Technical Information:
 Jim Thomas    (202) 606-7155                      USDL-99-59
 Bill Alterman (202) 606-7108                      Transmission of This
Media contact                                       Material is Embargoed
 Kathryn Hoyle (202) 606-5902                       Until: 10:00 A.M. E.S.T.
Internet Address: http://stats.bls.gov/ipphome.htm  Thursday, March 11, 1999
                                  
                U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES
                           -FEBRUARY 1999-
                                  
     The U.S. Import Price Index decreased 0.1 percent in February,
the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor
reported today.  The decrease followed a 0.3 percent gain in January
and was attributable to a decline in prices for both petroleum and
nonpetroleum products.  The U.S. Export Price Index was also down 0.1
percent in February after posting no change, on average, in January.

             Percent changes in import and export price indexes
                         by End Use category
                     - not seasonally adjusted -
                 
                  IMPORTS                       EXPORTS
                                                                       
 Month                       Non-                 Agri-     Nonagri-
            All   Petroleum  petroleum   All      cultural  cultural 
         Imports   Imports   Imports    Exports   Exports   Exports 
                                                                       
1998                                                                   
February   -0.9      -6.5      -0.4      -0.3      -1.5       -0.2 
March      -0.8      -9.0      -0.3      -0.3      -0.5       -0.3 
April      -0.3       0.4      -0.3      -0.4      -1.6       -0.2 
May        -0.1       0.5      -0.2       0.1       1.0       -0.1 
June       -0.6      -4.4      -0.4      -0.5       0.0       -0.5 
July       -0.9      -5.4      -0.4      -0.3       0.3       -0.4 
August     -0.4      -0.6      -0.4      -0.5      -4.1       -0.1 
September   0.2       6.4      -0.2      -0.5      -2.9       -0.2 
October     0.2       2.3       0.1      -0.1       0.1       -0.1 
November   -0.5      -9.7       0.1       0.2       1.7        0.0 
December   -0.9 r   -13.4 r    -0.2 r    -0.1       0.7 r     -0.1 
1999                                                                   
January     0.3 r     3.5 r     0.2 r     0.0       0.0 r     -0.1 
February   -0.1      -1.5      -0.1      -0.1      -2.4        0.1 
                                                                       
Feb. 97-98 -6.3     -32.1      -3.4      -2.4      -9.0       -1.6 
Feb. 98-99 -3.9     -28.3      -2.2      -2.6      -7.5       -2.1 
                                                                        
r = revised to reflect late reports and corrections by respondents.
     

Import Goods

     The price index for all U.S. imports, which resumed a downward
trend in February, has dropped 3.9 percent over the past 12 months.
Petroleum prices led the turnaround, falling 1.5 percent in February
after gaining 3.5 percent in January.   For the year ended in
February, petroleum prices fell 28.3 percent, following a decline of
32.1 percent over the February 1997-1998 period.  The index for
nonpetroleum import prices continued to register comparatively little
movement in February, falling 0.1 percent after gaining 0.2 percent
in January.  Over the past 12 months, this index fell 2.2 percent,
compared with a 3.4 percent decline over the February 1997-98 period.
     
     The index for foods, feeds, and beverages fell 2.7 percent in
February after increasing 0.9 percent in January.  The decline was
led by falling vegetable and coffee prices.  For the year ended in
February, the index fell 3.4 percent.  The index for industrial
supplies and materials excluding petroleum was unchanged last month
after edging up 0.1 percent in January.  Over the past 12 months,
this index fell 4.2 percent.
     
     In contrast, prices in all the major finished goods areas
increased in February.  The index for automotive vehicles, parts, and
engines rose for the fifth consecutive month, up 0.3 percent in
February.  Over the past 12 months, the index rose 0.4 percent.  The
indexes for capital goods and consumer goods excluding automotives
each edged up 0.1 percent last month.  Both indexes, however, fell
over the past 12 months, 3.2 percent and 1.0 percent, respectively.


Export Goods

     The price index for all U.S. exports continued its recent
pattern of little movement in February, declining 0.1 percent as
decreasing prices for agricultural exports more than offset a slight
rise for nonagricultural exports.  Over the past 12 months, export
prices were down 2.6 percent.  The price index for agricultural
exports decreased 2.4 percent in February after increasing in each
of the previous four months.  The turnaround in February was led by
falling prices for grains and oilseeds.    Agricultural export prices
fell 7.5 percent over the past 12 months after a drop of 9.0 percent
over the February 1997-98 period.  In contrast, nonagricultural
export prices edged up 0.1 percent last month.  Despite the February
increase, the index fell 2.1 percent for the past year, compared with
a 1.6 percent decline over the February 1997-98 period.

     Small increases in the price indexes for all the major finished
goods areas in February contributed to the overall increase in
nonagricultural export prices.  The price indexes for capital goods
and consumer goods excluding automotives each rose on average 0.1
percent in February.  Over the past 12 months, however, the indexes
fell 1.5 percent and 0.6 percent, respectively.   Prices for
automotive vehicles, parts, and engines also increased, up 0.2
percent in February and 0.9 percent over the past 12 months.
     
     The index for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials
posted no change in February.   These prices decreased in each of the
previous two months and were down 5.6 percent for the year ended in
February.
     


Imports by Locality of Origin

     Continuing a four- month upward trend, prices for imports from
Japan rose 0.5 percent in February, bringing the increase since
October 1998 to 2.2 percent.  The index, however, was still down 0.9
percent over the past year.
     
     The price index for imports from the Asian Newly Industrialized
Countries was unchanged in February after decreasing in each of the
previous 17 months.   For the year ended in February, the index fell
7.2 percent.
     
     The import price index for Latin America also was unchanged last
month.   Over the past year, however, the index dropped 6.6 percent.
     
     In February, the import price index for Canada fell for the
fourth consecutive month, down 0.6 percent.  For the February 1998-99
period, the index fell 2.3 percent.
     
     Import prices from the European Union also fell, on average, in
February, down 0.2 percent.  The index was up 0.1 percent over the
past year.


                       CONTENTS OF RELEASE

This news release includes the following tables:

Table 1  Import Price Indexes, by End Use
Table 2  Export Price Indexes, by End Use
Table 3  Import Price Indexes, by SITC
Table 4  Export Price Indexes, by SITC
Table 5  Import Price Indexes, by Harmonized System
Table 6  Export Price Indexes, by Harmonized System
Table 7  Import Price Indexes, by Locality of Origin
Table 8  U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes for Services
Table 9  U.S. International Price Indexes for Services
-----------------------------------------------------
Import and Export Price Index data for March are scheduled for release
on April 8 at 10:00 a.m. (EDT).

