Technical Information
   Jim Thomas        (202) 606-7155        USDL-97-131
   Bill Alterman     (202) 606-7108        For release: 10:00 A.M. E.D.T.
  Media contact:                           Tuesday, April 22, 1997
   Kathryn Hoyle      (202) 606-5902
  Internet Address:   http://stats.bls.gov/ipphome.htm
                                  
Note:  Beginning with the release of January 1997 indexes, there were
several changes in the construction of the import and export price indexes.
See page 4 for more details.
                                  
                U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES
                            -MARCH 1997-
     The U.S. Import Price Index decreased 1.4 percent in March, the
Bureau of Labor Statistics of  the U.S. Department of Labor reported
today.  The decline followed decreases of 0.8 percent and 0.3 percent
in February and January, respectively, and was led by a further sharp
drop in petroleum prices.  The U.S. Export Price Index  was unchanged
in March after gaining 0.2 percent in the previous month.
                                  
         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
                                                                                                                                                           
1996                                                             
March           0.6       8.6      -0.2      -0.2       1.4      -0.3 
April           0.9       8.5      -0.1       0.6       4.8       0.0 
May            -0.7      -3.7      -0.3       0.4       3.1      -0.1 
June           -1.1      -5.8      -0.4      -0.2      -2.2       0.1 
July           -0.1       1.9      -0.4      -0.5      -1.9      -0.2 
August          0.1       2.2      -0.1      -0.2      -0.2      -0.2 
September       1.2       7.5       0.4      -0.8      -7.3       0.2 
October         0.5       7.1      -0.3      -0.2      -2.6       0.0 
November       -0.2      -0.8      -0.1      -0.4      -2.3       0.0 
December        0.3       2.0       0.1       0.0      -0.9       0.1 
1997                                                             
January        -0.3 r     0.6 r    -0.4       0.1 r     0.1       0.0 r
February       -0.8 r    -7.5 r     0.0 r     0.2 r     2.2       0.0 r
March          -1.4     -10.9      -0.3       0.0       1.4      -0.1 
                                                                 
March 1995-96   1.6      12.1       0.7       1.5      18.5      -0.5 
March 1996-97  -1.6      -1.2      -1.9      -1.0      -6.2      -0.2 

r = revised to reflect late reports and corrections by respondents.
                                  
                            Import Goods
                                  
       The March decline in import prices was the largest recorded since
December 1992, as petroleum prices were down 10.9 percent after dropping
7.5 percent in February.  Also contributing to the March decline were
nonpetroleum import prices which resumed a downward trend, falling 0.3
percent after recording no change in February. For the year ended in March,
overall import prices dropped 1.6 percent, attributable to falling
petroleum and nonpetroleum import prices, down 1.2 percent and 1.9 percent,
respectively.
                                  
       The decrease in the price index for nonpetroleum imports in March was
led by a 1.3 percent decline in prices for industrial supplies and materials
excluding petroleum.   The decrease marked the biggest decline in this
component in over six years and was primarily due to a large drop in natural
gas prices.  Consumer and capital goods prices were both down in March,
falling 0.6 percent and 0.3 percent, respectively.   The decrease in the
price index for consumer goods was largely attributable to seasonal
fluctuations in flower prices and a continued decline for manufactured
durables.  Prices for capital goods, down 0.3 percent, fell for the sixth
consecutive month and have fallen in 15 of the last 16 months.
                                  
       The price index for automotive vehicles, parts, and engines, however,
remained stable as prices were unchanged for the second consecutive month.
Over the past 12 months, this index inched up 0.1 percent.  In contrast, the
price index for foods, feeds, and beverages rose 2.8 percent in March, after
gaining 1.9 percent in February.   Higher coffee prices continued to have the
largest upward impact.
                                  
                            Export Goods
                                  
         Export prices were unchanged in March, as an increase in
agricultural prices was offset by a slight decrease in nonagricultural
export prices.  Agricultural export prices rose 1.4 percent in March, after
increasing 2.2 percent the previous month, and was led by higher prices for
grains and oilseeds.  In contrast, nonagricultural exports edged down 0.1
percent in March, following no change over the previous two months.
                                  
       The dip in nonagricultural export prices in March was led by
declining capital and consumer goods prices.  The capital goods decrease,
down 0.3 percent in March after falling 0.1 percent in February, was
primarily due to prices for computers and semiconductors.  Consumer goods
prices fell 0.4 percent in March, marking the first decline since May.
                                  
       In contrast, prices for autos and nonagricultural industrial supplies
and materials edged up 0.2 percent and 0.1 percent in March, respectively,
continuing recent trends of little or slightly upward movements.
                                  
                    Imports by Locality of Origin
                                  
      Import prices from Japan decreased for the seventh consecutive month,
falling 0.4 percent in March. (See table 7.)  This index has dropped 4.9
percent over the past year, reflecting the sustained strength of the dollar
versus the yen.
                                  
       The index for import prices from Canada fell 1.5 percent in March,
similar to the 1.6 percent decrease in February.  The price index for imports
from Canada was down 1.4 percent for the year ended in March.
                                  
        Import prices from the European Union also fell in March, dropping
1.1 percent after decreasing 0.4 percent in February.  Over the past 12
months, this index was down 1.0 percent.
                                  
      In contrast, the price index for imports from the Asian Newly
Industrialized countries posted an upturn in March, edging up 0.1 percent.
This index had decreased in each of the previous four months, however, and
was down 3.2 percent for the year ended in March.
                                  
               Import and Export Services (Quarterly)
                                  
       The Import Air Freight Index continued to fall for the fifth
consecutive quarter, posting a 5.8 percent decrease from December 1996 to
March 1997.  This resulted from declines of 7.1 percent in the Atlantic
region and 4.5 percent in the Pacific region. The Export Air Freight Index,
which was introduced this quarter, declined 1.5 percent.
                                  
     The Import Air Passenger Fares Index advanced 1.2 percent in the first
quarter, after declining in the previous two.  This upturn reflected price
increases of 2.3 percent in the Atlantic region and 2.8 percent in the
Latin American/Caribbean region and was moderated by a slight drop of 0.9
percent in the Pacific region.  In contrast, the Export Air Passenger Fares
Index fell 3.0 percent, due to price decreases of 5.7 percent in the Atlantic
region and 2.8 percent in the Pacific region.
                                  
      The Import Ocean Liner Freight Index edged down for the fourth
consecutive quarter with a 0.6 percent decrease.  The drop reflected
decreases in the U.S. East Coast and U.S. West Coast regions of 1.2 percent
and 0.3 percent, respectively.
                                  
                                  
                         CONTENTS OF RELEASE
                                  
This news release includes the following tables:

Table 1   Import Price Indexes, by End Use.....page  5
Table 2   Export Price Indexes, by End Use.....page  6
Table 3   Import Price Indexes, by SITC.....pages 7-8
Table 4   Export Price Indexes, by SITC.....pages  9-10
Table 5   Import Price Indexes, by Harmonized System.....pages 11-12
Table 6   Export Price Indexes, by Harmonized System.....pages 13-14
Table 7   Import Price Indexes, by Locality of Origin.....page  15
Table 8   U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes for Services.....page 16
Table 9   U.S. International Price Indexes for Services.....page  17
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Import and Export Price Index data for April are scheduled for release
on May 21 at 10:00 a.m. (EDT).

Announcement of Changes in the U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes

        Beginning with the release of January 1997 data, the Bureau of Labor
Statistics made several changes to the U.S. Import and Export Price
Indexes.  First, all price indexes were re-weighted to 1995 trade
weights.  Second, the indexes were rebased from 1990=100 to 1995=100.
Third, the aggregation structure below the published level was
modified to incorporate the use of sampling weights in the estimator.

        The current practice is to update the weights in these price indexes
every five years.  The new weights are based on U.S. export and
import shipment values for calendar 1995 (as reported by the U.S.
Bureau of  the Census) and will be used in the calculation of indexes
from January 1997 forward.  In addition, as a result of shifts in
trade patterns, there also are minor changes in the publication
structure.

        In keeping with the policy of using a reference base that is the same
as the weight base, all indexes were rebased to 1995=100.  This
impacts the level of the published indexes prior to January 1997 that
previously used 1990=100; however, it should not (except for
rounding) cause any differences in the published percent changes
between different time periods.

