Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until 

8:30 a.m. (EDT) Tuesday, August 16, 2011 

Technical information: (202) 691-7101 • MXPinfo@bls.gov • www.bls.gov/mxp 

Media contact: (202) 691-5902 • PressOffice@bls.gov 

USDL-11-1227

U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES – JULY 2011 

U.S. import prices increased 0.3 percent in July, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today, after 

declining 0.6 percent the previous month. Rising prices for both fuel and nonfuel imports contributed to the 

overall increase. In contrast, U.S. export prices fell 0.4 percent in July, the first decrease since the index 

declined 0.2 percent in July 2010. 

Chart 1. One-month percent change in the Import Price Index: July 2010 – July 2011 

 Percent change 

0.0

0.4

0.0

1.1

1.7

1.4 1.5 1.7

3.0

2.6

0.2

-0.6

0.3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

July'10 Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July'11

Chart 2. 12-month percent change in the Import Price Index: July 2010 – July 2011 

 Percent change

4.9

3.8 3.6 3.9 4.1

5.3 5.6

7.6

10.3

11.9

13.0

13.7 14.0

0

4

8

12

16

July'10 Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July'11
 

All Imports: Import prices increased 0.3 percent in July, following a 0.6 percent decline in June. Over the 

past three months, import prices edged down 0.1 percent, after increasing 13.7 percent in the seven months 

prior to May. Import prices rose 14.0 percent for the year ended in July, the largest 12-month advance since 

the index increased 18.1 percent for the year ended in August 2008. Higher prices for both fuel and nonfuel 

imports contributed to the increase over the past 12 months. 

Fuel Imports: Fuel prices advanced 0.4 percent in July, following a 2.1 percent decline in June. Rising 

prices for petroleum, which increased 0.6 percent, contributed the most to the July advance. Fuel prices rose 

45.5 percent for the year ended in July, led by a 48.9 percent increase in petroleum prices over the same 

period. In contrast, natural gas prices declined 3.6 percent in July and fell 0.9 percent over the past year. 

All Imports Excluding Fuel: The price index for imports excluding fuel increased 0.2 percent in July, 

following a 0.1 percent decline in June. Higher prices for consumer goods as well as nonfuel industrial 

supplies and materials, up 0.4 percent and 0.7 percent, respectively, were the principal contributors to the 

increase in nonfuel prices. Prices for nonfuel imports increased 5.5 percent over the past 12 months, the 

largest year-over-year rise since a 6.1 percent advance between September 2007 and September 2008. In 

contrast, automotive vehicle prices declined 0.3 percent in July, while prices for capital goods remained 

unchanged. 

Table A. Percent changes 

2
Chart 3. One-month percent change in the Export Price Index: July 2010 – July 2011 

 Percent change 

-0.2

0.8

0.6

0.8

1.5

0.7

1.3 1.3 1.5

0.8

0.4

0.1

-0.4

-1

0

1

2

July'10 Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July'11

Chart 4. 12-month percent change in the Export Price Index: July 2010 – July 2011 

 Percent change

3.9 4.1

4.9

5.8

6.5 6.5 7.0

8.7 9.5 9.2 9.1

10.1 9.8

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

July'10 Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July'11

All Exports: Export prices declined in July, falling 0.4 percent following a 0.1 percent uptick in June. The 

drop in July was the first decrease since the index fell 0.2 percent in July 2010. The downturn was led by a 

decline in the price index for agricultural commodities, which was partially offset by an advance in 

nonagricultural prices. Export prices rose 9.8 percent over the past 12 months, down from the 10.1 percent 

change for the year ended in June, which was the largest year-over-year increase in export prices since a 

10.2 percent advance between July 2007 and July 2008. 

Agricultural Exports: The price index for agricultural exports fell 4.3 percent in July, the largest decrease 

since a 4.9 percent decline in July 2009. Falling prices for cotton, corn, wheat, and soybeans, down 13.5 

percent, 11.5 percent, 17.9 percent, and 4.4 percent, respectively, all contributed to the overall decline. 

Despite decreasing in three of the last four months, the index advanced 25.9 percent for the year ended in 

July. 

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: Nonagricultural prices rose 0.2 percent in July after a 0.1 percent 

increase in June. Higher consumer goods prices and prices for automotive vehicles each contributed to the 

overall increase in nonagricultural prices in July. Over the past year, the index for nonagricultural prices 

rose 8.3 percent, the largest 12-month increase since the index was first published in 1985. 

 

3
4

SELECTED JULY HIGHLIGHTS 

Import Prices 

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: The price index for industrial supplies and materials 

excluding fuels increased 0.7 percent in July following a 0.4 percent decrease in June. Higher prices for 

fertilizers and other chemicals were the largest contributors to the increase. Over the past 12 months, the 

index rose 16.3 percent. 