     
Table 1   U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods,
             February 1998-February 1999     1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
                                                              ance                       Feb.    Oct.     Nov.     Dec.     Jan.
END                         Description                                                  1998    1998     1998     1998     1999
USE                                                         January January   February    to      to       to       to       to
                                                              1999    1999      1999     Feb.    Nov.     Dec.     Jan.     Feb.
                                                               1/      2/                1999    1998     1998     1999     1999

        ALL COMMODITIES..............................       100.000      90.8    90.7      -3.9    -0.5     -0.9      0.3   -0.1
        ALL IMPORTS EXCLUDING PETROLEUM..............        94.713      92.9    92.8      -2.2     0.1     -0.2      0.2   -0.1

0        FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES...................         4.956      96.0    93.4      -3.4    -1.3      0.0      0.9   -2.7

00        Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,
              excluding distilled beverages..........         3.515      93.5    89.3      -4.6    -1.3      0.5      1.3   -4.5

01        Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled
              beverages).............................         1.441     102.6   104.0      -0.7    -1.3     -1.6      0.5   1.4

1        INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS.............        23.857      82.6    82.3     -10.7    -2.4     -3.5      0.9   -0.4
           INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS
                 EXCLUDING PETROLEUM.................        18.569      90.8    90.8      -4.2     0.1     -0.4      0.1   0.0
           INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                 DURABLE.............................         9.773      91.5    92.2      -3.8    -0.4     -0.1      0.3   0.8
           INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                 NONDURABLE EXCLUDING PETROLEUM......         8.797      90.0    89.1      -4.8     0.8     -0.9     -0.1   -1.0

10        Fuels & lubricants.........................         6.547      67.7    66.1     -24.8    -7.8    -10.6      3.0   -2.4

100        Petroleum & petroleum products............         5.288      61.5    60.6     -28.3    -9.7    -13.4      3.5   -1.5

1000         Crude...................................         4.052      59.3    58.5     -28.1   -12.0    -15.2      6.5   -1.3

11        Paper & paper base stocks..................         1.839      78.5    78.7      -3.2    -0.2     -1.5     -0.4   0.3

12        Materials associated with nondurable
              supplies & materials...................         5.915      87.6    87.4      -5.2     0.6     -1.2     -0.5   -0.2

13        Selected building materials................         2.197     104.5   108.0       3.2     0.6      1.2      1.7   3.3

14        Unfinished metals associated with
              durable goods..........................         4.387      86.7    87.1      -7.1    -1.4     -0.6     -0.2   0.5

15        Finished metals associated with durable
              goods..................................         1.489      92.3    92.1      -2.6    -0.1     -0.6      0.1   -0.2

16        Nonmetals associated with durable goods....         1.483      88.8    88.4      -4.5     0.1     -0.1      0.3   -0.5

2        CAPITAL GOODS...............................        28.553      84.5    84.6      -3.2     0.0      0.0      0.0   0.1

20        Electric & electrical generating
              equipment..............................         3.476      93.6    93.7      -2.2     0.6      0.2     -0.1   0.1

21        Nonelectrical machinery....................        23.239      81.5    81.6      -3.7     0.0      0.0      0.0   0.1

3        AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES........        19.188     101.4   101.7       0.4     0.4      0.1      0.1   0.3

4        CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING
              AUTOMOTIVES............................        23.447      98.1    98.2      -1.0     0.2     -0.4      0.2   0.1

40        Nondurables, manufactured..................        11.720     101.0   101.1       0.1     0.1     -0.4      0.2   0.1

41        Durables, manufactured.....................        10.584      95.2    95.0      -1.7     0.3     -0.3      0.2   -0.2

42        Nonmanufactured consumer goods.............         1.143      97.7   100.5      -5.0    -1.0      0.4      0.6   2.9



    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for November and December 1998 and January 1999
        have been revised to reflect the availability
        of late reports and corrections by respondents.
        All data are subject to revision in each of
        the three months after original publication.

    NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately


Table 2   U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods,
             February 1998-February 1999     1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
                                                              ance                       Feb.    Oct.     Nov.     Dec.     Jan.
END                         Description                                                  1998    1998     1998     1998     1999
USE                                                         January  January  February    to      to       to       to       to
                                                              1999    1999      1999     Feb.    Nov.     Dec.     Jan.     Feb.
                                                               1/      2/                1999    1998     1998     1999     1999

        ALL COMMODITIES..............................       100.000      94.8    94.7      -2.6     0.2     -0.1      0.0     -0.1
        AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES.....................         9.783      89.2    87.1      -7.5     1.7      0.7      0.0     -2.4
        NONAGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES..................        90.217      95.4    95.5      -2.1     0.0     -0.1     -0.1      0.1

0        FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES...................         8.928      91.4    89.4      -5.9     2.3      0.7      0.2     -2.2

00        Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,
              excluding distilled beverages..........         8.137      91.1    88.7      -7.8     2.6      0.8      0.1     -2.6

01        Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled
              beverages).............................         0.791      95.9    98.2      17.2    -0.3     -0.9      1.1      2.4

1        INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS.............        24.159      86.9    86.8      -5.7     0.0     -0.3     -0.2     -0.1
           INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                 DURABLE.............................         9.458      88.2    88.1      -4.6     0.0     -0.6     -0.2     -0.1
           INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                 NONDURABLE..........................        14.700      86.0    86.0      -6.4    -0.1     -0.2     -0.2      0.0

10        Agricultural industrial supplies &
              materials..............................         1.646      82.5    81.7      -6.2    -2.0     -0.2     -0.2     -1.0

           NONAGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES
              & MATERIALS............................        22.513      87.2    87.2      -5.6     0.0     -0.3     -0.2      0.0

11        Fuels & lubricants.........................         2.132      92.7    92.4     -12.9    -0.3     -1.2     -0.1     -0.3

12        Nonagricultural supplies & materials
              excluding fuels & building materials...        18.884      85.7    85.7      -5.1     0.1     -0.2     -0.3      0.0

13        Selected building materials................         1.497      86.7    87.1      -1.6    -0.3      0.0      0.2      0.5

2        CAPITAL GOODS...............................        44.571      97.2    97.3      -1.5    -0.2      0.1      0.1      0.1

20        Electric & electrical generating
              Equipment..............................         4.470      99.0    99.1      -2.0    -0.3     -0.3     -0.4      0.1

21        Nonelectrical machinery....................        34.362      93.8    93.9      -2.0    -0.2      0.0      0.1      0.1

3        AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES........        10.116     102.9   103.1       0.9     0.1     -0.1      0.1      0.2

4        CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING
              AUTOMOTIVES............................        12.226     101.8   101.9      -0.6     0.0     -0.2     -0.1      0.1

40        Nondurables, manufactured..................         6.468     101.9   102.1      -0.1     0.0     -0.4      0.1      0.2

41        Durables, manufactured.....................         5.174     100.6   100.5      -1.1    -0.1     -0.1     -0.1     -0.1



    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for November and December 1998 and January 1999
        have been revised to reflect the availability
        of late reports and corrections by respondents.
        All data are subject to revision in each of the
        three months after original publication.

    NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately


Table 3   U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods,
             February 1998-February 1999     1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
                                                              ance                       Feb.    Oct.     Nov.     Dec.     Jan.
SITC                        Description                                                  1998    1998     1998     1998     1999
Rev. 3                                                      January  January  February    to      to       to       to       to
                                                              1999    1999      1999     Feb.    Nov.     Dec.     Jan.     Feb.
                                                               1/      2/                1999    1998     1998     1999     1999

        ALL COMMODITIES..............................       100.000      90.8    90.7      -3.9    -0.5     -0.9      0.3     -0.1

0        FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS.......................         4.216      96.6    93.4      -4.2    -1.2     -0.6      1.5     -3.3
01        Meat and meat preparations.................         0.339      91.9    92.2      -9.0    -0.7     -3.2      0.1      0.3
03        Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates
             and preparations thereof................         1.068     100.9   102.9      -3.3    -1.8     -2.2      0.8      2.0
05        Vegetables, fruit and nuts,
             fresh or dried..........................         1.287     113.9   102.8       9.6    -3.9      0.9      3.0     -9.7
07        Coffee, tea, cocoa, spices and
             manufactures thereof....................         0.573      76.2    72.3     -25.5     0.9      0.5      1.6     -5.1
     3/ Other food and live animals (9612=100).......         0.948      93.8    93.3      -2.4     1.8     -0.9      0.5     -0.5

1        BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO.......................         0.928     110.4   110.0       0.5    -0.2      0.2      0.5     -0.4
11        Beverages..................................         0.780     106.7   106.7       0.8    -0.2      0.2      0.1      0.0

