633 113.2 113.2 -2.9 -1.4 -2.8 -1.9 0.0

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 7.820 155.1 166.6 -7.7 -8.1 -5.8 -5.9 7.4

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 7.148 156.6 168.3 -9.0 -8.8 -6.4 -6.2 7.5

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 0.672 143.5 153.3 8.0 1.6 0.2 -3.1 6.8

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 27.324 139.6 137.9 -12.2 -4.5 -8.3 -5.9 -1.2

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 10.475 141.5 141.2 -11.7 -4.3 -6.5 -5.4 -0.2

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................... 16.848 139.2 136.6 -12.6 -4.7 -9.3 -6.2 -1.9

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials... 10 1.219 126.3 125.3 -14.2 -5.7 -9.5 -6.0 -0.8

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials........................................ 26.105 140.5 138.8 -12.2 -4.5 -8.2 -5.9 -1.2

Fuels & lubricants............................... 11 3.752 166.7 165.9 -28.5 -10.5 -19.1 -13.8 -0.5

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . . . .. 12 21.296 138.9 136.9 -9.3 -3.3 -6.3 -4.7 -1.4

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.057 114.9 114.3 0.9 1.0 -0.9 -0.6 -0.5

Capital goods..................................... 2 41.243 101.5 101.8 0.9 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.3

Electrical generating equipment.............. 20 3.850 109.0 107.4 -0.3 0.2 -0.5 -0.2 -1.5

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 28.644 93.2 93.3 -0.4 -0.3 -0.1 -0.3 0.1

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 8.748 131.7 134.6 6.1 0.3 -0.1 0.5 2.2

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 10.514 108.0 108.3 1.3 0.3 -0.1 -0.1 0.3

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 13.099 108.9 109.7 2.2 0.5 -0.8 -0.1 0.7

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 5.723 106.9 108.8 0.6 -0.1 -1.5 -0.4 1.8

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 6.181 109.8 109.9 4.5 1.1 -0.1 0.0 0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

5
Table 3. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: January 2008 to

January 2009

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Dec.

20081

Index Percent change

Dec.

2008

Jan.

2009

Annual Monthly

Jan.

2008 to

Jan.

2009

Sept.

2008 to

Oct. 2008

Oct. 2008

to Nov.

2008

Nov.

2008 to

Dec.

2008

Dec.

2008 to

Jan.

2009

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 12.314 81.2 79.4 -45.9 -20.5 -26.1 -18.5 -2.2

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 1.923 140.5 138.9 7.3 -4.0 -6.6 12.0 -1.1

Crop production................................. 111 1.443 154.9 153.7 13.5 -5.4 -5.1 20.3 -0.8

Mining.............................................. 21 10.391 75.2 73.3 -50.6 -21.9 -28.1 -22.4 -2.5

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)..................................... 212 0.468 128.0 126.5 15.8 1.1 -0.9 -0.8 -1.2

Manufactured articles.............................. 87.162 106.2 105.3 -3.7 -1.8 -2.9 -2.5 -0.8

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 11.018 107.3 107.5 0.7 -0.3 -1.4 -0.4 0.2

Food manufacturing............................ 311 2.607 118.6 117.7 -0.8 -1.1 -5.2 -2.3 -0.8

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.980 106.2 106.6 1.4 -0.1 -0.3 0.4 0.4

Textile mills...................................... 313 0.465 110.3 111.5 1.2 -0.4 -1.1 -1.5 1.1

Textile product mills............................ 314 0.868 101.9 101.1 0.1 -0.2 0.1 -0.2 -0.8

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 4.455 102.4 102.5 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.5 0.1

Leather and allied product manufacturing. .. 316 1.644 106.5 108.7 5.0 0.5 0.2 0.1 2.1

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 17.747 107.6 104.6 -13.6 -5.2 -7.1 -7.4 -2.8

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 1.049 92.9 90.9 -2.2 -4.3 -1.9 -0.9 -2.2

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.416 109.9 108.1 0.7 -1.6 -1.0 -1.3 -1.6

