Technical Information:
 Jim Thomas     (202) 606-7155                          USDL-98-379
 Bill Alterman  (202) 606-7108                          Transmission of This
Media contact:                                          Material is Embargoed
  Kathryn Hoyle (202) 606-5902                          Until: 10:00 A.M. E.D.T.
Internet Address:   http://stats.bls.gov/ipphome.htm    Tuesday, September 15, 1998
 
                   U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES
                             -AUGUST 1998-
	
	The U.S. Import Price Index declined 0.3 percent in August, the
Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today.
The August decrease, the 10th consecutive monthly decline for the index, was
attributable to the continued decline for nonpetroleum import prices.  The
U.S. Export Price Index fell 0.6 percent in August, after falling 0.1 percent
and 0.6 percent in July and June, respectively.

              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

1997
August         -0.1        2.3       -0.3          0.0       0.1        0.0
September      -0.1        0.2        0.0         -0.3      -0.1       -0.3
October         0.2        5.6       -0.3         -0.4      -1.8       -0.2
November       -0.4       -3.5       -0.2          0.0       0.7       -0.1
December       -1.0       -6.8       -0.4         -0.4      -0.8       -0.4

1998
January        -1.3      -10.0       -0.6         -0.7      -2.7       -0.4
February       -0.9       -6.5       -0.4         -0.3      -1.5       -0.2
March          -0.8       -9.0       -0.3         -0.3      -0.5       -0.3
April          -0.3        0.4       -0.3         -0.4      -1.6       -0.2
May            -0.1        0.5r      -0.2          0.1       1.0       -0.1r
June           -0.8r      -4.5r      -0.4r        -0.6       0.0       -0.5r
July           -0.6r      -3.1r      -0.5         -0.1       0.3r      -0.3r
August         -0.3        0.3       -0.3         -0.6      -3.7       -0.1

August 1996-97 -2.2       -8.8       -1.8         -1.4     -13.4        0.3
August 1997-98 -6.4      -31.8       -4.0         -4.0     -10.4       -3.1

r = revised to reflect late reports and corrections by respondents.

 
Import Goods

	The 0.3 percent decline for import prices in August continued a three-
year downward trend.  Over the past 12 months, the index fell 6.4 percent
compared with a 2.2 percent drop in the August 1996-97 period.  Prices for
nonpetroleum imports, which fell for the 11th consecutive month, were down
0.3 percent in August.  Prices for petroleum imports edged up 0.3 percent
after decreasing 3.1 percent in July and 4.5 percent in June.  Over the past
12 months, the index for petroleum prices fell 31.8 percent after falling 8.8
percent in the August 1996-97 period.  For the second consecutive month,
import prices for all the major nonpetroleum commodity areas decreased.  The
index for foods, feeds, and beverages fell 2.4 percent in August, the largest
decline in the index since July 1997.  Over the past 12 months, this index
dropped 5.1 percent.   Imported capital goods prices continued a three year
downward trend, falling 0.4 percent in August, slightly less than the rate of
decrease posted in the two preceding months.  Prices for capital goods declined
7.0 percent over the past 12 months.   Prices for nonpetroleum industrial
supplies and materials also were down in August, falling 0.4 percent after
posting larger decreases of 1.0 percent in July and 1.1 percent in June.
This index fell 6.0 percent over the past 12 months.  More modest declines
were again posted for autos, down 0.2 percent, and consumer goods, down 0.1
percent.  Over the past year, these indexes fell 0.3 percent and 1.5 percent,
respectively.

	 
Export Goods

	Export prices, down 0.6 percent in August, fell for the third
consecutive month.  For the year ended in August, this index decreased 4.0
percent.  The index for agricultural prices led the decline in overall exports
in August, decreasing 3.7 percent--the largest monthly change in the index
since September 1996.  Prices for agricultural exports had registered
comparatively little movement in recent months after falling earlier in the
year.  The decline in August was largely attributable to falling prices for
grains and oilseeds.  Agricultural export prices fell 10.4 percent for the
year ended in August after a 13.4 percent drop over the August 1996-97 period.
The index of nonagricultural exports dipped 0.1 percent in August, the 12th consecutive month that this index has decreased.  For the year ended in August, nonagricultural export prices were down 3.1 percent.  The August decline in this index was attributable to a 0.3 percent decline for capital goods, the largest component of U.S. exports, and a 0.6 percent drop for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials.  The index of capital goods was down 2.8 percent over the past year and 0.5 percent over the August 1996-97 period.  Prices for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials have dropped for 13 consecutive months and were down 7.1 percent for the year ended in August.  Exported automotive vehicle and consumer goods prices were unchanged in August.  Over the past year, automotive vehicle prices rose just 0.1 percent, and consumer goods prices fell a modest 0.3 percent.


Imports by Locality of Origin	

        The price index of imports from Japan continued a three-year downward
trend, decreasing 0.3 percent in August.  The decline, however, was smaller
than the 0.7 percent decreases posted in each of the two preceding months.
Over the past 12 months the index declined 5.5 percent, compared with a 4.5
percent drop in the previous 12-month period. (See table 7.)

        Price decreases for imports from the Asian Newly Industrialized
countries also persisted in August.  The index fell 0.1 percent in August
after posting declines of 1.0 percent or more in each of the prior three
months.  Over the past 12 months, the index was down 9.4 percent, more than
doubling the average decline recorded over each of the previous two years.

        The price index for imports from the European Union fell 0.2 percent
for the second consecutive month.  For the year ended in August, the index
decreased 1.3 percent, about the same as for the August 1996-97 period.

        The price index for imports from Latin America also declined in August,
down 1.6 percent.   The decrease was led by a 6.0 percent decline for
nonmanufactured goods.

        In contrast, the index for imports from Canada edged up 0.1 percent
last month after posting no change in July.  The index, however, was down 3.2
percent on average over the past 12 months.

CONTENTS OF RELEASE

This news release includes the following tables:

Table 1   Import Price Indexes, by End Use.....page  4
Table 2   Export Price Indexes, by End Use.....page  5
Table 3   Import Price Indexes, by SITC.....pages 6-7
Table 4   Export Price Indexes, by SITC.....pages  8-9
Table 5   Import Price Indexes, by Harmonized System.....pages 10-11
Table 6   Export Price Indexes, by Harmonized System.....pages 12-13
Table 7   Import Price Indexes, by Locality of Origin.....page  14
Table 8   U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes for Services.....page  15
Table 9   U.S. International Price Indexes for Services.....page  16
Table 1   U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, August 1997-August 1998
              1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
                                                              ance                       Aug.   April     May      June     July
END                         Description                                                  1997    1998     1998     1998     1998
USE                                                           July    July     August     to      to       to       to       to
                                                              1998    1998      1998     Aug.    May      June     July     Aug.
                                                               1/      2/                1998    1998     1998     1998     1998

        ALL COMMODITIES..............................       100.000      91.9    91.6      -6.4    -0.1     -0.8     -0.6   -0.3
        ALL IMPORTS EXCLUDING PETROLEUM..............        93.903      93.2    92.9      -4.0    -0.2     -0.4     -0.5   -0.3

0        FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES...................         4.911      96.4    94.1      -5.1    -1.0      0.7     -0.7   -2.4

00        Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,
              excluding distilled beverages..........         3.437      92.6    89.8      -7.7    -1.7      0.1     -0.2   -3.0

01        Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled
              beverages).............................         1.474     106.2   105.4       1.2     0.3      2.4     -1.9   -0.8