2        CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS.....         2.802      84.4    87.5      -8.0    -1.1      1.2      0.4      3.7
24        Cork and wood..............................         1.065     108.6   113.8       3.5     0.3      4.0      1.6      4.8
25        Pulp and waste paper.......................         0.345      57.8    58.5      -9.3    -1.9     -0.3      0.0      1.2
28        Metalliferous ores and metal scrap.........         0.598      91.0    90.6      -9.4    -0.4      0.0     -1.9     -0.4
29        Crude animal and vegetable materials,
             n.e.s. (9612=100).......................         0.287     103.4   118.1     -25.3    -6.6      2.6      4.0     14.2
     3/ Other crude materials, inedible, except
           fuels (9612=100)..........................         0.325      84.2    84.6     -10.4    -1.4     -0.5     -1.1      0.5

3        MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED
            MATERIALS................................         6.267      67.1    65.4     -25.0    -7.9    -11.0      3.7     -2.5
33        Petroleum, petroleum products and
             related materials.......................         4.999      61.1    60.2     -28.1   -10.0    -13.8      4.1     -1.5
34        Gas, natural and manufactured..............         1.137     114.6   106.2      -9.5     4.0      2.3      1.9     -7.3

5        CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.......         5.690      91.4    91.1      -3.0     0.5     -1.2      0.2     -0.3
51        Organic chemicals..........................         1.618      91.0    91.0      -1.8     0.8     -1.7      1.1      0.0
52        Inorganic chemicals........................         0.661      90.1    88.5      -6.1     0.4     -4.2     -0.9     -1.8
53        Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials.....         0.302      94.5    93.8      -1.2     1.4     -0.8     -2.1     -0.7
54        Medicinal and pharmaceutical products......         0.983      97.0    97.4       1.7     1.3     -0.2      1.4      0.4
55        Essential oils; polishing and cleansing
             preps...................................         0.334      94.6    93.6      -2.8     0.3     -0.1     -0.6     -1.1
57        Plastics in primary forms..................         0.394      92.2    92.5      -4.1     0.8      0.2      0.5      0.3
58        Plastics in nonprimary forms...............         0.501      73.6    73.0     -11.6     0.1     -0.3     -0.4     -0.8
59        Chemical materials and products, n.e.s.....         0.672      98.5    97.7      -3.6     0.0     -0.1     -0.6     -0.8

6        MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY
            BY MATERIAL..............................        12.828      91.7    91.9      -3.1    -0.2     -0.9      0.0      0.2
62        Rubber manufactures, n.e.s.................         0.764      94.6    94.7      -0.5     0.4     -0.3      0.2      0.1
63        Cork and wood manufactures other than
             furniture...............................         0.594      98.1   100.2       6.1     2.5     -2.1      3.0      2.1
64        Paper, paperboard, and articles of
             paper pulp, paper or paper board........         1.669      85.6    85.6      -2.2     0.1     -1.6     -0.6      0.0
65        Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up
             articles, n.e.s., and related prod......         1.463      96.2    95.2      -2.8     0.2     -0.3     -0.2     -1.0
66        Nonmetallic mineral manufactures,
             n.e.s...................................         2.258     100.7   100.9       0.2     0.2     -0.1      0.1      0.2
67        Iron and steel.............................         1.977      86.9    86.8      -9.4    -1.0     -1.4     -0.6     -0.1
68        Nonferrous metals..........................         1.840      82.9    84.4      -6.8    -2.4     -1.0     -0.1      1.8
69        Manufactures of metals, n.e.s..............         2.091      97.1    96.8      -0.7     0.5     -0.7      0.5     -0.3

7        MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT...........        48.365      91.3    91.5      -1.8     0.2      0.1      0.0      0.2
71        Power generating machinery and
             equipment (9612=100)....................         3.164      97.9    98.6      -1.1     0.5      0.2      0.0      0.7
72        Machinery specialized for particular
             industries..............................         2.871      98.6    98.9       0.8     0.9     -0.2      0.1      0.3
73        Metalworking machinery.....................         0.879      97.5    97.3      -0.1     0.6     -0.4     -0.1     -0.2
74        General industrial machinery,
             equipment, & machine parts, n.e.s.......         3.702      98.5    98.9       2.5     0.9     -0.3      0.1      0.4
75        Computer equipment and office machines.....         6.447      66.6    66.3     -10.9    -0.9      0.2     -0.1     -0.5
76        Telecommunications & sound recording
             & reproducing apparatus & equipment.....         4.661      88.3    88.4      -2.8     0.1     -0.2      0.0      0.1
77        Electrical machinery and equipment.........         9.712      84.0    84.4      -1.5     0.2      0.2     -0.2      0.5
78        Road vehicles..............................        15.804     101.9   102.1       0.8     0.4      0.1      0.4      0.2

8        MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.........        18.443      98.4    98.4      -0.9     0.1     -0.3      0.2      0.0
81        Prefabricated buildings; plumbing, heat
             & lighting fixtures, n.e.s..............         0.406      94.7    93.1      -2.4     0.4     -0.8      0.4     -1.7
82        Furniture and parts thereof................         1.323     100.3   100.1      -2.9     0.2      0.1      0.0     -0.2
83        Travel goods, handbags and similar
             containers..............................         0.541     101.1   101.2       0.4    -0.3      0.6      0.1      0.1
84        Articles of apparel and clothing
             accessories.............................         6.222     102.1   102.2      -0.7    -0.1     -0.7      0.0      0.1
85        Footwear...................................         1.905     101.3   101.3       0.2    -0.2     -0.2      0.4      0.0
87        Professional, scientific and controlling
             instruments and apparatus, n.e.s........         1.673      94.9    95.0      -0.4     0.2     -0.3     -0.1      0.1
88        Photographic apparatus, equipment and
             supplies and optical goods, n.e.s.;.....         1.411      92.0    92.1       0.0     0.7     -0.2      1.0      0.1
89        Miscellaneous manufactured articles,
             n.e.s...................................         4.961      95.8    95.5      -1.8     0.2     -0.1      0.3     -0.3




    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available.
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for November and December 1998 and January 1999
        have been revised to reflect the availability
        of late reports and corrections by respondents.
        All data are subject to revision in each of the
        three months after original publication.
    3  Product categories included in this group
        have been modified due to concordance
        or coverage limitations.

    NOTE:   Published categories may include price data not shown separately


Table 4   U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods,
             February 1998-February 1999     1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
                                                              ance                       Feb.    Oct.     Nov.     Dec.     Jan.
SITC                        Description                                                  1998    1998     1998     1998     1999
Rev. 3                                                      January  January  February    to      to       to       to       to
                                                              1999    1999      1999     Feb.    Nov.     Dec.     Jan.     Feb.
                                                               1/      2/                1999    1998     1998     1999     1999

        ALL COMMODITIES..............................       100.000      94.8    94.7      -2.6     0.2     -0.1      0.0     -0.1

0        FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS.......................         7.281      90.3    89.1      -3.7     1.6      0.4      0.9     -1.3
01        Meat and meat preparations.................         1.117      90.2    93.4       2.8    -3.3     -0.9      0.3      3.5
03        Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates
             and preparations thereof................         0.606      96.1    98.6      22.2    -0.5     -0.8      0.4      2.6
04        Cereals and cereal preparations............         2.435      79.3    77.8     -15.0     6.5      0.9      0.5     -1.9
05        Vegetables, fruit and nuts,
             fresh or dried..........................         1.521     103.2    98.0      10.6    -0.1      0.4      3.5     -5.0
08        Feeding stuff for animals (not
             including unmilled cereals).............         0.663      91.2    90.1     -14.1     3.6      3.1     -1.1     -1.2
09        Miscellaneous edible products and
             preparations............................         0.412     106.8   106.8       1.9     0.0      0.1      0.0      0.0
     3/ Other food and live animals (9612=100).......         0.527      95.7    92.3      -6.2    -2.2     -1.3      0.4     -3.6