        The index estimation methodology was modified to incorporate the use
of sampling weights at the item level.  Previously, price relatives
for individual items were averaged using equal weights in the
construction of what is referred to as the elementary aggregation.
Under the new structure, items are averaged using sampling weights.
These weights are primarily based on the value of exports (or
imports) for a given company in a specific product category. As a
result, item weights will more properly represent their true share of
the market.  This change affects the construction of data from
January 1997 forward.  More detailed information will be available in
a forthcoming article in the Monthly Labor Review.

For further information, please contact Jim Thomas at (202) 606-7155.

Table 1      U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, March 1996-March 1997                                 
                 1995=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                            
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change                                         
                                                        Relative                                                                   
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly                  
                                                         ance                           March   Nov.      Dec.      Jan.      Feb. 
END       Description                                                                   1996    1996      1996      1997      1997 
USE                                                     February   February    March    to      to        to        to        to   
                                                        1997       1997        1997     March   Dec.      Jan.      Feb.      March
                                                        1/         2/                   1997    1996      1997      1997      1997 
                                                                                                                                   
          ALL COMMODITIES                               100.000    100.8        99.4     -1.6     0.3      -0.3      -0.8      -1.4
          ALL IMPORTS EXCLUDING PETROLEUM                90.297     98.3        98.0     -1.9     0.1      -0.4       0.0      -0.3
                                                                                                                                   
0          FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES                      4.574     98.5       101.3      4.0    -1.1      -0.1       1.9       2.8
                                                                                                                                   
00          Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,                                                                                 
                 excluding distilled beverages            3.306     97.7       101.7      4.3    -1.9       0.0       2.1       4.1
                                                                                                                                   
01          Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled                                                                                 
                 beverages)                               1.268    100.3       100.1      3.2     0.9      -0.5       1.3      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
1          INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS               28.141    108.2       103.1     -1.2     1.2       0.8      -2.5      -4.7
            INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS                                                                                        
                 EXCLUDING PETROLEUM                     18.438    100.1        98.8     -1.7     0.8       1.0       0.3      -1.3
            INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,                                                                                       
                 DURABLE                                  9.492     98.7        99.7      1.0    -0.1       0.2       0.8       1.0
            INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,                                                                                       
                 NONDURABLE EXCLUDING PETROLEUM           8.947    101.5        97.7     -4.5     1.7       1.9      -0.3      -3.7
                                                                                                                                   
10          Fuels & lubricants                           11.297    129.8       113.0      0.0     2.9       2.5      -6.5     -12.9
                                                                                                                                   
100          Petroleum & petroleum products               9.704    125.3       111.6     -1.2     2.0       0.6      -7.5     -10.9
                                                                                                                                   
10000         Crude                                       7.740    125.9       110.8     -1.5     1.7       1.0      -8.0     -12.0
                                                                                                                                   
11          Paper & paper base stocks                     1.666     79.0        80.4    -19.4    -1.8      -1.7      -0.6       1.8
                                                                                                                                   
12          Materials associated with nondurable                                                                                   
                 supplies & materials                     5.884     96.8        97.1     -2.6     0.0      -0.6      -0.2       0.3
                                                                                                                                   
13          Selected building materials                   2.159    114.0       114.8     15.7    -1.6       0.6       2.7       0.7
                                                                                                                                   
14          Unfinished metals associated with                                                                                      
                 durable goods                            4.261     93.5        95.4     -2.1     0.7       0.5       0.6       2.0
                                                                                                                                   
15          Finished metals associated with durable                                                                                
                 goods                                    1.412     97.6        97.4     -2.0    -0.3      -0.7      -0.3      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
16          Nonmetals associated with durable goods       1.463     97.2        96.7     -4.7     0.5      -0.4      -0.7      -0.5
                                                                                                                                   
2          CAPITAL GOODS                                 28.581     94.0        93.7     -5.3    -0.2      -1.7      -0.5      -0.3
                                                                                                                                   
20          Electric & electrical generating                                                                                       
                 equipment                                3.292     98.5        97.8     -2.6     0.0      -0.2      -0.3      -0.7
                                                                                                                                   
21          Nonelectrical machinery                      23.659     92.2        92.0     -6.5    -0.3      -1.9      -0.5      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
3          AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES          17.141    100.7       100.7      0.1     0.2      -0.1       0.0       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
4          CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING AUTOMOTIVES         21.563    100.2        99.6     -0.9     0.0      -0.1       0.2      -0.6
                                                                                                                                   
40          Nondurables, manufactured                    10.517    100.7       100.6     -0.1    -0.2       0.1       0.1      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
41          Durables, manufactured                        9.909     99.0        98.5     -1.9     0.0      -0.3      -0.3      -0.5
                                                                                                                                   
42          Nonmanufactured consumer goods                1.137    108.0        99.9     -0.6     1.6       0.5       6.4      -7.5
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                          
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                       n.a.      Not available         
            1995 trade values.                                                                                                            
        2  Data for December 1996, January and February 1997                                                                              
            have been revised to reflect the availability                                                                                 
            of late reports and corrections by respondents.                                                                               
            All data are subject to revision in each of                                                                                   
            the three months after original publication.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                          
        NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately                                                           
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          Table 2      U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, March 1996-March 1997                                 
                 1995=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                            
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change                                         
                                                        Relative                                                                   
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly                  
                                                         ance                           March   Nov.      Dec.      Jan.      Feb. 
END       Description                                                                   1996    1996      1996      1997      1997 
USE                                                     February   February    March    to      to        to        to        to   
                                                        1997       1997        1997     March   Dec.      Jan.      Feb.      March
                                                        1/         2/                   1997    1996      1997      1997      1997 
                                                                                                                                   
          ALL COMMODITIES                               100.000     99.6        99.6     -1.0     0.0       0.1       0.2       0.0
          AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES                       11.290    103.6       105.0     -6.2    -0.9       0.1       2.2       1.4
          NONAGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES                    88.710     99.1        99.0     -0.2     0.1       0.0       0.0      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
0          FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES                     10.118    104.4       106.0     -6.9    -1.2      -0.3       2.0       1.5
                                                                                                                                   
00          Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,                                                                                 
                excluding distilled beverages             9.382    105.8       107.5     -8.0    -1.2      -0.3       2.6       1.6
                                                                                                                                   
01          Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled                                                                                 
                beverages)                                0.736     91.4        90.6      1.0    -0.1      -1.2      -5.0      -0.9
                                                                                                                                   
1          INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS               26.440     95.4        95.5     -0.3     0.2       0.2       0.2       0.1
            INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,                                                                                       
                DURABLE                                  10.224     96.4        96.1     -2.2     0.6       0.0       0.4      -0.3
            INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,                                                                                       
                NONDURABLE                               16.216     94.7        95.0      0.8    -0.1       0.3       0.1       0.3
                                                                                                                                   
10          Agricultural industrial supplies &                                                                                     
                materials                                 1.908     95.8        95.9      1.7     0.5       2.1       0.0       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
             NONAGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES &                                                                                 
                MATERIALS                                24.532     95.3        95.4     -0.5     0.2       0.0       0.2       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
11          Fuels & lubricants                            2.568    111.5       110.8      3.8     0.5      -0.2      -2.7      -0.6
                                                                                                                                   
12          Nonagricultural supplies & materials                                                                                   
                excluding fuels & building materials     20.254     92.3        92.6     -1.6     0.2       0.0       0.5       0.3
                                                                                                                                   
13          Selected building materials                   1.710     98.6        97.0     -0.4     0.2       0.3       0.4      -1.6
                                                                                                                                   
2          CAPITAL GOODS                                 42.321    100.5       100.2     -0.5     0.0       0.1      -0.1      -0.3
                                                                                                                                   
20          Electric & electrical generating                                                                                       
                Equipment                                 4.348    100.2       100.3     -0.4     0.1       0.0      -0.4       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
21          Nonelectrical machinery                      32.592     98.4        98.1     -2.1    -0.1       0.0      -0.2      -0.3
                                                                                                                                   
3          AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES           9.762    101.7       101.9      1.0     0.0       0.2       0.0       0.2
                                                                                                                                   
4          CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING AUTOMOTIVES         11.359    102.0       101.6      0.5     0.2       0.0       0.2      -0.4
                                                                                                                                   
