TEXT
Table 1      U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, March 1995-March 1996
Table 2      U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, March 1995-March 1996
Table 3       U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, March 1995-March 1996
Table 4       U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, March 1995-March 1996
Table 5       U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, March 1995-March 1996
Table 6       U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, March 1995-March 1996
Table  7    U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes by Locality of Origin,March 1995-March 1996
Table  8    U.S. International Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services.
Table  9     U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services.

  Technical Information
    Jim Thomas        (202) 606-7155      USDL-96-151
    Bill Alterman      (202) 606-7108     For release: 10:00 A.M. E.D.T.
  Media contact:                          Tuesday, April 23, 1996
    Kathryn Hoyle      (202) 606-5902
 
 
                U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES
                            -MARCH 1996-
 
     The U.S. Import Price Index rose 0.5 percent in March, the
Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported
today.  The increase was attributable to higher petroleum prices and
followed a 0.1 percent decrease in February.  The U.S. Export Price
Index, down 0.1 percent,  fell for the second month in a row.
 
         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
 
1995
March           0.6      1.9      0.5       0.6      1.4       0.4
April           0.9      4.7      0.5       0.9      2.0       0.8
May             0.9      3.2      0.6       0.3      0.6       0.2
June           -0.4     -3.2     -0.1       0.2      1.4       0.1
July           -0.4     -6.3      0.4       0.3      3.8      -0.2
August         -0.2     -2.6      0.0      -0.5     -1.4      -0.4
September       0.0      1.9     -0.2       0.2      3.0      -0.2
October        -0.5     -2.1     -0.3       0.1      1.9      -0.2
November        0.2      0.5      0.2      -0.1      2.2      -0.3
December        0.4      4.5 r    0.0       0.0      0.8      -0.2
1996
January         0.2      4.7 r   -0.3       0.4      1.7       0.2
February       -0.1 r   -1.1 r    0.1 r    -0.3 r   -0.2 r    -0.3 r
March           0.5      7.1     -0.4      -0.1      1.3      -0.3
 
March 1994-95   6.3     25.8      4.5       5.0     -0.3       5.7
95
March 1995-96   1.6     10.9      0.6       1.4     18.4      -0.6
r = revised to reflect late reports and corrections by respondents.
 
Import Goods
 
     The March increase in import prices was attributable to a 7.1
percent jump in the index for petroleum imports, the largest one-
month advance in this category in nearly two years.   For the year
ended in March, import prices overall increased 1.6 percent compared
with a 6.3 percent rise in the previous 12-month period.
 
     Prior to the March advance, petroleum prices had edged down 1.1
percent in February after increasing 4.7 percent and 4.5 percent in
January and December, respectively.  Prices of imported petroleum
have increased 10.9 percent during the past year.
 
     In contrast, prices for nonpetroleum imports fell 0.4 percent in
March, the second decrease in three months for this group.  Over the
past 12 months, however, prices for nonpetroleum imports have edged
up 0.6 percent.  The March decrease was widespread as all of the
major subgroups moved lower.  The index for imported capital goods
slipped 0.6 percent following a 0.3 percent dip in February, while
prices for imported foods, feeds, and beverages fell 1.2 percent
after advancing 2.9 percent in February.
 
     Prices for the three other major components--automotive
vehicles, consumer goods, and industrial supplies and materials
excluding petroleum--each fell a modest 0.1 percent in March. For the
12 months ended in March, however, price indexes for these three
components were up between 1.3 and 2.0 percent.
 
Export Goods
 
     The March decrease in export prices followed a 0.3 percent drop
in February and reflected a continuing decline in prices for exported
nonagricultural commodities.  The index for nonagricultural exports
was down 0.3 percent for the second consecutive month and 0.6 percent
for the year ended in March.  In contrast, the price index for
agricultural exports resumed its recent upward trend in March,
advancing 1.3 percent after a 0.2 percent dip in February.  In the 12
months ended in March, prices for agricultural exports rose 18.4
percent.  Overall, export prices were up just 1.4 percent during the
past year.
 
     Among nonagricultural exports, prices for nonagricultural
industrial supplies and materials continued to fall, down 0.9
percent, the ninth decline in the past 10 months.  In addition, the
index for nonagricultural foods posted its sixth consecutive monthly
decrease, falling 1.7 percent.
 
     Export prices for the major components of finished goods
continued to post little change.  Prices for capital goods and
automotive vehicles both edged down 0.1 percent, while the index for
consumer goods rose 0.1 percent.  During the past year, however,
these three indexes have advanced between 1.2 and 1.4 percent.
 
Imports by Locality of Origin
 
    Prices of goods imported from Japan fell for the fourth
consecutive month in March.  The 0.3 percent decline was the same as
in February and similar to declines of 0.2 and 0.4 percent in January
and December, respectively.  For the 12 months ended in March,
however, the index rose 1.5 percent. (See table 7.)
 
    The price index for imports from the Asian Newly Industrialized
Countries also fell 0.3 percent in March, resuming a recent downward
trend.  The index had edged up 0.1 percent in February.  For the year
ended in March the index was down 0.5 percent.
 
    Prices of Canadian goods also were lower in March, moving down
0.1 percent as prices of manufactured Canadian goods, down 0.7
percent, fell  for the third month in a row.  In contrast, prices of
imported nonmanufactured goods from Canada rose 4.2 percent in March.
In the 12 months ended in March, prices of Canadian imports rose 2.3
percent.
 
    Imports from the European Union recorded a 0.4 percent price
increase, on average, in March.  In February, the index had been
unchanged.  During the past 12 months, the average price of imported
goods from the European Union advanced 3.7 percent.
 
Import and Export Services
 
     The Import Air Freight Index decreased by 1.2 percent in the
first quarter of 1996.  Both the Atlantic and Pacific regions
contributed to this decline with decreases of 2.3 percent and 0.7
percent, respectively. (See table 9.)
 
     The Export Air Passenger Fares Index gained 1.6 percent during
the first quarter, reflecting increases of 2.0 percent in the
Atlantic region, 2.3 percent in the Pacific region, and 4.0 percent
in the Canadian region.  A slight decline of 0.6 percent in the Latin
American/Caribbean region moderated the gain.
 
    The Import Ocean Liner Freight Index declined for the second
consecutive quarter, edging down 0.2 percent.  A 1.4 percent decline
in the U.S. West Coast index more than offset a 1.0 percent rise in
the index for the U.S. East Coast.
 
 
                         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.....page  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. International Price Indexes for Services.....page  15
Table 9   U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes for Services.....page 16
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Import and Export Price Index data for April are scheduled for release
on May 22 at 10:00 a.m. (EDT).
 
 
                          TECHNICAL NOTE
 
Import and Export Merchandise and Services Price Indexes -- All indexes
use a modified Laspeyres formula and are weighted with 1990 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 1990=100 where possible.  Exceptions are for the recently instituted
HS indexes, which use a base of December 1992=100.  Net transaction
price data are collected every 3 months for approximately 22,000
products from over 9,000 companies and secondary sources.  Approximately
two-thirds of the items are also repriced in the intervening months.
(Current plans call for all items to be repriced monthly by 1996.)
Indexes are not seasonally adjusted.  Historical index series and
additional information may be obtained from the Division of
International Prices, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2 Massachusetts Avenue
NE, PSB 3955, Washington, D.C. 20212, (202) 606-7155.
 