Finished Goods: Finished goods prices were mixed in July. Prices for consumer goods increased 0.4 

percent, automotive vehicle prices fell 0.3 percent, and the price index for capital goods remained 

unchanged. Higher prices for cotton apparel and diamonds, which increased 1.8 percent and 4.2 percent, 

respectively, drove the advance in the price index for consumer goods. Falling prices for transport vehicles, 

down 4.5 percent in July, led the decline in the price index for automotive vehicles. 

 

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Foods, feeds, and beverages prices increased 0.5 percent in July following a 

1.7 percent decline in June. The increase was driven by rising prices for fish and shellfish and green coffee, 

which increased 2.0 percent and 2.9 percent, respectively. 

Imports by Locality of Origin: The price index for imports from China advanced 0.4 percent in July 

following a 0.2 percent increase in June. Over the past year, import prices from China have increased 3.5 

percent, the largest 12-month advance since the index rose 4.3 percent for the year ended October 2008. In 

contrast, import prices from Japan fell 0.3 percent, the largest decline since a 0.6 percent decrease in 

September 2008. 

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares edged down 0.1 percent in July. A 5.0 percent decline 

in European air fares was partially offset by a 6.1 percent gain in Latin America/Caribbean air fares. Import 

air freight prices fell 0.2 percent in July. 

Export Prices 

 

Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials 

prices fell 0.2 percent in July, following a 0.6 percent downturn in June. A 10.2 percent drop in prices for 

steelmaking materials led to the overall decrease; a 2.3 percent decline in plastic prices was also a 

contributing factor. 

 

Finished Goods: The price indexes for consumer goods and for automotive vehicles both increased in July. 

The 0.6 percent increase in consumer goods was highlighted by rising prices for medicinal, dental, and 

pharmaceutical materials, which increased 0.6 percent. Automotive vehicle prices rose 0.5 percent in July, 

led by a 0.7 percent increase in parts prices. Capital goods prices were unchanged in July. 

Transportation Services: The index for export air passenger fares advanced 8.1 percent in July, driven by 

an 11.3 percent increase in European fares and an 8.8 percent increase in Asian fares. Over the past 12 

months, the index for export air passenger fares rose 8.6 percent. Export air freight prices fell 0.8 percent in 

July after edging down 0.1 percent in June. 

 

Import and Export Price Index data for August 2011 are scheduled for release on Tuesday, 

September 13, 2011 at 8:30 a.m. (EDT).
Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: July 2010 to July

2011

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

June

20111

Index Percent change

June

2011

July

2011

Annual Monthly

July 2010

to July

2011

Mar.

2011 to

Apr. 2011

Apr. 2011

to May

2011

May

2011 to

June

2011

June

2011 to

July 2011

All commodities..................................... 100.000 142.3 142.7 14.0 2.6 0.2 -0.6 0.3

All imports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100).......................................... 67.054 102.9 103.1 – 0.6 0.6 0.1 0.2

All imports excluding petroleum................ 74.234 116.4 116.6 5.5 0.8 0.5 -0.1 0.2

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)... 72.750 120.1 120.4 5.5 0.8 0.4 -0.1 0.2

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 5.696 174.9 175.8 17.8 2.5 -0.7 -1.7 0.5

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 4.447 197.2 197.7 18.9 2.6 -1.0 -2.4 0.3

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 1.249 124.4 126.4 14.3 1.8 0.7 0.5 1.6

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 40.340 266.7 267.9 34.2 5.6 0.1 -1.5 0.4

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum..................................... 14.575 172.6 172.9 14.9 1.4 1.5 -0.4 0.2

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)....................... 13.091 192.9 194.3 16.3 1.6 1.5 -0.4 0.7

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 7.963 184.6 185.3 15.3 1.3 1.7 -1.2 0.4

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum......................... 5.128 158.4 158.3 14.4 1.6 1.3 0.6 -0.1

Fuels & lubricants............................... 10 27.249 359.8 361.2 45.5 7.6 -0.6 -2.1 0.4

Petroleum & petroleum products........... 100 25.765 398.9 401.4 48.9 8.0 -0.7 -2.2 0.6

Crude.......................................... 10000 19.212 408.7 408.3 48.1 9.5 -1.0 -2.4 -0.1

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................... 101 1.117 133.2 129.4 -0.4 -0.9 2.8 -0.6 -2.9

Gas-natural................................... 10110 0.998 118.2 114.0 -0.9 -1.1 3.1 -0.7 -3.6

Paper & paper base stocks................... 11 0.639 120.0 121.2 4.0 2.1 0.6 0.4 1.0

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials......................... 12 4.556 173.3 175.9 20.5 2.2 1.2 1.0 1.5

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.031 129.2 130.6 3.4 0.4 -0.5 -1.6 1.1