1        INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS.............        24.772      86.8    86.6     -14.1     0.2     -1.9     -1.6   -0.2
           INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS
                 EXCLUDING PETROLEUM.................        18.674      92.5    92.1      -6.0     0.1     -1.1     -1.0   -0.4
           INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                 DURABLE.............................         9.837      93.2    93.2      -6.3     0.1     -1.8     -0.9   0.0
           INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                 NONDURABLE EXCLUDING PETROLEUM......         8.837      91.6    90.9      -5.6     0.0     -0.1     -1.2   -0.8

10        Fuels & lubricants.........................         7.276      76.2    76.4     -28.3     0.6     -3.9     -2.9   0.3

100        Petroleum & petroleum products............         6.098      71.8    72.0     -31.8     0.5     -4.5     -3.1   0.3

1000         Crude...................................         4.664      69.2    69.6     -34.0    -1.1     -5.8     -1.0   0.6

11        Paper & paper base stocks..................         1.893      81.8    80.6      -2.5    -0.6      1.0      0.1   -1.5

12        Materials associated with nondurable
              supplies & materials...................         5.980      89.7    89.0      -6.9     0.0     -0.2     -1.5   -0.8

13        Selected building materials................         2.136     102.8   104.1      -6.8    -1.7     -2.7      3.1   1.3

14        Unfinished metals associated with
              durable goods..........................         4.526      90.6    90.2      -7.3     1.4     -2.6     -2.5   -0.4

15        Finished metals associated with durable
              goods..................................         1.479      92.8    92.9      -3.5    -0.9      0.1     -0.3   0.1

16        Nonmetals associated with durable goods....         1.482      89.8    89.3      -6.1    -0.3      0.2     -1.9   -0.6

2        CAPITAL GOODS...............................        28.333      84.9    84.6      -7.0    -0.3     -0.7     -0.8   -0.4

20        Electric & electrical generating
              equipment..............................         3.447      94.0    93.9      -3.3    -0.3      0.0     -0.7   -0.1

21        Nonelectrical machinery....................        23.083      82.0    81.6      -8.2    -0.4     -0.8     -0.8   -0.5

3        AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES........        18.847     100.9   100.7      -0.3    -0.2     -0.1     -0.1   -0.2

4        CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING
              AUTOMOTIVES............................        23.138      98.0    97.9      -1.5     0.0     -0.1     -0.2   -0.1

40        Nondurables, manufactured..................        11.551     100.8   100.8       0.0     0.0      0.2     -0.1   0.0

41        Durables, manufactured.....................        10.447      95.1    94.9      -3.0    -0.1     -0.4     -0.3   -0.2

42        Nonmanufactured consumer goods.............         1.140      98.7    97.1      -2.7     1.8     -0.6      0.0   -1.6



    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for May, June and July 1998
        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, August 1997-August 1998
              1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
                                                              ance                       Aug.   April     May      June     July
END                         Description                                                  1997    1998     1998     1998     1998
USE                                                           July    July     August     to      to       to       to       to
                                                              1998    1998      1998     Aug.    May      June     July     Aug.
                                                               1/      2/                1998    1998     1998     1998     1998

        ALL COMMODITIES..............................       100.000      95.9    95.3      -4.0     0.1     -0.6     -0.1     -0.6
        AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES.....................        10.127      93.4    89.9     -10.4     1.0      0.0      0.3     -3.7
        NONAGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES..................        89.870      96.1    96.0      -3.1    -0.1     -0.5     -0.3     -0.1

0        FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES...................         9.118      94.4    91.3     -10.3     1.0     -0.6      1.3     -3.3

00        Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,
              excluding distilled beverages..........         8.372      94.8    90.7     -11.5     1.1     -0.6      0.7     -4.3

01        Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled
              beverages).............................         0.746      91.6    98.8       2.7    -0.1     -1.1      8.1      7.9

1        INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS.............        24.570      89.3    88.9      -6.8    -0.1     -0.6     -1.2     -0.4
           INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                 DURABLE.............................         9.574      90.3    90.0      -6.5     0.0     -0.9     -1.0     -0.3
           INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                 NONDURABLE..........................        14.996      88.7    88.2      -7.1    -0.2     -0.3     -1.3     -0.6

10        Agricultural industrial supplies &
              materials..............................         1.755      88.9    88.2      -4.4     0.6      3.2     -1.6     -0.8

           NONAGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES &
              MATERIALS..............................        22.814      89.4    88.9      -7.1    -0.2     -0.9     -1.1     -0.6

11        Fuels & lubricants.........................         2.178      95.8    94.2     -14.7     0.0     -1.4     -5.0     -1.7

12        Nonagricultural supplies & materials
              excluding fuels & building materials...        19.162      87.9    87.6      -6.0    -0.1     -0.8     -0.9     -0.3

13        Selected building materials................         1.474      86.3    86.8      -7.5    -1.0     -0.7      0.3      0.6

2        CAPITAL GOODS...............................        44.256      97.6    97.3      -2.8    -0.1     -0.6      0.0     -0.3

20        Electric & electrical generating
              Equipment..............................         4.491     100.6   100.4      -1.8     0.0     -0.2      0.0     -0.2

21        Nonelectrical machinery....................        34.196      94.4    94.1      -3.5     0.0     -0.9      0.1     -0.3

3        AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES........         9.960     102.4   102.4       0.1     0.0      0.0      0.1      0.0

4        CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING
              AUTOMOTIVES............................        12.094     101.9   101.9      -0.3     0.1     -0.4      0.0      0.0

40        Nondurables, manufactured..................         6.407     102.1   101.9       0.2     0.1     -0.2      0.1     -0.2

41        Durables, manufactured.....................         5.112     100.5   100.8      -1.3     0.2     -0.6     -0.2      0.3



    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for May, June and July 1998
        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, August 1997-August 1998
              1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
                                                              ance                       Aug.   April     May      June     July
SITC                        Description                                                  1997    1998     1998     1998     1998
Rev. 3                                                        July    July     August     to      to       to       to       to
                                                              1998    1998      1998     Aug.    May      June     July     Aug.
                                                               1/      2/                1998    1998     1998     1998     1998

        ALL COMMODITIES..............................       100.000      91.9    91.6      -6.4    -0.1     -0.8     -0.6     -0.3

0        FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS.......................         4.203      97.5    94.3      -6.5    -1.9      0.5     -0.5     -3.3
01        Meat and meat preparations.................         0.356      97.7    97.8      -6.1    -0.4     -3.0     -0.6      0.1
03        Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates
             and preparations thereof................         1.114     106.5   104.4      -0.2    -0.2      2.1     -2.7     -2.0
05        Vegetables, fruit and nuts,
             fresh or dried..........................         1.246     111.7    98.7      -4.4    -1.8      4.5      7.9    -11.6
07        Coffee, tea, cocoa, spices and
             manufactures thereof....................         0.546      73.6    79.9     -18.1    -7.3     -4.6    -10.4      8.6
     3/ Other food and live animals (9612=100).......         0.941      94.3    92.3      -8.0    -0.8     -1.2     -1.7     -2.1

1        BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO.......................         0.912     109.8   109.7       1.9     0.1      0.3      0.2     -0.1
11        Beverages..................................         0.768     106.5   106.3       2.0     0.1      0.4      0.2     -0.2

