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            U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES
                        - MARCH 2000-

                              
     The U.S. Import Price Index rose 0.3 percent in March,
the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of
Labor reported today.  The increase marked the ninth
consecutive monthly advance and followed a 2.0 percent rise
in February.  Export prices also continued to increase, up
0.4 percent in March after gaining 0.5 percent in February.
     
     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
               
                                                                   
                                                                   
1999                                                               
March           0.2      13.9      -0.5      -0.4       -3.0       -0.2 
April           1.1      20.3      -0.2       0.2        0.5        0.2 
May             0.7       7.3       0.2       0.1        0.4        0.0 
June           -0.1       0.4      -0.2       0.0       -0.2        0.1 
July            1.0      13.5      -0.1      -0.1       -2.2        0.1 
August          1.1      11.7       0.1       0.3        1.9        0.1 
September       1.0       8.3       0.2       0.1       -0.1        0.1 
October         0.2       1.7       0.0       0.3       -0.1        0.4 
November        0.8       4.1       0.4       0.2       -0.9        0.3 
December        0.6       6.3 r     0.0      -0.1 r     -0.7        0.0 r
2000                                                               
January         0.4 r     3.7 r     0.0 r     0.2 r      0.1 r      0.2 r
February        2.0 r    14.4 r     0.3       0.5        1.0        0.5 
March           0.3       0.2       0.2       0.4        0.1        0.4 
                                                                   
March 1998-99  -2.9      -8.6      -2.4      -2.8       -9.8       -2.0 
March 99-2000   9.4     138.3       1.0       2.2       -0.5        2.5 

                                                                    
r = revised to reflect late reports and corrections by respondents.

Import Goods

     The 0.3 percent rise in import prices in March was the
smallest since October 1999.  The slowdown was primarily
attributable to a relatively modest 0.2 percent uptick in
petroleum prices in March, the smallest increase posted for
this component index since it declined 0.5 percent in
February 1999.  For the year ended in March, however,
petroleum prices were up 138.3 percent.  Nonpetroleum import
prices, which also rose 0.2 percent in March, contributed to
the increase for overall imports.  Over the past 12 months,
the nonpetroleum index increased 1.0 percent.  The overall
import price index rose 9.4 percent from March 1999 to March
2000.

     The gain in March for the nonpetroleum import index was
attributable to the continued increase in prices for
industrial supplies and materials.  Led by rising prices for
metals, chemicals, and building materials, the index for
industrial supplies and materials excluding petroleum rose
2.2 percent in March, its largest increase since the series
began monthly publication in October 1992.  For the year
ended in March, the index advanced 9.7 percent.  The indexes
for automotive vehicles, parts, and engines and for foods,
feeds, and beverages were unchanged in March.  Over the past
12 months, these indexes have posted increases of 0.8
percent and 0.5 percent, respectively.

     In contrast, the price indexes for capital goods and
consumer goods were down in March and  over the year.  The
capital goods index fell 0.4 percent in March and has risen
only once since June 1997.  Over the past 12 months, the
index was down 3.0 percent.  Imported consumer goods prices
also were down 0.4 percent last month and dropped 0.9
percent for the year ended in March.

Export Goods

     In March, prices for overall exports increased 0.4
percent, following a 0.5 percent rise in the previous month.
For the year ended in March, export prices were up 2.2
percent, compared with a 2.8 percent drop in the prior 12-
month period.  The price increase in March was led by
nonagricultural exports, up 0.4 percent, while agricultural
export prices edged up just 0.1 percent.  Despite gains in
the past three months, prices for agricultural exports
dipped 0.5 percent over the year ended in March.

     The 0.4 percent increase in March for prices of
nonagricultural exports followed a 0.5 percent advance in
February.  This index has not posted a price decrease in 12
consecutive months and has risen 2.5 percent during the past
year.  Led by rising prices for exported fuel and metals,
the index for nonagricultural industrial supplies and
materials continued to have the largest impact on the index,
rising 1.8 percent in March and 10.8 percent over the past
12 months.   Export prices for automotive vehicles, parts,
and engines also rose last month, up 0.4 percent, marking
the largest increase in this index since new models were
introduced in October 1999.  For the year, automobile prices
rose 1.3 percent.
     
     In contrast, the indexes for capital goods and consumer
goods were both unchanged in March, continuing to show
little movement.  Over the past 12 months, the capital goods
index decreased 0.7 percent, while the consumer goods index
increased by the same amount.

Imports by Locality of Origin

     The index for imports from Japan fell 0.6 percent in
March, the first decrease posted in this series since July
1999.   The decrease was largely attributable to falling
computer prices and paralleled a drop in the yen.  The index
rose 1.2 percent during the year ended in March.  The price
index for imports from the European Union also fell last
month, down 0.2 percent in March, after increasing in the
previous two months.  For the March 1999-2000 period, this
index rose 1.7 percent.

     Import prices for goods from the Asian Newly
Industrialized Countries were unchanged, on average, in
March after decreasing 0.2 percent in each of the previous
two months.  Over the past year, the index fell 1.0 percent.

     Prices of imports from Canada also were unchanged in
March, as a dip in prices for manufactured goods countered
the continued rise in prices for nonmanufactured goods.  Led
primarily by ongoing price increases for petroleum products,
the index had increased in each of the previous 12 months
and advanced 9.6 percent for the year ended in March.  The
import price index for Latin America rose 1.3 percent in
March, also largely attributable to rising prices for
petroleum products.  Over the past 12 months, the index for
imports from Latin America gained 21.6 percent.

Import and Export Services

           The import air freight index fell 2.0 percent in
the first quarter of 2000, after rising 2.2 percent in the
fourth quarter of 1999.  For the year ended in March, the
index decreased 0.8 percent.  The price index for export air
freight was unchanged, on average, over the past three
months, after decreasing 1.7 percent in each of the two
previous quarters.  The index declined 3.0 percent for the
12 months ended in March.

           The import air passenger fares index increased
3.1 percent from December to March.  Over the past 12
months, the index was up 5.7 percent.  In contrast, the
price index for export air passenger fares posted a
quarterly decrease of 0.5 percent.   For the March 1999-2000
period, however, the index rose 2.7 percent.

            The import ocean liner freight index was down
2.3 percent from December to March, after posting a 3.9
percent decline in the previous quarter.  Despite the recent
declines, the index was up 25.6 percent during the past
year, largely attributable to a 22.6 percent increase in the
second quarter of 1999.
                              
                     CONTENTS OF RELEASE
                              
This news release includes the following tables:

Table 1   Import Price Indexes, by End Use
Table 2   Export Price Indexes, by End Use
Table 3   Import Price Indexes, by SITC
Table 4   Export Price Indexes, by SITC
Table 5   Import Price Indexes, by Harmonized System
Table 6   Export Price Indexes, by Harmonized System
Table 7   Import Price Indexes, by Locality of Origin
Table 8   U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes for Services
Table 9   U.S. International Price Indexes for Services
------------------------------------------------------------------
Import and Export Price Index data for April are scheduled
for release on May 11th, 2000, at 8:30 A.M. (EDT).