Import Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the 1990
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.  The index for import electrical energy is lagged one month.
 
Export Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the 1990
Harmonized Schedule B classification system of the U.S. Bureau of the
Census.  The prices used are generally either "free on board" (f.o.b.)
factory or "free alongside ship" (f.a.s.) 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 weighted by country or region 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 a base of December
1990=100.
 
Import, Export, and International Services Indexes -- Indexes are
updated 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 represent the second month of the quarter.
 
Revision policy -- Data are revised for the previous 3 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 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 can
also 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.
 
A number of the detailed series have been discontinued as of this
release due to budget considerations.
 
The import and export news release contains monthly price indexes at
the two-digit level of detail.  If you would like to be added to the
mailing list for more detailed historical tables, please fill out the
form below and mail or fax it to the following address:
 
 
                            Division of International Prices
                            Bureau of Labor Statistics
                            PSB Building, Rm. 3955
                            2 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E.
                            Washington, DC 20212
 
 
Phone Number: (202) 606-7155               Fax Number: (202) 606-7179
---------------------------------------------------------------------
 
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2. SITC Indexes               ______
 
3. BEA End-Use Indexes        ______
 
 
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Table 1      U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, March 1995-March 1996
                 1990=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change
                                                        Relative
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly
                                                         ance                           March   Nov.      Dec.      Jan.      Feb.
END       Description                                                                   1995    1995      1995      1996      1996
USE                                                     February   February    March    to      to        to        to        to
                                                        1996       1996        1996     March   Dec.      Jan.      Feb.      March
                                                        1/         2/                   1996    1995      1996      1996      1996
 
          ALL COMMODITIES                               100.000    106.9       107.4      1.6     0.4       0.2      -0.1       0.5
          ALL IMPORTS EXCLUDING PETROLEUM                89.882    110.3       109.9      0.6     0.0      -0.3       0.1      -0.4
 
0          FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES                      5.978    117.6       116.2     -4.7    -0.8      -2.3       2.9      -1.2
 
00          Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,
                 excluding distilled beverages            4.276    116.5       114.3     -4.7    -0.9      -3.1       3.8      -1.9
 
01          Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled
                 beverages)                               1.702    120.0       120.5     -4.9    -0.8      -0.3       0.6       0.4
 
1          INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS               28.531     99.9       102.2      4.6     1.4       1.2      -0.7       2.3
            INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS
                 EXCLUDING PETROLEUM                     18.413    111.3       111.2      2.0     0.1      -0.4      -0.4      -0.1
            INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                 DURABLE                                  9.440    107.6       107.5     -0.4    -0.8      -0.6      -0.3      -0.1
            INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                 NONDURABLE EXCLUDING PETROLEUM           8.974    115.6       115.5      4.3     0.9      -0.3      -0.7      -0.1
 
10          Fuels & lubricants                           10.854     83.3        89.1     11.0     4.5       4.6      -1.1       7.0
 
100          Petroleum & petroleum products              10.118     81.4        87.2     10.9     4.5       4.7      -1.1       7.1
 
10000         Crude                                       7.180     77.8        83.8      9.1     4.4       2.4       0.3       7.7
 
11          Paper & paper base stocks                     2.704    128.8       122.8      9.3     0.3      -2.3      -1.9      -4.7
 
12          Materials associated with nondurable
                 supplies & materials                     5.774    111.7       112.4     -0.8     0.2      -0.5      -0.1       0.6
 
13          Selected building materials                   1.792    123.0       122.6     -0.4    -2.9       0.7       1.2      -0.3
 
14          Unfinished metals associated with
                 durable goods                            4.572    103.9       103.9     -2.1    -0.7      -0.5      -0.7       0.0
 
15          Finished metals associated with durable
                 goods                                    1.460    104.1       104.2      0.5    -0.1      -0.6      -1.2       0.1
 
16          Nonmetals associated with durable goods       1.375    107.7       108.0      4.9     0.1      -1.8      -0.5       0.3
 
2          CAPITAL GOODS                                 24.080    105.7       105.1     -0.1    -0.1       0.0      -0.3      -0.6
 
20          Electric & electrical generating
                 equipment                                3.094    112.5       112.1      2.3    -0.1       0.3      -0.3      -0.4
 
21          Nonelectrical machinery                      18.428    103.6       102.9     -0.9    -0.1      -0.3      -0.3      -0.7
 
3          AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES          19.859    115.4       115.3      1.5     0.0      -0.3       0.1      -0.1
 
4          CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING AUTOMOTIVES         21.552    108.4       108.3      1.3     0.5       0.0       0.1      -0.1
 
40          Nondurables, manufactured                    10.340    108.1       108.2      1.1     0.3       0.1      -0.1       0.1
 
41          Durables, manufactured                        9.993    107.5       107.6      1.3     0.5      -0.1       0.0       0.1
 
42          Nonmanufactured consumer goods                1.220    118.7       116.1      3.6     1.3       0.8       2.2      -2.2
 
 
 
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                       n.a.      Not available
            1990 trade values.
        2  Data for December 1994, January and February 1995
            have been revised to reflect the availability
            of late reports and corrections by respondents.
            All data are subject to revision in each of
            the three months after original publication.
 
        NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately
 
 
Table 2      U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, March 1995-March 1996
                 1990=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change
                                                        Relative
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly
                                                         ance                           March   Nov.      Dec.      Jan.      Feb.
END       Description                                                                   1995    1995      1995      1996      1996
USE                                                     February   February    March    to      to        to        to        to
                                                        1996       1996        1996     March   Dec.      Jan.      Feb.      March
                                                        1/         2/                   1996    1995      1996      1996      1996
 
          ALL COMMODITIES                               100.000    109.5       109.4      1.4     0.0       0.4      -0.3      -0.1
          AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES                       12.486    125.8       127.4     18.4     0.8       1.7      -0.2       1.3
          NONAGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES                    87.513    107.7       107.4     -0.6    -0.2       0.2      -0.3      -0.3
 
0          FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES                     11.087    128.0       130.0     22.6     0.3       2.0       0.0       1.6
 
00          Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,
                excluding distilled beverages            10.126    129.9       132.2     27.2     0.6       2.4       0.2       1.8
 
01          Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled
                beverages)                                0.961    109.0       107.2    -12.2    -3.0      -2.5      -0.6      -1.7
 
1          INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS               28.661    110.7       109.8     -4.8     0.0       0.4      -1.2      -0.8
            INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                DURABLE                                  11.241    116.3       115.8     -2.1     0.3       0.2      -0.3      -0.4
            INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
                NONDURABLE                               17.420    108.6       107.4     -6.4    -0.4       0.5      -1.7      -1.1
 
10          Agricultural industrial supplies &
                materials                                 2.360    111.6       110.2     -9.5     1.5      -1.3      -1.6      -1.3
 
             NONAGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES &
                MATERIALS                                26.301    110.7       109.7     -4.4    -0.2       0.5      -1.1      -0.9
 
11          Fuels & lubricants                            3.374     98.2        99.2      9.0     0.5       3.4      -0.2       1.0
 
12          Nonagricultural supplies & materials
                excluding fuels & building materials     20.200    109.8       108.5     -6.1    -0.5       0.2      -1.4      -1.2
 
13          Selected building materials                   2.727    145.4       144.6     -5.7     0.6       0.3       0.2      -0.6
 
2          CAPITAL GOODS                                 39.645    105.6       105.5      1.2    -0.2       0.2       0.1      -0.1
 
20          Electric & electrical generating
                equipment                                 3.605    109.0       109.0      1.7     0.1      -0.2       0.1       0.0
 
21          Nonelectrical machinery                      25.876    101.6       101.8      0.8    -0.2       0.2       0.0       0.2
 
3          AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES           9.969    109.0       108.9      1.4    -0.1       0.0       0.0      -0.1
 
4          CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING AUTOMOTIVES         10.637    110.4       110.5      1.3    -0.1       0.4       0.2       0.1
 
40          Nondurables, manufactured                     5.756    112.6       112.8      1.3     0.0       0.5      -0.2       0.2
 
41          Durables, manufactured                        4.368    108.0       108.0      1.0    -0.2       0.2       0.3       0.0
 
 
 
 
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                       n.a.      Not available
            1990 trade values.
        2  Data for December 1994, January and February 1995
            have been revised to reflect the availability
            of late reports and corrections by respondents.
            All data are subject to revision in each of the
            three months after original publication.
 
        NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately
 
 
Table 3       U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, March 1995-March 1996
                  1990=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change
                                                        Relative
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly
                                                         ance                           March   Nov.      Dec.      Jan.      Feb.
SITC      Description                                                                   1995    1995      1995      1996      1996
Rev. 3                                                  February   February    March    to      to        to        to        to
                                                        1996       1996        1996     March   Dec.      Jan.      Feb.      March
                                                        1/         2/                   1996    1995      1996      1996      1996
 
          ALL COMMODITIES                               100.000    106.9       107.4      1.6     0.4       0.2      -0.1       0.5
 
0          FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS                          4.835    112.0       110.6     -8.3    -0.4      -4.3       4.3      -1.3
01          Meat and meat preparations                    0.468     80.5        78.9    -10.9     0.8      -1.9      -2.5      -2.0
03          Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates
              and preparations thereof                    1.203    118.0       118.4     -7.3    -0.8      -0.7       0.7       0.3
04          Cereals and cereal preparations               0.189    108.4       107.3      5.0     2.2       1.0      -0.9      -1.0
05          Vegetables and fruit, prepared
              fresh or dried                              1.363    119.8       116.8      2.1     5.9     -12.6      13.1      -2.5
06          Sugars, sugar preparations and honey          0.260    100.5       100.5      2.4    -0.3      -0.4      -1.3       0.0
07          Coffee, tea, cocoa, spices and
              manufactures thereof                        0.925    140.5       136.4    -25.7    -9.8       0.0       5.0      -2.9
 
1          BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO                          1.069    117.8       118.5      3.6     1.3      -0.3       0.5       0.6
11          Beverages                                     0.872    116.3       116.3      1.6     0.2       0.1       0.3       0.0
 
2          CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS        3.543    124.5       120.2     -0.9    -0.6      -0.6       0.0      -3.5
23          Crude rubber (including synthetic and
              reclaimed)                                  0.357    150.9       155.5     -6.1     6.6       0.8      -3.5       3.0
24          Cork and wood                                 0.882    142.0       140.2     -2.2    -2.7       1.6       2.9      -1.3
25          Pulp and waste paper                          0.598    104.8        88.8    -15.2    -0.1      -6.2      -8.5     -15.3
28          Metalliferous ores and metal scrap            0.870    107.7       108.3      1.6    -0.6       0.4      -0.9       0.6
 
3          MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED
              MATERIALS                                  10.412     81.9        87.5     10.6     4.5       4.5      -1.1       6.8
33          Petroleum, petroleum products and
              related materials                           9.500     81.7        87.5     10.8     4.6       4.7      -1.3       7.1
34          Gas, natural and manufactured                 0.848     83.5        87.6     10.2     3.2       4.6      -0.2       4.9
 
5          CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.         4.929    112.1       112.0      1.1     0.0       0.2       0.0      -0.1
51          Organic chemicals                             1.368    100.2       100.3     -1.8    -0.4      -0.3       0.6       0.1
52          Inorganic chemicals                           0.703    114.1       114.7      1.4     0.1       0.3       0.4       0.5
53          Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials
              (9212=100)                                  0.301    111.6       111.4      4.7     0.3       0.5       1.2      -0.2
54          Medicinal and pharmaceutical products         0.709    127.8       127.2      4.6    -0.2      -0.6      -0.7      -0.5
55          Essential oils; polishing and cleansing
              preps                                       0.340    129.9       127.4      9.1     0.3       4.2      -0.4      -1.9
57          Plastics in primary forms (9212=100)          0.281    112.5       111.8      4.7     1.5       0.5       0.4      -0.6
58          Plastics in nonprimary forms (9212=100)       0.514    101.5       100.7    -12.8    -2.1      -1.6      -3.5      -0.8
59          Chemical materials and products, n.e.s.       0.497    114.4       115.5     11.3     1.2       1.2       0.9       1.0
 
6          MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY
              BY MATERIAL                                13.301    112.8       112.6      3.2    -0.3      -0.4      -0.3      -0.2
62          Rubber manufactures, n.e.s.                   0.738    105.8       104.9      2.0    -0.2      -0.8       0.1      -0.9
64          Paper, paperboard, and articles of
              paper pulp, paper or paper board            2.272    135.6       133.8     17.0     0.4      -0.8       0.0      -1.3
65          Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up
              articles, n.e.s., and related product       1.449    115.1       114.4      2.6     0.1       0.3       0.0      -0.6
66          Nonmetallic mineral manufactures,
              n.e.s.                                      2.187    112.3       113.2      2.2     0.1       0.3      -0.1       0.8
67          Iron and steel                                2.085    107.3       107.8      2.2    -1.1      -1.2      -1.0       0.5
68          Nonferrous metals                             1.939    100.4       100.2     -5.4     0.3      -0.9      -0.9      -0.2
69          Manufactures of metals, n.e.s.                1.970    112.2       111.3      2.7    -0.7       0.2       0.4      -0.8
 
7          MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT             44.586    109.4       109.1      0.6     0.0      -0.2      -0.1      -0.3
72          Machinery specialized for particular
              industries                                  3.030    118.5       119.3      4.6     1.5      -0.5       0.9       0.7
73          Metalworking machinery                        0.890    121.9       121.7      5.1     0.2       0.3      -0.7      -0.2
74          General industrial machinery and equip-
              ment, n.e.s. and machine parts, n.e.s       3.378    117.2       116.9      3.5     0.1       0.1      -0.4      -0.3
75          Computer equipment and office machines        4.336     81.3        80.0     -4.8    -0.6      -0.4      -0.7      -1.6
76          Telecommunications & sound recording
              & reproducing apparatus & equipment         4.296     97.4        97.1     -0.5     0.5      -0.4       0.1      -0.3
77          Electrical machinery and equipment            7.011    105.4       104.6     -2.2    -0.3      -0.2      -0.5      -0.8
78          Road vehicles                                16.849    117.5       117.4      1.4    -0.1      -0.2       0.0      -0.1
 