1        BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO.......................         1.565     101.3   101.4       1.2     0.5      0.2      0.6      0.1
12        Tobacco and tobacco manufactures...........         1.291     101.3   101.5       1.6     0.6      0.0      0.9      0.2

2        CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS.....         5.077      75.6    75.0     -11.8     0.3      0.8     -0.9     -0.8
21        Hides, skins and furskins, raw.............         0.280      82.7    81.4      -2.3    -1.0      7.0     -3.5     -1.6
22        Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits............         1.030      91.4    84.9     -24.9     6.1      2.5     -4.4     -7.1
24        Cork and wood..............................         0.878      81.3    81.5      -4.3    -1.2     -0.1     -0.1      0.2
25        Pulp and waste paper.......................         0.714      59.7    61.5      -4.9    -2.5      0.2      3.5      3.0
26        Textile fibers and their waste.............         0.725      70.4    70.8      -9.2    -3.1     -1.1     -0.3      0.6
27        Crude fertilizers and crude minerals.......         0.331      93.4    93.5      -3.8     0.0      0.0     -1.8      0.1
28        Metalliferous ores and metal scrap.........         0.725      67.7    68.7     -15.6     0.4      0.1     -0.3      1.5
     3/ Other crude materials, inedible, except
           fuels (9612=100)..........................         0.395      90.3    90.2     -10.3     1.0     -0.6      0.0     -0.1

3        MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED
            MATERIALS................................         1.865      93.2    93.1     -14.2     0.0     -1.0     -0.4     -0.1
32        Coal, coke and briquettes..................         0.701      99.5    99.2      -1.8    -0.1      0.0      0.1     -0.3
33        Petroleum, petroleum products and
             related materials.......................         1.033      91.4    91.4     -20.0     0.1     -1.8     -0.9      0.0

4        ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE OILS, FATS AND
            WAXES....................................         0.477      98.0    90.3     -10.9     0.1     -3.1     -1.7     -7.9

5        CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.......        10.613      90.6    90.5      -4.2     0.0     -0.2     -0.4     -0.1
51        Organic chemicals..........................         2.307      73.6    73.6      -9.4    -0.3      0.3     -0.8      0.0
52        Inorganic chemicals........................         0.898     103.3   103.2      -0.2     0.8     -0.1     -0.1     -0.1
53        Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials.....         0.505     100.8   101.2      -0.9     0.2     -0.1      0.7      0.4
54        Medicinal and pharmaceutical products......         1.253     100.1   100.1      -1.5     0.0     -0.2     -0.7      0.0
55        Essential oils; polishing and cleansing
             preps...................................         0.771     101.5   101.6      -0.4    -1.1     -0.1     -0.1      0.1
56        Fertilizers (9612=100).....................         0.583      95.7    95.1       4.6    -0.8     -1.1     -0.2     -0.6
57        Plastics in primary forms..................         1.709      84.6    84.4      -8.7     0.0     -0.3     -1.2     -0.2
58        Plastics in nonprimary forms...............         0.828      95.9    95.4      -4.8    -1.2     -0.5      0.5     -0.5
59        Chemical materials and products, n.e.s.....         1.759     100.4   100.8      -1.0     0.6      0.1     -0.8      0.4

6        MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY
            BY MATERIAL..............................         9.876      96.7    96.7      -1.8     0.1     -0.2      0.2      0.0
62        Rubber manufactures, n.e.s.................         0.718     106.5   107.7       5.8     1.7     -0.1      0.5      1.1
63        Cork and wood manufactures other than
             furniture...............................         0.311      94.5    96.1       5.5     1.8      1.4     -0.4      1.7
64        Paper, paperboard, and articles of
             paper pulp, paper or paperboard.........         1.497      80.3    80.8      -4.9     0.7     -0.7     -1.2      0.6
65        Textile yarn, fabrics, and
             made-up articles, n.e.s.................         1.425     100.9    99.6      -3.7     0.3      0.4     -0.1     -1.3
66        Nonmetallic mineral manufactures,
             n.e.s...................................         1.373     106.9   106.9      -0.4     0.1      0.1     -0.4      0.0
67        Iron and steel.............................         1.085      97.8    96.6      -5.7    -0.4     -0.6      0.8     -1.2
68        Nonferrous metals..........................         1.216      84.6    85.4      -6.5    -0.4     -1.8      0.8      0.9
69        Manufactures of metals, n.e.s..............         2.102     107.5   107.6       2.4    -0.1     -0.1      1.0      0.1

7        MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT...........        51.025      98.2    98.3      -1.2    -0.1      0.1     -0.1      0.1
71        Power generating machinery and
             equipment...............................         4.517     109.2   109.3       2.4     0.9      0.5      0.6      0.1
72        Machinery specialized for particular
             industries..............................         4.861     105.4   105.4       0.3     0.0     -0.3      0.2      0.0
73        Metalworking machinery.....................         1.029     109.1   109.2       1.7     0.0      0.2      0.2      0.1
74        General industrial machinery,
             equipment, & parts, n.e.s...............         5.250     107.0   107.4       1.7    -0.2      0.0      0.5      0.4
75        Computer equipment and office machines.....         6.036      74.3    74.3      -7.7     0.0     -0.1     -0.1      0.0
76        Telecommunications & sound recording
             & reproducing apparatus & equipment.....         3.843      97.6    97.5      -0.8    -0.6      0.0      0.1     -0.1
77        Electrical machinery and equipment.........        11.428      89.9    90.0      -3.8    -0.4     -0.1     -0.9      0.1
78        Road vehicles..............................         9.375     102.1   102.3       0.4     0.0     -0.1      0.0      0.2

8        MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.........        11.485     100.9   101.0      -0.4     0.0     -0.2      0.3      0.1
82        Furniture and parts thereof................         0.654     103.9   103.9      -0.4     0.1      0.0     -0.3      0.0
84        Articles of apparel and clothing
             accessories.............................         1.281     100.7   101.2      -2.3     0.0     -1.6     -0.2      0.5
87        Professional, scientific and controlling
             instruments and apparatus, n.e.s........         3.866     104.8   104.8       1.2     0.1      0.1      0.7      0.0
88        Photographic apparatus, equipment and
             supplies and optical goods, n.e.s.......         0.939      95.0    95.5       1.5     1.2     -0.2      0.7      0.5
89        Miscellaneous manufactured articles,
             n.e.s...................................         4.269      98.2    98.2      -1.7    -0.2     -0.1      0.1      0.0
     3/ Other miscellaneous manufactured
           articles (9612=100).......................         0.476     102.2   102.2       0.1     0.0      0.0      0.1      0.0




    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                   n.a.      Not available.
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for November and December 1998 and January 1999
        have been revised to reflect the availability
        of late reports and corrections by respondents.
        All data are subject to revision in each of the
        three months after original publication.
    3  Product categories included in this group
        have been modified due to concordance
        or coverage limitations.

    NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately


Table 5   U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods,
             February 1998-February 1999     1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
Harmo-                                                        ance                       Feb.    Oct.     Nov.     Dec.     Jan.
nized                       Description                                                  1998    1998     1998     1998     1999
System                                                      January  January  February    to      to       to       to       to
                                                              1999    1999      1999     Feb.    Nov.     Dec.     Jan.     Feb.
                                                               1/      2/                1999    1998     1998     1999     1999


I        LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS...............         1.621      98.3    99.2      -3.5    -0.4     -1.8      0.8      0.9
02      Meat and edible meat offal...................         0.277      92.6    92.7      -4.9     1.1     -2.8      0.0      0.1
03      Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and...........
           other aquatic invertebrates...............         0.955     103.2   105.0      -2.5    -2.3     -1.4      1.3      1.7
     3/ Other live animals and animal................
           products (9612=100).......................         0.388      93.7    93.3      -4.7     3.1     -2.3      0.4     -0.4

II       VEGETABLE PRODUCTS..........................         1.701      92.3    86.7      -5.6    -4.3      1.0      2.1     -6.1
07      Edible vegetables and certain roots and......
           tubers....................................         0.416     143.8   103.0      14.6   -17.8     10.2     -1.8    -28.4
08      Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus........
           fruit or melons...........................         0.494     102.7   103.8       7.6     3.9     -5.3      5.4      1.1
09      Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................         0.386      74.3    70.9     -19.0     1.8     -0.8      2.8     -4.6
     3/ Other vegetable products.....................         0.404      87.1    92.9     -16.0    -3.8      1.7      1.8      6.7

IV       PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND.........
           TOBACCO...................................         2.201     100.8   100.4      -0.6    -0.4      0.5      0.5     -0.4
20      Preparations of vegetables, fruit,...........
           nuts, or other parts of plants............         0.305      94.8    92.7       4.9     0.9      3.0      2.9     -2.2
22      Beverages, spirits, and vinegar..............         0.808     105.1   105.0       0.5     1.0     -0.2      0.2     -0.1
     3/ Other prepared foodstuffs (9612=100).........         1.089      97.0    97.1      -2.7    -1.6      0.4     -0.1      0.1

V        MINERAL PRODUCTS............................         6.915      69.1    67.7     -23.4    -7.2     -9.9      2.8     -2.0
26      Ores, slag and ash...........................         0.313     101.5   101.5      -0.4     0.1      0.0     -0.1      0.0
27      Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,...........
           bituminous substances and mineral wax.....         6.367      67.3    65.7     -24.9    -7.7    -10.7      3.1     -2.4

VI       PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED..........
           INDUSTRIES................................         5.349      94.3    94.0      -2.6     0.3     -1.2     -0.2     -0.3
28      Inorganic chemicals..........................         0.831      93.6    91.8      -6.5     0.1     -2.7     -1.3     -1.9
29      Organic chemicals............................         2.032      90.7    90.7      -3.0     0.3     -1.3      0.3      0.0
30      Pharmaceutical products......................         0.610     104.7   105.2       3.8     1.6     -0.4      1.1      0.5
32      Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye &.............
           pigments; varnish & paints; putty.........         0.300      92.9    92.2      -1.0     1.3     -0.8     -1.8     -0.8
37      Photographic or cinematographic goods........         0.368      95.1    95.4      -1.1     0.0      0.0      0.0      0.3
38      Miscellaneous chemical products..............
           (9612=100)................................         0.416      91.7    90.5      -6.2     0.1      0.3     -0.7     -1.3
     3/ Other products of the chemical or............
           allied industries (9612=100)..............         0.792      94.5    94.8      -1.5    -0.4     -0.8     -0.6      0.3

VII      PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER.......
           AND ARTICLES THEREOF......................         2.796      85.8    85.8      -5.1     0.4     -0.5      0.2      0.0
39      Plastics and articles thereof................         1.760      89.4    89.1      -5.0     0.2      0.1      0.3     -0.3
40      Rubber and articles thereof..................         1.036      80.3    80.9      -5.0     0.2     -1.4      0.0      0.7

VIII     RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,........
           TRAVEL GOODS, ETC.........................         1.071     102.5   102.5      -0.2     0.1     -0.2     -0.1      0.0
42      Articles of leather; travel goods, bags,.....
           etc. of various materials.................         0.901     100.7   100.8       0.0     0.1     -0.2      0.0      0.1

IX       WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW, BASKET....
           AND WICKER................................         1.696     102.6   106.6       3.6     0.7      1.9      1.9      3.9

X        WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER.....
           AND ARTICLES THEREOF......................         2.412      81.1    81.3      -2.8    -0.1     -1.1     -0.2      0.2
47      Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic........
           material; waste paper/paperboard..........         0.344      58.1    58.7      -9.8    -1.9     -0.2      0.0      1.0
48      Paper and paperboard; articles of paper......
           pulp, paper or paperboard.................         1.692      86.6    86.6      -1.9     0.2     -1.5     -0.5      0.0
49      Printed matter...............................         0.376      99.4    99.2       0.3     0.5     -0.4      0.4     -0.2

XI       TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES................         7.302     100.1    99.9      -1.4    -0.1     -0.4     -0.1     -0.2
61      Articles of apparel and clothing.............
           accessories, knitted or crocheted.........         2.155     100.0    99.7      -2.2     0.0     -1.2      0.0     -0.3
62      Articles of apparel and clothing.............
           accessories, not knitted or crocheted.....         3.574     103.8   104.1       0.4    -0.2      0.0      0.0      0.3
63      Made-up or worn textile articles and.........
           clothing; needlecraft sets; rags..........         0.352      93.5    93.6      -0.6     0.8     -1.2      0.6      0.1
     3/ Other textile & textile......................
           articles (9612=100).......................         1.221      94.9    93.5      -5.4    -0.2     -0.4     -0.4     -1.5

XII      FOOTWEAR, HEADGEAR, UMBRELLAS, WHIPS,.......
           ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS, ETC...................         2.232     101.5   101.5       0.3    -0.2     -0.3      0.4      0.0
64      Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts........
           of such articles..........................         1.917     100.9   101.0       0.1    -0.1     -0.4      0.4      0.1
     3/ Other footwear, headgear, umbrellas,.........
           whips, art. flowers, etc. (9612=100)......         0.315     103.3   103.0       1.5    -0.2      0.0      0.1     -0.3

XIII     STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,CERAMIC....
           GLASS ETC.................................         1.214     101.2   101.5       0.7     0.3     -0.2      0.2      0.3
69      Ceramic products.............................         0.458      97.9    98.7       1.0     0.1     -0.4      0.4      0.8
70      Glass and glassware..........................         0.467     100.4   100.3      -0.3     0.6     -0.1      0.1     -0.1

XIV      PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,............
           IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS..............         2.374      99.2   100.3       3.4     0.3     -0.1      0.8      1.1

XV       BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METAL......         5.608      84.5    84.7      -8.2    -1.1     -1.2     -0.7      0.2
72      Iron and steel...............................         1.697      85.9    85.8      -9.7    -1.1     -0.8     -0.3     -0.1
73      Articles of iron or steel....................         1.323      93.0    92.9      -3.3    -0.2     -0.6     -0.2     -0.1
74      Copper and articles thereof..................         0.395      68.2    67.3      -8.3    -1.5     -0.9     -2.4     -1.3
76      Aluminum and articles thereof................         0.903      80.5    79.9     -11.5    -1.0     -1.1     -0.9     -0.7
83      Miscellaneous articles of base metal.........         0.435      99.7   100.1      -0.7     1.0     -0.7     -0.7      0.4
     3/ Miscellaneous nonferrous metals and..........
           articles, including scrap (9612=100)......         0.374      69.5    74.9     -23.9    -6.7     -6.0     -4.3      7.8

XVI      MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV.........
           IMAGE & SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC.......        30.447      84.1    84.2      -3.3     0.0      0.1      0.0      0.1
84      Specialized machinery & computer.............
           equipment.................................        15.779      84.0    84.0      -4.2     0.1      0.0      0.0      0.0
85      Electrical machinery and equip, sound........
           and TV recorders & reproducers, parts.....        14.668      84.1    84.3      -2.3    -0.1      0.2     -0.1      0.2