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 2.653 71.0 66.8 -54.5 -17.1 -25.6 -30.5 -5.9

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 9.332 123.7 119.7 0.1 -0.5 -1.7 -2.7 -3.2

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 1.976 113.3 113.4 5.2 -0.4 -0.3 0.0 0.1

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 1.207 117.7 118.1 7.6 2.3 -0.1 -0.3 0.3

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 58.397 105.4 104.9 -1.0 -0.8 -1.7 -1.3 -0.5

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.453 130.9 125.0 -15.7 -6.7 -10.5 -10.6 -4.5

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 3.039 119.1 119.5 5.0 0.0 -1.0 -1.2 0.3

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 7.189 110.2 111.0 3.2 -0.3 -0.5 -0.2 0.7

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 16.388 91.0 90.1 -4.0 -0.3 -0.5 -0.3 -1.0

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 4.312 114.0 113.9 4.7 0.4 -0.4 -0.1 -0.1

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 15.841 104.7 105.0 1.2 0.2 -0.4 -0.2 0.3

Furniture and related product

manufacturing................................ 337 1.673 109.7 108.9 5.0 -0.3 -0.9 -0.5 -0.7

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 5.502 110.7 110.6 2.2 0.0 -0.5 0.3 -0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

6
Table 4. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: January 2008 to

January 2009

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Dec.

20081

Index Percent change

Dec.

2008

Jan.

2009

Annual Monthly

Jan.

2008 to

Jan.

2009

Sept.

2008 to

Oct. 2008

Oct. 2008

to Nov.

2008

Nov.

2008 to

Dec.

2008

Dec.

2008 to

Jan.

2009

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 5.897 114.3 122.5 -17.8 -10.9 -6.6 -6.8 7.2

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 4.528 128.7 143.0 -15.5 -12.3 -6.0 -7.3 11.1

Crop production................................. 111 4.175 131.8 147.2 -16.2 -13.0 -6.4 -7.6 11.7

Mining.............................................. 21 1.369 81.9 77.3 -25.2 -4.9 -8.7 -5.1 -5.6

Mining (except oil and gas).................... 212 1.009 90.7 85.4 -13.7 -3.0 -4.6 -1.0 -5.8

Manufactured articles.............................. 92.593 107.3 107.4 -1.3 -1.1 -2.5 -1.6 0.1

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 6.534 117.1 117.9 2.0 -1.3 -3.4 -2.7 0.7

Food manufacturing............................ 311 4.320 129.2 131.1 3.6 -1.8 -4.7 -3.6 1.5

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.508 103.0 102.8 -0.9 -0.4 -0.8 -0.2 -0.2

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 0.393 101.6 101.6 0.7 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 22.139 109.9 108.9 -7.2 -2.8 -7.0 -4.4 -0.9

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.483 110.4 108.4 -2.0 0.1 -1.4 -0.5 -1.8

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.988 114.2 112.7 -0.7 0.0 -0.8 -1.2 -1.3

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 2.201 97.6 97.2 -34.8 -13.1 -23.3 -18.5 -0.4

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 14.330 111.7 110.3 -4.7 -1.4 -5.8 -3.3 -1.3

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 2.265 110.7 111.7 5.3 0.2 -0.4 -0.8 0.9

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.871 112.2 113.0 3.9 1.1 0.5 0.3 0.7

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 63.920 105.3 105.6 0.6 -0.3 -0.8 -0.5 0.3

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.230 119.6 119.7 -8.6 -5.2 -8.1 -5.3 0.1

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.816 118.3 120.9 5.8 0.3 -0.2 -0.3 2.2

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 12.853 111.3 112.0 4.6 0.5 0.0 -0.1 0.6

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 16.667 92.8 91.7 -4.7 -1.0 -0.3 -0.3 -1.2

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.661 106.8 107.1 0.8 0.1 -0.5 -0.3 0.3

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 18.258 108.1 109.3 3.3 0.5 0.1 0.3 1.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 5.086 111.4 112.5 6.2 1.4 -0.4 -0.2 1.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

7
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: January 2008 to

January 2009

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Dec.

20081

Index Percent change

Dec.