8          MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES           16.822    108.2       108.2      1.3     0.3       0.0      -0.1       0.0
81          Prefabricated buildings; plumbing, heat
              lighting fixtures, n.e.s.                   0.258    106.3       106.8      3.3     1.0       0.6      -0.2       0.5
82          Furniture and parts thereof                   1.055    106.9       106.6      1.5     0.2       0.3      -0.3      -0.3
83          Travel goods, handbags and similar
              containers                                  0.486    110.9       110.6      3.0     0.1       0.0       0.3      -0.3
84          Articles of apparel and clothing
              accessories                                 5.227    103.9       104.0      1.1     0.5       0.3       0.0       0.1
85          Footwear                                      1.939    102.9       103.3      2.2     0.1       0.1       0.0       0.4
87          Professional, scientific and controlling
              instruments and apparatus, n.e.s.           1.454    117.4       116.6      1.5    -0.8       0.0       0.3      -0.7
88          Photographic apparatus, equipment and
              supplies and optical goods, n.e.s.;         1.470    113.4       113.0      1.8     0.1      -0.6      -0.5      -0.4
89          Miscellaneous manufactured articles,
              n.e.s.                                      4.932    110.9       111.1      0.8     0.4      -0.1      -0.4       0.2
 
971          Gold, nonmonetary (excluding gold ores
              and concentrates) (9212=100)                0.215    116.3       115.0      2.5     0.7       1.2       1.7      -1.1
 
 
 
 
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                       n.a.      Not available.
            1990 trade values.
        2  Data for December 1994, January and February 1995
            have been revised to reflect the availability
            of late reports and corrections by respondents.
            All data are subject to revision in each of the
            three months after original publication.
        3  Product categories included in this group
            have been modified due to concordance
            or coverage limitations.
 
        NOTE:   Published categories may include price data not shown separetely
 
 
Table 4       U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, March 1995-March 1996
                  1990=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change
                                                        Relative
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly
                                                         ance                           March   Nov.      Dec.      Jan.      Feb.
SITC      Description                                                                   1995    1995      1995      1996      1996
Rev. 3                                                  February   February    March    to      to        to        to        to
                                                        1996       1996        1996     March   Dec.      Jan.      Feb.      March
                                                        1/         2/                   1996    1995      1996      1996      1996
 
          ALL COMMODITIES                               100.000    109.5       109.4      1.4     0.0       0.4      -0.3      -0.1
 
0          FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS                          9.838    131.5       134.1     23.9     0.4       1.8       0.3       2.0
01          Meat and meat preparations                    0.910    113.8       113.4      0.9     1.2      -4.3      -3.1      -0.4
03          Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates
              and preparations                            0.763    105.6       103.8    -14.3    -3.9      -2.7      -0.7      -1.7
04          Cereals and cereal preparations               4.795    152.8       157.1     52.4     1.5       3.7       2.1       2.8
05          Vegetables, fruit and nuts,
              fresh or dried                              1.673    121.6       125.1      7.1    -2.4       1.3      -1.3       2.9
08          feeding stuff for animals (not
              including unmilled cereals)                 0.910    125.0       127.0     30.7     2.0       5.4      -1.3       1.6
 
1          BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO                          2.065    115.4       115.4      0.8    -0.1       0.2       0.0       0.0
 
2          CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS        8.071    117.8       114.1    -10.4     0.1       0.9      -3.1      -3.1
21          Hides, skins and furskins, raw                0.397     91.0        91.2    -16.8    -1.6      -0.8       0.6       0.2
22          Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits               1.166    120.5       119.6     27.6     1.2       7.2      -1.2      -0.7
23          Crude rubber (including synthetic and
              reclaimed)                                  0.255    110.9       110.9     -4.3    -0.6      -0.5      -0.6       0.0
24          Cork and wood                                 1.967    151.9       150.7     -4.2     0.9       0.8       0.8      -0.8
25          Pulp and waste paper                          1.141    113.6        92.7    -40.6    -4.7       1.1     -15.9     -18.4
26          Textile fibers and their waste                1.144    118.7       117.0    -11.7     2.3      -1.9      -2.1      -1.4
27          Crude fertilizers and crude minerals          0.372     97.3        96.9     -1.5    -0.5       0.3      -1.0      -0.4
28          Metalliferous ores and metal scrap            1.370    108.7       108.3    -13.3     1.9      -0.5      -0.5      -0.4
 
3          MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED
              MATERIALS                                   2.939     95.6        97.1      9.2     0.9       4.5      -1.4       1.6
32          Coal, coke and briquettes                     1.207     99.3        99.6      5.2    -0.1       1.3      -0.6       0.3
33          Petroleum, petroleum products and
              related materials                           1.606     90.7        92.8     13.3     2.0       7.2      -2.1       2.3
 
4          ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE OILS, FATS AND
              WAXES                                       0.321    108.2       106.0    -13.1    -0.3      -2.8      -5.2      -2.0
 
5          CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.        10.741    110.2       110.3     -4.4    -0.3       0.0       0.3       0.1
51          Organic chemicals                             2.748    105.4       104.5    -11.7    -1.3      -1.9       0.5      -0.9
52          Inorganic chemicals (9212=100)                1.073    118.2       120.3      3.2     0.0       0.8       0.9       1.8
53          Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials
              (9312=100)                                  0.445    103.1       103.0      0.9    -0.2       0.2       0.1      -0.1
54          Medicinal and pharmaceutical products         1.131    109.7       111.0      2.5    -0.2       0.9       0.0       1.2
55          Essential oils; polishing and cleansing
              preps                                       0.562    111.0       110.8      0.4     0.4      -0.2      -0.7      -0.2
57          Plastics in primary forms (9212=100)          1.817    120.7       122.2    -13.9    -1.3       0.7       0.1       1.2
58          Plastics in nonprimary forms (9212=100)       0.716    109.8       109.2      2.5    -0.5       0.9      -0.2      -0.5
59          Chemical materials and products, n.e.s.       1.585    116.9       116.2      2.6     0.0       0.1       0.9      -0.6
 
6          MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY
              BY MATERIAL                                 9.539    113.8       113.3     -0.5    -0.4       0.4      -0.9      -0.4
62          Rubber manufactures, n.e.s.                   0.630    120.3       118.9      2.7    -0.1       0.3       0.4      -1.2
63          Cork and wood manufactures other than
              furniture (9212=100)                        0.387     99.1        98.9     -9.0    -1.9      -3.1      -1.9      -0.2
64          Paper, paperboard, and articles of
              paper pulp, paper or paperboard             1.433    114.3       113.7     -4.1    -1.8      -1.9      -2.6      -0.5
66          Nonmetallic mineral manufactures,
              n.e.s.                                      1.269    112.1       111.6      2.1     1.0       0.5       0.9      -0.4
68          Nonferrous metals                             1.410    107.5       105.5     -8.4    -0.5       1.5      -1.8      -1.9
69          Manufactures of metals, n.e.s.                1.729    115.7       115.6      2.7     0.7       1.3      -0.3      -0.1
 