XVII     VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND.............
           ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT............        17.132     102.0   102.2       0.8     0.4      0.1      0.4      0.2
87      Motor vehicles and their parts...............        16.180     101.7   101.9       0.8     0.4      0.1      0.4      0.2

XVII     OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &........
           MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES.........         3.730      92.1    92.1      -0.9     0.1     -0.2      0.2      0.0
90      Optical, photographic, measuring and.........
           medical instruments.......................         3.175      91.7    91.7      -1.2     0.0     -0.2      0.2      0.0
91      Clocks and watches and parts thereof.........         0.406      95.0    94.7       0.7     0.2     -0.7      0.8     -0.3

XX       MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.........         3.918      98.1    97.7      -1.7     0.5     -0.1      0.2     -0.4
94      Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps........
           and lighting fittings nes;................         1.691      98.8    98.5      -1.6     0.7     -0.1      0.3     -0.3
95      Toys, games and sports equipment; parts......
           and accessories thereof...................         1.915      98.0    97.8      -2.1     0.2      0.0      0.1     -0.2
96      Miscellaneous manufactured articles..........         0.311      95.6    93.4       0.3     2.0     -0.6      0.6     -2.3



    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for November and December 1998 and January 1999
        have been revised to reflect the availability
        of late reports and corrections by respondents.
        All data are subject to revision in each of
        the three months after original publication.
    3  Product categories included in this group
        have been modified due to concordance
        or coverage limitations.

    NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately


Table 6   U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods,
             February 1998-February 1999     1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
Harmo-                                                        ance                       Feb.    Oct.     Nov.     Dec.     Jan.
nized                       Description                                                  1998    1998     1998     1998     1999
System                                                      January  January  February    to      to       to       to       to
                                                              1999    1999      1999     Feb.    Nov.     Dec.     Jan.     Feb.
                                                               1/      2/                1999    1998     1998     1999     1999


I        LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS...............         1.893      91.1    93.3       5.4    -1.8     -1.4      0.3      2.4
02      Meat & edible meat offal.....................         1.012      85.7    88.6       0.3    -3.4     -1.3     -0.6      3.4
03      Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and...........
           other aquatic invertebrates...............         0.531      92.2    95.7      24.6     0.1     -1.2      2.1      3.8
     3/ Other live animals and animal................
           products (9612=100).......................         0.350      92.5    89.9      -4.0    -0.2     -1.9      0.4     -2.8

II       VEGETABLE PRODUCTS..........................         4.816      86.6    83.5     -12.8     4.5      1.2      0.1     -3.6
07      Edible vegetables and certain roots and......
           tubers....................................         0.362     110.2    92.7       3.7    -1.0      3.8      7.9    -15.9
08      Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus........
           fruit or melons...........................         0.769     100.9   101.1      11.8    -1.6     -0.9      1.9      0.2
10      Cereals......................................         2.214      77.4    76.0     -16.0     7.1      1.2      0.8     -1.8
12      Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds,............
           fruits, plants, straw and fodder..........         1.234      94.9    89.5     -21.8     6.1      2.4     -3.4     -5.7

III      ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE FATS AND OILS...........         0.518      98.7    90.9     -11.7     0.3     -3.0     -2.2     -7.9

IV       PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND.........
           TOBACCO...................................         3.507      98.6    98.0      -1.6     0.6      1.4     -0.3     -0.6
20      Preparations of vegetables, fruit,...........
           nuts, or other parts of plants............         0.368      99.3    97.2       6.0     0.3      5.8     -2.6     -2.1
21      Miscellaneous edible preparations............         0.381     107.0   107.0       1.0    -0.5      0.2      0.0      0.0
22      Beverages, spirits, and vinegar..............         0.342      99.2    98.9      -0.7    -0.2      1.4     -1.1     -0.3
23      Residues and waste from the food.............
           industries; prepared animal feed..........         0.598      88.7    86.7     -13.0     2.0      4.5     -1.4     -2.3
24      Tobacco and manufactured tobacco.............
           substitutes...............................         1.301     101.2   101.4       1.4     0.7      0.0      0.7      0.2
     3/ Other prepared foods.........................         0.517     100.1   100.0      -1.9     0.3     -0.2     -0.1     -0.1

V        MINERAL PRODUCTS............................         2.409      91.2    91.8     -12.6     0.1     -0.6     -0.8      0.7
26      Ores, slag and ash (9812=100)................         0.235      97.6   105.2     n.a.    n.a.     n.a.      -2.4      7.8
27      Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,...........
           bituminous substances and mineral wax.....         1.915      93.9    93.8     -14.3     0.0     -0.9     -0.4     -0.1

VI       PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED..........
           INDUSTRIES................................         8.719      92.0    92.1      -2.6     0.2      0.0     -0.4      0.1
28      Inorganic chemicals..........................         0.968     102.2   101.7      -1.1     1.3     -0.1      0.1     -0.5
29      Organic chemicals............................         2.597      76.6    76.6      -9.1    -0.1      0.3     -1.0      0.0
30      Pharmaceutical products......................         0.937     103.0   103.0      -0.2     0.0      0.1     -0.2      0.0
31      Fertilizers (9612=100).......................         0.649      95.7    95.1       4.6    -0.8     -1.1     -0.2     -0.6
32      Tanning or dyeing extracts; dyes and.........
           pigments; paints & varnish; putty;ink.....         0.519     101.1   101.5      -0.2     0.2     -0.2      0.6      0.4
33      Essential oils and resinoids;................
           perfumery, cosmetic or toilet.............         0.551     103.4   103.4       0.0    -0.3      0.0     -0.3      0.0
34      Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or........
           scouring products; candles, pastes........         0.328     103.8   104.3       1.2    -1.3      0.0      0.1      0.5
37      Photographic or cinematographic goods........         0.413      88.4    89.5       3.6     2.7     -0.3      2.0      1.2
38      Miscellaneous chemical products..............         1.528      99.3    99.6      -1.0     0.9      0.0     -1.0      0.3

VII      PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER.......
           AND ARTICLES THEREOF......................         4.197      90.4    90.4      -5.9     0.1     -0.2     -0.3      0.0
39      Plastics and articles thereof................         3.255      88.0    87.8      -8.2    -0.2     -0.2     -0.5     -0.2
40      Rubber and articles thereof..................         0.942     100.1   101.0       2.9     1.8     -0.3      0.3      0.9

VIII     RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,........
           TRAVEL GOODS, ETC.........................         0.511      84.4    83.1      -3.7    -1.2      4.1     -2.0     -1.5
41      Raw hides and skins (other than..............
           furskins) and leather.....................         0.355      78.8    77.1      -5.3    -1.8      5.7     -2.7     -2.2

IX       WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW,...........
           BASKET AND WICKER.........................         1.214      84.8    85.3      -2.1    -0.6      0.2      0.0      0.6

X        WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER.....
           AND ARTICLES THEREOF......................         2.973      75.5    76.1      -3.4     0.0     -0.4      0.1      0.8
47      Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic........
           material; waste paper/paperboard..........         0.660      57.1    58.5      -5.8    -1.9      0.0      2.7      2.5
48      Paper and paperboard; articles of paper......
           pulp, paper or paperboard.................         1.467      80.7    81.2      -5.3     1.2     -1.0     -1.3      0.6
49      Printed material.............................         0.847     109.8   109.8       2.3    -0.2      0.0      0.7      0.0