Table 1   U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods,
             March 1999-March 2000     1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
                                                              ance                      March    Nov.     Dec.     Jan.     Feb.
END                         Description                                                  1999    1999     1999     2000     2000
USE                                                         FebruaryFebruary    March     to      to       to       to       to
                                                              2000    2000      2000    March    Dec.     Jan.     Feb.    March
                                                               1/      2/                2000    1999     2000     2000     2000

        ALL COMMODITIES..............................       100.000      99.1    99.4       9.4     0.6      0.4      2.0   0.3
        ALL IMPORTS EXCLUDING PETROLEUM..............        86.836      93.0    93.2       1.0     0.0      0.0      0.3   0.2

0        FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES...................         4.416      93.5    93.5       0.5     1.9     -1.3     -0.1   0.0

00        Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,
             excluding distilled beverages...........         3.015      87.6    86.7      -2.3     3.0     -1.6     -0.9   -1.0

01        Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled
             beverages)..............................         1.401     108.9   111.3       6.6    -0.5     -0.5      1.6   2.2

1        INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS.............        31.339     118.5   120.0      41.5     2.3      1.6      6.7   1.3
           INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS
               EXCLUDING PETROLEUM...................        18.175      97.0    99.1       9.7    -0.1      0.3      1.6   2.2
           INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
               DURABLE...............................         9.667      98.8   102.1      10.9     0.7      1.0      1.5   3.3
           INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
               NONDURABLE EXCLUDING PETROLEUM........         8.508      95.0    95.7       8.4    -1.1     -0.5      1.7   0.7

10        Fuels & lubricants.........................        14.562     164.5   165.2     123.5     4.8      2.6     13.9   0.4

100        Petroleum & petroleum products............        13.165     167.2   167.5     138.3     6.3      3.7     14.4   0.2

1000         Crude...................................        10.101     160.6   168.4     138.5     6.7      3.9      7.4   4.9

11        Paper & paper base stocks..................         1.771      82.5    82.8       5.6    -0.7      0.9      0.7   0.4

12        Materials associated with nondurable
             supplies & materials....................         5.539      89.6    90.0       2.9     0.3      0.1      0.4   0.4

13        Selected building materials................         2.121     110.1   110.6       2.5     2.6     -0.5     -0.5   0.5

14        Unfinished metals associated with
             durable goods...........................         4.647     100.3   107.0      23.1     0.4      2.7      3.0   6.7

15        Finished metals associated with durable
             goods...................................         1.353      91.6    92.6       0.9     0.3     -0.5      0.1   1.1

16        Nonmetals associated with durable goods....         1.347      88.0    87.5      -0.8    -0.1     -0.2      0.9   -0.6

2        CAPITAL GOODS...............................        25.209      81.5    81.2      -3.0    -0.1      0.0     -0.2   -0.4

20        Electric & electrical generating
             equipment...............................         3.124      91.9    92.1      -0.8    -0.8      1.0     -0.1   0.2

21        Nonelectrical machinery....................        20.397      78.2    77.8      -3.6    -0.1     -0.1     -0.1   -0.5

3        AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES........        17.703     102.2   102.2       0.8     0.0      0.1      0.1   0.0

4        CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING
             AUTOMOTIVES.............................        21.333      97.5    97.1      -0.9    -0.1      0.0      0.0   -0.4

40        Nondurables, manufactured..................        10.679     100.5   100.2      -0.8    -0.1     -0.2      0.1   -0.3

41        Durables, manufactured.....................         9.555      93.9    93.6      -1.3    -0.1     -0.1     -0.1   -0.3

42        Nonmanufactured consumer goods.............         1.098     102.5   100.1       1.1     1.0      1.7      1.0   -2.3



    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for December 1999, January and February 2000
        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 1999-March 2000     1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
                                                              ance                      March    Nov.     Dec.     Jan.     Feb.
END                         Description                                                  1999    1999     1999     2000     2000
USE                                                         FebruaryFebruary    March     to      to       to       to       to
                                                              2000    2000      2000    March    Dec.     Jan.     Feb.    March
                                                               1/      2/                2000    1999     2000     2000     2000

        ALL COMMODITIES..............................       100.000      95.9    96.3       2.2    -0.1      0.2      0.5      0.4
        AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES.....................         9.107      84.0    84.1      -0.5    -0.7      0.1      1.0      0.1
        NONAGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES..................        90.894      97.3    97.7       2.5     0.0      0.2      0.5      0.4

0        FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES...................         8.415      87.1    87.1      -0.2    -0.8      0.3      0.9      0.0

00        Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,
             excluding distilled beverages...........         7.590      86.0    85.9       0.0    -0.8      0.6      0.7     -0.1

01        Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled
             beverages)..............................         0.825     101.3   101.6      -1.8     0.3     -1.1      2.9      0.3

1        INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS.............        25.708      93.5    95.1       9.9     0.7      0.4      1.5      1.7
           INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
               DURABLE...............................         9.655      91.1    92.1       4.8     0.1      0.1      1.0      1.1
           INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
               NONDURABLE............................        16.054      95.0    97.0      13.2     0.9      0.5      1.9      2.1

10        Agricultural industrial supplies &
             materials...............................         1.517      76.9    77.7      -2.8     0.1     -2.0      2.3      1.0

          NONAGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES
             & MATERIALS.............................        24.192      94.8    96.5      10.8     0.7      0.5      1.5      1.8

11        Fuels & lubricants.........................         2.987     131.4   143.8      55.6     3.9      1.8      7.2      9.4

12        Nonagricultural supplies & materials
             excluding fuels & building materials....        19.676      90.3    91.0       6.4     0.2      0.3      0.8      0.8

13        Selected building materials................         1.529      89.5    90.0       3.1     1.0      0.7      0.3      0.6

2        CAPITAL GOODS...............................        43.603      96.2    96.2      -0.7    -0.3      0.1      0.1      0.0

20        Electric & electrical generating
             Equipment...............................         4.405      98.7    98.5      -0.6     0.1     -0.3      0.5     -0.2

21        Nonelectrical machinery....................        33.362      92.1    92.1      -1.4    -0.4      0.0      0.0      0.0

3        AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES........        10.101     103.9   104.3       1.3    -0.1      0.1      0.0      0.4

4        CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING
             AUTOMOTIVES.............................        12.173     102.5   102.5       0.7     0.2      0.1      0.0      0.0

40        Nondurables, manufactured..................         6.439     102.6   102.7       0.6     0.4     -0.1     -0.2      0.1

41        Durables, manufactured.....................         5.153     101.3   101.0       0.7    -0.1      0.2      0.3     -0.3



    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for December 1999, January and February 2000
        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 1999-March 2000     1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
                                                              ance                      March    Nov.     Dec.     Jan.     Feb.
SITC                        Description                                                  1999    1999     1999     2000     2000
Rev. 3                                                      February February   March     to      to       to       to       to
                                                              2000     2000     2000    March    Dec.     Jan.     Feb.    March
                                                               1/        2/              2000    1999     2000     2000     2000

        ALL COMMODITIES..............................       100.000      99.1    99.4       9.4     0.6      0.4      2.0      0.3

0        FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS.......................         3.743      93.5    93.4       0.2     2.5     -1.1     -0.2     -0.1
01        Meat and meat preparations.................         0.333      98.2    99.1       5.4     0.7     -0.6      0.4      0.9
03        Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates
             and preparations thereof................         1.048     107.9   109.2       5.7    -0.7      0.0      1.0      1.2
05        Vegetables, fruit and nuts,
             fresh or dried..........................         1.058     102.1   102.3       0.6     6.6     -1.5      0.1      0.2
07        Coffee, tea, cocoa, spices and
             manufactures thereof....................         0.446      64.7    60.9     -14.2     7.0     -4.8     -3.7     -5.9
     3/ Other food and live animals (9612=100).......         0.860      92.8    93.0      -0.6     0.1     -0.1     -0.1      0.2