2008

Jan.

2009

Annual Monthly

Jan.

2008 to

Jan.

2009

Sept.

2008 to

Oct. 2008

Oct. 2008

to Nov.

2008

Nov.

2008 to

Dec.

2008

Dec.

2008 to

Jan.

2009

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.160 125.6 125.6 -0.1 -2.9 -6.3 -3.4 0.0

Meat and edible meat offal....................... 02 0.263 148.9 148.5 0.4 -2.1 -7.8 -4.8 -0.3

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.589 99.4 99.8 -0.2 -1.5 -2.7 -2.8 0.4

Vegetable products................................ II 1.688 176.3 172.6 12.7 -3.1 -4.6 17.4 -2.1

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers............ 07 0.547 354.5 346.3 31.0 10.8 -1.1 49.3 -2.3

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.517 116.9 115.0 24.9 -6.6 -5.7 13.7 -1.6

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................... 09 0.255 144.8 150.5 -4.6 -9.9 -4.2 -1.7 3.9

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.406 134.6 134.9 1.9 -2.2 -2.1 0.2 0.2

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100).............. 19 0.252 106.9 107.1 6.4 -0.6 -3.4 -1.7 0.2

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or other

parts of plants................................... 20 0.314 133.3 132.0 -2.7 -0.4 -3.2 -1.4 -1.0

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.................. 22 0.980 114.6 115.1 -0.9 -1.9 -0.3 -0.1 0.4

Mineral products.................................... V 13.568 154.5 149.9 -49.6 -20.3 -26.6 -22.9 -3.0

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 13.142 150.6 146.1 -51.1 -20.9 -27.4 -23.8 -3.0

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 8.500 136.0 129.6 -2.5 -0.4 -2.2 -3.8 -4.7

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 0.949 251.2 159.9 -32.8 -0.5 -0.9 -13.6 -36.3

Organic chemicals................................. 29 2.519 121.8 119.6 -9.3 -0.9 -4.5 -4.3 -1.8

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 2.868 113.3 115.4 3.6 -0.2 -0.2 0.1 1.9

Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye & pigments;

varnish & paints; putty......................... 32 0.183 105.6 105.5 2.6 -3.5 -0.4 0.3 -0.1

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec.

2001=100)....................................... 33 0.451 120.6 121.6 3.8 0.6 -2.2 -1.3 0.8

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 0.487 97.6 96.5 -1.0 -0.8 -1.2 -0.9 -1.1

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 3.157 130.3 128.7 0.5 -1.2 -2.6 -1.8 -1.2

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 2.064 128.4 126.2 0.2 -2.4 -1.9 -0.8 -1.7

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.093 134.1 133.5 0.8 0.7 -3.9 -3.5 -0.4

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.663 114.0 114.0 2.8 1.1 0.3 0.0 0.0

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

various materials................................ 42 0.615 114.8 114.9 3.0 1.2 0.3 0.3 0.1

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 1.081 113.5 111.3 -2.5 -4.5 -1.9 -0.9 -1.9

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 1.596 113.8 112.8 0.4 -1.5 -0.8 -1.0 -0.9

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 1.119 113.7 113.8 6.1 0.5 -0.4 -0.4 0.1

Printed matter...................................... 49 0.300 119.3 119.8 1.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 5.607 103.4 103.4 0.1 -0.1 -0.4 -0.1 0.0

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted............................ 61 2.108 99.8 100.2 -0.8 -0.3 -0.1 -0.5 0.4

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted........................ 62 2.145 103.6 103.4 0.7 0.3 0.0 1.1 -0.2

Made-up or worn textile articles................. 63 0.600 95.1 91.7 -1.7 -0.4 -0.2 -0.3 -3.6

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.. .. XII 1.340 106.9 109.1 4.8 0.1 0.4 0.1 2.1

Footwear and parts of such articles............ 64 1.129 106.0 108.7 5.8 0.2 0.4 0.1 2.5

See footnotes at end of table.

8
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: January 2008 to

January 2009 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Dec.

20081

Index Percent change

Dec.

2008

Jan.