2        CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS.....         2.858      87.2    85.8     -11.4    -0.6     -1.8     -0.6     -1.6
23        Crude rubber (including synthetic and
             reclaimed)..............................         0.188      53.4    54.2     -29.8    -5.9      1.9     -9.2      1.5
24        Cork and wood..............................         1.022     105.5   106.5     -11.9    -3.2     -5.1      4.2      0.9
25        Pulp and waste paper.......................         0.381      64.6    62.5      -8.0    -1.3      5.1     -2.3     -3.3
28        Metalliferous ores and metal scrap.........         0.623      95.9    94.7      -9.6     0.1     -2.3     -2.6     -1.3
29        Crude animal and vegetable materials,
             n.e.s. (9612=100).......................         0.311     113.4   100.9      -0.9    13.7     -2.5      0.3    -11.0
     3/ Other crude materials, inedible, except
           fuels (9612=100)..........................         0.334      87.7    87.2     -10.8    -1.0     -0.3     -4.4     -0.6

3        MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED
            MATERIALS................................         6.961      75.4    75.6     -28.8     0.5     -4.1     -2.8      0.3
33        Petroleum, petroleum products and
             related materials.......................         5.757      71.2    71.5     -32.0     0.5     -4.7     -2.9      0.4
34        Gas, natural and manufactured..............         1.074     109.5   108.7      -9.2     1.1     -1.7     -2.6     -0.7

5        CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.......         5.697      92.6    92.1      -4.5     0.6      0.0     -1.1     -0.5
51        Organic chemicals..........................         1.617      92.0    91.7      -5.9     1.1      0.3     -0.3     -0.3
52        Inorganic chemicals........................         0.696      96.1    94.6      -4.1     1.8      0.6     -1.7     -1.6
53        Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials.....         0.298      94.6    94.8      -0.6     0.1      0.1     -0.3      0.2
54        Medicinal and pharmaceutical products......         0.950      94.8    94.9      -1.4    -0.1     -0.1     -0.5      0.1
55        Essential oils; polishing and cleansing
             preps...................................         0.329      94.3    93.4      -4.5     0.5      0.2     -0.5     -1.0
57        Plastics in primary forms..................         0.393      93.1    91.2      -0.8     0.0     -0.1     -1.0     -2.0
58        Plastics in nonprimary forms...............         0.519      77.1    77.0     -11.9    -0.2     -1.1     -2.5     -0.1
59        Chemical materials and products, n.e.s.....         0.664      98.6    98.5      -4.6     0.5     -0.5     -2.7     -0.1

6        MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY
            BY MATERIAL..............................        12.901      93.4    93.3      -3.3     0.1     -0.6     -0.7     -0.1
62        Rubber manufactures, n.e.s.................         0.755      94.7    94.1      -1.8     0.0      0.3     -0.3     -0.6
63        Cork and wood manufactures other than
             furniture...............................         0.569      95.2    97.0      -2.9    -0.3      0.9      2.6      1.9
64        Paper, paperboard, and articles of
             paper pulp, paper or paper board........         1.694      87.9    87.3      -0.8    -0.3     -0.1      0.5     -0.7
65        Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up
             articles, n.e.s., and related product...         1.453      96.8    96.8      -3.0    -0.7     -0.1     -0.4      0.0
66        Nonmetallic mineral manufactures,
             n.e.s...................................         2.224     100.4   100.6      -1.9    -0.1      0.0     -0.3      0.2
67        Iron and steel.............................         2.054      91.4    91.0      -5.5    -0.3     -1.2     -1.7     -0.4
68        Nonferrous metals..........................         1.931      88.0    88.0      -7.0     2.6     -3.5     -3.2      0.0
69        Manufactures of metals, n.e.s..............         2.049      96.3    96.2      -2.1    -0.6      0.3     -0.3     -0.1

7        MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT...........        47.792      91.3    91.1      -4.1    -0.3     -0.4     -0.5     -0.2
71        Power generating machinery and
             equipment (9612=100)....................         3.111      97.5    97.6      -1.4    -0.2      0.0     -0.4      0.1
72        Machinery specialized for particular
             industries..............................         2.802      97.3    97.1      -1.5     0.0      0.0     -0.3     -0.2
73        Metalworking machinery.....................         0.858      96.3    95.8      -2.1    -0.1      0.0     -0.6     -0.5
74        General industrial machinery and equip-
             ment, n.e.s. and machine parts, n.e.s...         3.576      96.3    96.4      -1.2     0.1      0.3     -0.4      0.1
75        Computer equipment and office machines.....         6.683      69.8    69.2     -12.3    -1.4     -0.8     -0.7     -0.9
76        Telecommunications & sound recording
             & reproducing apparatus & equipment.....         4.635      88.9    88.7      -4.5    -0.1     -1.3     -0.6     -0.2
77        Electrical machinery and equipment.........         9.548      83.6    83.2      -7.1    -0.1     -1.2     -0.9     -0.5
78        Road vehicles..............................        15.475     101.0   100.8      -0.3    -0.3     -0.1     -0.1     -0.2

8        MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.........        18.229      98.4    98.3      -1.8    -0.1     -0.1     -0.2     -0.1
81        Prefabricated buildings; plumbing, heat
             & lighting fixtures, n.e.s..............         0.405      95.4    95.4      -0.1     0.1      0.0     -0.6      0.0
82        Furniture and parts thereof................         1.309     100.5   100.3      -2.5     0.1     -2.5      0.2     -0.2
83        Travel goods, handbags and similar
             containers..............................         0.534     101.1   100.0      -1.2     0.9      0.7      0.0     -1.1
84        Articles of apparel and clothing
             accessories.............................         6.182     102.6   102.6       0.1    -0.1      0.1      0.0      0.0
85        Footwear...................................         1.873     100.8   100.9      -0.2     0.0      0.1      0.1      0.1
87        Professional, scientific and controlling
             instruments and apparatus, n.e.s........         1.648      94.6    94.7      -2.6     0.5     -0.2     -0.3      0.1
88        Photographic apparatus, equipment and
             supplies and optical goods, n.e.s.;.....         1.377      90.9    90.6      -4.0    -0.4     -0.2     -0.1     -0.3
89        Miscellaneous manufactured articles,
             n.e.s...................................         4.900      95.8    95.6      -3.6    -0.4      0.1     -0.4     -0.2




    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available.
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for May, June and July 1998
        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, August 1997-August 1998
              1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
                                                              ance                       Aug.   April     May      June     July
SITC                        Description                                                  1997    1998     1998     1998     1998
Rev. 3                                                        July    July     August     to      to       to       to       to
                                                              1998    1998      1998     Aug.    May      June     July     Aug.
                                                               1/      2/                1998    1998     1998     1998     1998

        ALL COMMODITIES..............................       100.000      95.9    95.3      -4.0     0.1     -0.6     -0.1     -0.6

0        FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS.......................         7.359      92.3    90.0      -9.7     0.6     -0.4      1.5     -2.5
01        Meat and meat preparations.................         1.196      97.6    98.7       2.6     1.6      4.3     -0.1      1.1
03        Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates
             and preparations thereof................         0.562      90.1    99.6       3.7    -0.5     -1.6     11.6     10.5
04        Cereals and cereal preparations............         2.498      82.3    74.9     -19.6    -0.3     -3.8     -0.4     -9.0
05        Vegetables, fruit and nuts,
             fresh or dried..........................         1.481     101.6   102.8      -0.5     3.8      2.1      3.3      1.2
08        Feeding stuff for animals (not
             including unmilled cereals).............         0.694      96.6    90.9     -24.2    -4.2      1.6      1.7     -5.9
09        Miscellaneous edible products and
             preparations............................         0.400     105.0   105.0       1.4     0.0      0.1      0.0      0.0
     3/ Other food and live animals (9612=100).......         0.527      96.8    95.8     -10.1     1.4     -1.7      0.2     -1.0