7          MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT             46.067    105.4       105.2      1.0    -0.2       0.1       0.1      -0.2
71          Power generating machinery and
              equipment                                   4.367    118.2       118.1      3.1    -0.3       0.4       0.5      -0.1
72          Machinery specialized for particular
              industries                                  4.406    115.0       115.4      3.4     0.2       1.0      -0.3       0.3
73          Metalworking machinery                        0.792    112.9       113.8      2.0    -0.2       0.8      -0.6       0.8
74          General industrial machinery and equip-
              ment, n.e.s. and machine parts, n.e.s       4.535    113.8       113.5      1.5    -0.2       0.9       0.4      -0.3
75          Computer equipment and office machines        4.964     72.8        72.5     -5.7     0.0      -1.6      -0.3      -0.4
76          Telecommunications & sound recording
              & reproducing apparatus & equipment         2.568    105.7       107.6      1.1    -1.5       0.5      -0.1       1.8
77          Electrical machinery and equipment            8.039    103.7       103.7      1.5    -0.1      -0.1       0.2       0.0
78          Road vehicles                                 7.895    109.0       109.1      1.2     0.0      -0.1       0.0       0.1
 
8          MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES            9.682    108.7       108.7      0.9     0.0       0.2       0.2       0.0
82          Furniture and parts thereof                   0.419    103.1       103.3      2.9     0.0       0.2       1.3       0.2
87          Professional, scientific and controlling
              instruments and apparatus, n.e.s.           3.748    114.9       115.0      1.6    -0.2       0.5       0.3       0.1
89          Miscellaneous manufactured articles,
              n.e.s.                                      3.412    103.3       103.2      0.7     0.1      -0.1      -0.1      -0.1
 
971          Gold, nonmonetary (excluding gold ores
              and concentrates) (9212=100)                0.737    115.3       115.6      3.9     1.3       0.2       1.9       0.3
 
 
 
 
        1  Relative importance figures are based on                                                     n.a.      Not available.
            1990 trade values.
        2  Data for December 1994, January and February 1995
            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 5       U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, March 1995-March 1996
                 December 1992=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change
                                                        Relative
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly
Harmo-                                                   ance                           March   Nov.      Dec.      Jan.      Feb.
nized     Description                                                                   1995    1995      1995      1996      1996
System                                                  February   February    March    to      to        to        to        to
                                                        1996       1996        1996     March   Dec.      Jan.      Feb.      March
                                                        1/         2/                   1996    1995      1996      1996      1996
 
 
I          LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS                  1.666     98.4        97.9     -8.7    -1.2      -1.2      -0.7      -0.5
02          Meat and edible meat offal                    0.378     83.7        81.2    -11.0     0.0      -2.3      -4.1      -3.0
03          Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and
               other aquatic invertebrates                0.961    110.7       111.1     -8.2    -2.0      -0.2       0.8       0.4
 
II         VEGETABLE PRODUCTS                             2.003    136.2       129.2    -13.7    -1.9      -6.3      10.0      -5.1
07          Edible vegetables and certain roots and
               tubers                                     0.310    116.9       109.5     -9.4    17.6     -41.5      57.3      -6.3
08          Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus
               fruit or melons                            0.450    104.0        99.8      2.4     4.0      -1.7       0.6      -4.0
09          Coffee, tea, mate and spices                  0.749    175.6       167.6    -30.5   -10.9       0.6       7.1      -4.6
      3/    Other vegetable products                      0.494    142.5       133.6      7.3    -4.6       4.8       3.6      -6.2
 
III        ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE FATS AND OILS              0.242    141.7       140.9     15.5    -0.5       1.4       0.9      -0.6
 
IV         PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND
              TOBACCO                                     2.614    110.5       110.9      3.2    -0.5       0.0       0.5       0.4
16          Edible preps of meat, fish, and other
               aquatic invertebrates                      0.269    109.7       109.9      2.8     2.4      -1.8       0.5       0.2
20          Preparations of vegetables, fruit,
               nuts, or other parts of plants             0.466    124.3       124.6     13.7    -0.8       3.4       0.9       0.2
22          Beverages, spirits, and vinegar               1.019    103.7       103.6      1.5     0.2       0.0       0.4      -0.1
      3/    Other prepared foodstuffs                     0.412    112.4       114.4      5.6    -2.5       0.0       1.2       1.8
 
V          MINERAL PRODUCTS                              13.598    102.2       109.2     10.6     4.3       4.1      -1.0       6.8
26          Ores, slag and ash                            0.350     93.3        93.9      1.0     0.4       0.1       0.0       0.6
27          Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,
               bituminous substances and mineral wax     12.983    102.3       109.6     10.9     4.5       4.6      -1.1       7.1
 
VI         PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED
              INDUSTRIES                                  4.766    112.4       112.6      2.6     0.3       0.7       0.3       0.2
28          Inorganic chemicals                           1.057    121.3       121.9      1.8     0.0       1.7      -0.3       0.5
29          Organic chemicals                             1.718    109.0       109.0     -1.5     0.3       0.1       0.7       0.0
30          Pharmaceutical products                       0.361    117.9       117.5      7.7     0.1      -0.6      -0.6      -0.3
32          Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye &
               pigments; varnish & paints; putty          0.284    111.8       111.5      5.1     0.4       0.3       1.1      -0.3
37          Photographic or cinematographic goods         0.366    105.0       104.9      2.9     0.2      -0.5      -0.2      -0.1
      3/    Essential oils & perfumes; cleaning
               preps; glues & starches; & explosives      0.512    112.7       112.4      9.1     0.4       2.9      -0.6      -0.3
 
VII        PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER
              AND ARTICLES THEREOF                        2.599    110.8       110.8     -2.9     0.7      -1.1      -1.2       0.0
39          Plastics and articles thereof                 1.466    106.4       106.1     -3.5    -0.3      -1.5      -1.3      -0.3
40          Rubber and articles thereof                   1.133    117.0       117.5     -2.2     1.9      -0.4      -1.1       0.4
 
VIII       RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,
              TRAVEL GOODS, ETC                           1.098    106.6       107.5      3.0     0.5      -0.2      -0.2       0.8
42          Articles of leather; travel goods, bags,
               etc. of various materials                  0.837    103.8       104.0      2.5     0.2      -0.1      -0.2       0.2
 
IX         WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW, BASKET
              AND WICKER                                  1.223    114.0       113.6     -0.2    -2.8       0.8       1.2      -0.4
 