40          Nondurables, manufactured                     6.392    101.6       101.4      0.3     0.2      -0.1       0.1      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
41          Durables, manufactured                        4.864    101.7       101.2      0.5     0.0       0.3       0.1      -0.5
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                          
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                       n.a.      Not available         
            1995 trade values.                                                                                                            
        2  Data for December 1996, January and February 1997                                                                              
            have been revised to reflect the availability                                                                                 
            of late reports and corrections by respondents.                                                                               
            All data are subject to revision in each of the                                                                               
            three months after original publication.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                          
        NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately                                                           
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          Table 3       U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, March 1996-March 1997                                 
                  1995=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                            
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change                                         
                                                        Relative                                                                   
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly                  
                                                         ance                           March   Nov.      Dec.      Jan.      Feb. 
SITC      Description                                                                   1996    1996      1996      1997      1997 
Rev. 3                                                  February   February    March    to      to        to        to        to   
                                                        1997       1997        1997     March   Dec.      Jan.      Feb.      March
                                                        1/         2/                   1997    1996      1997      1997      1997 
                                                                                                                                   
          ALL COMMODITIES                               100.000    100.8        99.4     -1.6     0.3      -0.3      -0.8      -1.4
                                                                                                                                   
0          FOOD AND LIVE ANIIALS                          3.832     97.2       101.5      6.6    -2.0       0.0       2.7       4.4
01          Meat and meat preparations                    0.326     97.7       101.5     10.2    -3.3      -1.3       0.1       3.9
03          Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates                                                                               
               and preparations thereof                   0.959    100.3        99.7      4.5     1.1       0.2       1.9      -0.6
05          Vegetables and fruit, prepared                                                                                         
               fresh or dried                             1.062    104.1       110.2      8.3    -4.7      -0.2       2.5       5.9
07          Coffee, tea, cocoa, spices and                                                                                         
               manufactures thereof                       0.582     85.8        98.7     17.6    -2.8       3.6      10.4      15.0
0R    3/    Other food and live animals (9612=100)        0.903     99.0       100.1     n.a.    n.a.      -1.6       0.6       1.1
                                                                                                                                   
1          BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO                          0.809    106.6       106.8      4.1     0.2       0.4       0.9       0.2
11          Beverages                                     0.679    102.9       103.2      2.3     0.3       0.0       0.0       0.3
                                                                                                                                   
2          CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS        3.061    102.1        98.9      2.6    -0.1       0.9       5.0      -3.1
23          Crude rubber (including synthetic and                                                                                  
               reclaimed)                                 0.287     89.0        89.2    -11.0     3.2       0.0       0.9       0.2
24          Cork and wood                                 1.110    125.4       126.2     27.2    -4.1       0.7       3.3       0.6
25          Pulp and waste paper                          0.354     65.7        65.3    -16.9    -2.4      -0.8       0.0      -0.6
28          Metalliferous ores and metal scrap            0.609    102.6       103.0      1.1     1.7       2.4       2.8       0.4
29          Crude animal and vegetable materials,                                                                                  
               n.e.s. (9612=100)                          0.367    146.6       102.9     n.a.    n.a.       5.9      38.4     -29.8
2R    3/    Other crude materials, inedible, except                                                                                
               fuels (9612=100)                           0.334     95.7        97.3     n.a.    n.a.      -1.7      -2.6       1.7
                                                                                                                                   
3          MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED                                                                                   
              MATERIALS                                  10.958    129.8       112.6      0.1     2.8       2.6      -6.6     -13.3
33          Petroleum, petroleum products and                                                                                      
               related materials                          9.225    124.7       111.0     -1.6     1.7       0.5      -7.4     -11.0
34          Gas, natural and manufactured                 1.615    180.1       131.4     17.0    15.4      17.1      -2.3     -27.0
                                                                                                                                   
5          CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.         5.513     98.0        98.1     -2.3     0.0      -0.5      -0.6       0.1
51          Organic chemicals                             1.599     99.6       100.6      1.4     0.0       0.1       0.1       1.0
52          Inorganic chemicals                           0.680    102.7       101.9      0.0     1.4      -0.3      -0.5      -0.8
53          Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials        0.281     97.4        96.9     -6.1    -0.2      -1.0      -2.0      -0.5
54          Medicinal and pharmaceutical products         0.886     96.8        95.9     -4.8    -0.9      -1.2      -1.0      -0.9
55          Essential oils; polishing and cleansing                                                                                
               preps                                      0.315     98.7        98.9     -4.7    -0.6      -0.7      -0.7       0.2
57          Plastics in primary forms                     0.357     92.4        91.8    -10.4    -0.7      -0.5      -2.2      -0.6
58          Plastics in nonprimary forms                  0.527     85.7        86.4     -2.7     0.8      -1.2       0.0       0.8
59          Chemical materials and products, n.e.s.       0.644    104.6       104.5     -3.2    -1.4      -0.3      -0.9      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
6          MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY                                                                                   
              BY MATERIAL                                12.041     95.3        96.0     -4.5     0.1      -0.3       0.1       0.7
62          Rubber manufactures, n.e.s.                   0.714     97.9        97.4     -2.7    -0.1      -0.1      -0.5      -0.5
63          Cork and wood manufactures other than                                                                                  
               furniture                                  0.549    100.5        99.2      0.7    n.a.      -0.7       2.4      -1.3
64          Paper, paperboard, and articles of                                                                                     
               paper pulp, paper or paper board           1.476     83.8        85.8    -19.4    -1.5      -2.3      -0.5       2.4
65          Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up                                                                                         
               articles, n.e.s., and related product      1.373    100.0       100.3     -0.3     0.3      -0.2      -0.3       0.3
66          Nonmetallic mineral manufactures,                                                                                      
               n.e.s.                                     2.098    103.6       103.1      1.5     0.3       0.5       0.1      -0.5
67          Iron and steel                                1.971     95.9        96.2     -2.4    -0.2      -1.0      -0.2       0.3
68          Nonferrous metals                             1.756     87.5        90.9     -4.4     1.0       1.8       1.6       3.9
69          Manufactures of metals, n.e.s.                1.943     99.9        99.6     -1.7     0.2      -0.7      -0.4      -0.3
                                                                                                                                   
7          MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT             46.310     96.8        96.7     -2.8     0.0      -1.0      -0.3      -0.1
71          Power generating machinery and                                                                                         
               equipment (9612=100)                       2.924    100.2        99.9     n.a.    n.a.      -0.2       0.4      -0.3
72          Machinery specialized for particular                                                                                   
               industries                                 2.648    100.6        99.8     -2.8     0.5      -0.4      -0.5      -0.8
73          Metalworking machinery                        0.819    100.7        99.6     -1.9     0.1      -0.4      -0.2      -1.1
74          General industrial machinery and equip-                                                                                
               ment, n.e.s. and machine parts, n.e.s      3.382     99.6        98.6     -2.4     0.0      -0.1      -1.0      -1.0
75          Computer equipment and office machines        7.486     85.6        84.5    -11.2    -0.6      -1.8      -1.2      -1.3
76          Telecommunications & sound recording                                                                                   
               & reproducing apparatus & equipment        4.517     94.8        94.6     -3.8    -0.2      -1.0       0.0      -0.2
77          Electrical machinery and equipment            9.413     90.2        91.1     -6.7    -0.6      -2.6      -0.1       1.0
78          Road vehicles                                14.104    100.6       100.9      0.4     0.1      -0.1      -0.1       0.3
                                                                                                                                   
8          MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES           16.989    100.4       100.2     -0.6    -0.2       0.1       0.0      -0.2
81          Prefabricated buildings; plumbing, heat                                                                                
               & lighting fixtures, n.e.s.                0.382     98.7        97.0     -4.4     0.2      -0.1      -0.4      -1.7
82          Furniture and parts thereof                   1.214    101.9       101.7      1.0     0.1       0.2      -0.1      -0.2
83          Travel goods, handbags and similar                                                                                     
               containers                                 0.489    101.1       101.4      0.3    -0.1       0.6      -0.2       0.3
84          Articles of apparel and clothing                                                                                       
               accessories                                5.592    101.5       102.2      1.2    -0.3       0.2       0.2       0.7
85          Footwear                                      1.729    101.7       100.9     -0.5     0.2       0.5       0.3      -0.8
87          Professional, scientific and controlling                                                                               
               instruments and apparatus, n.e.s.          1.574     98.8        97.0     -3.6     0.2      -0.4      -0.6      -1.8
88          Photographic apparatus, equipment and                                                                                  
               supplies and optical goods, n.e.s.;        1.330     96.0        95.5     -3.9    -0.2      -0.4      -0.5      -0.5
89          Miscellaneous manufactured articles,                                                                                   
               n.e.s.                                     4.679    100.1        99.8     -1.0    -0.2      -0.1      -0.1      -0.3
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                          
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                       n.a.      Not available.        
            1995 trade values.                                                                                                            
        2  Data for December 1996, January and February 1997                                                                              
            have been revised to reflect the availability                                                                                 
            of late reports and corrections by respondents.                                                                               
            All data are subject to revision in each of the                                                                               
            three months after original publication.                                                                                      
        3  Product categories included in this group                                                                                      
            have been modified due to concordance                                                                                         
            or coverage limitations.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                          
        NOTE:   Published categories may include price data not shown separetely                                                          
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          Table 4       U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, March 1996-March 1997                                 
                  1995=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                            
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change                                         
                                                        Relative                                                                   
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly                  
                                                         ance                           March   Nov.      Dec.      Jan.      Feb. 
SITC      Description                                                                   1996    1996      1996      1997      1997 
Rev. 3                                                  February   February    March    to      to        to        to        to   
                                                        1997       1997        1997     March   Dec.      Jan.      Feb.      March
                                                        1/         2/                   1997    1996      1997      1997      1997 
                                                                                                                                   