XI       TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES................         3.174      88.3    88.1      -4.9    -0.7     -0.6     -0.3     -0.2
52      Cotton, including yarns and woven............
           fabrics thereof...........................         0.644      72.3    72.8      -6.2    -3.3     -1.0      0.0      0.7
55      Manmade staple fibers, includ. yarns.........
           and woven fabrics (9812=100)..............         0.271      99.9    98.4     n.a.    n.a.     n.a.      -0.1     -1.5
61      Apparel and clothing access.,................
           knitted or crocheted (9812=100)...........         0.479     100.1   101.1     n.a.    n.a.     n.a.       0.1      1.0
62      Apparel and clothing access.,................
           not knitted or crocheted (9812=100).......         0.665      98.9    98.9     n.a.    n.a.     n.a.      -1.1      0.0

XIII     STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,...........
           CERAMIC, GLASS ETC........................         0.883     103.5   103.4      -0.6     0.1     -0.3      0.0     -0.1
70      Glass and glassware..........................         0.511     102.5   102.5       0.6    -0.1      0.0     -0.3      0.0

XIV      PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,............
           IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS..............         1.888      93.9    95.2       0.0     1.3     -0.1      0.9      1.4

XV       BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METALS.....         4.468      89.7    89.4      -5.4    -0.1     -0.7      0.2     -0.3
72      Iron and steel...............................         0.847      78.7    77.2     -14.2     0.1     -0.9      0.1     -1.9
73      Articles of iron or steel....................         1.322     109.5   109.7       0.5    -0.2      0.0     -0.1      0.2
74      Copper and articles thereof..................         0.337      62.2    62.0     -11.9    -0.2     -2.0     -4.5     -0.3
76      Aluminum and articles thereof................         0.819      79.7    79.9     -10.1    -0.9     -0.9     -0.4      0.3
82      Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and.......
           forks, of base metal; parts thereof.......         0.437     105.8   105.6       1.6     0.0      0.4      3.0     -0.2
83      Miscellaneous articles of base metal.........         0.391     101.6   102.1       1.8     0.0      0.0      0.8      0.5


XVI      MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV.........
           IMAGE AND SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC.....        36.857      93.2    93.3      -2.5    -0.1     -0.1     -0.1      0.1
84      Specialized machinery & computer.............
           equipment.................................        20.689      95.0    95.1      -1.6     0.1      0.0      0.3      0.1
85      Electrical machinery and equip, sound........
           & tv recorders & reproducers, parts.......        16.168      91.1    91.2      -3.6    -0.5     -0.1     -0.5      0.1

XVII     VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND.............
           ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT............        14.299     105.7   105.8       0.8     0.1      0.1      0.1      0.1
87      Motor vehicles and their parts...............         9.847     102.3   102.4       0.4     0.0     -0.2      0.1      0.1

XVII     OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &........
           MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES.........         5.611     102.9   102.8       0.5     0.0      0.1      0.6     -0.1


XX       MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.........         1.835     102.2   102.2      -0.4    -0.2      0.0      0.0      0.0
94      Furniture; stuffed furnishings;..............
           lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;........         0.904     104.0   104.1      -0.4     0.0      0.0     -0.2      0.1
95      Toys, games and sports equipment; parts......
           and accessories thereof...................         0.754     100.5   100.6      -0.1    -0.4      0.0      0.0      0.1



    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for November and December 1998 and January 1999
        have been revised to reflect the availability
        of late reports and corrections by respondents.
        All data are subject to revision in each of
        the three months after original publication.
    3  Product categories included in this group
        have been modified due to concordance
        or coverage limitations.

    NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately


        Table  7    U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes by Locality of Origin,  February 1998-February 1999
               1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                       Index                            Percent Change
                                                            Percentage
                                                               of                       Annual          Monthly
                                                            US Imports                   Feb.    Oct.     Nov.     Dec.     Jan.
                           Description 1/                                                1998    1998     1998     1998     1999
                                                              1995    Jan.      Feb.      to      to       to       to       to
                                                                      1999      1999     Feb.    Nov.     Dec.     Jan.     Feb.
                                                                       2/                1999    1998     1998     1999     1999

     3/ Developed Countries..........................          55.6      95.1    94.9      -0.6     0.5     -0.4      0.4     -0.2
          Manufactured Goods.........................          52.2      95.9    96.0       0.1     0.7     -0.3      0.4      0.1
          Nonmanufactured Goods......................           3.1      86.2    81.0     -11.9    -2.4     -3.0      1.2     -6.0

     3/ Developing Countries.........................          42.7      89.2    89.2      -7.3    -1.2     -1.7      0.2      0.0
          Manufactured Goods.........................          35.4      91.8    91.6      -4.9    -0.1     -0.3     -0.3     -0.2
          Nonmanufactured Goods......................           7.1      71.9    72.9     -19.4    -7.6     -9.3      4.2      1.4

        Canada.......................................          18.9      95.0    94.4      -2.3    -0.3     -0.7     -0.1     -0.6
          Manufactured Goods.........................          16.5      96.1    96.2      -1.2     0.1     -0.8     -0.2      0.1
          Nonmanufactured Goods......................           2.2      91.2    84.7      -9.9    -2.9     -1.1      1.4     -7.1

     4/ European Union...............................          17.0     100.6   100.4       0.1     0.5     -0.7      0.1     -0.2
          Manufactured Goods.........................          16.4     101.7   101.5       0.9     0.6     -0.5      0.2     -0.2
          Nonmanufactured Goods......................           0.5      73.0    72.0     -23.0    -2.3     -8.6     -1.4     -1.4

     5/ Latin America  (9712=100)....................          14.1      90.4    90.4      -6.6    -1.7     -2.0      0.1      0.0
          Manufactured Goods  (9712=100).............          10.4      95.0    94.9      -3.5     0.0     -0.5     -1.2     -0.1
          Nonmanufactured Goods (9712=100)...........           3.5      77.1    77.4     -16.1    -7.3     -7.3      5.3      0.4

        Japan........................................          16.6      88.5    88.9      -0.9     1.3      0.2      0.2      0.5

     6/ Asian Newly Industrialized Countries.........          10.9      84.0    84.0      -7.2    -0.2     -0.4     -0.4      0.0



        1    Regions are not mutually exclusive.

        2    Data for  November and December 1998 and January 1999
             have been revised to reflect the availability
             of late reports and corrections by respondents.

        3    Defined according to the Standard Census Definition.

        4    Includes EU  15 countries.

        5    Includes Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.

        6    Includes Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan.


        Table  8     U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services.
             December 1997-December 1998  1995 = 100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                       Index                            Percent Change

                                                                                        Annual          Quarterly
                                                             Trade                       Dec.    Dec.    March     June    Sept.
                            Description                      (Mil.                       1997    1997     1998     1998     1998
                                                               of     Sept.     Dec.      to      to       to       to       to
                                                            Dollars)  1998      1998     Dec.   March     June    Sept.     Dec.
                                                                                         1998    1998     1998     1998     1998


        IMPORT

         Air Freight                                            3188     80.3   86.7        0.1    -7.0      1.2     -1.5      8.0
          Atlantic                                              1278     87.4   91.7        1.7    -4.9      2.3     -0.5      4.9
          Pacific                                               1674     74.9   83.8       -1.1    -9.9      0.5     -2.3     11.9

         Air Passenger Fares                                   11127    112.8   105.1       0.8    -1.0      9.0      0.2     -6.8
     1/   Atlantic                                              4922    119.2   98.1       -2.3    -1.5     18.6      1.6    -17.7
     1/   Pacific                                               2340     99.0   104.7      -1.4    -7.4      7.7     -6.5      5.8
     1/   Latin American / Caribbean                            3021    109.3   109.0       3.6     1.6     -0.6      2.8     -0.3

     1/  Crude Oil Tanker Freight                               1346     78.4    n.a.     n.a.     -0.1    -14.6     -3.9    n.a.