X          WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER
              AND ARTICLES THEREOF                        3.506    137.0       130.9      6.4     0.1      -2.2      -1.9      -4.5
47          Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic
               material; waste paper/paperboard           0.806    143.1       121.3    -14.2    -0.2      -6.4      -7.7     -15.2
48          Paper and paperboard; articles of paper
               pulp, paper or paperboard                  2.365    140.9       139.1     15.6     0.4      -0.8       0.0      -1.3
49          Printed matter                                0.335    105.3       104.5     -0.4    -1.7      -1.1      -0.4      -0.8
 
XI         TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES                   6.087    103.8       103.7      1.1     0.3       0.1       0.3      -0.1
61          Articles of apparel and clothing
               accessories, knitted or crocheted          1.607    103.7       104.0      2.2     0.3       0.8       0.0       0.3
62          Articles of apparel and clothing
               accessories, not knitted or crocheted      2.977    102.0       101.7      0.7     0.6      -0.2       0.7      -0.3
63          Made-up or worn textile articles and
               clothing; needlecraft sets; rags           0.299    110.1       109.8      1.0    -0.5       0.2      -0.2      -0.3
 
XII        FOOTWEAR, HEADGEAR, UMBRELLAS, WHIPS,
              ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS, ETC.                    2.126    101.8       102.0      2.1     0.2       0.1       0.0       0.2
64          Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts
               of such articles                           1.909    101.6       101.9      2.1     0.0       0.2       0.0       0.3
      3/    Headgear; umbrellas; whips; artif flwrs;
               prepared feathers; art. of human hair      0.217     n.a.        n.a.     n.a.     1.9      n.a.      n.a.      n.a.
 
XIII       STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,CERAMIC
              GLASS ETC.                                  1.037    106.8       108.4      3.5     0.2       0.7      -0.3       1.5
70          Glass and glassware                           0.378    108.4       111.0      4.2     0.4       1.7      -0.8       2.4
 
XIV        PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,
              IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS                2.418    106.2       106.5      1.3    -0.5       0.7       0.4       0.3
 
XV         BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METAL         6.171    114.9       114.7     -0.6    -0.4      -1.0      -0.8      -0.2
72          Iron and steel                                1.762    113.5       113.7      1.5    -1.4      -1.6      -0.4       0.2
73          Articles of iron or steel                     1.406    108.3       108.2      2.9    -0.3      -0.2      -1.1      -0.1
74          Copper and articles thereof                   0.568    121.5       120.9     -9.1     1.5      -2.6      -5.7      -0.5
75          Nickel and articles thereof                   0.294    127.1       131.8     -3.4     0.9      -4.3      -2.2       3.7
76          Aluminum and articles thereof                 0.949    132.4       130.5     -6.9    -0.6      -1.1       0.8      -1.4
79          Zinc and articles thereof                     0.197     93.5        92.9     -4.4    -0.6       0.0       0.1      -0.6
83          Miscellaneous articles of base metal          0.369    108.7       107.2      2.7     0.7      -1.3       2.5      -1.4
 
XVI        MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV
              IMAGE & SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC.       24.788    101.3       100.7     -0.5     0.1      -0.3      -0.2      -0.6
84          Specialized machinery & computer
               equipment                                 13.123    100.5        99.8      0.2     0.1      -0.1      -0.2      -0.7
85          Electrical machinery and equip, sound
               and TV recorders & reproducers, parts     11.665    102.3       101.6     -1.4     0.0      -0.4      -0.2      -0.7
 
XVII       VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND
              ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT             17.349    110.0       109.9      1.7     0.0      -0.2       0.2      -0.1
87          Motor vehicles and their parts               16.121    110.2       110.1      1.5    -0.1      -0.2       0.1      -0.1
 
XVIII      OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &
              MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; CLOCKS & WATCHES       3.403    109.9       109.5      1.3    -0.4      -0.2      -0.5      -0.4
90          Optical, photographic, measuring and
               medical instruments                        2.852    109.5       109.1      1.2    -0.5      -0.3      -0.4      -0.4
91          Clocks and watches and parts thereof          0.391    112.8       111.2      2.6    -0.1       0.6      -0.5      -1.4
 
XX         MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES            3.242    101.5       101.5      1.0     0.8       0.3      -0.3       0.0
94          Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps
               and lighting fittings nes;                 1.273    101.1       100.9      0.8     0.4       0.3      -0.6      -0.2
95          Toys, games and sports equipment; parts
               and accessories thereof                    1.679    100.9       101.1      1.2     1.3       0.5      -0.1       0.2
96          Miscellaneous manufactured articles           0.290    107.2       106.6      0.2    -0.5      -0.5      -0.1      -0.6
 
 
 
 
        1  Relative importance figures are based on
            1990 trade values.
        2  Data for December 1994, January and February 1995
            have been revised to reflect the availability
            of late reports and corrections by respondents.
            All data are subject to revision in each of
            the three months after original publication.
        3  Product categories included in this group
            have been modified due to concordance
            or coverage limitations.
 
        NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately
 
 
Table 6       U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, March 1995-March 1996
                 December 1992=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                            Index                    Percent Change
                                                        Relative
                                                         Import-                        Annual            Monthly
Harmo-                                                   ance                           March   Nov.      Dec.      Jan.      Feb.
nized     Description                                                                   1995    1995      1995      1996      1996
System                                                  February   February    March    to      to        to        to        to
                                                        1996       1996        1996     March   Dec.      Jan.      Feb.      March
                                                        1/         2/                   1996    1995      1996      1996      1996
 
 
I          LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS                  1.928    112.2       111.3     -5.6    -1.0      -3.6      -1.7      -0.8
02          Meat & edible meat offal                      0.804    105.6       105.1      0.1     1.3      -4.7      -3.1      -0.5
03          Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and
               other aquatic invertebrates                0.802    122.7       120.5    -14.4    -4.0      -3.3      -0.9      -1.8
 
II         VEGETABLE PRODUCTS                             7.821    143.6       146.7     36.8     0.7       4.4       0.8       2.2
07          Edible vegetables and certain roots and
               tubers                                     0.384    110.0       108.5    -15.0    n.a.      21.5      -2.1      -1.4
08          Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus
               fruit or melons                            0.906    124.2       128.3     17.2    -3.9      -4.0      -0.6       3.3
10          Cereals                                       4.767    159.0       164.3     55.1     1.4       4.4       2.0       3.3
12          Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds,
               fruits, plants, straw and fodder           1.443    128.2       127.3     25.5     1.0       6.8      -1.5      -0.7
 
III        ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE FATS AND OILS              0.361    111.1       108.9    -11.2    -1.0      -2.0      -4.2      -2.0
 
IV         PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND
              TOBACCO                                     3.762    107.1       107.9      7.1     0.8       1.3      -0.5       0.7
20          Preparations of vegetables, fruit,
               nuts, or other parts of plants             0.323    109.0       112.9      6.6     1.7      -1.0      -2.1       3.6
21          Miscellaneous edible preparations             0.222    100.9       100.6      3.3     2.6       0.1       0.4      -0.3
23          Residues and waste from the food
               industries; prepared animal feed           0.814    117.0       118.9     31.8     2.2       5.2      -1.3       1.6
 
V          MINERAL PRODUCTS                               4.210    111.6       112.9      4.2     1.1       3.4      -1.6       1.2
27          Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,
               bituminous substances and mineral wax      3.465    111.5       113.1      9.2     0.8       4.4      -1.2       1.4
 