1        BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO.......................         1.523      99.7    99.8      -1.0     0.0     -0.1     -0.2      0.1
12        Tobacco and tobacco manufactures...........         1.254      99.5    99.5      -1.3    -0.1     -0.1     -0.2      0.0

2        CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS.....         5.445      82.0    80.0     -13.7    -0.2     -1.2      0.0     -2.4
21        Hides, skins and furskins, raw.............         0.274      81.8    83.9     -14.6    -2.3     -1.3     -3.5      2.6
22        Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits............         1.189     106.6    95.3     -20.9     1.2     -3.8      3.9    -10.6
24        Cork and wood..............................         0.879      82.4    82.5     -10.7    -1.7     -0.7      0.5      0.1
25        Pulp and waste paper.......................         0.762      64.5    65.0      -9.0    -1.1      0.8      0.8      0.8
26        Textile fibers and their waste.............         0.799      78.5    77.3      -8.4     1.8      2.5     -1.0     -1.5
27        Crude fertilizers and crude minerals.......         0.340      97.1    96.9      -1.0    -0.1      0.0      0.1     -0.2
28        Metalliferous ores and metal scrap.........         0.773      73.0    72.6     -24.6    -0.6     -4.0     -4.7     -0.5
     3/ Other crude materials, inedible, except
           fuels (9612=100)..........................         0.428      99.0    99.2      -0.4    -1.4      0.2      0.0      0.2

3        MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED
            MATERIALS................................         1.910      96.4    94.9     -14.7    -0.1     -1.4     -6.6     -1.6
32        Coal, coke and briquettes..................         0.696     100.0    99.6      -2.0     0.0      0.0     -0.1     -0.4
33        Petroleum, petroleum products and
             related materials.......................         1.067      95.4    92.9     -23.4     0.0     -1.7    -10.7     -2.6

4        ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE OILS, FATS AND
            WAXES....................................         0.503     104.4   103.4      10.8     5.1      1.2     -3.2     -1.0

5        CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.......        10.686      92.2    92.0      -3.7    -0.4     -0.5     -0.4     -0.2
51        Organic chemicals..........................         2.363      76.3    76.0      -9.7    -0.6     -0.8     -1.0     -0.4
52        Inorganic chemicals........................         0.890     103.4   103.5       5.7     0.0     -0.6     -0.1      0.1
53        Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials.....         0.498     100.6    99.3      -2.5    -1.8      0.4     -0.1     -1.3
54        Medicinal and pharmaceutical products......         1.258     101.6   101.6       0.5     0.0      0.0      0.0      0.0
55        Essential oils; polishing and cleansing
             preps...................................         0.762     101.4   101.4      -1.2     0.2      0.0      0.0      0.0
56        Fertilizers (9612=100).....................         0.574      95.4    94.9       0.3     1.7      1.3     -0.7     -0.5
57        Plastics in primary forms..................         1.772      88.7    88.1      -6.3    -0.4     -1.9     -0.1     -0.7
58        Plastics in nonprimary forms...............         0.830      97.2    97.6      -1.4    -0.7     -1.2     -0.7      0.4
59        Chemical materials and products, n.e.s.....         1.740     100.4   100.6      -3.3    -1.4      0.2     -0.2      0.2

6        MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY
            BY MATERIAL..............................         9.855      97.5    97.1      -1.5    -0.1     -0.3     -0.4     -0.4
62        Rubber manufactures, n.e.s.................         0.681     102.2   102.7       0.5    -0.3      0.3      0.3      0.5
63        Cork and wood manufactures other than
             furniture...............................         0.293      90.1    91.6       0.9    -0.5     -1.1      0.6      1.7
64        Paper, paperboard, and articles of
             paper pulp, paper or paperboard.........         1.523      82.6    82.1      -3.8    -0.6     -0.5     -1.3     -0.6
65        Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up
             articles, n.e.s., and related product...         1.439     103.0   101.9      -1.3    -1.0      0.6     -0.2     -1.1
66        Nonmetallic mineral manufactures,
             n.e.s...................................         1.353     106.6   106.8       2.1    -0.1     -0.1     -0.2      0.2
67        Iron and steel.............................         1.100     100.2   100.1      -2.8    -0.3      0.1     -0.3     -0.1
68        Nonferrous metals..........................         1.246      87.6    85.5      -8.4     2.3     -5.9     -0.6     -2.4
69        Manufactures of metals, n.e.s..............         2.067     106.9   106.8       1.9    -0.3      2.4     -0.1     -0.1

7        MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT...........        50.642      98.6    98.4      -2.2     0.1     -0.6      0.0     -0.2
71        Power generating machinery and
             equipment...............................         4.377     107.0   107.0       0.8     0.0      0.1     -0.1      0.0
72        Machinery specialized for particular
             industries..............................         4.791     105.1   105.1       0.7     0.3     -0.1      0.1      0.0
73        Metalworking machinery.....................         1.010     108.3   108.4       3.9    -0.1      0.6     -0.1      0.1
74        General industrial machinery and equip-
             ment, n.e.s. and machine parts, n.e.s...         5.159     106.3   106.6       1.2     0.3     -0.1      0.2      0.3
75        Computer equipment and office machines.....         6.110      76.0    75.3     -10.4    -0.1     -3.2     -0.7     -0.9
76        Telecommunications & sound recording
             & reproducing apparatus & equipment.....         3.819      98.1    98.1      -1.6     0.4      0.0     -0.6      0.0
77        Electrical machinery and equipment.........        11.559      92.0    91.6      -5.3    -0.1     -0.9      0.2     -0.4
78        Road vehicles..............................         9.261     102.0   102.0       0.1     0.0      0.0      0.1      0.0

8        MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.........        11.347     100.8   100.7      -1.1    -0.2     -0.3      0.0     -0.1
82        Furniture and parts thereof................         0.649     104.3   103.8       0.2     0.0     -0.5      0.3     -0.5
84        Articles of apparel and clothing
             accessories.............................         1.302     103.5   102.3       0.7     0.0      0.0     -0.3     -1.2
87        Professional, scientific and controlling
             instruments and apparatus, n.e.s........         3.789     103.9   103.7       0.2     0.2      0.0      0.1     -0.2
88        Photographic apparatus, equipment and
             supplies and optical goods, n.e.s.......         0.907      92.9    92.7      -6.4    -1.3     -0.4     -0.9     -0.2
89        Miscellaneous manufactured articles,
             n.e.s...................................         4.227      98.3    98.5      -2.1    -0.2     -0.7      0.2      0.2
     3/ Other miscellaneous manufactured
           articles (9612=100).......................         0.472     102.6   102.6       1.6     0.2      0.2     -0.2      0.0




    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                   n.a.      Not available.
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for May, June and July 1998
        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, August 1997-August 1998
             1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
Harmo-                                                        ance                       Aug.   April     May      June     July
nized                       Description                                                  1997    1998     1998     1998     1998
System                                                        July    July     August     to      to       to       to       to
                                                              1998    1998      1998     Aug.    May      June     July     Aug.
                                                               1/      2/                1998    1998     1998     1998     1998