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods.......................................... 14 3.917 296.9 296.0 24.0 1.8 3.1 -2.5 -0.3

Finished metals related to durable goods. .. 15 1.557 161.2 162.1 11.3 1.0 0.9 0.5 0.6

Nonmetals related to durable goods......... 16 1.391 114.1 115.0 7.0 0.7 0.4 0.7 0.8

Capital goods..................................... 2 20.708 92.7 92.7 1.4 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0

Electric generating equipment................ 20 2.617 116.5 117.3 5.1 0.9 0.2 -0.3 0.7

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 16.286 86.5 86.3 0.6 -0.2 0.0 0.2 -0.2

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 1.805 126.0 126.0 3.7 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 9.212 113.4 113.1 3.9 1.3 1.0 0.4 -0.3

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 24.043 105.8 106.2 1.9 0.6 0.3 0.2 0.4

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 11.799 111.9 112.7 2.7 0.5 0.4 0.6 0.7

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 11.235 99.5 99.4 0.3 0.3 0.4 -0.4 -0.1

Nonmanufactured consumer goods.......... 42 1.008 111.9 114.4 12.3 1.6 0.0 2.2 2.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2009 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

5
Table 2. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: July 2010 to July

2011

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

June

20111

Index Percent change

June

2011

July

2011

Annual Monthly

July 2010

to July

2011

Mar.

2011 to

Apr. 2011

Apr. 2011

to May

2011

May

2011 to

June

2011

June

2011 to

July 2011

All commodities..................................... 100.000 134.5 134.0 9.8 0.8 0.4 0.1 -0.4

Agricultural commodities......................... 11.872 217.1 207.8 25.9 -0.5 -1.1 0.7 -4.3

All exports excluding food and fuels (Dec.

2010=100).......................................... 80.455 103.4 103.3 – 0.5 0.5 0.2 -0.1

Nonagricultural commodities.................... 88.128 128.6 128.8 8.3 0.9 0.6 0.1 0.2

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 10.593 210.6 203.7 24.2 0.6 -0.4 1.5 -3.3

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 9.884 214.5 206.1 24.1 0.5 -0.8 1.4 -3.9

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 0.709 175.9 186.5 26.3 1.8 5.9 3.3 6.0

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 35.156 191.7 190.8 20.2 1.8 0.7 -0.7 -0.5

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 12.413 190.6 189.8 15.2 1.1 0.9 0.4 -0.4

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................... 22.742 193.1 192.2 23.2 2.1 0.6 -1.2 -0.5

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials... 10 1.988 234.9 221.2 35.0 -4.9 -2.3 -2.3 -5.8

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials........................................ 33.168 190.0 189.7 19.5 2.2 0.9 -0.6 -0.2

Fuels & lubricants............................... 11 8.952 282.4 284.8 39.8 3.8 0.1 -1.7 0.8

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . . . .. 12 23.360 178.6 177.7 14.5 1.7 1.2 -0.2 -0.5

Selected building materials.................... 13 0.856 116.1 115.8 -1.8 0.3 -0.3 -0.2 -0.3

Capital goods..................................... 2 34.277 104.7 104.7 1.3 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.0

Electrical generating equipment.............. 20 3.353 113.6 114.0 5.1 0.4 1.7 0.2 0.4

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 23.919 94.3 94.4 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 7.006 145.2 144.8 3.5 0.1 0.3 0.1 -0.3

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 6.640 110.3 110.9 2.2 0.2 0.3 0.1 0.5

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 13.334 116.4 117.1 5.7 0.4 0.5 1.3 0.6

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 6.662 114.1 114.6 2.7 0.2 0.4 0.0 0.4

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 5.334 112.8 113.1 3.7 -0.4 -0.9 1.3 0.3

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2009 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

6
Table 3. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: July 2010 to July

2011

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

June

20111

Index Percent change

June

2011

July

2011

Annual Monthly

July 2010

to July

2011

Mar.

2011 to

Apr. 2011

Apr. 2011

to May

2011

May

2011 to

June

2011

June

2011 to

July 2011

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 23.502 176.7 176.3 41.8 8.3 -0.9 -2.6 -0.2

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 2.110 179.6 181.3 23.0 4.1 -3.2 -5.8 0.9

Crop production................................. 111 1.533 185.9 188.2 23.2 5.2 -3.6 -7.0 1.2

Mining.............................................. 21 21.392 176.0 175.4 44.0 8.8 -0.6 -2.3 -0.3

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)..................................... 212 0.373 155.0 155.5 10.8 3.8 1.0 -0.1 0.3

Manufactured articles.............................. 76.005 117.6 118.1 7.6 0.9 0.4 0.1 0.4

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 10.770 121.9 122.8 11.6 1.3 0.6 1.0 0.7