VI         PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED
              INDUSTRIES                                  9.410    114.8       114.6     -2.1     0.3      -0.2       0.6      -0.2
28          Inorganic chemicals                           1.302    120.7       122.3      4.0     0.0       0.7       0.8       1.3
29          Organic chemicals                             3.410    116.1       115.8     -9.5    -0.5      -1.5       1.0      -0.3
30          Pharmaceutical products                       0.735    107.6       107.4      1.9    -0.1       1.3       0.0      -0.2
32          Tanning or dyeing extracts; dyes and
               pigments; paints & varnish; putty;ink      0.417    102.3       102.2      1.1    -0.2       0.2       0.1      -0.1
33          Essential oils and resinoids;
               perfumery, cosmetic or toilet              0.380    106.9       106.7      0.5     0.0      -0.2      -1.1      -0.2
34          Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or
               scouring products; candles, pastes         0.245    111.3       111.0      0.5     0.6      -0.1       0.1      -0.3
37          Photographic or cinematographic goods         0.513     99.4        99.6     -2.7    -0.2       0.0       0.0       0.2
38          Miscellaneous chemical products               1.369    112.6       111.7      2.9     0.0       0.1       1.4      -0.8
 
VII        PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER
              AND ARTICLES THEREOF                        4.041    112.9       113.1     -6.1    -0.5       0.4       0.0       0.2
39          Plastics and articles thereof                 3.172    113.4       114.0     -7.8    -0.6       0.4       0.0       0.5
40          Rubber and articles thereof                   0.869    110.9       109.9      0.5    -0.3       0.1       0.0      -0.9
 
VIII       RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,
              TRAVEL GOODS, ETC.                          0.770    103.4       103.8    -13.2    -1.5       0.0      -0.9       0.4
41          Raw hides and skins (other than
               furskins) and leather                      0.603    100.2       100.7    -17.0    -2.0       0.1      -1.2       0.5
 
IX         WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW, BASKET
              AND WICKER                                  1.934    117.8       117.1     -4.9     0.4      -0.2       0.3      -0.6
 
X          WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER
              AND ARTICLES THEREOF                        3.829    122.8       114.3    -18.0    -2.7      -0.2      -7.3      -6.9
47          Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic
               material; waste paper/paperboard           1.454    142.2       116.6    -38.6    -4.7       0.8     -15.0     -18.0
48          Paper and paperboard; articles of paper
               pulp, paper or paperboard                  1.534    118.8       118.3     -3.3    -1.7      -1.8      -2.8      -0.4
49          Printed material                              0.841    104.6       105.0      2.3    -0.3       0.7      -0.4       0.4
 
XI         TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES                   3.286    119.8       119.0     -4.0     0.9      -0.4      -1.1      -0.7
52          Cotton, including yarns and woven
               fabrics thereof                            1.275    149.6       147.0    -11.6     2.4      -1.8      -1.8      -1.7
 
XIV        PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,
              IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS                1.867    111.2       111.3      3.0     0.9       0.0       1.9       0.1
 
XV         BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METALS        5.214    119.4       118.5     -3.3     0.2       0.8      -1.1      -0.8
72          Iron and steel                                1.258    124.7       123.8     -0.9     0.1       1.0      -1.7      -0.7
73          Articles of iron or steel                     0.974    109.3       109.8      1.7     0.7       0.5      -0.7       0.5
74          Copper and articles thereof                   0.564    117.6       117.1     -6.1     1.9      -1.9      -2.8      -0.4
76          Aluminum and articles thereof                 1.276    127.0       124.0    -14.7    -0.9       1.3      -1.0      -2.4
83          Miscellaneous articles of base metal          0.333    109.7       110.2      2.0    -0.1       0.9       0.1       0.5
 
XVI        MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV
              IMAGE AND SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC      29.063     97.4        97.5      0.4    -0.2       0.0       0.0       0.1
84          Specialized machinery & computer
               equipment                                 17.862     96.3        96.3     -0.1     0.0      -0.1       0.0       0.0
85          Electrical machinery and equip, sound
               & tv recorders & reproducers, parts       11.201     99.3        99.6      1.4    -0.3       0.0       0.2       0.3
 
XVII       VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND
              ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT             15.511    106.5       105.9      1.5    -0.1       0.0       0.1      -0.6
87          Motor vehicles and their parts                8.003    104.4       104.5      1.4     0.0       0.0       0.1       0.1
 
XVIII      OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &
              MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; CLOCKS & WATCHES       4.712    104.3       104.5      1.4    -0.2       0.7       0.1       0.2
 
XX         MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES            1.257    102.8       102.7      1.7    -0.1       0.1       0.3      -0.1
94          Furniture; stuffed furnishings;
               lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;         0.594    104.5       104.6      3.4     0.3       0.1       0.9       0.1
95          Toys, games and sports equipment; parts
               and accessories thereof                    0.490     99.3        99.0      0.0    -0.5      -0.1      -0.4      -0.3
 
 
 
 
        1  Relative importance figures are based on
            1990 trade values.
        2  Data for December 1994, January and February 1995
            have been revised to reflect the availability
            of late reports and corrections by respondents.
            All data are subject to revision in each of
            the three months after original publication.
        3  Product categories included in this group
            have been modified due to concordance
            or coverage limitations.
 
        NOTE:  Published categories may include price data not shown separately
 
 
Table  7    U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes by Locality of Origin,March 1995-March 1996
        December  1990=100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                  Index                    Percent Change
                                                   Percentage
                                                      of                            Annual                  Monthly
                                                    US Imports                    March   Nov.         Dec.        Jan.     Feb.
    Description 1/                                                                1995    1995         1995        1996     1996
                                                    1990       Feb.      March    to      to           to          to       to
                                                               1996      1996     March   Dec.         Jan.        Feb.     March
                                                               2/                 1996    1995         1996        1996     1996
 
3/  Developed Countries                                59.3    111.0     111.1      2.5     0.0          0.0        -0.3      0.1
       Manufactured Goods                              55.5    113.6     113.3      2.3    -0.1         -0.2        -0.2     -0.3
       Nonmanufactured Goods                            3.5     99.0     103.5      7.1     2.5          2.6         0.4      4.5
 
3/  Developing Countries                               40.7     91.6      92.5      1.6     0.8          0.5         0.0      1.0
       Manufactured Goods                              30.2    103.1     103.1      1.2     0.2          0.3        -0.2      0.0
       Nonmanufactured Goods                           10.4     78.3      82.0      4.1     3.1          1.4         1.2      4.7
 
 
    Canada                                             18.1    104.6     104.5      2.3     0.4         -0.5         0.0     -0.1
       Manufactured Goods                              15.7    107.5     106.8      1.1     0.0         -0.6        -0.2     -0.7
       Nonmanufactured Goods                            2.2     99.8     104.0     12.4     3.6          1.2         1.5      4.2
 
4/  European Union                                     17.8    107.6     108.0      3.7     0.1          0.6         0.0      0.4
       Manufactured Goods                              17.3    108.7     109.0      3.6     0.1          0.5        -0.1      0.3
       Nonmanufactured Goods                            0.5    101.2     107.1     10.1     1.6          3.0         0.7      5.8
 
    Japan                                              18.5    117.9     117.6      1.5    -0.4         -0.2        -0.3     -0.3
 
5/  Asian Newly Industrialized Countries               12.5     99.4      99.1     -0.5    -0.3         -0.2         0.1     -0.3
 
     1    Regions are not mutually exclusive.
 
     2    Data for December 1994, January and February 1995
          have been revised to reflect the availability
          of late reports and corrections by respondents.
 