I        LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS...............         1.649     101.3    99.2      -3.6     0.0     -1.0     -1.9     -2.1
02      Meat and edible meat offal...................         0.283      95.7    95.6      -4.4     0.1     -3.2     -0.5     -0.1
03      Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and...........
           other aquatic invertebrates...............         0.975     106.8   104.7      -0.3     0.6      1.2     -1.9     -2.0
     3/ Other live animals and animal................
           products (9612=100).......................         0.391      95.4    92.0     -10.4    -1.4     -4.2     -3.0     -3.6

II       VEGETABLE PRODUCTS..........................         1.685      92.6    86.1      -8.9    -0.8      0.6      3.5     -7.0
07      Edible vegetables and certain roots and......
           tubers....................................         0.415     145.4   108.0     n.a.     -1.8      6.0     31.2    -25.7
08      Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus........
           fruit or melons...........................         0.480     101.0    98.9       1.0    -2.1      4.8     -1.1     -2.1
09      Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................         0.372      72.5    77.3     -15.4    -4.1     -5.9     -8.6      6.6
     3/ Other vegetable products.....................         0.417      91.1    85.3     -11.7     5.1     -1.3     -0.4     -6.4

IV       PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND.........
           TOBACCO...................................         2.170     100.6   100.4      -1.6     0.2      0.6     -1.2     -0.2
20      Preparations of vegetables, fruit,...........
           nuts, or other parts of plants............         0.284      89.5    88.7      -2.6     0.2      1.8     -0.3     -0.9
22      Beverages, spirits, and vinegar..............         0.789     104.0   104.4       0.8     0.2      0.3     -0.1      0.4
     3/ Other prepared foodstuffs (9612=100).........         1.097      99.0    98.4      -3.1     0.1      0.5     -2.1     -0.6

V        MINERAL PRODUCTS............................         7.613      77.1    77.3     -27.0     0.4     -3.6     -2.8      0.3
26      Ores, slag and ash...........................         0.310     101.9   101.7      -0.8    -0.4     -0.2     -0.2     -0.2
27      Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,...........
           bituminous substances and mineral wax.....         7.065      75.6    75.9     -28.3     0.4     -3.9     -3.0      0.4

VI       PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED..........
           INDUSTRIES................................         5.364      95.8    95.3      -4.1     0.6      0.0     -0.9     -0.5
28      Inorganic chemicals..........................         0.869      99.2    97.3      -5.9     1.8      0.0     -2.0     -1.9
29      Organic chemicals............................         2.045      92.4    92.2      -4.9     0.3      0.2     -0.4     -0.2
30      Pharmaceutical products......................         0.580     100.9   101.0      -1.8     0.5     -0.1     -0.7      0.1
32      Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye &.............
           pigments; varnish & paints; putty.........         0.296      92.9    92.9      -2.7    -0.1      0.4     -0.3      0.0
37      Photographic or cinematographic goods........         0.367      96.0    96.0      -2.5     0.0     -0.1     -0.1      0.0
38      Miscellaneous chemical products..............
           (9612=100)................................         0.413      92.3    92.0      -6.5     0.8      0.1     -4.2     -0.3
     3/ Other products of the chemical or............
           allied industries (9612=100)..............         0.793      95.8    95.2      -1.8     0.1     -0.1     -0.5     -0.6

VII      PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER.......
           AND ARTICLES THEREOF......................         2.795      86.8    86.4      -6.3    -0.5     -0.2     -1.3     -0.5
39      Plastics and articles thereof................         1.758      90.5    90.0      -5.4    -0.1     -0.7     -0.9     -0.6
40      Rubber and articles thereof..................         1.037      81.4    81.1      -7.6    -1.2      0.5     -1.6     -0.4

VIII     RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,........
           TRAVEL GOODS, ETC.........................         1.059     102.6   102.0      -1.7     0.9      0.6     -0.1     -0.6
42      Articles of leather; travel goods, bags,.....
           etc. of various materials.................         0.854     101.1   100.3      -1.5     0.6      0.7     -0.1     -0.8

IX       WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW, BASKET....
           AND WICKER................................         1.639     100.4   101.9      -8.3    -2.3     -3.5      3.8      1.5

X        WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER.....
           AND ARTICLES THEREOF......................         2.458      83.7    83.0      -2.1    -0.4      0.7     -0.4     -0.8
47      Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic........
           material; waste paper/paperboard..........         0.381      65.2    63.2      -8.1    -1.1      4.9     -1.8     -3.1
48      Paper and paperboard; articles of paper......
           pulp, paper or paperboard.................         1.710      88.7    88.2      -0.8    -0.3     -0.1      0.3     -0.6
49      Printed matter...............................         0.367      98.2    98.1      -2.1     0.0      0.3     -1.6     -0.1

XI       TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES................         7.245     100.6   100.6      -0.8    -0.2      0.0     -0.3      0.0
61      Articles of apparel and clothing.............
           accessories, knitted or crocheted.........         2.156     101.3   101.3       0.4     0.0     -0.8      0.2      0.0
62      Articles of apparel and clothing.............
           accessories, not knitted or crocheted.....         3.521     103.6   103.6       0.0     0.0      0.5     -0.2      0.0
63      Made-up or worn textile articles and.........
           clothing; needlecraft sets; rags..........         0.348      93.5    93.5      -3.7    -0.2     -0.4     -0.2      0.0
     3/ Other textile & textile......................
           articles (9612=100).......................         1.221      96.0    95.9      -4.1    -0.7      0.0     -1.5     -0.1

XII      FOOTWEAR, HEADGEAR, UMBRELLAS, WHIPS,.......
           ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS, ETC...................         2.197     101.2   101.1      -0.3     0.0      0.2      0.2     -0.1
64      Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts........
           of such articles..........................         1.887     100.6   100.5      -0.4     0.1      0.2      0.0     -0.1
     3/ Other footwear, headgear, umbrellas,.........
           whips, art. flowers, etc. (9612=100)......         0.310     103.1   103.1       0.8    -0.4      0.0      1.6      0.0

XIII     STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,CERAMIC....
           GLASS ETC.................................         1.192     100.6   100.8      -1.6     0.0      0.1     -0.4      0.2
69      Ceramic products.............................         0.451      97.6    97.5      -1.3     0.2     -0.4     -0.1     -0.1
70      Glass and glassware..........................         0.459     100.0   100.5      -2.6    -0.3      0.1     -0.6      0.5

XIV      PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,............
           IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS..............         2.329      98.6    98.9       0.8     1.5     -1.5     -1.6      0.3

XV       BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METAL......         5.803      88.5    88.2      -7.4    -0.1     -0.8     -2.0     -0.3
72      Iron and steel...............................         1.764      90.4    90.0      -5.7    -0.1     -1.4     -2.0     -0.4
73      Articles of iron or steel....................         1.316      93.7    93.9      -3.1    -0.4      0.0     -1.1      0.2
74      Copper and articles thereof..................         0.407      71.1    71.7     -15.2     1.3     -1.2     -0.7      0.8
76      Aluminum and articles thereof................         0.929      83.8    82.9     -10.1    -0.2     -1.8     -3.1     -1.1
83      Miscellaneous articles of base metal.........         0.430     100.0    99.8      -2.3    -1.2      1.1     -0.3     -0.2
     3/ Miscellaneous nonferrous metals and..........
           articles, including scrap (9612=100)......         0.491      92.4    90.0     -21.0     1.0     -1.7     -5.4     -2.6