Food manufacturing............................ 311 3.281 156.6 156.7 21.2 1.7 0.6 1.1 0.1

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.876 110.6 111.7 3.2 0.4 -0.2 0.0 1.0

Textile product mills............................ 314 0.852 116.4 117.7 13.9 1.1 0.7 0.0 1.1

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 3.954 109.0 110.3 8.6 1.0 0.5 1.6 1.2

Leather and allied product manufacturing. .. 316 1.439 113.1 113.6 5.5 1.7 0.6 0.5 0.4

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 18.752 139.1 141.1 16.2 1.8 0.1 -0.1 1.4

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.630 107.0 108.2 4.6 0.4 -1.0 -2.8 1.1

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.161 113.4 114.9 4.7 1.2 0.4 0.7 1.3

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 5.353 178.3 184.9 50.4 3.5 -1.0 -1.2 3.7

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 9.045 133.6 134.0 6.8 1.2 0.8 0.6 0.3

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 1.703 123.1 125.1 7.9 1.7 0.6 0.2 1.6

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.768 127.6 127.6 4.7 0.7 0.4 0.1 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 46.483 110.1 110.0 3.6 0.6 0.5 -0.1 -0.1

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.632 191.5 190.8 21.5 1.4 2.7 -1.8 -0.4

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.444 126.0 126.7 6.8 0.7 0.9 0.6 0.6

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 5.275 118.2 118.6 4.9 0.4 0.5 -0.1 0.3

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 14.343 83.7 83.3 -3.8 -0.5 -0.2 -0.2 -0.5

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.400 115.1 115.6 2.8 0.5 0.2 -0.2 0.4

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 10.291 110.1 109.6 3.5 1.1 0.9 0.5 -0.5

Furniture and related product

manufacturing................................ 337 1.178 110.4 110.8 4.5 0.8 0.4 0.2 0.4

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 4.920 121.0 121.7 8.3 1.2 0.3 0.7 0.6

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2009 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

7
Table 4. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: July 2010 to July

2011

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

June

20111

Index Percent change

June

2011

July

2011

Annual Monthly

July 2010

to July

2011

Mar.

2011 to

Apr. 2011

Apr. 2011

to May

2011

May

2011 to

June

2011

June

2011 to

July 2011

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 9.522 184.3 176.1 33.5 -0.6 -0.5 0.2 -4.4

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 7.079 212.6 197.9 40.7 -1.6 -1.8 0.7 -6.9

Crop production................................. 111 6.668 222.0 204.9 42.4 -2.0 -2.0 0.8 -7.7

Mining.............................................. 21 2.443 123.5 127.0 19.0 2.9 3.2 -1.3 2.8

Mining (except oil and gas).................... 212 1.590 141.0 149.0 18.5 1.9 1.2 0.3 5.7

Manufactured articles.............................. 86.759 120.6 120.8 8.0 0.9 0.6 0.2 0.2

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 7.296 144.3 144.5 13.5 1.1 0.6 0.3 0.1

Food manufacturing............................ 311 5.024 161.1 162.4 13.9 1.2 0.6 0.6 0.8

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.556 118.9 115.3 5.0 0.7 0.3 2.2 -3.0

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 0.405 113.9 113.9 8.8 0.0 0.6 2.4 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 26.678 135.5 135.8 15.4 2.1 0.7 -0.6 0.2

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.382 115.2 114.7 -0.5 -2.5 -2.2 -0.8 -0.4

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.985 127.4 125.7 2.4 1.6 0.1 0.1 -1.3

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 6.130 174.6 175.0 52.0 4.1 -0.4 -2.1 0.2

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 15.563 132.1 132.3 10.0 1.8 1.3 -0.4 0.2

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 1.937 111.7 114.9 7.2 0.8 1.3 0.3 2.9

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.681 110.4 110.2 -2.1 0.3 -0.2 0.0 -0.2

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 52.785 112.4 112.6 4.0 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.2

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 5.129 179.1 179.4 21.5 2.4 1.9 0.3 0.2

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.454 127.6 128.2 5.7 0.7 0.1 0.0 0.5

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 10.302 117.2 117.4 2.3 0.3 0.1 0.8 0.2

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 13.614 89.8 89.9 -1.9 -0.4 0.0 -0.1 0.1

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.049 112.9 113.1 4.8 0.4 1.6 0.1 0.2

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 12.822 114.2 114.2 2.7 0.2 0.3 0.1 0.0

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 5.121 123.4 124.4 12.2 1.6 1.0 3.9 0.8

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2009 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

8
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: July 2010 to July

2011

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

June

20111

Index Percent change

June

2011

July

2011

Annual Monthly

July 2010

to July

2011

Mar.