1        BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO.......................         0.872     113.1   115.9       5.0     0.4     -0.7      1.7      2.5
11        Beverages..................................         0.738     110.1   113.4       6.1     0.2     -0.7      2.0      3.0

2        CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS.....         2.891      95.0    93.4       8.2     2.1      1.5      1.5     -1.7
24        Cork and wood..............................         1.052     117.0   116.0       2.5     3.3     -0.8     -0.6     -0.9
25        Pulp and waste paper.......................         0.393      72.0    72.4      25.7     2.1      3.4      2.1      0.6
28        Metalliferous ores and metal scrap.........         0.637     105.7   103.2      14.8     1.0      2.4      4.2     -2.4
29        Crude animal and vegetable materials,
             n.e.s. (9612=100).......................         0.324     127.6   112.0       2.4     5.1      8.2      5.4    -12.2
     3/ Other crude materials, inedible, except
           fuels (9612=100)..........................         0.308      87.1    90.0       3.3    -0.1     -1.8     -1.1      3.3

3        MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED
            MATERIALS................................        14.183     165.5   166.9     128.0     4.8      3.0     13.8      0.8
33        Petroleum, petroleum products and
             related materials.......................        12.583     167.6   167.9     139.2     6.6      3.5     14.6      0.2
34        Gas, natural and manufactured..............         1.475     162.1   173.2      77.8    -7.0     -1.6      9.7      6.8

5        CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.......         5.291      92.7    92.8       2.2    -0.1      0.2      0.5      0.1
51        Organic chemicals..........................         1.533      94.0    94.1       4.2    -0.5      0.6      0.5      0.1
52        Inorganic chemicals........................         0.599      89.0    88.9       0.3     0.3      0.3      0.8     -0.1
53        Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials.....         0.261      89.3    88.2      -6.5    -1.9     -0.9      0.4     -1.2
54        Medicinal and pharmaceutical products......         0.913      98.3    97.5       0.8    -0.5      0.9      0.1     -0.8
55        Essential oils; polishing and cleansing
             preps...................................         0.291      89.6    89.0      -4.8    -2.3     -0.7      0.0     -0.7
57        Plastics in primary forms..................         0.365      93.0    94.5       2.7     0.1     -0.3     -0.7      1.6
58        Plastics in nonprimary forms...............         0.494      79.1    80.4      10.0     0.4     -0.5     -0.3      1.6
59        Chemical materials and products, n.e.s.....         0.635     101.6   100.6       2.8     1.1      0.4      1.7     -1.0

6        MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY
            BY MATERIAL..............................        12.245      95.5    97.7       6.4     0.0      0.6      1.1      2.3
62        Rubber manufactures, n.e.s.................         0.685      92.5    92.0      -2.6     0.0     -1.9     -0.1     -0.5
63        Cork and wood manufactures other than
             furniture...............................         0.550      99.0   103.2       2.7     1.8      0.1     -0.9      4.2
64        Paper, paperboard, and articles of
             paper pulp, paper or paper board........         1.548      86.6    86.7       1.0    -1.4      0.1      0.3      0.1
65        Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up
             articles, n.e.s., and related prod......         1.321      94.7    94.2      -1.5     0.5     -0.5      0.4     -0.5
66        Nonmetallic mineral manufactures,
             n.e.s...................................         2.082     101.3   100.8      -0.5    -0.4     -0.3      0.4     -0.5
67        Iron and steel.............................         1.881      90.2    93.6      10.1     0.7      1.8     -0.4      3.8
68        Nonferrous metals..........................         2.126     104.4   114.9      33.8     0.2      3.5      5.6     10.1
69        Manufactures of metals, n.e.s..............         1.898      96.1    96.2       0.3     0.0     -0.2      0.4      0.1

7        MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT...........        43.588      89.7    89.6      -1.4    -0.1      0.1     -0.1     -0.1
71        Power generating machinery and
             equipment (9612=100)....................         2.953      99.7    99.4       0.7     0.1      0.6      0.0     -0.3
72        Machinery specialized for particular
             industries..............................         2.623      98.1    97.5      -0.8    -0.4     -0.1      0.4     -0.6
73        Metalworking machinery.....................         0.781      94.5    93.9      -2.3    -0.8     -0.3     -0.4     -0.6
74        General industrial machinery,
             equipment, & machine parts, n.e.s.......         3.335      96.7    97.0      -1.4    -0.3      0.1     -0.4      0.3
75        Computer equipment and office machines.....         5.451      61.4    61.0      -5.3     0.5     -0.2     -0.3     -0.7
76        Telecommunications & sound recording
             & reproducing apparatus & equipment.....         4.115      85.0    84.9      -4.0    -0.3     -0.5     -0.2     -0.1
77        Electrical machinery and equipment.........         8.700      82.1    82.0      -2.1    -0.1      0.4     -0.4     -0.1
78        Road vehicles..............................        14.598     102.6   102.6       0.7    -0.1      0.1      0.2      0.0

8        MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.........        16.794      97.7    97.6      -0.7     0.0     -0.1     -0.1     -0.1
81        Prefabricated buildings; plumbing, heat
             & lighting fixtures, n.e.s..............         0.371      94.2    94.4       1.2    -0.3      1.7     -0.3      0.2
82        Furniture and parts thereof................         1.185      98.0    97.9      -2.3    -0.6      0.1      0.1     -0.1
83        Travel goods, handbags and similar
             containers..............................         0.501     102.1   102.1       1.4    -0.3     -0.1      0.5      0.0
84        Articles of apparel and clothing
             accessories.............................         5.679     101.6   101.5      -0.7     0.0     -0.5      0.2     -0.1
85        Footwear...................................         1.741     100.9   100.7      -0.4     0.0      0.0      0.1     -0.2
87        Professional, scientific and controlling
             instruments and apparatus, n.e.s........         1.523      94.2    93.8      -0.8     0.1     -0.4     -0.4     -0.4
88        Photographic apparatus, equipment and
             supplies and optical goods, n.e.s.;.....         1.290      91.7    91.8       0.0     0.0     -0.3     -0.5      0.1
89        Miscellaneous manufactured articles,
             n.e.s...................................         4.504      94.9    94.7      -0.9     0.1      0.2     -0.2     -0.2




    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for December 1999, January and February 2000
        have been revised to reflect the availability
        of late reports and corrections by respondents.
        All data are subject to revision in each of the
        three months after original publication.
    3  Product categories included in this group
        have been modified due to concordance
        or coverage limitations.