XVI      MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV.........
           IMAGE & SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC.......        30.248      84.6    84.2      -7.4    -0.3     -0.8     -0.7     -0.5
84      Specialized machinery & computer.............
           equipment.................................        15.777      85.0    84.7      -7.7    -0.6     -0.3     -0.6     -0.4
85      Electrical machinery and equip, sound........
           and TV recorders & reproducers, parts.....        14.471      84.0    83.7      -7.0    -0.2     -1.3     -0.9     -0.4

XVII     VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND.............
           ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT............        16.762     101.0   100.9      -0.3    -0.3      0.0     -0.2     -0.1
87      Motor vehicles and their parts...............        15.828     100.7   100.5      -0.5    -0.3      0.0     -0.2     -0.2

XVII     OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &........
           MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES.........         3.678      92.0    91.8      -2.4    -0.1     -0.1     -0.1     -0.2
90      Optical, photographic, measuring and.........
           medical instruments.......................         3.132      91.6    91.4      -2.7     0.1     -0.3     -0.3     -0.2
91      Clocks and watches and parts thereof.........         0.399      94.4    94.2      -0.5    -0.2      0.5      1.2     -0.2

XX       MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.........         3.852      97.7    97.5      -2.4     0.0     -0.9     -0.2     -0.2
94      Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps........
           and lighting fittings nes;................         1.657      98.0    97.8      -2.4     0.0     -1.9     -0.1     -0.2
95      Toys, games and sports equipment; parts......
           and accessories thereof...................         1.895      98.2    98.0      -2.7    -0.1     -0.2     -0.2     -0.2
96      Miscellaneous manufactured articles..........         0.300      93.3    93.3      -0.2     0.2      0.1     -0.2      0.0



    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for May, June and July 1998
        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, August 1997-August 1998
              1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                             Index                      Percent Change
                                                            Relative
                                                             Import-                    Annual          Monthly
Harmo-                                                        ance                       Aug.   April     May      June     July
nized                       Description                                                  1997    1998     1998     1998     1998
System                                                        July    July     August     to      to       to       to       to
                                                              1998    1998      1998     Aug.    May      June     July     Aug.
                                                               1/      2/                1998    1998     1998     1998     1998


I        LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS...............         1.938      94.4    97.8       0.4     1.3      1.9      1.8      3.6
02      Meat & edible meat offal.....................         1.093      93.7    95.8       1.9     1.2      4.7     -0.8      2.2
03      Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and...........
           other aquatic invertebrates...............         0.496      87.3    95.2       2.0     1.3     -1.2      9.3      9.0
     3/ Other live animals and animal................
           products (9612=100).......................         0.348      93.0    93.4      -5.9     1.8     -1.8      0.2      0.4

II       VEGETABLE PRODUCTS..........................         5.015      91.2    84.8     -15.8     0.5     -2.5      1.1     -7.0
07      Edible vegetables and certain roots and......
           tubers....................................         0.340     104.9   105.7       5.7    10.3      0.7     -0.3      0.8
08      Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus........
           fruit or melons...........................         0.755     100.3   101.4      -2.0    -0.2      3.1      4.7      1.1
10      Cereals......................................         2.272      80.4    72.4     -21.4    -0.2     -4.3     -0.5    -10.0
12      Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds,............
           fruits, plants, straw and fodder..........         1.393     108.5    97.9     -17.8     0.2     -2.8      2.6     -9.8

III      ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE FATS AND OILS...........         0.546     105.3   104.3      11.7     4.4      0.5     -2.9     -0.9

IV       PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND.........
           TOBACCO...................................         3.449      98.1    97.3      -6.1    -1.0      0.1      0.4     -0.8
20      Preparations of vegetables, fruit,...........
           nuts, or other parts of plants............         0.351      95.7    96.2      -2.0    -0.6     -1.0      2.1      0.5
21      Miscellaneous edible preparations............         0.373     105.9   105.6      -0.3     0.0      0.0      0.0     -0.3
22      Beverages, spirits, and vinegar..............         0.335      98.5    99.1      -0.3    -0.5      0.8      0.0      0.6
23      Residues and waste from the food.............
           industries; prepared animal feed..........         0.616      92.4    87.5     -24.8    -3.6      0.6      2.1     -5.3
24      Tobacco and manufactured tobacco.............
           substitutes...............................         1.264      99.5    99.5      -1.3    -0.1     -0.1     -0.3      0.0
     3/ Other prepared foods.........................         0.510     100.1   100.1      -1.0    -1.5      0.1     -0.3      0.0

V        MINERAL PRODUCTS............................         2.485      95.2    93.7     -16.1    -0.4     -1.1     -5.6     -1.6
27      Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,...........
           bituminous substances and mineral wax.....         1.958      97.2    95.3     -15.6    -0.2     -1.3     -6.5     -2.0

VI       PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED..........
           INDUSTRIES................................         8.687      92.8    92.7      -4.1    -0.3     -0.2     -0.5     -0.1
28      Inorganic chemicals..........................         0.957     102.3   102.3       1.7     0.2     -0.7     -0.2      0.0
29      Organic chemicals............................         2.661      79.4    79.3      -9.9    -0.4     -0.9     -1.1     -0.1
30      Pharmaceutical products......................         0.935     104.0   104.0       3.6     0.0      0.0      0.1      0.0
31      Fertilizers (9612=100).......................         0.639      95.4    94.9       0.3     1.7      1.3     -0.7     -0.5
32      Tanning or dyeing extracts; dyes and.........
           pigments; paints & varnish; putty;ink.....         0.510     100.7    99.4      -2.0    -1.3      0.4     -0.1     -1.3
33      Essential oils and resinoids;................
           perfumery, cosmetic or toilet.............         0.543     103.2   103.2      -0.2     0.4     -0.1      0.0      0.0
34      Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or........
           scouring products; candles, pastes........         0.320     102.6   102.7       1.2    -0.2      0.0      0.3      0.1
37      Photographic or cinematographic goods........         0.386      83.6    83.3     -14.0    -0.5     -1.0     -2.0     -0.4
38      Miscellaneous chemical products..............         1.508      99.1    99.3      -4.2    -1.4      0.0     -0.1      0.2

VII      PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER.......
           AND ARTICLES THEREOF......................         4.291      93.6    93.5      -3.6    -0.4     -1.2      0.1     -0.1
39      Plastics and articles thereof................         3.384      92.5    92.3      -4.4    -0.4     -1.5      0.0     -0.2
40      Rubber and articles thereof..................         0.907      97.6    98.1      -0.7    -0.3      0.4      0.0      0.5

VIII     RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,........
           TRAVEL GOODS, ETC.........................         0.506      84.6    85.7      -9.4    -1.4     -0.8     -2.4      1.3
41      Raw hides and skins (other than..............
           furskins) and leather.....................         0.352      79.1    80.7     -12.7    -1.9     -2.2     -3.4      2.0

IX       WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW,...........
           BASKET AND WICKER.........................         1.197      84.6    85.0      -8.2    -1.4     -0.8      0.5      0.5

X        WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER.....
           AND ARTICLES THEREOF......................         3.025      77.8    77.6      -2.8    -0.1     -0.3     -0.3     -0.3
47      Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic........
           material; waste paper/paperboard..........         0.710      62.3    62.5      -6.3    -0.8      1.0      1.6      0.3
48      Paper and paperboard; articles of paper......
           pulp, paper or paperboard.................         1.488      82.9    82.4      -3.5    -0.7     -0.6     -1.5     -0.6
49      Printed material.............................         0.826     108.5   108.8       2.2     1.9     -0.7      0.3      0.3