2011 to

Apr. 2011

Apr. 2011

to May

2011

May

2011 to

June

2011

June

2011 to

July 2011

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.317 167.4 169.1 18.2 2.7 -0.2 -1.5 1.0

Meat and edible meat offal....................... 02 0.308 209.8 209.0 16.0 2.7 -1.3 -2.1 -0.4

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.706 126.8 128.0 17.4 2.9 0.7 -0.2 0.9

Vegetable products................................ II 1.816 210.6 213.3 25.7 5.9 -2.6 -5.3 1.3

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers............ 07 0.302 299.8 298.0 -0.9 4.9 -11.3 -18.8 -0.6

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.529 124.6 128.7 22.0 -0.5 -0.4 -3.6 3.3

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................... 09 0.493 291.4 297.3 59.2 21.4 0.1 -3.1 2.0

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.346 158.8 146.0 41.3 -2.9 1.6 2.0 -8.1

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.558 156.9 158.2 10.8 -0.1 0.5 1.5 0.8

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec.

2009=100)....................................... 18 0.214 99.1 99.1 1.5 -7.1 2.0 -2.7 0.0

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100).............. 19 0.260 128.8 127.5 2.1 0.6 1.7 0.3 -1.0

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or other

parts of plants................................... 20 0.369 161.2 161.0 24.9 1.8 0.5 2.6 -0.1

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.................. 22 0.846 120.4 121.9 3.7 0.4 -0.3 0.0 1.2

Mineral products.................................... V 26.775 360.9 362.4 44.4 7.6 -0.6 -2.0 0.4

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 26.431 356.9 358.5 44.9 7.7 -0.7 -2.1 0.4

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 8.665 147.6 148.4 7.1 0.7 0.8 0.4 0.5

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 1.125 382.9 378.4 37.5 3.1 1.6 0.3 -1.2

Organic chemicals................................. 29 2.789 137.8 138.7 4.2 0.7 1.1 0.2 0.7

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 3.073 112.4 112.0 -5.1 -0.3 0.1 0.0 -0.4

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)...................... 31 0.278 138.5 150.9 51.8 2.1 1.0 10.4 9.0

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec.

2001=100)....................................... 33 0.415 125.3 126.8 10.1 0.6 1.1 -0.3 1.2

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 0.492 108.1 109.3 17.5 0.0 1.2 -0.6 1.1

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 2.889 151.5 152.6 11.2 2.3 0.3 0.3 0.7

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 1.783 141.3 141.7 7.6 2.3 0.9 0.3 0.3

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.106 171.2 173.7 17.6 2.4 -0.6 0.4 1.5

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.524 121.0 122.2 6.5 2.0 0.5 0.7 1.0

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

various materials................................ 42 0.480 121.4 122.5 6.7 2.1 0.5 0.8 0.9

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.664 129.4 130.8 4.2 0.4 -0.8 -2.4 1.1

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 1.267 116.0 117.6 3.9 1.1 0.4 0.3 1.4

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 0.840 108.7 110.4 4.7 0.6 0.1 0.6 1.6

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 5.085 112.9 114.2 10.3 1.0 0.5 1.2 1.2

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted............................ 61 1.987 106.4 107.6 8.8 0.5 0.6 2.4 1.1

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted........................ 62 1.847 110.6 112.2 9.0 1.7 0.5 0.8 1.4

Made-up or worn textile articles................. 63 0.636 110.7 111.7 17.1 0.8 0.4 -0.4 0.9

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.. .. XII 1.194 112.6 112.9 4.8 1.4 0.4 0.4 0.3

See footnotes at end of table.

9
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: July 2010 to July

2011 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

June

20111

Index Percent change

June

2011

July

2011

Annual Monthly

July 2010

to July

2011

Mar.

2011 to

Apr. 2011

Apr. 2011

to May

2011

May

2011 to

June

2011

June

2011 to

July 2011

Footwear and parts of such articles............ 64 1.019 111.7 112.0 4.6 1.4 0.5 0.5 0.3

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 0.696 128.8 129.1 4.2 0.4 0.3 -0.1 0.2

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or

mica (Dec. 2001=100)......................... 68 0.239 121.6 122.0 3.5 0.6 0.5 0.1 0.3

Ceramic products.................................. 69 0.202 141.2 141.3 2.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.255 122.8 123.0 6.8 0.3 0.5 -0.3 0.2

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 3.039 198.0 198.4 23.4 3.7 3.6 -0.5 0.2

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.105 200.2 200.7 13.2 0.4 1.0 -1.0 0.2

Iron and steel...................................... 72 0.959 263.4 264.8 13.4 1.7 1.3 -0.2 0.5

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.530 160.2 160.4 7.0 1.0 0.9 0.7 0.1

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.571 392.5 401.7 30.5 -2.8 -1.4 -3.5 2.3