     3    Defined according to the Standard Census Definition.
 
     4    Includes EU  15 countries
 
     5    Includes Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan.
 
 
 
Table  8    U.S. International Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services.
        March 1995-March 1996  1990 = 100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                 Index                             Percent Change
 
                                                                                  Annual          Quarterly
                                                    Trade                         March   March    June        Sept.    Dec.
    Description                                     (Mil.                         1995    1995     1995        1995     1995
                                                    of         Dec.      March    to      to       to          to       to
                                                    Dollars)   1995      1996     March   June     Sept.       Dec.     March
                                                                                  1996    1995     1995        1995     1996
 
    Air Freight (Inbound) (9/90 = 100)              3308       113.3     110.5     -4.2     2.5     -4.7         0.6     -2.5
     Atlantic (9/90 =100)                           1025       101.5      96.4     -5.5    -0.3     -0.9         0.7     -5.0
     Pacific (9/90 = 100)                           2028       121.1     119.6     -3.0     4.1     -6.9         1.3     -1.2
 
    Air Freight (Outbound) (9/92 = 100)             2694        98.1      97.7     -0.7     0.0      0.5        -0.8     -0.4
     Atlantic (9/92 = 100)                          920        105.1     103.2     -1.7    -1.0      2.5        -1.3     -1.8
     Pacific (9/92 = 100)                           1224        97.3      97.6      1.0     0.7     -0.8         0.8      0.3
 
    Air Passenger Fares (U.S. Carrier)              24233      117.4     119.1      2.6    10.8     -1.6        -7.2      1.4
1/   Atlantic                                       10075      109.7     111.1      7.1    20.7      0.0       -12.4      1.3
1/   Pacific                                        7271       120.4     122.2     -2.8     9.0     -7.9        -4.6      1.5
1/   Latin American / Caribbean                     4492       126.7     130.3      2.9    -1.9      3.3        -1.2      2.8
     Canadian                                       1264       139.1     139.3      6.0    -2.2      6.5         1.6      0.1
 
    Air Passenger Fares (Foreign Carrier)           22669      115.3     114.5      0.6    10.0     -3.0        -5.0     -0.7
     Atlantic                                       13156      111.6     109.8      3.3    12.9     -0.6        -6.5     -1.6
     Pacific                                        5663       117.2     116.9     -5.2    12.8    -10.4        -5.9     -0.3
     Latin American / Caribbean                     2890       128.0     130.2      1.6    -1.2      0.2         0.8      1.7
 
    Crude Oil Tanker Freight (Inbound)              2153       133.6     116.0     -0.8     3.5     -3.9        14.9    -13.2
     Atlantic                                       572        108.5     121.0     -2.1   -10.8      9.3        -9.9     11.5
     Gulf                                           1455       136.2     106.4      0.6    10.1     -6.8        25.4    -21.9
 
    Ocean Liner Freight (Inbound)                   8065       113.1     112.6      3.8     3.4      1.2        -0.4     -0.4
     U.S. East Coast                                3769       116.5     117.6      4.2     1.7      1.1         0.3      0.9
      from Atlantic                                 1889       120.0     125.3      1.9    -3.2      0.8        -0.1      4.4
      from Pacific                                  1154       113.7     109.0      8.0    10.6      1.9         0.0     -4.1
     U.S. West Coast                                4296       110.1     108.2      3.4     5.1      1.3        -1.1     -1.7
      from Pacific                                  3943       112.0     109.6      3.5     5.8      1.1        -1.1     -2.1
 
 
 
1
 
Table  9     U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services.
        March 1995-March 1996  1990 = 100, unless otherwise noted
                                                                 Index                             Percent Change
 
                                                                                  Annual          Quarterly
                                                    Trade                         March   March    June        Sept.    Dec.
    Description                                     (Mil.                         1995    1995     1995        1995     1995
                                                    of         Dec.      March    to      to       to          to       to
                                                    Dollars)   1995      1996     March   June     Sept.       Dec.     March
                                                                                  1996    1995     1995        1995     1996
 
 
    IMPORT
 
    Air Freight (9/90 = 100)                        2001       119.4     118.0     -1.7     2.5     -4.9         2.0     -1.2
     Atlantic (9/90 = 100)                          738        101.2      98.9      0.9     2.9     -1.1         1.5     -2.3
     Pacific (9/90 = 100)                           1102       136.2     135.2     -1.9     2.6     -7.3         3.9     -0.7
 
    Air Passenger Fares                             10450      116.2     115.3      2.2     9.9     -2.0        -4.4     -0.8
     Atlantic                                       6577       112.5     110.7      3.3    13.2     -0.9        -6.5     -1.6
     Pacific                                        2051       116.9     115.7     -0.8    10.7     -7.0        -2.6     -1.0
     Latin American / Caribbean                     1678       129.4     132.2      2.1    -0.9      0.2         0.7      2.2
 
    Crude Oil Tanker Freight                        1985       144.7 r   116.7     -5.5     2.7     -3.2        17.9 r  -19.4
     Atlantic                                       534        113.0 r   123.4     -3.0   -11.6     10.5        -9.1 r    9.2
     Gulf                                           1328       150.9 r   106.5     -6.5     8.9     -6.0        29.5 r  -29.4
 
    Ocean Liner Freight                             6017       112.7 r   112.5      4.7     4.0      1.4        -0.6 r   -0.2
     U.S. East Coast                                2832       117.7     118.9      5.8     3.0      1.8        -0.2      1.0
      from Atlantic                                 1336       122.6     128.5      3.0    -3.4      1.8        -0.2      4.8
      from Pacific                                  1094       116.7     112.8     11.9    13.6      1.9         0.0     -3.3
     U.S. West Coast                                3185       108.4 r   106.9      3.6     4.9      1.1        -1.0 r   -1.4
      from Pacific                                  2840       110.7 r   108.6      3.6     5.8      0.9        -1.1 r   -1.9
 
    EXPORT
 
    Air Passenger Fares                             11867      119.9     121.8      0.7     7.5     -3.0        -4.9      1.6
1/   Atlantic                                       4159       116.9     119.2      7.4    13.8      0.1        -7.5      2.0
1/   Pacific                                        4679       120.4     123.2     -4.0     7.2     -8.0        -4.9      2.3
     Latin American / Caribbean                     1775       126.6     125.8      0.6    -2.3      1.1         2.5     -0.6
     Canadian                                       619        128.4     133.5      1.0    -4.2      2.7        -1.2      4.0
 
 
 
1   Detailed data available upon request.