         Ocean Liner Freight                                    9868    101.2   100.6       7.6    -0.1      7.9      0.4     -0.6
          U.S. East Coast                                       4271    100.3   99.0        2.4    -0.2      2.8      1.1     -1.3
           from Atlantic                                        1952     97.4   97.4        0.7     0.5     -0.5      0.7      0.0
           from Pacific                                         1774    103.1   103.3       9.0     0.0      6.8      1.9      0.2
     1/   U.S. West Coast                                       5596    101.3   101.2      11.7    -0.1     12.2     -0.2     -0.1

        EXPORT

         Air Freight (9612 = 100)                               2562     95.6   96.7        3.6     1.7     -0.4      1.2      1.2

         Air Passenger Fares                                   17272     95.4   98.0        6.4     2.4      0.8      0.3      2.7
     1/   Atlantic                                              4120    115.2   109.0       7.5     0.3      8.8      4.1     -5.4
     1/   Pacific                                              10700     76.4   82.0        5.0     1.9     -2.4     -1.7      7.3
          Latin American / Caribbean                            1392    113.2   113.1       6.2     0.8      1.6      3.9     -0.1
          Canadian                                              1006    154.9   166.0      12.9    13.0     -3.6     -3.3      7.2



        1     Detailed data available upon request.                                            n.a.    Not available.


        Table  9    U.S. International Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services.
             December 1997-December 1998    1995 = 100
                                                                       Index                            Percent Change

                                                                                        Annual          Quarterly
                                                             Trade                       Dec.    Dec.    March     June    Sept.
                            Description                      (Mil.                       1997    1997     1998     1998     1998
                                                               of     Sept.     Dec.      to      to       to       to       to
                                                            Dollars)  1998      1998     Dec.   March     June    Sept.     Dec.
                                                                                         1998    1998     1998     1998     1998


         Air Freight (Inbound)                                  5495     81.8   87.4        1.0    -4.2      0.6     -1.9      6.8
          Atlantic                                              1880     88.0   91.6        2.2    -4.7      3.5     -0.5      4.1
          Pacific                                               3151     77.9   85.5        0.7    -4.2     -1.2     -3.0      9.8

         Air Freight (Outbound)                                 5835     95.8   95.2       -2.6    -0.5     -1.2     -0.2     -0.6
          Atlantic                                              2080    103.3   104.1       3.0    -0.1      1.2      1.1      0.8
          Pacific                                               3222     91.4   89.7       -6.9    -0.8     -3.2     -1.1     -1.9

         Air Passenger Fares (U.S. Carrier)                    30673    107.3   103.1       3.6    -0.2      8.6     -0.5     -3.9
    1/    Atlantic                                              8811    120.4   98.0        0.2    -3.7     24.0      3.1    -18.6
    1/    Pacific                                              15900     89.5   93.4        3.5    -0.3      4.1     -4.4      4.4
    1/    Latin American / Caribbean                            4542    117.2   116.7       6.9     1.5      0.7      5.0     -0.4
          Canadian                                              1367    162.6   171.9      11.6    12.7     -3.3     -3.2      5.7

         Air Passenger Fares (Foreign Carrier)                 31694    104.0   101.1       1.4    -2.1      4.9      1.6     -2.8
    1/    Atlantic                                             13572    117.9   102.9       2.4    -1.7     13.3      5.4    -12.7
    1/    Pacific                                              12570     79.7   87.9       -1.5    -5.0     -2.2     -3.7     10.3
    1/    Latin American / Caribbean                            4224    107.7   107.9       3.0     0.5     -0.2      2.5      0.2

    1/   Crude Oil Tanker Freight (Inbound)                     1949     82.9    n.a.     n.a.      0.3    -15.6     -5.1    n.a.

         Ocean Liner Freight (Inbound)                         12253    105.0   104.2      12.2     0.1     11.0      1.7     -0.8
          U.S. East Coast                                       5410     98.4   96.7        1.0    -0.3      2.2      0.9     -1.7
           from Atlantic                                        2647     95.4   95.4        0.6     0.4     -0.4      0.6      0.0
           from Pacific                                         1874    100.6   100.7       8.2     0.0      6.1      1.8      0.1
    1/    U.S. West Coast                                       6844    109.7   109.6      21.5     0.4     18.4      2.2     -0.1



        1     Detailed data available upon request.                                            n.a.    Not available.


                                                                     
                           TECHNICAL NOTE
   
Import and Export Merchandise and Services Price Indexes -- All indexes use 
a modified Laspeyres formula and are weighted with 1995 trade weights.  The 
merchandise price indexes are published using three classifications:  the 
Harmonized System (HS), the Bureau of Economic Analysis End Use System,
and the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) system, Rev. 3.  
Price indexes for internationally traded services are presented using two 
definitions: Balance of Payments (which represents transactions between U.S. 
and foreign residents) and International (which represents all transactions
with U.S. importers or exporters, regardless of nationality).  Published
series use a base year of 1995=100 where possible.  Net transaction price
data are collected every month for over 20,000 products from over 6,000
companies and secondary sources.  Indexes are not seasonally adjusted.  More
detailed index series and additional information may be obtained from the
Division of International Prices, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2 Massachusetts
Avenue N.E., PSB 3955, Washington, DC 20212 or (202) 606-7155.

Import Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the 1995 Harmonized 
Tariff Schedule of the United States Annotated (TSUSA).  Import prices are 
based on U.S. dollar prices paid by the U.S. importer.  The prices are
generally either "free on board" (f.o.b.) foreign port or "cost, insurance,
and freight" (c.i.f.) U.S. port transaction prices, depending on the
practices of the individual industry.  The index for crude petroleum is
calculated from data collected by the U.S. Department of Energy.  

Export Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the 1995 Harmonized 
Schedule B classification system of the U.S. Bureau of the Census.  The
prices used are generally either "free alongside ship" (f.a.s.) factory
or "free on board" (f.o.b.) transaction prices, depending on the practices of
the individual industry.  Prices used in the grain index, excluding rice,
are obtained from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Import Indexes by Locality of Origin -- Prices used in these indexes are a
subset of the data collected for the Import Price Indexes.  Prior to
January 1993, nonmanufactured goods were defined as SITC 0-4 and manufactured
goods were defined as SITC 5-8.  Beginning with January 1993, the indexes are
defined by locality of origin using a nomenclature based upon the Standard
Industrial Classification (SIC-based).  Nonmanufactured goods are defined as
SIC 0-1, and manufactured goods are defined as SIC 2-3.  The indexes use 1995
weights and a base of 1995=100.

Import, Export, and International Services Indexes -- Indexes are calculated
on a quarterly basis.  The figures for services indexes will not sum up to
the aggregate dollar value because not all categories are shown in the tables.
Revenue figures for air passenger indexes exclude frequent flyer tickets and
those sold by consolidators.  Indexes for crude oil tanker freight are
calculated from data collected by the U. S. Department of Energy and the 
publication of these indexes is lagged one quarter.  

Revision policy -- Data are revised for the previous three months to reflect
the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents.

Uses of the Data -- The primary use of the indexes is to deflate trade
statistics.  For merchandise trade, the End Use classification system is the
structure used by the U.S. Department of Commerce in the construction of the
foreign trade sector of the National Income and Product Accounts.  Indexes
published using the Harmonized System and the Standard International Trade
Classification, Rev. 3, both international structures, are useful for general
market analysis.  For trade in international services, Balance of Payments
indexes are used for deflating National Accounts data, while International
indexes are more appropriate for market analysis. Merchandise and services
indexes also can be used to study U.S. competitiveness and price elasticities,
and the merchandise import indexes by country or region of origin are useful
for terms of trade analysis.



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