2009

Annual Monthly

Jan.

2008 to

Jan.

2009

Sept.

2008 to

Oct. 2008

Oct. 2008

to Nov.

2008

Nov.

2008 to

Dec.

2008

Dec.

2008 to

Jan.

2009

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 1.071 122.1 122.5 7.6 3.5 -0.2 -0.4 0.3

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or

mica (Dec. 2001=100)......................... 68 0.410 118.9 119.3 12.4 2.9 -0.2 -0.1 0.3

Ceramic products.................................. 69 0.327 131.9 132.4 8.9 7.7 -0.2 -0.1 0.4

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.333 114.1 114.3 0.7 0.0 -0.5 -1.0 0.2

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 2.588 130.7 132.3 -7.5 -2.1 -5.1 -1.2 1.2

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 6.247 164.4 158.2 -8.0 -4.9 -8.3 -7.6 -3.8

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.541 219.9 206.8 -5.8 -8.8 -8.2 -14.2 -6.0

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 2.133 158.7 157.0 12.7 -0.7 -1.8 -2.3 -1.1

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.471 188.1 171.7 -36.2 -8.0 -23.2 -12.7 -8.7

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.813 118.4 108.4 -22.8 -5.4 -12.0 -6.3 -8.4

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.412 116.4 118.1 5.4 0.5 -0.3 -0.3 1.5

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.508 131.6 131.7 4.0 0.9 -0.2 -0.2 0.1

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 27.730 87.8 87.5 -0.9 -0.2 -0.5 -0.3 -0.3

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 13.800 87.9 88.0 -0.7 -0.2 -0.6 -0.3 0.1

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and TV

recorders & reproducers, parts............... 85 13.930 87.8 87.0 -1.1 -0.2 -0.3 -0.2 -0.9

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 13.515 109.0 109.4 0.7 0.2 -0.5 -0.3 0.4

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 12.258 107.9 108.2 0.4 0.0 -0.6 -0.2 0.3

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)....................................... 88 1.142 115.5 116.5 5.4 2.8 0.2 -0.1 0.9

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 3.369 101.2 101.3 1.5 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.1

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical

instruments...................................... 90 3.030 99.1 99.2 1.2 -0.1 0.0 -0.2 0.1

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . . . .. 91 0.259 121.1 122.2 3.9 0.4 -0.7 -0.4 0.9

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 4.465 106.9 106.8 4.2 0.0 -0.3 -0.3 -0.1

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs........... 94 2.449 112.1 111.8 5.3 0.0 -0.5 -0.4 -0.3

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 1.797 99.7 99.7 2.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles........... 96 0.220 112.3 112.7 4.1 -0.3 -0.2 -0.1 0.4

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

9
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: January 2008 to

January 2009

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Dec.

20081

Index Percent change

Dec.

2008

Jan.

2009

Annual Monthly

Jan.

2008 to

Jan.

2009

Sept.

2008 to

Oct. 2008

Oct. 2008

to Nov.

2008

Nov.

2008 to

Dec.

2008

Dec.

2008 to

Jan.

2009

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.530 156.1 159.6 1.3 -1.1 -9.8 -3.1 2.2

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100). . .. 02 0.762 120.2 123.2 0.0 -3.0 -14.9 -3.9 2.5

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.420 151.2 157.1 9.0 3.0 -0.5 -1.7 3.9

Vegetable products................................ II 4.304 171.5 191.1 -12.8 -11.6 -5.4 -8.6 11.4

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.614 107.2 105.2 -14.5 -6.1 -2.0 -2.3 -1.9

Cereals.............................................. 10 1.789 177.7 210.9 -19.6 -15.0 -10.4 -12.8 18.7

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder....................... 12 1.255 178.4 201.8 -12.3 -15.7 -4.0 -8.4 13.1

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.406 132.2 135.8 3.6 -1.9 -0.7 -0.8 2.7

Miscellaneous edible preparations.............. 21 0.384 121.8 124.7 5.1 1.0 -0.3 0.1 2.4