    NOTE:   Published categories may include price data not shown separately

Table 4   U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods,
             March 1999-March 2000     1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
                                                              ance                      March    Nov.     Dec.     Jan.     Feb.
SITC                        Description                                                  1999    1999     1999     2000     2000
Rev. 3                                                      FebruaryFebruary    March     to      to       to       to       to
                                                              2000    2000      2000    March    Dec.     Jan.     Feb.    March
                                                               1/      2/                2000    1999     2000     2000     2000

        ALL COMMODITIES..............................       100.000      95.9    96.3       2.2    -0.1      0.2      0.5      0.4

0        FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS.......................         6.913      86.8    86.9      -1.0    -0.8      0.8      0.6      0.1
01        Meat and meat preparations.................         1.195      97.7    97.5       8.3     3.3     -0.8     -2.4     -0.2
03        Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates
             and preparations thereof................         0.614      98.6    98.7      -6.7     0.8     -2.2      2.0      0.1
04        Cereals and cereal preparations............         2.245      74.1    74.4      -1.8    -2.3      3.6      4.4      0.4
05        Vegetables, fruit and nuts,
             fresh or dried..........................         1.294      89.0    88.6      -6.6    -3.3     -0.3     -2.1     -0.4
08        Feeding stuff for animals (not
             including unmilled cereals).............         0.664      92.6    92.1       1.5    -1.2      1.1      0.3     -0.5
09        Miscellaneous edible products and
             preparations............................         0.403     105.9   107.2       0.4     0.0     -0.3     -1.3      1.2
     3/ Other food and live animals (9612=100).......         0.499      91.7    91.3      -0.1     0.3      0.4      0.1     -0.4

1        BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO.......................         1.554     101.9   102.0       0.8     0.0      0.4     -0.4      0.1
12        Tobacco and tobacco manufactures...........         1.285     102.2   102.2       1.0     0.0      0.4     -0.3      0.0

2        CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS.....         5.449      82.2    83.2      12.4     1.4      1.4      2.8      1.2
21        Hides, skins and furskins, raw.............         0.299      89.5    87.7       7.6     3.1      0.7     -1.8     -2.0
22        Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits............         0.944      84.8    86.0       9.8     1.9      1.1      5.3      1.4
24        Cork and wood..............................         0.921      86.5    87.2       7.0     1.4      1.6      0.1      0.8
25        Pulp and waste paper.......................         1.043      88.3    90.0      45.2     2.8      4.2      4.7      1.9
26        Textile fibers and their waste.............         0.667      65.7    68.7      -1.4    -1.4     -2.1      7.4      4.6
27        Crude fertilizers and crude minerals.......         0.329      94.0    93.5      -0.1     0.3      0.2     -0.3     -0.5
28        Metalliferous ores and metal scrap.........         0.853      80.7    80.8      15.8     1.4      2.0      0.9      0.1
     3/ Other crude materials, inedible, except
           fuels (9612=100)..........................         0.393      91.1    91.7       1.8     0.3      0.7      1.1      0.7

3        MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED
            MATERIALS................................         2.737     138.5   152.2      63.5     4.3      2.2      7.0      9.9
32        Coal, coke and briquettes..................         0.668      96.1    96.1      -3.2    -0.1     -1.4      0.0      0.0
33        Petroleum, petroleum products and
             related materials.......................         1.782     159.6   179.5      97.5     5.0      2.4     11.2     12.5

4        ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE OILS, FATS AND
            WAXES....................................         0.357      74.3    69.4     -16.0    -1.3     -2.8     -2.0     -6.6

5        CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.......        10.878      94.0    94.3       4.2     0.3      0.2      0.2      0.3
51        Organic chemicals..........................         2.643      85.5    86.3      17.1     1.5      1.2      0.8      0.9
52        Inorganic chemicals........................         0.839      97.7    97.5      -5.3    -1.2      0.1     -0.4     -0.2
53        Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials.....         0.491      99.4    99.3      -2.1    -0.7     -0.9      0.3     -0.1
54        Medicinal and pharmaceutical products......         1.240     100.3   100.3      -0.1     0.5     -0.1      0.1      0.0
55        Essential oils; polishing and cleansing
             preps...................................         0.775     103.3   103.0       1.5    -0.1      0.0     -0.1     -0.3
56        Fertilizers (9612=100).....................         0.446      74.3    72.4     -23.0    -1.5     -0.3      1.5     -2.6
57        Plastics in primary forms..................         1.887      94.6    95.3      12.9     0.1     -0.2     -0.2      0.7
58        Plastics in nonprimary forms...............         0.841      98.7   100.3       4.0     0.2     -0.2      0.9      1.6
59        Chemical materials and products, n.e.s.....         1.717      99.2    99.0      -1.4     0.3      0.1      0.0     -0.2

6        MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY
            BY MATERIAL..............................         9.986      99.0    99.6       3.3     0.3      0.0      0.7      0.6
62        Rubber manufactures, n.e.s.................         0.690     103.7   103.6      -3.0     0.3     -3.5     -1.0     -0.1
63        Cork and wood manufactures other than
             furniture...............................         0.303      93.3    93.4      -2.5     1.3     -0.8      1.1      0.1
64        Paper, paperboard, and articles of
             paper pulp, paper or paperboard.........         1.616      87.8    88.3       9.1    -0.5      0.5      0.2      0.6
65        Textile yarn, fabrics, and
             made-up articles, n.e.s.................         1.372      98.4    98.3      -1.3     0.9     -0.3      0.0     -0.1
66        Nonmetallic mineral manufactures,
             n.e.s...................................         1.343     106.0   106.3      -0.2    -0.2      0.0      0.2      0.3
67        Iron and steel.............................         1.057      96.5    96.8       1.3    -0.6      1.4      0.5      0.3
68        Nonferrous metals..........................         1.403      98.8   101.9      21.3     1.8      1.2      5.8      3.1
69        Manufactures of metals, n.e.s..............         2.052     106.4   106.5      -1.6     0.3     -0.4     -0.4      0.1

7        MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT...........        50.053      97.4    97.5      -0.4    -0.3      0.2      0.0      0.1
71        Power generating machinery and
             equipment...............................         4.665     111.8   111.8       2.2     0.0      0.7      0.0      0.0
72        Machinery specialized for particular
             industries..............................         4.837     106.3   106.2       0.5    -1.3      1.4      0.1     -0.1
73        Metalworking machinery.....................         1.010     108.6   108.5      -0.5    -0.3      0.1      0.0     -0.1
74        General industrial machinery,
             equipment, & parts, n.e.s...............         5.208     107.6   108.0       0.7     0.2     -0.4      0.1      0.4
75        Computer equipment and office machines.....         5.596      69.8    69.8      -4.4    -0.3     -0.1     -0.4      0.0
76        Telecommunications & sound recording
             & reproducing apparatus & equipment.....         3.760      96.7    96.6      -0.9     0.1     -0.3      0.3     -0.1
77        Electrical machinery and equipment.........        10.851      86.5    86.3      -3.4    -0.7     -0.5      0.2     -0.2
78        Road vehicles..............................         9.383     103.6   104.0       1.8     0.0      0.4      0.1      0.4

8        MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.........        11.359     101.1   101.0       0.0    -0.1     -0.2      0.0     -0.1
82        Furniture and parts thereof................         0.659     106.1   106.3       2.0    -0.1      0.7      0.1      0.2
84        Articles of apparel and clothing
             accessories.............................         1.223      97.4    98.0      -3.1    -0.2     -1.6     -1.1      0.6
87        Professional, scientific and controlling
             instruments and apparatus, n.e.s........         3.838     105.4   105.7       0.7    -0.3     -0.1      0.2      0.3
88        Photographic apparatus, equipment and
             supplies and optical goods, n.e.s.......         0.932      95.6    95.0      -0.1     0.5     -1.3     -0.4     -0.6
89        Miscellaneous manufactured articles,
             n.e.s...................................         4.236      98.7    98.3       0.3    -0.1      0.4      0.1     -0.4
     3/ Other miscellaneous manufactured
           articles (9612=100).......................         0.470     102.2   101.9      -0.5    -0.2      0.0      0.5     -0.3