XI       TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES................         3.276      92.2    91.2      -2.9     0.1      0.7     -0.5     -1.1
52      Cotton, including yarns and woven............
           fabrics thereof...........................         0.714      81.1    79.7      -5.5     2.5      5.8     -1.2     -1.7

XIII     STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,...........
           CERAMIC, GLASS ETC........................         0.871     103.5   103.4       0.6     0.1      0.0     -0.2     -0.1
70      Glass and glassware..........................         0.501     101.9   101.9       0.6     0.0      0.0      0.0      0.0

XIV      PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,............
           IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS..............         1.880      94.7    94.2      -3.2     5.7     -7.1     -0.8     -0.5

XV       BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METALS.....         4.517      91.8    91.1      -6.1    -0.4     -0.4     -1.1     -0.8
72      Iron and steel...............................         0.888      83.5    82.8     -12.8    -1.1     -1.6     -2.1     -0.8
73      Articles of iron or steel....................         1.323     111.0   110.8       3.4    -0.4      2.5      0.1     -0.2
74      Copper and articles thereof..................         0.366      68.4    67.3     -20.3     1.4     -3.3     -1.3     -1.6
76      Aluminum and articles thereof................         0.826      81.3    79.4     -11.0    -0.7     -3.6     -2.5     -2.3
82      Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and.......
           forks, of base metal; parts thereof.......         0.424     103.9   102.7      -0.6     0.0     -0.2      0.0     -1.2
83      Miscellaneous articles of base metal.........         0.382     100.3   100.8      -0.5    -0.1     -0.1      0.0      0.5


XVI      MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV.........
           IMAGE AND SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC.....        36.718      94.0    93.8      -3.8     0.0     -0.9     -0.1     -0.2
84      Specialized machinery & computer.............
           equipment.................................        20.442      95.0    94.7      -3.1     0.1     -1.0     -0.1     -0.3
85      Electrical machinery and equip, sound........
           & tv recorders & reproducers, parts.......        16.276      92.8    92.6      -4.7    -0.1     -0.6     -0.1     -0.2

XVII     VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND.............
           ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT............        14.058     105.2   105.1       0.4     0.0      0.0      0.1     -0.1
87      Motor vehicles and their parts...............         9.716     102.1   102.1       0.1     0.0      0.0      0.1      0.0

XVII     OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &........
           MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES.........         5.499     102.1   102.0      -0.1    -0.3     -0.2      0.1     -0.1


XX       MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.........         1.820     102.5   102.3      -0.1    -0.1     -0.1      0.0     -0.2
94      Furniture; stuffed furnishings;..............
           lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;........         0.897     104.5   104.1       0.2     0.0     -0.4      0.2     -0.4
95      Toys, games and sports equipment; parts......
           and accessories thereof...................         0.748     100.9   100.9      -0.1     0.0      0.2      0.0      0.0



    1  Relative importance figures are based on                                     n.a.      Not available
        1995 trade values.
    2  Data for May, June and July 1998
        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,  August 1997-August 1998
               1995=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                       Index                            Percent Change
                                                            Percentage
                                                               of                       Annual          Monthly
                                                            US Imports                   Aug.   April     May      June     July
                           Description 1/                                                1997    1998     1998     1998     1998
                                                              1995    July      Aug.      to      to       to       to       to
                                                                      1998      1998     Aug.    May      June     July     Aug.
                                                                       2/                1998    1998     1998     1998     1998

     3/ Developed Countries..........................          55.6      94.6    94.4      -3.3     0.2     -0.7     -0.3     -0.2
          Manufactured Goods.........................          52.2      95.3    95.1      -2.4     0.1     -0.4     -0.4     -0.2
          Nonmanufactured Goods......................           3.1      86.9    86.2     -17.7     0.8     -3.7      0.3     -0.8

     3/ Developing Countries.........................          42.7      92.1    91.6      -9.8    -0.4     -1.0     -1.0     -0.5
          Manufactured Goods.........................          35.4      93.8    93.5      -5.7    -0.2     -0.5     -0.7     -0.3
          Nonmanufactured Goods......................           7.1      79.1    77.6     -28.0    -1.3     -3.1     -2.2     -1.9

        Canada.......................................          18.9      96.0    96.1      -3.2     0.5     -1.0      0.0      0.1
          Manufactured Goods.........................          16.5      97.4    97.4      -1.4     0.4     -0.7      0.1      0.0
          Nonmanufactured Goods......................           2.2      90.1    90.2     -15.3     1.7     -3.6      0.2      0.1

     4/ European Union...............................          17.0      99.7    99.5      -1.3     0.5      0.0     -0.2     -0.2
          Manufactured Goods.........................          16.4     100.4   100.3      -0.2     0.5      0.3     -0.2     -0.1
          Nonmanufactured Goods......................           0.5      80.5    79.8     -27.3    -1.5     -7.0     -1.0     -0.9

     5/ Latin America  (9712=100)....................          14.1      94.4    92.9     n.a.      0.5     -0.7      0.1     -1.6
          Manufactured Goods  (9712=100).............          10.4      97.3    97.1     n.a.      0.8      0.2     -0.5     -0.2
          Nonmanufactured Goods (9712=100)...........           3.5      86.3    81.1     n.a.     -0.6     -3.8      2.6     -6.0

        Japan........................................          16.6      87.9    87.6      -5.5    -0.3     -0.7     -0.7     -0.3

     6/ Asian Newly Industrialized Countries.........          10.9      85.9    85.8      -9.4    -1.0     -1.4     -1.2     -0.1



        1    Regions are not mutually exclusive.

        2    Data for  May, June and July 1998
             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.
             June 1997-June 1998  1995 = 100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                       Index                            Percent Change

                                                                                        Annual          Quarterly
                                                             Trade                       June    June    Sept.     Dec.    March
                            Description                      (Mil.                       1997    1997     1997     1997     1998
                                                               of     March     June      to      to       to       to       to
                                                            Dollars)  1998      1998     June   Sept.     Dec.    March     June
                                                                                         1998    1997     1997     1998     1998


        IMPORT

         Air Freight                                            3188    80.5     81.5     -9.8    -2.0     -2.3     -7.0      1.2
          Atlantic                                              1278    85.8     87.8     -2.8    -4.3      4.4     -4.9      2.3
          Pacific                                               1674    76.3     76.7    -16.4    -0.3     -7.4     -9.9      0.5

         Air Passenger Fares                                   11127   103.3    112.6     -0.5    -1.5     -6.5     -1.0      9.0
     1/   Atlantic                                              4922    98.9    117.3     -3.2     0.7    -17.8     -1.5     18.6
     1/   Pacific                                               2340    98.3    105.9     -4.9    -9.8      5.7     -7.4      7.7
     1/   Latin American / Caribbean                            3021   106.9    106.3      0.2    -0.2     -0.7      1.6     -0.6

     1/  Crude Oil Tanker Freight                               1346    95.5     n.a.     n.a.    -9.7      3.9     -0.1     n.a.