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar

(Dec.2008=100)................................. 22 0.283 100.0 100.7 – – – – 0.7

Residues and waste from the food industries;

prepared animal feed........................... 23 0.461 168.6 183.5 -0.5 -10.4 -2.7 -4.5 8.8

Mineral products.................................... V 3.847 203.7 194.6 -30.6 -11.2 -18.5 -13.1 -4.5

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 3.265 194.3 189.2 -31.0 -12.2 -19.6 -14.6 -2.6

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 11.817 134.9 133.9 -2.5 -1.2 -4.6 -2.2 -0.7

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 1.357 201.3 199.4 12.1 0.2 -1.7 -2.6 -0.9

Organic chemicals................................. 29 3.193 132.1 125.9 -16.7 -3.4 -12.9 -5.4 -4.7

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 2.674 113.6 116.8 0.3 -0.4 -2.3 -0.6 2.8

Tanning or dyeing extracts, dyes, paints,

varnish, putty, & inks........................... 32 0.551 114.1 112.9 -2.5 -0.3 -1.0 0.2 -1.1

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations................ 33 0.737 122.8 125.0 5.8 0.4 -0.9 0.4 1.8

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or scouring

products; candles, pastes..................... 34 0.443 121.8 118.0 4.8 -0.2 -0.7 -0.1 -3.1

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 1.801 129.0 130.3 6.5 0.5 0.3 -1.5 1.0

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 5.568 136.6 134.9 -1.5 -1.1 -4.1 -3.7 -1.2

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 4.474 130.1 128.6 -3.4 -1.7 -4.1 -3.6 -1.2

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.094 166.4 163.3 7.0 1.6 -3.9 -4.1 -1.9

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.324 95.1 83.5 -28.7 -1.6 -1.9 -14.4 -12.2

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.610 108.8 105.8 -4.4 -0.2 -2.1 -0.8 -2.8

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 2.409 107.2 105.8 -8.6 -1.4 -5.5 -2.5 -1.3

Woodpulp and recovered paper................. 47 0.503 90.5 86.0 -31.1 -6.6 -18.8 -8.3 -5.0

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 1.369 113.5 112.9 1.5 0.9 -0.3 -0.8 -0.5

Printed material.................................... 49 0.537 115.4 115.4 -4.5 0.2 -1.5 -0.3 0.0

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 2.028 103.9 104.1 -1.8 -2.0 -2.6 -0.5 0.2

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof............................................ 52 0.551 92.3 92.5 -12.3 -7.1 -7.5 -2.8 0.2

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc. (Dec.2008=100)...................... XIII 0.843 114.4 116.4 4.3 1.0 0.4 0.4 1.7

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.450 99.7 100.7 1.3 0.6 0.0 0.2 1.0

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 3.637 161.1 166.3 -2.3 -1.7 -5.3 -2.8 3.2

See footnotes at end of table.

10
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: January 2008 to

January 2009 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Dec.

20081

Index Percent change

Dec.

2008

Jan.

2009

Annual Monthly

Jan.

2008 to

Jan.

2009

Sept.

2008 to

Oct. 2008

Oct. 2008

to Nov.

2008

Nov.

2008 to

Dec.

2008

Dec.

2008 to

Jan.

2009

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.143 144.9 143.8 -12.4 -6.0 -7.0 -6.0 -0.8

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.366 169.3 171.0 -16.3 -11.3 -10.2 -8.2 1.0

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.482 158.7 162.9 9.2 -0.6 -0.1 -0.5 2.6

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.353 127.7 117.1 -49.0 -9.3 -20.4 -29.1 -8.3

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.711 101.8 96.7 -30.3 -9.0 -13.7 -6.4 -5.0

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.407 121.7 121.4 3.1 1.1 0.0 0.1 -0.2

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.362 128.1 128.3 -0.5 -0.1 -1.1 -0.8 0.2

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 31.537 94.6 94.6 -0.5 -0.3 0.0 -0.2 0.0

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 18.133 104.3 105.0 1.4 0.1 0.1 -0.2 0.7

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts

and accessories thereof....................... 85 13.404 84.2 83.2 -3.1 -0.9 -0.1 -0.1 -1.2