    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                   n.a.      Not available
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for December 1999, January and February 2000
        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 1999-March 2000     1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
Harmo-                                                        ance                      March    Nov.     Dec.     Jan.     Feb.
nized                       Description                                                  1999    1999     1999     2000     2000
System                                                      FebruaryFebruary    March     to      to       to       to       to
                                                              2000    2000      2000    March    Dec.     Jan.     Feb.    March
                                                               1/      2/                2000    1999     2000     2000     2000


I        LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS...............         1.607     106.4   107.6       7.3     0.4     -0.1      0.5      1.1
02        Meat and edible meat offal.................         0.275     100.3   100.7       5.1     0.7     -0.1      0.2      0.4
03        Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and
             other aquatic invertebrates.............         0.965     113.9   115.6       9.8    -0.2     -0.1      1.0      1.5
     3/   Other live animals and animal
             products (9612=100).....................         0.367      96.6    97.1       2.5     1.7     -0.1     -0.7      0.5

II       VEGETABLE PRODUCTS..........................         1.496      88.6    86.0       0.0     7.2     -1.9     -0.7     -2.9
07        Edible vegetables and certain roots and
             tubers..................................         0.268     101.2    98.3      -3.9    22.1     -6.3     -6.0     -2.9
08        Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus
             fruit or melons.........................         0.485     110.1   109.5       5.7     2.8     -0.2      3.0     -0.5
09        Coffee, tea, mate and spices...............         0.335      70.3    66.6      -5.0     8.9     -5.9     -4.5     -5.3
     3/   Other vegetable products...................         0.408      95.8    92.0       0.1     1.5      3.4      2.0     -4.0

IV       PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND
            TOBACCO..................................         1.915      95.7    96.6      -3.9    -1.1     -0.3      0.4      0.9
20        Preparations of vegetables, fruit,
             nuts, or other parts of plants..........         0.242      82.1    84.7     -10.2    -3.7      1.9     -3.4      3.2
22        Beverages, spirits, and vinegar............         0.753     106.8   109.4       4.3     0.6     -0.9      1.5      2.4
     3/   Other prepared foodstuffs (9612=100).......         0.921      89.5    88.9      -8.1    -1.8     -0.4      0.4     -0.7

V        MINERAL PRODUCTS............................        14.743     160.9   161.6     115.5     4.4      2.3     13.5      0.4
26        Ores, slag and ash.........................         0.283     100.3   101.8       0.7     0.1      0.3      0.1      1.5
27        Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,
             bituminous substances and mineral wax...        14.245     164.4   165.0     124.5     4.6      2.5     14.1      0.4

VI       PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED
            INDUSTRIES...............................         5.002      96.3    95.9       2.5    -0.2      0.5      0.9     -0.4
28        Inorganic chemicals........................         0.799      98.2    96.6       5.2     1.2      1.7      2.6     -1.6
29        Organic chemicals..........................         1.937      94.3    94.1       4.9    -0.4      0.1      0.4     -0.2
30        Pharmaceutical products....................         0.576     108.0   107.2       2.6    -0.4      2.2     -0.1     -0.7
32        Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye &
             pigments; varnish & paints; putty.......         0.259      87.5    86.4      -6.5    -1.9     -0.8      0.3     -1.3
37        Photographic or cinematographic goods......         0.344      96.9    97.8       2.2     0.7     -0.2     -0.2      0.9
38        Miscellaneous chemical products
             (9612=100)..............................         0.379      91.2    90.7       0.1    -0.3      0.1      2.7     -0.5
     3/   Other products of the chemical or
             allied industries (9612=100)............         0.708      92.2    93.1      -1.7    -0.2      0.0      0.9      1.0

VII      PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER
            AND ARTICLES THEREOF.....................         2.595      86.9    87.4       2.2     0.5     -0.2     -0.1      0.6
39        Plastics and articles thereof..............         1.653      91.7    92.6       3.9     1.0     -0.2     -0.2      1.0
40        Rubber and articles thereof................         0.942      79.7    79.7      -0.6    -0.2     -0.5      0.3      0.0

VIII     RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,
            TRAVEL GOODS, ETC........................         0.967     101.0   100.7      -1.4    -0.4     -0.1      0.9     -0.3
42        Articles of leather; travel goods, bags,
             etc. of various materials...............         0.787     100.3   100.2      -0.2    -0.3     -0.1      0.6     -0.1

IX       WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW, BASKET
            AND WICKER...............................         1.642     108.4   109.0       2.6     3.3     -0.5     -0.6      0.6

X        WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER
            AND ARTICLES THEREOF.....................         2.308      84.8    84.8       4.4    -0.7      0.6      0.7      0.0
47        Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic
             material; waste paper/paperboard........         0.402      74.1    74.6      28.8     2.2      3.6      2.3      0.7
48        Paper and paperboard; articles of paper
             pulp, paper or paperboard...............         1.567      87.6    87.7       1.0    -1.2      0.1      0.3      0.1
49        Printed matter.............................         0.339      97.8    96.9      -2.9    -1.8     -0.2      0.0     -0.9

XI       TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES................         6.698     100.3   100.1       0.2     0.1     -0.4      0.3     -0.2
61        Articles of apparel and clothing
             accessories, knitted or crocheted.......         2.010     101.9   101.8       2.2    -0.2      0.1      0.0     -0.1
62        Articles of apparel and clothing
             accessories, not knitted or crocheted...         3.250     103.1   103.0      -1.1     0.2     -0.6      0.2     -0.1
63        Made-up or worn textile articles and
             clothing; needlecraft sets; rags........         0.328      95.1    94.5       1.2     0.0      0.4      0.0     -0.6
     3/   Other textile & textile
             articles (9612=100).....................         1.109      94.0    93.5      -0.4     0.4     -0.5      0.6     -0.5

XII      FOOTWEAR, HEADGEAR, UMBRELLAS, WHIPS,
            ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS, ETC..................         2.043     101.4   101.2      -0.2     0.0     -0.1      0.1     -0.2
64        Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts
             of such articles........................         1.754     100.8   100.6      -0.2    -0.1      0.0      0.1     -0.2
     3/   Other footwear, headgear, umbrellas,
             whips, art. flowers, etc. (9612=100)....         0.289     103.5   103.3       0.2     0.1      0.1     -0.2     -0.2

XIII     STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,CERAMIC
            GLASS ETC................................         1.110     101.0   100.2      -1.7    -0.5     -0.4      0.5     -0.8
69        Ceramic products...........................         0.427      99.7    98.8       0.2    -0.4      0.0      1.2     -0.9
70        Glass and glassware........................         0.425      99.8    99.1      -2.6    -0.7     -0.2     -0.2     -0.7

XIV      PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,
            IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS.............         2.380     108.6   118.4      16.5    -0.4      1.7      2.8      9.0

XV       BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METAL......         5.476      90.0    91.4       8.9     0.1      1.1      0.9      1.6
72        Iron and steel.............................         1.640      90.6    94.3      12.1     0.7      2.3     -0.2      4.1
73        Articles of iron or steel..................         1.202      92.2    93.4       1.0     0.2     -0.4     -0.1      1.3
74        Copper and articles thereof................         0.393      73.9    72.3       8.4     0.1      1.0      1.4     -2.2
76        Aluminum and articles thereof..............         0.936      91.0    91.0      14.8    -0.6      2.1      4.4      0.0
83        Miscellaneous articles of base metal.......         0.411     102.9   102.6       2.6     1.1     -0.2      0.1     -0.3
     3/   Miscellaneous nonferrous metals and
             articles, including scrap (9612=100)....         0.465      94.4    97.0      27.0    -0.8      2.9      0.7      2.8