Nickel and articles thereof (Dec. 2009=100). .. 75 0.165 133.6 126.5 8.3 -3.8 -2.5 -6.4 -5.3

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.908 156.9 155.8 20.1 1.3 3.1 -1.3 -0.7

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.312 123.1 123.9 5.2 0.2 0.5 0.1 0.6

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.355 130.4 130.8 3.0 0.5 0.1 0.5 0.3

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 22.877 85.8 85.8 -0.5 -0.1 0.1 -0.2 0.0

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 11.391 88.9 88.9 1.1 -0.1 0.0 0.2 0.0

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and TV

recorders & reproducers, parts............... 85 11.486 82.8 82.8 -2.0 -0.1 0.1 -0.6 0.0

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 8.579 114.6 114.2 3.7 1.2 1.1 0.5 -0.3

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 7.632 113.9 113.3 3.8 1.3 1.2 0.6 -0.5

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)....................................... 88 0.861 115.4 115.5 1.6 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 3.087 105.0 105.1 4.2 0.4 0.2 0.1 0.1

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical

instruments...................................... 90 2.849 102.6 102.7 4.2 0.4 0.0 0.1 0.1

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . . . .. 91 0.177 127.8 128.0 5.2 0.7 1.0 0.6 0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 3.435 109.9 110.1 3.4 0.7 0.4 0.4 0.2

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs........... 94 1.686 113.1 113.5 3.7 0.8 0.4 0.3 0.4

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 1.547 103.1 103.3 2.4 0.6 0.2 0.3 0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles........... 96 0.202 132.1 132.1 10.0 0.1 0.2 2.6 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2009 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

10
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: July 2010 to July

2011

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

June

20111

Index Percent change

June

2011

July

2011

Annual Monthly

July 2010

to July

2011

Mar.

2011 to

Apr. 2011

Apr. 2011

to May

2011

May

2011 to

June

2011

June

2011 to

July 2011

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.916 194.3 201.6 16.8 3.7 0.4 -2.2 3.8

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100). . .. 02 1.179 159.2 161.6 11.1 1.8 1.5 -2.0 1.5

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.408 189.6 203.5 32.4 3.0 6.4 2.5 7.3

Vegetable products................................ II 6.196 256.2 239.6 35.4 0.1 -1.1 2.1 -6.5

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.952 131.0 129.9 7.6 -3.7 -2.4 2.2 -0.8

Cereals.............................................. 10 2.519 319.1 279.0 59.9 1.3 -1.4 3.2 -12.6

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder....................... 12 2.176 268.3 258.7 29.9 0.3 -1.3 2.4 -3.6

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec.

2009=100).......................................... III 0.542 161.3 160.3 48.4 0.7 -1.2 2.5 -0.6

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.651 152.0 150.8 7.3 0.3 0.8 1.2 -0.8

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other

parts of plants (Dec. 2009=100).............. 20 0.337 107.4 108.5 2.7 0.6 0.4 0.1 1.0

Miscellaneous edible preparations.............. 21 0.432 117.6 117.9 0.1 -0.3 0.1 0.2 0.3

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar (Dec.

2008=100)....................................... 22 0.328 105.0 105.2 3.3 0.2 -0.4 0.2 0.2

Residues and waste from the food industries;

prepared animal feed........................... 23 0.742 234.6 223.7 18.6 -0.3 2.3 3.1 -4.6

Mineral products.................................... V 8.927 335.5 338.9 39.9 4.1 0.3 -1.8 1.0

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 8.305 331.2 334.5 43.0 4.3 0.4 -2.0 1.0

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 12.748 153.7 154.6 7.4 1.0 0.9 -0.1 0.6

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 0.997 195.4 195.4 4.8 1.3 -0.4 -0.5 0.0

Organic chemicals................................. 29 3.328 168.6 167.4 10.3 2.3 1.1 -0.2 -0.7

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 3.834 125.2 126.0 3.2 0.0 0.5 0.0 0.6

Tanning or dyeing extracts, dyes, paints,

varnish, putty, & inks........................... 32 0.563 127.3 126.8 8.9 0.5 4.1 -0.6 -0.4

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations................ 33 0.744 131.2 133.2 8.7 0.0 0.8 1.9 1.5

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or scouring

products; candles, pastes..................... 34 0.464 122.8 121.7 3.0 0.8 -0.9 0.3 -0.9

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 1.806 149.7 150.9 5.8 1.0 1.6 0.3 0.8

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 5.241 151.4 152.1 11.4 3.2 2.4 -0.5 0.5

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 4.202 142.4 142.0 9.3 2.5 2.6 -1.3 -0.3

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 1.039 193.3 200.0 19.9 6.2 2.1 2.8 3.5

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.432 137.2 135.6 12.3 3.3 1.0 -0.7 -1.2

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.500 109.3 108.6 -1.9 0.0 -0.5 -0.3 -0.6

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 2.708 128.4 128.3 7.1 0.8 -0.4 0.5 -0.1

Woodpulp and recovered paper................. 47 0.961 157.0 157.1 17.4 1.4 -1.2 1.8 0.1

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 1.269 120.3 119.6 2.7 0.5 0.2 -0.2 -0.6

Printed material.................................... 49 0.478 118.1 119.2 2.8 0.1 0.1 -0.1 0.9

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 2.284 148.7 142.1 22.7 -4.6 -1.8 -3.7 -4.4

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof............................................ 52 1.014 229.5 204.5 54.5 -9.8 -4.9 -8.5 -10.9

See footnotes at end of table.