          ALL COMMODITIES                               100.000     99.6        99.6     -1.0     0.0       0.1       0.2       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
0          FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS                          8.180    102.4       103.1    -10.0    -1.3      -1.2       1.7       0.7
01          Meat and meat preparations                    1.190     94.6        96.4     -1.7    -0.5      -2.4      -0.9       1.9
03          Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates                                                                               
               and preparations                           0.559     90.4        89.3      1.6     0.0      -1.1      -5.5      -1.2
04          Cereals and cereal preparations               3.222    102.9       105.0    -19.8    -1.0      -1.7       4.1       2.0
05          Vegetables, fruit and nuts,                                                                                            
               fresh or dried                             1.410    101.9       100.5     -2.5    -4.9       0.5       0.4      -1.4
08          Feeding stuff for animals (not                                                                                         
               including unmilled cereals)                0.905    122.8       123.7      1.9     1.9      -1.9       4.3       0.7
09          Miscellaneous edible products and                                                                                      
               preparations                               0.391    103.4       103.3      0.8    n.a.      -0.1      -0.2      -0.1
0R    3/    Other food and live animals (9612=100)        0.503    101.8       101.2     n.a.    n.a.       1.7       0.1      -0.6
                                                                                                                                   
1          BEVERAGES ANB TOBACCO                          1.561    100.4       100.2     -0.3     0.1       0.1      -0.1      -0.2
12          Tobacco and tobacco manufactures              1.294    100.4       100.1     -0.3    n.a.       0.1      -0.1      -0.3
                                                                                                                                   
2          CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS        6.241     92.2        93.2      2.4     0.0       1.5       2.4       1.1
21          Hides, skins and furskins, raw                0.392    114.7       115.7     27.0    -2.3      -0.3       1.1       0.9
22          Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits               1.452    126.7       133.2     11.5    -0.6       4.6       5.4       5.1
24          Cork and wood                                 1.071     98.3        95.8     -2.3     0.5       0.3       0.4      -2.5
25          Pulp and waste paper                          0.714     59.4        58.6     -1.5    -3.6       0.0       6.3      -1.3
26          Textile fibers and their waste                0.868     83.2        85.2     -7.8     1.1      -0.2      -0.1       2.4
27          Crude fertilizers and crude minerals          0.342     97.7        97.0     -1.8     0.0       0.6      -0.1      -0.7
28          Metalliferous ores and metal scrap            0.961     88.8        89.7     -0.9     2.0       1.4       2.2       1.0
2R    3/    Other crude materials, inedible, except                                                                                
               fuels (9612=100)                           0.440    102.9       102.7     n.a.    n.a.       2.5       0.4      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
3          MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED                                                                                   
              MATERIALS                                   2.266    112.4       111.4      4.2     1.0      -0.3      -3.4      -0.9
32          Coal, coke and briquettes                     0.733    102.1       102.2     -0.4     0.1       0.7      -0.4       0.1
33          Petroleum, petroleum products and                                                                                      
               related materials                          1.376    121.7       119.5      7.3     1.6      -1.2      -4.2      -1.8
                                                                                                                                   
4          ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE OILS, FATS AND                                                                                     
              WAXES                                       0.482     97.6        96.6      8.2     3.3       3.3       1.6      -1.0
                                                                                                                                   
5          CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.        11.334     96.5        97.0      0.0     0.2       0.0       0.4       0.5
51          Organic chemicals                             2.702     86.2        86.8     -4.0    -0.4       0.1       1.4       0.7
52          Inorganic chemicals                           0.874    100.0       100.4     -3.3     0.4      -2.1       0.3       0.4
53          Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials        0.511    101.8       101.8      1.1     0.1      -0.3       0.0       0.0
54          Medicinal and pharmaceutical products         1.266    101.2       100.9     -1.2     0.0      -0.9       0.3      -0.3
55          Essential oils; polishing and cleansing                                                                                
               preps                                      0.770    102.4       102.3      2.4     0.0      -0.2       1.1      -0.1
56          Fertilizers (9612=100)                        0.608     98.0        96.6     n.a.    n.a.       0.5      -2.5      -1.4
57          Plastics in primary forms                     1.954     95.7        97.5      6.7     0.8       1.1       0.9       1.9
58          Plastics in nonprimary forms                  0.842     97.3        97.8     -2.8     0.1       1.7      -1.8       0.5
59          Chemical materials and products, n.e.s.       1.806    103.1       103.5      2.6     0.0      -0.1       0.1       0.4
                                                                                                                                   
6          MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY                                                                                   
              BY MATERIAL                                 9.466     97.5        97.6     -1.1     0.4       0.1       0.4       0.1
62          Rubber manufactures, n.e.s.                   0.690    102.6       102.7      0.5     0.1      -0.1      -0.3       0.1
63          Cork and wood manufactures other than                                                                                  
               furniture                                  0.301     91.7        92.8      0.5     0.1       0.3       0.7       1.2
64          Paper, paperboard, and articles of                                                                                     
               paper pulp, paper or paperboard            1.568     83.2        83.1    -10.3    -0.8      -1.5      -0.5      -0.1
65          Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up                                                                                         
               articles, n.e.s., and related product      1.444    102.7       102.2     -0.9    n.a.       0.2       0.1      -0.5
66          Nonmetallic mineral manufactures,                                                                                      
               n.e.s.                                     0.893    104.0       104.0      2.0    -0.3       0.2      -0.1       0.0
67          Iron and steel                                1.115    103.0       103.3      1.8    n.a.       1.3       0.0       0.3
68          Nonferrous metals                             1.307     92.2        91.7     -1.4     3.6       1.8       2.6      -0.5
69          Manufactures of metals, n.e.s.                1.984    102.2       103.0      0.6     0.3       0.0       0.6       0.8
                                                                                                                                   
7          MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT             48.451    100.5       100.4     -0.2     0.0       0.1      -0.1      -0.1
71          Power generating machinery and                                                                                         
               equipment                                  4.289    105.1       105.5      2.2     0.4       0.5       0.0       0.4
72          Machinery specialized for particular                                                                                   
               industries                                 4.666    103.8       103.8      1.8     0.1       0.8       0.1       0.0
73          Metalworking machinery                        0.937    103.5       103.3      1.7     0.2       0.0       1.1      -0.2
74          General industrial machinery and equip-                                                                                
               ment, n.e.s. and machine parts, n.e.s      5.026    103.9       104.2      2.5    -0.2       0.5       0.3       0.3
75          Computer equipment and office machines        6.228     87.0        86.4     -9.4    -1.5      -0.3      -0.7      -0.7
76          Telecommunications & sound recording                                                                                   
               & reproducing apparatus & equipment        3.745    100.4       100.0     -1.1     0.3       0.3      -0.6      -0.4
77          Electrical machinery and equipment           10.097     96.9        96.4     -3.4     0.1      -0.4      -0.2      -0.5
78          Road vehicles                                 9.153    101.5       101.8      0.9     0.0       0.2      -0.1       0.3
                                                                                                                                   