XVI      MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV
            IMAGE & SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC......        27.046      81.5    81.2      -2.8    -0.1      0.1     -0.2     -0.4
84        Specialized machinery & computer
             equipment...............................        13.975      81.2    80.8      -2.5     0.0      0.1     -0.1     -0.5
85        Electrical machinery and equip, sound
             and TV recorders & reproducers, parts...        13.071      81.8    81.6      -2.9    -0.2      0.1     -0.2     -0.2

XVII     VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND
            ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT...........        15.810     102.7   102.7       0.7    -0.1      0.2      0.1      0.0
87        Motor vehicles and their parts.............        14.934     102.4   102.5       0.8    -0.1      0.2      0.1      0.1

XVII     OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &
            MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES........         3.398      91.6    91.2      -0.7     0.0     -0.3     -0.3     -0.4
90        Optical, photographic, measuring and
             medical instruments.....................         2.898      91.4    91.0      -0.4     0.0     -0.3     -0.2     -0.4
91        Clocks and watches and parts thereof.......         0.361      92.0    91.5      -3.6    -1.0      0.1     -1.2     -0.5

XX       MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.........         3.531      96.5    96.3      -1.3    -0.2      0.1     -0.4     -0.2
94        Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps
             and lighting fittings nes;..............         1.532      97.7    97.5      -1.0    -0.5      0.6     -0.1     -0.2
95        Toys, games and sports equipment; parts
             and accessories thereof.................         1.718      95.9    95.9      -1.4     0.1     -0.2     -0.8      0.0
96        Miscellaneous manufactured articles........         0.281      94.0    92.6      -2.0    -0.1     -0.6      0.0     -1.5



    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for December 1999, January and February 2000
        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 1999-March 2000     1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
Harmo-                                                        ance                      March    Nov.     Dec.     Jan.     Feb.
nized                       Description                                                  1999    1999     1999     2000     2000
System                                                      FebruaryFebruary    March     to      to       to       to       to
                                                              2000    2000      2000    March    Dec.     Jan.     Feb.    March
                                                               1/      2/                2000    1999     2000     2000     2000


I        LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS...............         1.955      95.4    95.1       2.7     1.9     -1.4     -0.4     -0.3
02        Meat & edible meat offal...................         1.071      92.0    91.7       7.8     3.4     -2.3     -2.9     -0.3
03        Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and
             other aquatic invertebrates.............         0.564      99.3    99.8      -1.9     0.2     -0.6      4.6      0.5
     3/   Other live animals and animal
             products (9612=100).....................         0.320      85.6    84.5      -4.3    -0.3      0.2     -0.6     -1.3

II       VEGETABLE PRODUCTS..........................         4.424      80.6    80.9       0.1    -1.5      2.6      2.8      0.4
07        Edible vegetables and certain roots and
             tubers..................................         0.296      91.3    90.6      -2.4     5.0     -0.8    -11.7     -0.8
08        Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus
             fruit or melons.........................         0.690      91.8    91.1      -8.0    -7.3      2.6      0.4     -0.8
10        Cereals....................................         2.036      72.2    72.5      -1.8    -2.4      3.9      4.9      0.4
12        Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds,
             fruits, plants, straw and fodder........         1.147      89.5    90.5       8.0     1.8      1.4      4.2      1.1

III      ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE FATS AND OILS...........         0.382      73.9    69.5     -16.3    -1.9     -3.1     -2.0     -6.0

IV       PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND
            TOBACCO..................................         3.449      98.3    98.2       0.7    -0.4      0.3     -0.1     -0.1
20        Preparations of vegetables, fruit,
             nuts, or other parts of plants..........         0.341      93.1    92.0      -1.1     0.3      0.1     -0.5     -1.2
21        Miscellaneous edible preparations..........         0.373     106.1   107.3       0.3     0.0     -0.3     -1.2      1.1
22        Beverages, spirits, and vinegar............         0.334      98.1    98.5      -0.6     0.0     -0.3      0.0      0.4
23        Residues and waste from the food
             industries; prepared animal feed........         0.589      88.6    88.2       1.6    -2.6     -0.1      1.5     -0.5
24        Tobacco and manufactured tobacco
             substitutes.............................         1.295     102.1   102.1       0.9     0.0      0.3     -0.3      0.0
     3/   Other prepared foods.......................         0.517     101.5   101.5       1.6     0.2      0.9     -0.4      0.0

V        MINERAL PRODUCTS............................         3.243     124.4   133.9      45.5     2.9      1.5      5.8      7.6
27        Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,
             bituminous substances and mineral wax...         2.693     133.8   146.2      56.2     3.4      2.0      7.1      9.3

VI       PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED
            INDUSTRIES...............................         8.799      94.1    94.1       2.4     0.2      0.2      0.2      0.0
28        Inorganic chemicals........................         0.913      97.7    97.5      -3.8    -1.6      0.0     -0.4     -0.2
29        Organic chemicals..........................         2.939      87.9    88.6      15.5     1.4      0.9      0.7      0.8
30        Pharmaceutical products....................         0.952     106.0   106.1       2.4     0.8      1.4      0.2      0.1
31        Fertilizers (9612=100).....................         0.499      74.6    72.7     -22.7    -1.5     -0.3      1.5     -2.5
32        Tanning or dyeing extracts; dyes and
             pigments; paints & varnish; putty;ink...         0.495      97.8    97.7      -3.9    -1.3     -1.8      0.1     -0.1
33        Essential oils and resinoids;
             perfumery, cosmetic or toilet...........         0.559     106.2   105.8       2.1    -0.1      0.0     -0.2     -0.4
34        Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or
             scouring products; candles, pastes......         0.327     104.9   104.8       0.7     0.0      0.1      0.1     -0.1
37        Photographic or cinematographic goods......         0.404      87.6    86.3      -1.5     0.4     -3.3     -1.1     -1.5
38        Miscellaneous chemical products............         1.492      98.2    97.9      -1.4     0.0      0.2     -0.1     -0.3

VII      PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER
            AND ARTICLES THEREOF.....................         4.321      94.4    95.0       5.1     0.2     -0.5     -0.1      0.6
39        Plastics and articles thereof..............         3.418      93.6    94.4       7.4     0.1     -0.1      0.1      0.9
40        Rubber and articles thereof................         0.903      97.3    97.4      -2.9     0.5     -2.4     -0.9      0.1

VIII     RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,
            TRAVEL GOODS, ETC........................         0.546      91.4    89.7       7.9     1.4      2.9      0.7     -1.9
41        Raw hides and skins (other than
             furskins) and leather...................         0.388      87.2    86.1      11.5     1.9      4.0     -0.3     -1.3

IX       WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW,
            BASKET AND WICKER........................         1.251      88.6    89.2       4.6     1.4      1.1      0.3      0.7

X        WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER
            AND ARTICLES THEREOF.....................         3.367      86.7    87.1      14.6     0.8      1.2      1.2      0.5
47        Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic
             material; waste paper/paperboard........         0.938      82.3    83.5      42.2     3.2      3.8      3.9      1.5
48        Paper and paperboard; articles of paper
             pulp, paper or paperboard...............         1.586      88.4    88.9       9.6    -0.3      0.5      0.0      0.6
49        Printed material...........................         0.844     110.9   110.5       1.2     0.7      0.0     -0.2     -0.4