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 15.781 118.1 118.9 3.1 0.5 0.1 0.3 0.7

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 9.209 107.5 107.6 1.4 0.5 0.0 -0.1 0.1

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 6.271 106.1 107.3 1.5 -0.1 -0.7 0.1 1.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 1.587 106.6 106.3 -1.2 0.0 -0.8 -1.0 -0.3

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;........................... 94 0.775 116.0 116.1 -0.6 0.2 -0.4 -1.0 0.1

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 0.690 93.1 92.4 -0.2 0.2 -0.8 -0.7 -0.8

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

11
Table 7. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes by locality of origin: January 2008 to January 2009

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Percent of

U.S.

imports1

Index Percent change

Dec.

2008

Jan.

2009

Annual Monthly

Jan. 2008

to Jan.

2009

Sept. 2008

to Oct.

2008

Oct. 2008

to Nov.

2008

Nov. 2008

to Dec.

2008

Dec. 2008

to Jan.

2009

Industrialized Countries2

..................... 42.434 118.7 118.5 -6.5 -3.9 -5.6 -3.1 -0.2

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 4.390 151.7 147.0 -38.2 -19.4 -18.5 -17.3 -3.1

Manufactured articles......................... 37.621 115.5 115.6 -2.1 -1.5 -3.9 -1.7 0.1

Other Countries3

............................... 57.566 111.0 109.2 -15.8 -7.7 -8.4 -5.5 -1.6

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 12.442 158.3 155.7 -46.4 -21.3 -28.1 -16.7 -1.6

Manufactured articles......................... 44.910 103.5 101.8 -4.9 -2.2 -2.0 -2.9 -1.6

Canada............................................ 15.963 129.3 128.1 -11.3 -6.7 -9.0 -4.8 -0.9

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 3.979 148.0 144.9 -37.5 -18.2 -19.8 -17.3 -2.1

Manufactured articles......................... 11.678 126.8 126.2 -1.4 -2.0 -5.3 -1.5 -0.5

European Union4

............................... 17.447 124.3 124.4 -1.8 -1.4 -2.6 -1.5 0.1

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 0.222 230.8 220.6 -28.2 -24.8 -10.6 3.4 -4.4

Manufactured articles......................... 17.133 121.8 121.9 -1.4 -1.0 -2.4 -1.6 0.1

France (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 1.954 118.0 120.1 6.7 0.4 -1.7 -0.8 1.8

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)..................... 4.735 108.3 109.6 -1.1 -1.0 -1.5 -0.7 1.2

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)........... 2.660 118.3 118.2 -8.4 -4.0 -5.5 -2.6 -0.1

Latin America5

.................................. 17.808 135.4 132.5 -20.1 -10.7 -10.5 -6.8 -2.1

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 5.160 181.3 179.1 -40.5 -22.0 -27.4 -8.0 -1.2

Manufactured articles......................... 12.547 127.7 124.5 -9.1 -4.0 -2.2 -6.4 -2.5

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 10.785 130.1 127.1 -9.5 -7.1 -7.1 0.5 -2.3

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 1.947 100.0 94.1 – – – – -5.9

Manufactured articles......................... 8.788 100.0 98.2 – – – – -1.8

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6

................ 33.590 101.1 100.5 0.1 -0.1 -0.7 -0.6 -0.6

China (Dec. 2003=100)......................... 16.852 102.4 101.7 1.2 -0.1 -0.7 -0.5 -0.7

Japan.............................................. 7.488 96.0 96.3 2.2 0.5 0.3 0.3 0.3

Asian NICs7

..................................... 5.647 90.5 87.9 -1.2 -0.8 -0.5 -1.6 -2.9

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8..................... 5.729 97.3 95.8 -3.9 -1.3 -1.6 -1.3 -1.5

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9........... 3.992 140.6 139.0 -40.5 -16.9 -22.7 -16.6 -1.1

1 Percentage of trade figures are based on 2007 trade values.

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

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

4 Includes European Union countries.

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

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

Countries.

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

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

Vietnam.