8          MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES           11.111    101.4       101.3      0.6     0.3       0.1       0.0      -0.1
82          Furniture and parts thereof                   0.620    102.5       102.5      0.3     0.0       0.2       0.3       0.0
84          Articles of apparel and clothing                                                                                       
               accessories                                1.278    101.3       101.4      1.9    n.a.       0.0       0.4       0.1
87          Professional, scientific and controlling                                                                               
               instruments and apparatus, n.e.s.          3.729    103.6       103.9      2.7     0.5       0.7       0.2       0.3
88          Photographic apparatus, equipment and                                                                                  
               supplies and optical goods, n.e.s.         0.904     98.6        98.5     -0.7    n.a.      -0.3      -0.3      -0.1
89          Miscellaneous manufactured articles,                                                                                   
               n.e.s.                                     4.139     99.9        99.3     -1.4     0.1      -0.5      -0.2      -0.6
8R    3/    Other miscellaneous manufactured                                                                                       
               articles (9612=100)                        0.441    100.7       100.7     n.a.    n.a.       0.8      -0.1       0.0
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                          
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                     n.a.      Not available.          
            1995 trade values.                                                                                                            
        2  Data for December 1996, January and February 1997                                                                              
            have been revised to reflect the availability                                                                                 
            of late reports and corrections by respondents.                                                                               
            All data are subject to revision in each of the                                                                               
            three months after original publication.                                                                                      
        3  Product categories included in this group                                                                                      
            have been modified due to concordance                                                                                         
            or coverage limitations.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                          
        NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately                                                           
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          Table 5       U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, March 1996-March 1997                                 
                 1995=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                             
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change                                         
                                                        Relative                                                                   
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly                  
Harmo-                                                   ance                           March   Nov.      Dec.      Jan.      Feb. 
nized     Description                                                                   1996    1996      1996      1997      1997 
System                                                  February   February    March    to      to        to        to        to   
                                                        1997       1997        1997     March   Dec.      Jan.      Feb.      March
                                                        1/         2/                   1997    1996      1997      1997      1997 
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                   
I          LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS                  1.456     98.2        99.8      5.8     0.5      -0.5       1.6       1.6
02          Meat and edible meat offal                    0.251     93.2        98.6      6.3    -1.3      -1.5       0.4       5.8
03          Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and                                                                                     
               other aquatic invertebrates                0.837    100.7       100.3      5.9     1.1       1.0       1.8      -0.4
      3/    Other live animals and animal                                                                                          
               products (9612=100)                        0.368     98.7       102.0     n.a.    n.a.      -3.4       2.2       3.3
                                                                                                                                   
II         VEGETABLE PRODUCTS                             1.567     94.5        97.1      7.6    -2.7       0.8       9.1       2.8
07          Edible vegetables and certain roots and                                                                                
               tubers                                     0.257     98.7       120.9     24.3    -9.6      -5.0      11.9      22.5
08          Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus                                                                                  
               fruit or melons                            0.462    106.6       107.1     10.3    -1.9      -2.4      -1.9       0.5
09          Coffee, tea, mate and spices                  0.367     78.6        89.7     11.3    -4.8       4.7      11.0      14.1
      3/    Other vegetable products                      0.481    115.2        98.6      1.1     4.8       5.2      19.0     -14.4
                                                                                                                                   
IV         PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND                                                                                     
              TOBACCO                                     1.995    101.6       100.7     -1.5    -0.6      -0.3      -0.2      -0.9
20          Preparations of vegetables, fruit,                                                                                     
               nuts, or other parts of plants             0.281     97.3        95.7    -12.4    -3.9       1.5      -2.5      -1.6
22          Beverages, spirits, and vinegar               0.711    102.9       102.8      1.9    -0.2       0.0      -0.1      -0.1
      3/    Other prepared foodstuffs (9612=100)          1.003     99.4        98.2     n.a.    n.a.      -0.9       0.3      -1.2
                                                                                                                                   
V          MINERAL PRODUCTS                              11.587    128.9       112.3     -0.1     2.5       2.7      -6.2     -12.9
26          Ores, slag and ash                            0.275     99.3        99.9     -1.5    -0.5       0.1       0.2       0.6
27          Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,                                                                                     
               bituminous substances and mineral wax     11.092    130.4       112.8     -0.2     2.6       2.8      -6.5     -13.5
                                                                                                                                   
VI         PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED                                                                                      
              INDUSTRIES                                  5.150    101.0       101.3     -1.0     0.2      -0.1      -0.5       0.3
28          Inorganic chemicals                           0.837    104.9       105.9      1.8     2.5       0.5      -0.1       1.0
29          Organic chemicals                             1.998     99.1        99.7     -0.3    -0.4      -0.2      -0.4       0.6
30          Pharmaceutical products                       0.532    101.5       101.0     -1.7    -0.7      -0.9      -1.2      -0.5
32          Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye &                                                                                       
               pigments; varnish & paints; putty          0.279     96.1        95.8     -7.1    -0.3      -1.2      -2.7      -0.3
37          Photographic or cinematographic goods         0.341     98.0        99.0     -1.0    -0.1      -1.0       0.1       1.0
38          Miscellaneaous chemical products                                                                                       
               (9612=100)                                 0.407     99.8        98.6     n.a.    n.a.       1.0      -1.2      -1.2
      3/    Other products of the chemical or                                                                                      
               allied industries (9612=100)               0.756    100.4       100.2     n.a.    n.a.       0.0       0.4      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
VII        PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER                                                                                   
              AND ARTICLES THEREOF                        2.751     93.9        94.3     -4.0     0.5      -0.1      -0.6       0.4
39          Plastics and articles thereof                 1.669     94.3        95.1     -1.9     0.1      -0.1      -0.6       0.8
40          Rubber and articles thereof                   1.082     93.3        93.1     -6.7     0.9       0.0      -0.6      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
VIII       RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,                                                                                    
              TRAVEL GOODS, ETC                           0.975    103.8       103.8      1.8    -0.2       0.7      -0.5       0.0
42          Articles of leather; travel goods, bags,                                                                               
               etc. of various materials                  0.819    101.3       101.4      0.7    -0.2       0.8      -0.2       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
IX         WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW, BASKET                                                                                
              AND WICKER                                  1.703    114.6       114.7     15.3    -1.6       0.0       3.1       0.1
                                                                                                                                   
X          WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER                                                                                 
              AND ARTICLES THEREOF                        2.202     82.4        83.3    -15.3    -1.5      -1.3       0.0       1.1
47          Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic                                                                                  
               material; waste paper/paperboard           0.355     66.6        66.3    -16.3    -2.6      -0.6       0.0      -0.5
48          Paper and paperboard; articles of paper                                                                                
               pulp, paper or paperboard                  1.498     85.3        86.9    -18.0    -1.4      -1.9      -0.5       1.9
49          Printed matter                                0.350    102.6       101.7      3.9     0.1       0.0       2.1      -0.9
                                                                                                                                   
XI         TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES                   6.594    100.6       101.3      0.7    -0.2       0.1       0.2       0.7
61          Articles of apparel and clothing                                                                                       
               accessories, knitted or crocheted          1.947    100.5       101.8      0.2    -0.3      -0.5      -0.3       1.3
62          Articles of apparel and clothing                                                                                       
               accessories, not knitted or crocheted      3.159    102.1       102.6      1.8    -0.3       0.4       0.8       0.5
63          Made-up or worn textile articles and                                                                                   
               clothing; needlecraft sets; rags           0.331     97.8        98.4     -1.3     0.0      -0.5      -1.4       0.6
      3/    Other textile & textile                                                                                                
               articles (9612=100)                        1.157     99.9       100.3     n.a.    n.a.      -0.1       0.0       0.4
                                                                                                                                   
XII        FOOTWEAR, HEADGEAR, UMBRELLAS, WHIPS,                                                                                   
              ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS, ETC.                    2.009    101.6       100.9     -0.5     0.0       0.5       0.2      -0.7
64          Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts                                                                                  
               of such articles                           1.735    101.6       100.7     -0.7     0.1       0.6       0.2      -0.9
      3/    Other footwear, headgear, umbrellas,                                                                                   
               whips, art. flowers, etc. (9612=100)       0.274    100.0       100.2     n.a.    n.a.       0.0       0.0       0.2
                                                                                                                                   
XIII       STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,CERAMIC                                                                                
              GLASS ETC.                                  1.126    104.4       103.6      0.6     0.8       0.9       0.0      -0.8
69          Ceramic products                              0.430    102.1       101.8      0.1    n.a.       0.4      -0.4      -0.3
70          Glass and glassware                           0.443    106.0       103.8     -0.8     0.6       0.6       1.0      -2.1
                                                                                                                                   
XIV        PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,                                                                                        
              IIITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS                2.077     96.5        97.4     -3.1    -0.3      -0.5      -1.1       0.9
                                                                                                                                   