XI       TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES................         3.016      85.0    86.1      -1.8     0.0     -1.4      1.4      1.3
52        Cotton, including yarns and woven
             fabrics thereof.........................         0.567      64.4    67.3      -5.9     0.5     -3.1      9.0      4.5
55        Manmade staple fibers, includ. yarns
             and woven fabrics (9812=100)............         0.267      99.7   103.2       4.9    -4.2      1.2      0.1      3.5
61        Apparel and clothing access.,
             knitted or crocheted (9812=100).........         0.466      98.7    98.7      -2.2    -0.6     -1.0      0.0      0.0
62        Apparel and clothing access.,
             not knitted or crocheted (9812=100).....         0.621      93.6    94.5      -4.4     0.0     -3.2     -1.4      1.0

XIII     STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,
            CERAMIC, GLASS ETC.......................         0.869     103.3   103.8       0.6    -0.3     -0.1      0.2      0.5
70        Glass and glassware........................         0.498     101.4   102.5       0.4     0.0      0.0      0.2      1.1

XIV      PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,
            IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS.............         2.081     105.0   109.6      14.0    -1.3     -0.5      6.1      4.4

XV       BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METALS.....         4.627      94.2    94.8       6.3     0.8      1.0      0.9      0.6
72        Iron and steel.............................         0.879      82.8    83.0       7.4    -0.1      2.4      0.2      0.2
73        Articles of iron or steel..................         1.314     110.3   110.5       0.2     0.4      0.6     -0.1      0.2
74        Copper and articles thereof................         0.381      71.3    70.7      14.0     1.3      2.5      1.6     -0.8
76        Aluminum and articles thereof..............         0.903      89.1    90.4      15.7     1.7      1.4      2.4      1.5
82        Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and
             forks, of base metal; parts thereof.....         0.440     108.0   108.2       1.1     0.5      0.6      0.3      0.2
83        Miscellaneous articles of base metal.......         0.387     101.8   101.8      -1.4     0.0      0.0      0.3      0.0


XVI      MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV
            IMAGE AND SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC....        35.706      91.5    91.4      -1.5    -0.4      0.1      0.0     -0.1
84        Specialized machinery & computer
             equipment...............................        20.184      93.9    94.0      -0.6    -0.4      0.3     -0.1      0.1
85        Electrical machinery and equip, sound
             & tv recorders & reproducers, parts.....        15.522      88.6    88.3      -2.6    -0.4     -0.2      0.2     -0.3

XVII     VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND
            ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT...........        14.367     107.6   108.0       2.1     0.1      0.5      0.1      0.4
87        Motor vehicles and their parts.............         9.844     103.6   104.0       1.7     0.0      0.3      0.1      0.4

XVII     OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &
            MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES........         5.551     103.2   103.4       0.5    -0.4     -0.1      0.3      0.2


XX       MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.........         1.819     102.6   102.7       0.3    -0.1      0.4      0.1      0.1
94        Furniture; stuffed furnishings;
             lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;......         0.904     105.4   105.6       1.3    -0.2      0.7      0.0      0.2
95        Toys, games and sports equipment; parts
             and accessories thereof.................         0.742     100.1   100.1      -0.5     0.0     -0.4      0.3      0.0



    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for December 1999, January and February 2000
        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 1999-March 2000
               1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                       Index                            Percent Change
                                                            Percentage
                                                               of                       Annual          Monthly
                                                            US Imports                  March    Nov.     Dec.     Jan.     Feb.
                           Description 1/                                                1999    1999     1999     2000     2000
                                                              1995    Feb.      March     to      to       to       to       to
                                                                      2000      2000    March    Dec.     Jan.     Feb.    March
                                                                       2/                2000    1999     2000     2000     2000

     3/ Developed Countries..........................       100.000     100.1   100.4       5.7     0.1      0.5      1.1      0.3
          Manufactured Goods.........................        91.982      98.1    98.2       2.5     0.1      0.3      0.7      0.1
          Nonmanufactured Goods......................         7.770     138.4   142.1      64.3     0.6      2.0      7.2      2.7

     3/ Developing Countries.........................       100.000     101.6   102.5      14.0     0.9      1.0      1.3      0.9
          Manufactured Goods.........................        75.798      92.1    92.3       1.0    -0.2      0.4     -0.1      0.2
          Nonmanufactured Goods......................        23.952     144.1   148.4      90.0     4.7      3.2      6.2      3.0

        Canada.......................................       100.000     104.1   104.1       9.6     0.1      0.9      1.9      0.0
          Manufactured Goods.........................        84.203     100.0    99.5       3.3     0.5      0.6      0.9     -0.5
          Nonmanufactured Goods......................        15.247     138.8   142.7      59.3    -1.6      2.4      6.9      2.8

     4/ European Union...............................       100.000     101.8   101.6       1.7    -0.2      0.1      0.3     -0.2
          Manufactured Goods.........................        96.050     101.0   100.7      -0.2    -0.5      0.1      0.1     -0.3
          Nonmanufactured Goods......................         3.950     129.2   133.2      79.3     8.1      2.0      3.1      3.1

     5/ Latin America  (9712=100)....................       100.000     110.2   111.6      21.6     1.2      1.7      2.3      1.3
          Manufactured Goods  (9712=100).............        66.939      99.6   101.2       6.9     0.0      0.8     -0.1      1.6
          Nonmanufactured Goods (9712=100)...........        32.412     142.4   143.7      71.5     4.2      3.8      7.7      0.9

        Japan........................................       100.000      90.1    89.6       1.2     0.4      0.4      0.0     -0.6

     6/ Asian Newly Industrialized Countries.........       100.000      82.9    82.9      -1.0     0.0     -0.2     -0.2      0.0



        1    Regions are not mutually exclusive.

        2    Data for  December 1999, January and February 2000
             have been revised to reflect the availability
             of late reports and corrections by respondents.

        3    Defined according to the Standard Census Definition.

        4    Includes EU  15 countries.

        5    Includes Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.

        6    Includes Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan.














































        Table  8     U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services
             March 1999-March 2000  1995 = 100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                       Index                            Percent Change

                                                                                        Annual          Quarterly
                                                             Trade                      March   March     June    Sept.     Dec.
                            Description                      (Mil.                       1999    1999     1999     1999     1999
                                                               of     Dec.      March     to      to       to       to       to
                                                            Dollars)  1999      2000    March    June    Sept.     Dec.    March
                                                                                         2000    1999     1999     1999     2000


        IMPORT

         Air Freight                                            3188     88.9   87.1       -0.8    -2.7      1.9      2.2     -2.0
          Atlantic                                              1278     83.4   79.4      -10.9    -4.7      0.1     -1.9     -4.8
          Pacific                                               1674     94.4   93.9        6.8    -1.7      3.6      5.5     -0.5

         Air Passenger Fares                                   11127    106.4   109.7       5.7    13.0      0.6     -9.8      3.1
     1/   Atlantic                                              4922    103.5   108.3      11.5    28.4      5.2    -21.1      4.6
     1/   Pacific                                               2340    101.9   99.8        2.5     7.8     -6.2      3.5     -2.1
     1/   Latin American / Caribbean                            3021    109.4   113.6       1.0    -1.2     -0.8     -0.8      3.8

     1/  Crude Oil Tanker Freight                               1346     75.0    n.a.     n.a.     -2.8     -0.8      7.1    n.a.