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

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

Regions are not mutually exclusive.

Dash = Not available

12
Table 8. U.S. international price indexes and percent changes for selected transportation services: January

2008 to January 2009

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Dec.

20081

Index Percent change

Dec.

2008

Jan.

2009

Annual Monthly

Jan. 2008

to Jan.

2009

Sept.

2008 to

Oct. 2008

Oct. 2008

to Nov.

2008

Nov. 2008

to Dec.

2008

Dec. 2008

to Jan.

2009

Air Freight

Import Air Freight..................................... 100.000 140.3 138.4 -2.5 -3.3 -4.1 -3.6 -1.4

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 22.138 131.8 131.5 -11.8 -6.4 -10.4 -6.8 -0.2

Asia.................................................... 68.589 124.0 122.2 1.2 -1.4 -0.9 -1.4 -1.5

Export Air Freight..................................... 100.000 135.3 133.0 0.8 -1.9 -1.6 -2.9 -1.7

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)............................ 37.255 124.8 125.1 1.5 -3.7 -3.3 -4.1 0.2

Inbound Air Freight................................... 100.000 137.8 134.9 -2.8 -2.6 -3.3 -3.5 -2.1

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 24.508 131.8 129.6 -11.0 -4.8 -8.4 -6.7 -1.7

Asia.................................................... 63.421 120.3 118.5 2.0 -1.1 -0.4 -1.4 -1.5

Outbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 132.8 127.3 0.5 -3.2 -2.5 -4.3 -4.1

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 39.766 152.1 148.8 2.7 -4.0 -2.2 -3.7 -2.2

Asia.................................................... 40.466 119.0 111.5 -1.0 -3.0 -2.9 -4.0 -6.3

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 157.3 148.5 12.2 2.9 -5.0 -0.2 -5.6

Europe................................................. 39.090 147.0 154.8 24.2 4.1 -7.0 -10.2 5.3

Asia.................................................... 30.163 152.3 134.5 13.5 0.9 1.5 10.1 -11.7

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 13.672 158.0 126.9 -0.5 -3.3 -0.2 22.1 -19.7

Export Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 164.7 169.9 4.9 -5.6 -1.5 3.1 3.2

Europe................................................. 29.993 187.0 180.7 -1.8 -3.2 -5.7 -3.4 -3.4

Asia.................................................... 34.594 142.5 157.5 11.7 -10.2 3.9 4.5 10.5

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 21.873 178.9 191.5 13.6 -1.8 -1.2 9.2 7.0

1 Relative importance figures for Air Passenger Fares Indexes are based on 2007 trade values, while the relative importance figures for the Air Freight

Indexes are based on 2006 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

13
TECHNICAL NOTE

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

formula and are not seasonally adjusted. Price indexes for merchandise goods are reweighted annually, 

with a two-year lag in the weights. Published series use a base year of 2000=100 where possible. More 

detailed index series and additional information may be obtained at http://www.bls.gov/mxp, or by 

calling (202) 691-7101. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Index) to produce the NAICS primary products indexes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Agriculture. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

sold by consolidators. Taxes and fees are excluded from both indexes. The Air Freight Indexes are 

calculated from data collected directly from airlines. These data exclude mail and passenger baggage. 

The scope of the service being priced is the movement of freight from airport to airport only, and does 

not include any ground transportation or port service. The Air Freight Indexes are presented using two 

definitions: Balance of Payments (which represent transactions between U.S. and foreign residents) and 

International (which represent transactions inbound to and outbound from the U.S.). Fact sheets 

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

"Publications and Other Documentation."

14
Import Indexes by Locality of Origin -- Prices used in these indexes are a subset of the data collected 

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

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

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

NAICS 31-33. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

E-Mail Subscription -- The IPP news release is available through an e-mail subscription service at 

(http://www.bls.gov/mxp) or (http://www.bls.gov/bls/newsrels.htm). 

 

Additional Information -- More detailed IPP data are available on the IPP home page at 

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

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

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

(labstat.helpdesk@bls.gov). For IPP data requests, send e-mail to (mxpinfo@bls.gov). 

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

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

15