XV         BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METAL         5.650     94.7        95.0     -3.0     0.4       0.1       0.7       0.3
72          Iron and steel                                1.681     94.6        95.0     -2.9    -0.1      -1.3       0.0       0.4
73          Articles of iron or steel                     1.271     99.3        98.8     -2.1    -0.3      -0.1      -0.6      -0.5
74          Copper and articles thereof                   0.438     84.1        85.3     -5.8     4.7       0.9       3.1       1.4
76          Aluminum and articles thereof                 0.943     93.4        93.3     -0.9     0.6       4.4       3.4      -0.1
83          Miscellaneous articles of base metal          0.402    102.6       102.9      1.3     0.6      -1.1       0.4       0.3
      3/    Miscellaneous nonferrous metals and                                                                                    
               articles, including scrap (9612=100)       0.480     99.2       103.0     n.a.    n.a.      -1.5       0.7       3.8
                                                                                                                                   
XVI        MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV                                                                                     
              IMAGE & SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC.       30.541     93.8        93.7     -5.0    -0.1      -1.8      -0.3      -0.1
84          Specialized machinery & computer                                                                                       
               equipment                                 16.215     96.0        95.2     -4.0     0.2      -0.8      -0.6      -0.8
85          Electrical machinery and equip, sound                                                                                  
               and TV recorders & reproducers, parts     14.326     91.4        92.0     -6.1    -0.4      -2.8       0.0       0.7
                                                                                                                                   
XVII       VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND                                                                                         
              ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT             15.237    100.9       101.0      0.4     0.2      -0.2       0.0       0.1
87          Motor vehicles and their parts               14.402    100.6       100.8      0.2     0.1      -0.1      -0.1       0.2
                                                                                                                                   
XVIII      OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &                                                                                    
              MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; CLOCKS & WATCHES       3.502     96.2        94.9     -4.7    -0.2      -0.9      -0.3      -1.4
90          Optical, photographic, measuring and                                                                                   
               medical instruments                        2.989     96.0        94.8     -4.7    -0.1      -1.0      -0.4      -1.3
91          Clocks and watches and parts thereof          0.372     96.6        95.2     -4.9    -0.6      -1.0      -0.8      -1.4
                                                                                                                                   
XX         MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES            3.589    100.0        99.6     -1.3    -0.1       0.1      -0.4      -0.4
94          Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps                                                                                  
               and lighting fittings nes;                 1.539    100.0        99.5     -0.7     0.1       0.2      -0.2      -0.5
95          Toys, games and sports equipment; parts                                                                                
               and accessories thereof                    1.774    100.9       100.7     -1.2    -0.4       0.0      -0.3      -0.2
96          Miscellaneous manufactured articles           0.275     93.9        93.3     -5.3     0.3      -0.2      -2.4      -0.6
                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                                                       
            1995 trade values.                                                                                                            
        2  Data for December 1996, January and February 1997                                                                              
            have been revised to reflect the availability                                                                                 
            of late reports and corrections by respondents.                                                                               
            All data are subject to revision in each of                                                                                   
            the three months after original publication.                                                                                  
        3  Product categories included in this group                                                                                      
            have been modified due to concordance                                                                                         
            or coverage limitations.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                          
        NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately                                                           
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          Table 6       U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, March 1996-March 1997                                 
                  1995=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                            
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change                                         
                                                        Relative                                                                   
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly                  
Harmo-                                                   ance                           March   Nov.      Dec.      Jan.      Feb. 
nized     Description                                                                   1996    1996      1996      1997      1997 
System                                                  February   February    March    to      to        to        to        to   
                                                        1997       1997        1997     March   Dec.      Jan.      Feb.      March
                                                        1/         2/                   1997    1996      1997      1997      1997 
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                   
I          LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS                  1.973     95.4        96.0      2.1    -0.5      -2.0      -2.3       0.6
02          Meat & edible meat offal                      1.107     92.5        94.3     -3.3    -0.3      -2.8      -0.9       1.9
03          Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and                                                                                     
               other aquatic invertebrates                0.497     88.3        87.1     -0.1    -0.2      -2.2      -7.0      -1.4
      3/    Other live animals and animal                                                                                          
               products (9612=100)                        0.369    100.5       100.1     n.a.    n.a.       0.2       0.3      -0.4
                                                                                                                                   
II         VEGETABLE PRODUCTS                             5.851    106.6       108.9    -11.6    -1.7       0.4       3.6       2.2
07          Edible vegetables and certain roots and                                                                                
               tubers                                     0.300     95.5        96.1     -1.8    -7.2      -0.3      -1.1       0.6
08          Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus                                                                                  
               fruit or melons                            0.696    100.9        97.9     -7.6    -5.6      -0.2       1.1      -3.0
10          Cereals                                       2.978    102.6       104.7    -21.2    -1.0      -1.9       4.6       2.0
12          Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds,                                                                                      
               fruits, plants, straw and fodder           1.640    125.1       130.9     11.2    -0.5       5.2       4.2       4.6
                                                                                                                                   
III        ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE FATS AND OILS              0.516     97.6        96.3      5.8     2.8       2.5       2.0      -1.3
                                                                                                                                   
IV         PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND                                                                                     
              TOBACCO                                     3.735    105.4       105.2      0.3     0.5      -0.1       1.0      -0.2
20          Preparations of vegetables, fruit,                                                                                     
               nuts, or other parts of plants             0.398    110.0       109.5      4.7     0.5       2.1       2.4      -0.5
21          Miscellaneous edible preparations             0.361    104.1       104.1      1.8     0.8       0.0      -0.3       0.0
22          Beverages, spirits, and vinegar               0.339     99.7        99.9     -2.1    n.a.      -1.2      -0.5       0.2
23          Residues and waste from the food                                                                                       
               industries; prepared animal feed           0.829    121.7       121.3     -0.6     1.5      -2.2       4.1      -0.3
24          Tobacco and manufactured tobacco                                                                                       
               substitutes                                1.299    100.4       100.1     -0.3    n.a.       0.1      -0.1      -0.3
      3/    Other prepared foods                          0.511    100.3       100.1      1.0    n.a.       1.7      -0.5      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
V          MINERAL PRODUCTS                               2.928    110.5       109.2      5.0     1.1       0.1      -1.8      -1.2
27          Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,                                                                                     
               bituminous substances and mineral wax      2.347    114.7       113.4      5.8     1.0      -0.3      -2.8      -1.1
                                                                                                                                   
VI         PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED                                                                                      
              INDUSTRIES                                  9.205     97.6        97.8     -0.9     0.0      -0.1       0.4       0.2
28          Inorganic chemicals                           0.966    102.1       102.5     -1.4     0.6      -1.3       0.5       0.4
29          Organic chemicals                             3.029     89.6        90.1     -3.2    -0.3       0.0       1.5       0.6
30          Pharmaceutical products                       0.916    101.0       100.7     -0.8     0.0       0.2      -0.3      -0.3
31          Fertilizers (9612=100)                        0.674     98.0        96.6     n.a.    n.a.       0.5      -2.5      -1.4
32          Tanning or dyeing extracts; dyes and                                                                                   
               pigments; paints & varnish; putty;ink      0.519    101.5       101.5      0.8     0.1      -0.4       0.0       0.0
33          Essential oils and resinoids;                                                                                          
               perfumery, cosmetic or toilet              0.535    102.8       102.8      2.9     0.1      -0.4       1.9       0.0
34          Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or                                                                                  
               scouring products; candles, pastes         0.323    101.3       101.3      1.7     0.3       0.0      -0.1       0.0
37          Photographic or cinematographic goods         0.441     97.2        96.8     -1.5     0.8      -0.3      -0.5      -0.4
38          Miscellaneous chemical products               1.579    103.0       103.6      2.6    -0.1      -0.3       0.1       0.6
                                                                                                                                   
VII        PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER                                                                                   
              AND ARTICLES THEREOF                        4.512     97.4        98.1      2.1     0.3       0.3       0.3       0.7
39          Plastics and articles thereof                 3.573     96.5        97.4      2.4     0.4       0.3       0.2       0.9
40          Rubber and articles thereof                   0.939    101.1       100.9      1.0     0.4       0.2       0.9      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
VIII       RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,                                                                                    
              TRAVEL GOODS, ETC.                          0.627    105.4       105.0     13.5    -1.8      -0.5       0.5      -0.4
41          Raw hides and skins (other than                                                                                        
               furskins) and leather                      0.456    101.1       103.0     13.9    -2.3      -0.7       0.6       1.9
                                                                                                                                   
IX         WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW, BASKET                                                                                
              AND WICKER                                  1.398     97.4        95.7     -1.4     0.3       0.4       0.5      -1.7
                                                                                                                                   