         Ocean Liner Freight                                    9868    129.1   126.1      25.6    22.6      9.1     -3.9     -2.3
          U.S. East Coast                                       4271    112.0   111.1      12.7     3.4      9.5      0.3     -0.8
           from Atlantic                                        1952    102.1   100.1       3.7    -9.1     13.9      2.2     -2.0
           from Pacific                                         1774    125.8   125.8      21.8    17.2      5.8     -1.8      0.0
          U.S. West Coast                                       5596    141.4   136.8      35.3    37.1      8.7     -6.2     -3.3


        EXPORT


         Air Freight (9612 = 100)                               2562     87.8   87.8       -3.0     0.3     -1.7     -1.7      0.0

         Air Passenger Fares                                   17272    103.8   103.3       2.7     1.3      3.9     -2.0     -0.5
     1/   Atlantic                                              4120    100.7   102.2      -4.0     6.3      1.2    -12.1      1.5
     1/   Pacific                                              10700     91.9   89.5        5.2    -1.4      7.6      1.8     -2.6
          Latin American / Caribbean                            1392    116.7   122.3       9.6     2.2      1.8      0.6      4.8



        1     Detailed data available upon request.                                            n.a.    Not available



















































        Table  9    U.S. International Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services
             March 1999-March 2000    1995 = 100
                                                                       Index                            Percent Change

                                                                                        Annual          Quarterly
                                                             Trade                      March   March     June    Sept.     Dec.
                            Description                      (Mil.                       1999    1999     1999     1999     1999
                                                               of     Dec.      March     to      to       to       to       to
                                                            Dollars)  1999      2000    March    June    Sept.     Dec.    March
                                                                                         2000    1999     1999     1999     2000


         Air Freight (Inbound)                                  5495     90.7   88.9        1.0    -2.0      2.0      3.2     -2.0
          Atlantic                                              1880     87.9   84.5       -5.2    -2.9      0.0      1.6     -3.9
          Pacific                                               3151     93.5   92.3        4.9    -1.9      3.5      4.7     -1.3

         Air Freight (Outbound)                                 5835     91.7   91.7       -1.1     0.1     -0.1     -1.1      0.0
          Atlantic                                              2080    102.0   102.2      -1.8     0.4      0.1     -2.5      0.2
          Pacific                                               3222     84.8   84.7       -0.7    -0.1     -0.2     -0.2     -0.1

         Air Passenger Fares (U.S. Carrier)                    30673    106.8   107.3       2.7     7.5      1.7     -6.5      0.5
    1/    Atlantic                                              8811     96.7   98.6        1.8    23.3      2.8    -21.3      2.0
    1/    Pacific                                              15900     98.6   96.5        2.0     1.6      1.9      0.7     -2.1
    1/    Latin American / Caribbean                            4542    119.3   125.6       6.1     1.1      0.8     -1.2      5.3
          Canadian                                              1367    192.4   194.7       2.2     2.2     -2.9      1.7      1.2

         Air Passenger Fares (Foreign Carrier)                 31694    102.2   102.6       3.7     7.5      2.2     -5.9      0.4
    1/    Atlantic                                             13572    100.3   102.6       4.4    15.9      3.0    -14.5      2.3
    1/    Pacific                                              12570     92.5   89.4        3.2     2.1      2.6      2.0     -3.4
    1/    Latin American / Caribbean                            4224    109.9   112.6       2.6    -1.0      0.6      0.5      2.5

    1/   Crude Oil Tanker Freight (Inbound)                     1949     77.7    n.a.     n.a.     -4.3      0.0      8.8    n.a.

         Ocean Liner Freight (Inbound)                         12253    139.4   136.3      32.8    30.3     10.7     -5.8     -2.2
          U.S. East Coast                                       5410    108.2   107.3      11.3     1.5     10.0      0.6     -0.8
           from Atlantic                                        2647    100.1   98.2        3.8    -9.2     14.0      2.2     -1.9
           from Pacific                                         1874    121.9   121.9      20.5    16.1      5.5     -1.7      0.0
          U.S. West Coast                                       6844    163.4   158.7      48.3    50.8     11.0     -8.8     -2.9



        1     Detailed data available upon request.                                            n.a.    Not available





















































                                                                     
                           TECHNICAL NOTE
   
Import and Export Merchandise and Services Price Indexes -- All indexes use 
a modified Laspeyres formula and are weighted with 1995 trade weights.  The 
merchandise price indexes are published using three classifications:  the 
Harmonized System (HS), the Bureau of Economic Analysis End Use System,
and the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) system, Rev. 3.  
Price indexes for internationally traded services are presented using two 
definitions: Balance of Payments (which represents transactions between U.S. 
and foreign residents) and International (which represents all transactions
with U.S. importers or exporters, regardless of nationality).  Published
series use a base year of 1995=100 where possible.  Net transaction price
data are collected every month for over 20,000 products from over 6,000
companies and secondary sources.  Indexes are not seasonally adjusted.  More
detailed index series and additional information may be obtained from the
Division of International Prices, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2 Massachusetts
Avenue N.E., PSB 3955, Washington, DC 20212 or (202) 691-7101.

Import Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the 1995 Harmonized 
Tariff Schedule of the United States Annotated (TSUSA).  Import prices are 
based on U.S. dollar prices paid by the U.S. importer.  The prices are
generally either "free on board" (f.o.b.) foreign port or "cost, insurance,
and freight" (c.i.f.) U.S. port transaction prices, depending on the
practices of the individual industry.  The index for crude petroleum is
calculated from data collected by the U.S. Department of Energy.  

Export Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the 1995 Harmonized 
Schedule B classification system of the U.S. Bureau of the Census.  The
prices used are generally either "free alongside ship" (f.a.s.) factory
or "free on board" (f.o.b.) transaction prices, depending on the practices of
the individual industry.  Prices used in the grain index, excluding rice,
are obtained from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Import Indexes by Locality of Origin -- Prices used in these indexes are a
subset of the data collected for the Import Price Indexes.  Prior to
January 1993, nonmanufactured goods were defined as SITC 0-4 and manufactured
goods were defined as SITC 5-8.  Beginning with January 1993, the indexes are
defined by locality of origin using a nomenclature based upon the Standard
Industrial Classification (SIC-based).  Nonmanufactured goods are defined as
SIC 0-1, and manufactured goods are defined as SIC 2-3.  The indexes use 1995
weights and a base of 1995=100.

Import, Export, and International Services Indexes -- Indexes are calculated
on a quarterly basis.  The figures for services indexes will not sum up to
the aggregate dollar value because not all categories are shown in the tables.
Revenue figures for air passenger indexes exclude frequent flyer tickets and
those sold by consolidators.  Indexes for crude oil tanker freight are
calculated from data collected by the U. S. Department of Energy and the 
publication of these indexes is lagged one quarter.  

Revision policy -- Data are revised for the previous three months to reflect
the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents.

Uses of the Data -- The primary use of the indexes is to deflate trade
statistics.  For merchandise trade, the End Use classification system is the
structure used by the U.S. Department of Commerce in the construction of the
foreign trade sector of the National Income and Product Accounts.  Indexes
published using the Harmonized System and the Standard International Trade
Classification, Rev. 3, both international structures, are useful for general
market analysis.  For trade in international services, Balance of Payments
indexes are used for deflating National Accounts data, while International
indexes are more appropriate for market analysis. Merchandise and services
indexes also can be used to study U.S. competitiveness and price elasticities,
and the merchandise import indexes by country or region of origin are useful
for terms of trade analysis.



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