         Ocean Liner Freight                                    9868    93.4    100.9      3.9    -1.9     -1.9     -0.1      8.0
          U.S. East Coast                                       4271    96.5     99.2     -1.4    -2.3     -1.6     -0.2      2.8
           from Atlantic                                        1952    97.2     96.8     -3.1    -1.6     -1.6      0.5     -0.4
           from Pacific                                         1774    94.8    101.2      0.4    -3.8     -2.3      0.0      6.8
     1/   U.S. West Coast                                       5596    90.5    101.5      8.1    -1.6     -1.9     -0.1     12.2

        EXPORT

         Air Freight (9612 = 100)                               2562    94.9     94.5     -3.4    -1.2     -3.4      1.7     -0.4

         Air Passenger Fares                                   17272    94.3     94.9     -7.9    -2.9     -7.9      2.4      0.6
     1/   Atlantic                                              4120   101.7    110.8      1.0    -0.2     -7.4      0.3      8.9
     1/   Pacific                                              10700    79.6     77.7    -14.7    -5.2     -9.6      1.9     -2.4
          Latin American / Caribbean                            1392   107.3    107.5      0.6     0.6     -0.9      0.8      0.2
          Canadian                                              1006   166.1    160.2      2.0     0.3     -6.7     13.0     -3.6



        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.
             June 1997-June 1998    1995 = 100
                                                                       Index                            Percent Change

                                                                                        Annual          Quarterly
                                                             Trade                       June    June    Sept.     Dec.    March
                            Description                      (Mil.                       1997    1997     1997     1997     1998
                                                               of     March     June      to      to       to       to       to
                                                            Dollars)  1998      1998     June   Sept.     Dec.    March     June
                                                                                         1998    1997     1997     1998     1998

         Air Freight (Inbound)                                  5495    82.9     83.4     -7.2    -1.6     -2.3     -4.2      0.6
          Atlantic                                              1880    85.4     88.4     -0.6    -3.7      4.7     -4.7      3.5
          Pacific                                               3151    81.3     80.3    -11.9    -0.1     -6.7     -4.2     -1.2

         Air Freight (Outbound)                                 5835    97.2     96.0     -3.2     0.4     -1.9     -0.5     -1.2
          Atlantic                                              2080   101.0    102.2      2.8     1.7      0.0     -0.1      1.2
          Pacific                                               3222    95.5     92.4     -7.6    -0.3     -3.4     -0.8     -3.2

         Air Passenger Fares (U.S. Carrier)                    30673    99.3    107.7     -3.9    -2.6     -8.9     -0.2      8.5
    1/    Atlantic                                              8811    94.2    116.8     -1.3     0.6    -17.8     -3.7     24.0
    1/    Pacific                                              15900    89.9     93.6     -8.3    -6.1     -5.9     -0.3      4.1
    1/    Latin American / Caribbean                            4542   110.8    111.0      1.3     0.8     -1.2      1.5      0.2
          Canadian                                              1367   173.6    167.9      4.2     0.6     -5.0     12.7     -3.3

         Air Passenger Fares (Foreign Carrier)                 31694    97.6    102.0     -3.9    -1.4     -4.7     -2.1      4.5
    1/    Atlantic                                             13572    98.8    110.8      0.5     1.3     -9.9     -1.7     12.1
    1/    Pacific                                              12570    84.7     82.8    -14.1    -5.6     -2.0     -5.0     -2.2
    1/    Latin American / Caribbean                            4224   105.3    105.1      0.3    -0.4      0.4      0.5     -0.2

    1/   Crude Oil Tanker Freight (Inbound)                     1949   103.5     n.a.     n.a.    -9.6      5.5      0.3     n.a.

         Ocean Liner Freight (Inbound)                         12253    93.0     98.3      1.5    -2.0     -2.1      0.1      5.7
          U.S. East Coast                                       5410    95.4     97.5     -2.1    -2.6     -1.3     -0.3      2.2
           from Atlantic                                        2647    95.2     94.9     -3.9    -2.7     -1.3      0.4     -0.3
           from Pacific                                         1874    93.1     98.8     -0.1    -3.7     -2.2      0.0      6.1
    1/    U.S. West Coast                                       6844    90.6     98.4      4.6    -1.4     -2.8      0.4      8.6



        1     Detailed data available upon request.                           n.a.    Not available.






















































                                                                     
                           TECHNICAL NOTE
   
Import and Export Merchandise and Services Price Indexes -- All indexes use 
a modified Laspeyres formula and are weighted with 1995 trade weights.  The 
merchandise price indexes are published using three classifications:  the 
Harmonized System (HS), the Bureau of Economic Analysis End Use System,
and the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) system, Rev. 3.  
Price indexes for internationally traded services are presented using two 
definitions: Balance of Payments (which represents transactions between U.S. 
and foreign residents) and International (which represents all transactions
with U.S. importers or exporters, regardless of nationality).  Published
series use a base year of 1995=100 where possible.  Net transaction price
data are collected every month for over 20,000 products from over 6,000
companies and secondary sources.  Indexes are not seasonally adjusted.  More
detailed index series and additional information may be obtained from the
Division of International Prices, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2 Massachusetts
Avenue N.E., PSB 3955, Washington, DC 20212 or (202) 606-7155.

Import Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the 1995 Harmonized 
Tariff Schedule of the United States Annotated (TSUSA).  Import prices are 
based on U.S. dollar prices paid by the U.S. importer.  The prices are
generally either "free on board" (f.o.b.) foreign port or "cost, insurance,
and freight" (c.i.f.) U.S. port transaction prices, depending on the
practices of the individual industry.  The index for crude petroleum is
calculated from data collected by the U.S. Department of Energy.  

Export Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the 1995 Harmonized 
Schedule B classification system of the U.S. Bureau of the Census.  The
prices used are generally either "free alongside ship" (f.a.s.) factory
or "free on board" (f.o.b.) transaction prices, depending on the practices of
the individual industry.  Prices used in the grain index, excluding rice,
are obtained from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Import Indexes by Locality of Origin -- Prices used in these indexes are a
subset of the data collected for the Import Price Indexes.  Prior to
January 1993, nonmanufactured goods were defined as SITC 0-4 and manufactured
goods were defined as SITC 5-8.  Beginning with January 1993, the indexes are
defined by locality of origin using a nomenclature based upon the Standard
Industrial Classification (SIC-based).  Nonmanufactured goods are defined as
SIC 0-1, and manufactured goods are defined as SIC 2-3.  The indexes use 1995
weights and a base of 1995=100.

Import, Export, and International Services Indexes -- Indexes are calculated
on a quarterly basis.  The figures for services indexes will not sum up to
the aggregate dollar value because not all categories are shown in the tables.
Revenue figures for air passenger indexes exclude frequent flyer tickets and
those sold by consolidators.  Indexes for crude oil tanker freight are
calculated from data collected by the U. S. Department of Energy and the 
publication of these indexes is lagged one quarter.  

Revision policy -- Data are revised for the previous three months to reflect
the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents.

Uses of the Data -- The primary use of the indexes is to deflate trade
statistics.  For merchandise trade, the End Use classification system is the
structure used by the U.S. Department of Commerce in the construction of the
foreign trade sector of the National Income and Product Accounts.  Indexes
published using the Harmonized System and the Standard International Trade
Classification, Rev. 3, both international structures, are useful for general
market analysis.  For trade in international services, Balance of Payments
indexes are used for deflating National Accounts data, while International
indexes are more appropriate for market analysis. Merchandise and services
indexes also can be used to study U.S. competitiveness and price elasticities,
and the merchandise import indexes by country or region of origin are useful
for terms of trade analysis.



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