X          WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER                                                                                 
              AND ARTICLES THEREOF                        2.984     75.7        75.3     -6.7    -1.4      -0.9      -0.3      -0.5
47          Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic                                                                                  
               material; waste paper/paperboard           0.667     57.6        56.4     -7.7    -3.4      -0.5       1.2      -2.1
48          Paper and paperboard; articles of paper                                                                                
               pulp, paper or paperboard                  1.516     83.1        83.5    -10.2    -0.9      -1.4      -0.7       0.5
49          Printed material                              0.801    104.4       103.2      1.2     0.0       0.1      -0.9      -1.1
                                                                                                                                   
XI         TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES                   3.335     93.2        93.6     -3.6     0.5       0.0       0.0       0.4
52          Cotton, including yarns and woven                                                                                      
               fabrics thereof                            0.757     84.1        85.0     -9.4     2.3       0.0      -0.2       1.1
                                                                                                                                   
XIII       STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,                                                                                       
              CERAMIC, GLASS ETC.                         0.869    103.3       103.2      1.8    n.a.       0.2       0.0      -0.1
70          Glass and glassware                           0.501    101.2       101.1     -0.3    n.a.       0.2      -0.3      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
XIV        PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,                                                                                        
              IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS                1.403     96.3        95.4     -6.7    -0.6      -1.8      -2.6      -0.9
                                                                                                                                   
XV         BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METALS        4.683     95.2        96.2     -1.0     1.7       0.5       0.7       1.1
72          Iron and steel                                0.984     93.6        93.6     -4.4     0.4       0.6       0.4       0.0
73          Articles of iron or steel                     1.228    103.0       105.7      3.5     0.0       0.4       0.2       2.6
74          Copper and articles thereof                   0.466     85.7        87.6     -6.8     5.6       1.3       1.2       2.2
76          Aluminum and articles thereof                 0.907     87.7        88.5     -0.6     4.3       0.8       1.4       0.9
82          Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and                                                                                 
               forks, of base metal; parts thereof        0.417    103.8       103.6      1.2    n.a.       0.1       0.4      -0.2
83          Miscellaneous articles of base metal          0.379     99.5        99.3     -2.0     0.4      -0.3       0.2      -0.2
                                                                                                                                   
XVI        MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV                                                                                     
              IMAGE AND SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC      34.962     98.1        97.9     -2.2    -0.1       0.0      -0.3      -0.2
84          Specialized machinery & computer                                                                                       
               equipment                                 20.121     98.6        98.3     -1.7    -0.3       0.2       0.0      -0.3
85          Electrical machinery and equip, sound                                                                                  
               & tv recorders & reproducers, parts       14.841     97.5        97.4     -2.9     0.2      -0.2      -0.7      -0.1
                                                                                                                                   
XVII       VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND                                                                                         
              ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT             13.766    103.5       103.7      2.6     0.0       0.3       0.0       0.2
87          Motor vehicles and their parts                9.591    101.6       101.9      0.9     0.0       0.2      -0.1       0.3
                                                                                                                                   
XVIII      OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &                                                                                    
              MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; CLOCKS & WATCHES       5.319    102.5       102.1      1.0     0.4       0.5       0.2      -0.4
                                                                                                                                   
XX         MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES            1.733    101.6       101.7      0.8     0.0       0.3       0.0       0.1
94          Furniture; stuffed furnishings;                                                                                        
               lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;         0.862    102.8       102.8      0.7     0.0       0.3       0.2       0.0
95          Toys, games and sports equipment; parts                                                                                
               and accessories thereof                    0.701    100.5       100.7      1.1     0.0       0.5      -0.2       0.2
                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                                                       
            1995 trade values.                                                                                                            
        2  Data for December 1996, January and February 1997                                                                              
            have been revised to reflect the availability                                                                                 
            of late reports and corrections by respondents.                                                                               
            All data are subject to revision in each of                                                                                   
            the three months after original publication.                                                                                  
        3  Product categories included in this group                                                                                      
            have been modified due to concordance                                                                                         
            or coverage limitations.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                          
        NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately                                                           
                                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                             Table  7    U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes by Locality of Origin,March 1996-March 1997                                   
          1995=100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                                           
                                                                  Index                    Percent Change                    
                                                   Percentage                                                                                          
                                                      of                            Annual                  Monthly                                     
                                                    US Imports                    March   Nov.         Dec.        Jan.     Feb.   
    Description 1/                                                                1996    1996         1996        1997     1997   
                                                    1995       Feb.      March    to      to           to          to       to     
                                                               1997      1997     March   Dec.         Jan.        Feb.     March  
                                                               2/                 1997    1996         1997        1997     1997   
                                                                                                                                   
3/  Developed Countries                                55.6     99.4      98.2     -2.4     0.3          0.0        -0.9     -1.2  
       Manufactured Goods                              52.2     98.0      97.7     -2.6    -0.1         -0.4        -0.4     -0.3  
       Nonmanufactured Goods                            3.1    125.8     109.8      0.7     5.3          6.4        -7.8    -12.7  
                                                                                                                                   
3/  Developing Countries                               42.7    104.2     103.0      0.7     0.1          0.0        -1.0     -1.2  
       Manufactured Goods                              35.4    100.1     100.4     -0.3    -0.2         -0.1        -0.2      0.3  
       Nonmanufactured Goods                            7.1    119.2     110.8      2.0     1.1          0.2        -4.6     -7.0  
                                                                                                                                   
    Canada                                             18.9    101.0      99.5     -1.4     1.1          0.8        -1.6     -1.5  
       Manufactured Goods                              16.5     98.0      98.7     -1.0     0.0         -0.3         0.2      0.7  
       Nonmanufactured Goods                            2.2    128.1     109.2     -2.1     7.8          7.1       -10.6    -14.8  
                                                                                                                                   
4/  European Union                                     17.0    102.5     101.4     -1.0     0.1         -0.1        -0.4     -1.1  
       Manufactured Goods                              16.4    101.6     100.8     -1.5     0.1         -0.2        -0.5     -0.8  
       Nonmanufactured Goods                            0.5    131.9     122.0     11.7    -1.4          2.3         1.5     -7.5  
                                                                                                                                   
    Japan                                              16.6     94.6      94.2     -4.9    -0.4         -0.7        -0.6     -0.4  
                                                                                                                                   
5/  Asian Newly Industrialized Countries               10.9     96.3      96.4     -3.2    -0.4         -0.4        -0.2      0.1  
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
1    Regions are not mutually exclusive.                                                
                                                                                        
2    Data for December 1996, January and February 1997                                  
     have been revised to reflect the availability                                      
     of late reports and corrections by respondents.                                    
                                                                                        
3    Defined according to the Standard Census Definition.                               
                                                                                        
4    Includes EU  15 countries                                                          
                                                                                        
5    Includes Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan.                            
                                                                                           Table  8     U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services.                              
        March 1996-March 1997  1995 = 100, unless otherwise noted                                                                                                    
                                                                 Index                             Percent Change                    
                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                  Annual          Quarterly                                   
                                                    Trade                         March   March    June        Sept.    Dec.   
    Description                                     (Mil.                         1996    1996     1996        1996     1996   
                                                    of         Dec.      March    to      to       to          to       to     
                                                    Dollars)   1996      1997     March   June     Sept.       Dec.     March  
                                                                                  1997    1996     1996        1996     1997   
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
    IMPORT                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                               
    Air Freight                                     3188        95.6      90.1     -8.4    -1.3     -0.3        -1.2     -5.8  
     Atlantic                                       1278        98.2      91.2     -7.9    -2.5      2.0        -0.2     -7.1  
     Pacific                                        1674        94.8      90.5     -8.5    -0.8     -1.4        -2.0     -4.5  
                                                                                                                               
    Air Passenger Fares                             11127      100.0     101.2      4.1     7.5     -1.4        -2.9      1.2  
1/   Atlantic                                       4922        98.4     100.7      4.9    10.5     -0.3        -7.0      2.3  
1/   Pacific                                        2340        99.0      98.1      2.3     5.7     -9.2         7.5     -0.9  
1/   Latin American / Caribbean                     3021       104.1     107.0      4.4     0.1      1.4         0.1      2.8  
                                                                                                                               
1/  Crude Oil Tanker Freight (1990 = 100)           1985       122.0      n.a.     n.a.    -1.4    -11.3         6.4     n.a.  
                                                                                                                               