11
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: July 2010 to July

2011 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

June

20111

Index Percent change

June

2011

July

2011

Annual Monthly

July 2010

to July

2011

Mar.

2011 to

Apr. 2011

Apr. 2011

to May

2011

May

2011 to

June

2011

June

2011 to

July 2011

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc. (Dec. 2008=100)..................... XIII 0.672 115.9 115.9 0.3 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.0

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.377 99.4 99.0 2.0 0.3 0.1 0.0 -0.4

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 5.349 278.5 280.7 31.9 3.0 3.6 4.2 0.8

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.907 187.2 184.0 15.5 0.3 -0.3 0.0 -1.7

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.969 244.2 228.4 20.1 -0.1 -0.8 0.4 -6.5

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.260 171.0 171.6 8.1 1.4 0.5 -0.5 0.4

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.726 278.1 289.8 34.1 -0.2 -3.2 0.7 4.2

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.961 139.1 138.0 17.4 -0.3 1.6 -0.8 -0.8

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.330 125.7 127.5 2.7 0.0 0.0 0.2 1.4

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.304 135.5 135.7 8.3 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.1

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 26.128 96.4 96.4 1.0 0.1 0.1 0.4 0.0

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 15.360 108.6 108.5 1.6 0.4 0.1 0.5 -0.1

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts

and accessories thereof....................... 85 10.768 83.1 83.2 0.2 -0.5 0.1 0.4 0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 10.549 123.5 123.7 1.9 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 5.902 109.8 110.4 1.8 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.5

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 5.732 105.7 105.8 -0.8 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 1.380 110.0 109.2 1.1 0.4 0.9 0.0 -0.7

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;........................... 94 0.649 119.2 119.5 0.7 -0.6 0.5 0.2 0.3

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 0.605 92.7 91.0 -2.2 0.3 0.3 0.0 -1.8

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2009 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

12
Table 7. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes by locality of origin: July 2010 to July 2011

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Percent of

U.S.

imports1

Index Percent change

June

2011

July

2011

Annual Monthly

July 2010

to July

2011

Mar. 2011

to Apr.

2011

Apr. 2011

to May

2011

May 2011

to June

2011

June 2011

to July

2011

Industrialized Countries2

..................... 39.494 133.8 134.1 7.6 2.4 0.8 -0.8 0.2

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 4.457 252.5 251.4 29.4 10.1 0.9 -4.0 -0.4

Manufactured articles......................... 34.670 124.0 124.4 4.6 1.1 0.8 -0.2 0.3

Other Countries3

............................... 60.506 141.8 142.6 15.8 2.9 -0.6 -0.1 0.6

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 12.079 367.6 367.1 46.5 8.1 -1.3 -2.0 -0.1

Manufactured articles......................... 48.226 111.3 112.1 6.7 0.7 -0.3 0.7 0.7

Canada............................................ 14.271 159.8 159.9 14.4 3.9 1.0 -2.2 0.1

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 3.991 242.2 240.5 27.6 10.2 1.0 -4.6 -0.7

Manufactured articles......................... 10.005 141.8 142.5 8.9 0.9 1.0 -0.9 0.5

European Union4

............................... 17.186 135.7 136.5 7.1 0.9 0.9 0.4 0.6

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 0.256 367.3 370.5 50.4 8.8 -1.2 6.0 0.9

Manufactured articles......................... 16.854 132.1 132.9 6.3 0.7 1.0 0.2 0.6

France (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 1.995 120.0 120.3 -0.7 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.3

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)..................... 4.510 116.0 116.2 4.9 0.9 0.7 -0.2 0.2

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)........... 2.795 135.2 135.4 8.5 1.1 0.1 0.8 0.1

Latin America5

.................................. 18.406 182.2 182.7 18.1 3.5 -1.2 -0.8 0.3

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 5.479 394.3 394.6 43.5 8.2 -2.7 -1.9 0.1

Manufactured articles......................... 12.844 136.5 136.9 5.7 0.4 -0.2 0.1 0.3

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 11.380 149.1 148.2 9.3 2.8 -1.2 -2.0 -0.6

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec.