    Ocean Liner Freight                             9868        98.6      98.0     -4.0    -1.9     -1.3        -0.3     -0.6  
     U.S. East Coast                                4271       101.7     100.5     -2.2    -1.1     -0.1         0.1     -1.2  
      from Atlantic                                 1952       102.9     100.4     -4.5    -2.2      0.2        -0.1     -2.4  
      from Pacific                                  1774       100.4     100.2     -0.4    -0.2     -0.2         0.2     -0.2  
     U.S. West Coast                                5596        95.7      95.4     -6.0    -2.8     -2.4        -0.6     -0.3  
      from Pacific                                  5126        94.9      95.0     -6.2    -3.1     -2.5        -0.8      0.1  
                                                                                                                               
    EXPORT                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                               
    Air Freight (12/96 = 100)                       2562       100.0      98.5     n.a.    n.a.     n.a.        n.a.     -1.5  
                                                                                                                               
    Air Passenger Fares                             17272       99.7      96.7     -1.3     1.4      3.5        -3.1     -3.0  
1/   Atlantic                                       4120       104.7      98.7     -0.5     5.7      8.3        -7.8     -5.7  
1/   Pacific                                        10700       89.6      87.1     -9.4    -2.5      0.2        -4.6     -2.8  
     Latin American / Caribbean                     1392       101.6     101.8      0.7    -1.1      0.8         0.8      0.2  
     Canadian                                       1006       145.8     146.2     41.7     4.5      7.1        26.3      0.3  
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
    1     Detailed data available upon request.                          n.a.    N                                             


   Table  9    U.S. International Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services.                                   
        March 1996-March 1997    1995 = 100,  unless otherwise noted                                                                                                 
                                                                 Index                             Percent Change                    
                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                  Annual          Quarterly                                   
                                                    Trade                         March   March    June        Sept.    Dec.   
    Description                                     (Mil.                         1996    1996     1996        1996     1996   
                                                    of         Dec.      March    to      to       to          to       to     
                                                    Dollars)   1996      1997     March   June     Sept.       Dec.     March  
                                                                                  1997    1996     1996        1996     1997   
                                                                                                                               
    Air Freight (Inbound)                           5495        95.0      89.5     -6.7    -0.8      0.5        -0.6     -5.8  
     Atlantic                                       1880        96.6      89.7     -5.5    -1.8      1.8         1.8     -7.1  
     Pacific                                        3151        94.0      89.8     -7.1    -0.5     -0.6        -1.7     -4.5  
                                                                                                                               
    Air Freight (Outbound)                          5835        99.2      99.8      0.7     0.3     -0.5         0.3      0.6  
     Atlantic                                       2080        99.0      99.9      1.8     0.8     -0.2         0.3      0.9  
     Pacific                                        3222       100.2     100.3     -0.4     0.0     -0.9         0.4      0.1  
                                                                                                                               
    Air Passenger Fares (U.S. Carrier)              30673      101.6      99.8      1.5     6.1      2.9        -5.3     -1.8  
1/   Atlantic                                       8811        99.6      97.3      1.6    13.4      6.0       -13.5     -2.3  
1/   Pacific                                        15900       95.0      92.7     -6.0     1.7     -1.7        -3.7     -2.4  
1/   Latin American / Caribbean                     4542       102.9     105.1      2.2    -0.1      0.2         0.0      2.1  
     Canadian                                       1367       153.6     150.0     44.4     2.8     15.7        24.3     -2.3  
                                                                                                                               
    Air Passenger Fares (Foreign Carrier)           31694      100.7      98.9      2.7     7.0      2.4        -4.5     -1.8  
1/   Atlantic                                       13572      100.3      97.6      1.6    10.2      4.0        -8.9     -2.7  
1/   Pacific                                        12570       94.2      92.3     -0.4     4.5     -2.6        -0.2     -2.0  
1/   Latin American / Caribbean                     4224       103.6     105.8      3.5    -0.1      1.3         0.2      2.1  
                                                                                                                               
1/  Crude Oil Tanker Freight (Inbound)                                                                                         
       (1990 = 100)                                 2153       122.1      n.a.     n.a.    -1.9    -11.0         8.1     n.a.  
                                                                                                                               
    Ocean Liner Freight (Inbound)                   12253       98.4      97.6     -3.8    -1.9     -1.6         0.4     -0.8  
     U.S. East Coast                                5410       101.7      99.8     -2.5    -0.9     -0.8         1.0     -1.9  
      from Atlantic                                 2647       101.4      99.4     -4.6    -1.6     -1.4         0.3     -2.0  
      from Pacific                                  1874        98.5      98.4     -0.7    -0.5     -0.2         0.1     -0.1  
     U.S. West Coast                                6844        95.4      95.4     -5.4    -3.0     -2.5         0.0      0.0  
      from Pacific                                  6347        94.8      95.1     -5.5    -3.2     -2.5        -0.2      0.3  
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
    1     Detailed data available upon request.                          n.a.    Not Available.
                                                                                    
                                                                     
                           TECHNICAL NOTE
   
Import and Export Merchandise and Services Price Indexes -- All indexes use 
a modified Laspeyres formula and are weighted with 1995 trade weights.  The 
merchandise price indexes are published using three classifications:  the 
Harmonized System (HS), the Bureau of Economic Analysis End Use System,
and the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) system, Rev. 3.  
Price indexes for internationally traded services are presented using two 
definitions: Balance of Payments (which represents transactions between U.S. 
and foreign residents) and International (which represents all transactions
with U.S. importers or exporters, regardless of nationality).  Published
series use a base year of 1995=100 where possible.  Net transaction price
data are collected every month for over 20,000 products from over 6,000
companies and secondary sources.  Indexes are not seasonally adjusted.  More
detailed index series and additional information may be obtained from the
Division of International Prices, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2 Massachusetts
Avenue N.E., PSB 3955, Washington, DC 20212 or (202) 606-7155.

Import Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the 1995 Harmonized 
Tariff Schedule of the United States Annotated (TSUSA).  Import prices are 
based on U.S. dollar prices paid by the U.S. importer.  The prices are
generally either "free on board" (f.o.b.) foreign port or "cost, insurance,
and freight" (c.i.f.) U.S. port transaction prices, depending on the
practices of the individual industry.  The index for crude petroleum is
calculated from data collected by the U.S. Department of Energy.  

Export Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the 1995 Harmonized 
Schedule B classification system of the U.S. Bureau of the Census.  The
prices used are generally either "free alongside ship" (f.a.s.) factory
or "free on board" (f.o.b.) transaction prices, depending on the practices of
the individual industry.  Prices used in the grain index, excluding rice,
are obtained from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Import Indexes by Locality of Origin -- Prices used in these indexes are a
subset of the data collected for the Import Price Indexes.  Prior to
January 1993, nonmanufactured goods were defined as SITC 0-4 and manufactured
goods were defined as SITC 5-8.  Beginning with January 1993, the indexes are
defined by locality of origin using a nomenclature based upon the Standard
Industrial Classification (SIC-based).  Nonmanufactured goods are defined as
SIC 0-1, and manufactured goods are defined as SIC 2-3.  The indexes use 1995
weights and a base of 1995=100.

Import, Export, and International Services Indexes -- Indexes are calculated
on a quarterly basis.  The figures for services indexes will not sum up to
the aggregate dollar value because not all categories are shown in the tables.
Revenue figures for air passenger indexes exclude frequent flyer tickets and
those sold by consolidators.  Indexes for crude oil tanker freight are
calculated from data collected by the U. S. Department of Energy and the 
publication of these indexes is lagged one quarter.  

Revision policy -- Data are revised for the previous three months to reflect
the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents.

Uses of the Data -- The primary use of the indexes is to deflate trade
statistics.  For merchandise trade, the End Use classification system is the
structure used by the U.S. Department of Commerce in the construction of the
foreign trade sector of the National Income and Product Accounts.  Indexes
published using the Harmonized System and the Standard International Trade
Classification, Rev. 3, both international structures, are useful for general
market analysis.  For trade in international services, Balance of Payments
indexes are used for deflating National Accounts data, while International
indexes are more appropriate for market analysis. Merchandise and services
indexes also can be used to study U.S. competitiveness and price elasticities,
and the merchandise import indexes by country or region of origin are useful
for terms of trade analysis.



The import and export news release contains monthly price indexes at the
two-digit level of detail.  If you would like to be added to the mailing list
for more detailed index and percent change tables, please fill out the form
below and mail or fax it to the following address:


                       Division of International Prices
                       Bureau of Labor Statistics
                       PSB Building, Rm. 3955                                                                      
                       2 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E.
                       Washington, DC 20212


     Phone Number: (202) 606-7155           Fax Number: (202) 606-7179

         
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