2008=100)................................... 1.900 209.2 209.8 45.8 7.6 -4.7 -3.7 0.3

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100). . .. 9.437 97.2 96.3 0.1 1.1 0.1 -1.4 -0.9

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6

................ 34.852 104.6 104.6 3.5 0.4 0.1 0.5 0.0

China (Dec. 2003=100)......................... 19.595 103.6 104.0 3.5 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.4

Japan.............................................. 6.198 101.5 101.2 2.6 0.3 0.1 0.0 -0.3

Asian NICs7

..................................... 5.555 92.4 92.3 4.3 1.4 0.4 -0.3 -0.1

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8

..................... 5.987 104.6 105.3 9.2 -0.2 0.2 0.2 0.7

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9........... 3.795 275.6 277.2 38.1 7.5 0.7 -0.5 0.6

1 Percentage of trade figures are based on 2009 trade values.

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

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

4 Includes European Union countries.

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

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

Countries.

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

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

Vietnam.

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

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

Regions are not mutually exclusive.

Dash = Not available

13
Table 8. U.S. international price indexes and percent changes for selected transportation services: July 2010 to

July 2011

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

June

20111

Index Percent change

June

2011

July

2011

Annual Monthly

July 2010

to July

2011

Mar. 2011

to Apr.

2011

Apr. 2011

to May

2011

May 2011

to June

2011

June 2011

to July

2011

Air Freight

Import Air Freight..................................... 100.000 184.9 184.6 14.9 1.2 5.8 -0.1 -0.2

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 24.520 168.9 169.8 35.8 7.2 6.5 -0.6 0.5

Asia.................................................... 73.516 165.9 165.2 9.6 -0.7 5.7 0.2 -0.4

Export Air Freight..................................... 100.000 147.8 146.6 17.7 2.7 3.6 -0.1 -0.8

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)............................ 38.643 133.2 132.5 15.4 2.6 3.7 -0.5 -0.5

Inbound Air Freight................................... 100.000 165.1 164.4 13.4 1.3 3.8 0.0 -0.4

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 24.300 153.0 153.4 29.7 5.4 5.1 -0.5 0.3

Asia.................................................... 64.251 148.6 148.0 8.7 -0.2 3.9 0.3 -0.4

Outbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 142.3 142.2 16.9 2.3 2.8 -0.8 -0.1

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 36.030 158.6 158.4 12.1 1.9 0.8 -0.6 -0.1

Asia.................................................... 45.343 134.5 134.8 22.4 3.4 4.1 -1.2 0.2

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 184.0 183.9 6.2 1.2 5.6 6.8 -0.1

Europe................................................. 40.856 206.0 195.8 1.0 2.8 8.3 11.4 -5.0

Asia.................................................... 26.173 159.9 160.9 2.6 -1.3 5.3 11.7 0.6

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 13.665 167.6 177.8 22.3 5.3 -1.2 -1.2 6.1

Export Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 186.6 201.8 8.6 1.6 4.4 1.8 8.1

Europe................................................. 33.331 242.0 269.3 8.5 9.1 6.7 13.9 11.3

Asia.................................................... 28.909 163.1 177.4 8.3 -4.4 12.9 -7.4 8.8

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 19.054 183.5 195.4 12.9 2.8 -4.4 0.5 6.5

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2009 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

14
TECHNICAL NOTE

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

formula and are not seasonally adjusted. Price indexes are reweighted annually, with a two-year lag in 

the weights. Published series use a base year of 2000=100 where possible. More detailed index series 

and additional information may be obtained at http://www.bls.gov/mxp, or by calling (202) 691-7101. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Index) to produce the NAICS primary products indexes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Agriculture. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

sold by consolidators. Taxes and fees are included in the Import Air Passenger Fares Index and excluded 

from the Export Air Passenger Fares Index. The Air Freight Indexes are calculated from data collected 

directly from airlines. These data exclude mail and passenger baggage. The scope of the service being 

priced is the movement of freight from airport to airport only, and does not include any ground 

transportation or port service. The Air Freight Indexes are presented using two definitions: Balance of 

Payments (which represent transactions between U.S. and foreign residents) and International (which 

represent transactions inbound to and outbound from the U.S.). Fact sheets specifying detailed 

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

Publications."

15
Import Indexes by Locality of Origin -- Prices used in these indexes are a subset of the data collected 

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

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

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

NAICS 31-33. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

E-Mail Subscription -- The U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes news release is available through an 

e-mail subscription service at (http://www.bls.gov/bls/list.htm). 

 

Additional Information -- More detailed data are available on the Import/Export Price Indexes home 

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

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

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

(labstat.helpdesk@bls.gov). For Import/Export Price Index data requests, send e-mail to 

(mxpinfo@bls.gov). 

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

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

16