Bureau of Labor Statistics Washington, D.C. 20212 

Technical information: USDL-08-0457 

 (202) 691-7101 Transmission of this 

Media contact: material is embargoed 

 (202) 691-5902 until 8:30 A.M. EDT 

Internet address: http://www.bls.gov/mxp Friday, April 11, 2008 

U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES 

- MARCH 2008 - 

The U.S. Import Price Index increased 2.8 percent in March, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of 

the U.S. Department of Labor reported today, as higher prices for both petroleum and nonpetroleum 

imports contributed to the advance. The rise followed 0.2 percent and 1.5 percent increases in February 

and January. Export prices rose 1.5 percent in March, after advancing 1.1 percent and 1.2 percent for 

the prior two months. 

Percent changes in import and export price indexes 

by End Use category 

- not seasonally adjusted - 

News United States 

 Department 

of Labor
Import Goods

The price index for overall imports rose 2.8 percent in March, led by a 9.1 percent advance in 

petroleum prices. Petroleum prices resumed an upward trend following a 1.9 percent downturn in 

February. Prices for petroleum rose 60.0 percent for the year ended in March following a comparatively 

modest 3.1 percent rise over the previous 12-month period. A 1.1 percent increase in nonpetroleum 

prices also contributed to the overall rise and was the largest one-month increase for the index since 

nonpetroleum prices were first published on a monthly basis in December 1988. The price indexes for 

overall imports and nonpetroleum imports also advanced for the March 2007-08 period, increasing 14.8 

percent and 5.4 percent, respectively. 

The largest contributor to the March increase in nonpetroleum prices was a 3.6 percent advance 

in the price index for nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials. That rise was mostly driven by a 

jump in unfinished metals prices, although higher prices for natural gas, finished metals, and chemicals 

also factored into the advance. Nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials prices rose 14.7 percent 

over the past 12 months. 

Prices for consumer goods; foods, feeds, and beverages; and automotive vehicles were all up in 

March as well. Consumer goods prices increased 0.5 percent following 0.4 percent and 0.5 percent 

increases in February and January. Foods, feeds, and beverages prices rose 2.5 percent, led by higher 

prices for food oils, fish, and coffee. The price index for automotive vehicles advanced 0.2 percent in 

March after ticking up 0.1 percent the previous month. 

Capital goods prices were unchanged in March as declining computer prices offset price 

increases for the remainder of capital goods. 

 

Export Goods 

Export prices advanced 1.5 percent in March, the largest one-month increase for the index since 

overall export prices were first published monthly in December 1988. The index advanced 7.9 percent 

over the past year, the largest 12-month advance since an 8.7 percent increase for the September 1987-

88 period. Both the monthly and annual increases were driven by higher agricultural prices, up 4.1 

percent in March and 33.4 percent over the past 12 months. Soybeans and corn prices were the largest 

contributors to the March increase, rising 9.6 percent and 7.9 percent, respectively. In contrast, the 

increase over the past year was led by a 145.2 percent jump in wheat prices. Nonagricultural prices 

advanced 1.2 percent in March which was also the largest monthly rise since October 1990. The index 

increased 5.6 percent over the past year. 

Nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials prices rose 3.7 percent in March, as prices for 

fuels, metals, and chemicals all recorded increases. The price indexes for export consumer goods and 

automotive vehicles also advanced in March, each rising 0.2 percent for the month. Both followed 

similar increases in February when consumer goods prices rose 0.2 percent and prices for automotive 

vehicles advanced 0.1 percent. 

Prices for capital goods were unchanged in March after rising 1.0 percent over the previous three 

months. Capital goods prices excluding computers advanced 0.2 percent in March, but a 1.0 percent 

drop in computer prices offset those gains. 

2
Imports by Locality of Origin 

 

The price indexes for imports from Canada, the European Union, and Mexico all increased in 

March, led by higher fuel prices. Prices for imports from Canada rose 3.2 percent for the month and 

16.4 percent for the year ended in March. Import prices from the European Union advanced 1.6 percent 

in March and were up 6.9 percent over the past year. The price index for imports from Mexico resumed 

an upward trend in March, increasing 2.2 percent following a 1.8 percent downturn in February. The 

index advanced 17.2 percent over the past 12 months. 

Import prices from China also increased in March, rising 0.7 percent after a 0.1 percent gain the 

previous month. The index had been up 0.9 percent in January. Prices for imports from China rose 4.0 

percent for the March 2007-08 period, the largest 12-month increase recorded since the index was first 

published in December 2003. 

 

The price index for imports from Japan ticked up 0.1 percent in March and advanced 0.7 percent 

over the past year. 

Import and Export Services

 Import air passenger fares rose 0.2 percent in March after declining in each of the prior two 

months. A 1.2 percent increase in fares from the Latin America-Caribbean region was the largest 

contributor to the overall increase, although prices also rose for European and Asian fares. The price 

index for overall fares increased 6.8 percent for the year ended in March. Export air passenger fares 

advanced 5.0 percent in March following a 5.6 percent decrease in February. The index rose 14.4 

percent over the past year. Both the March and the annual increases were led by higher Asian fares. 

 

The price index for import air freight advanced 1.1 percent in March, driven by a 1.7 percent 

increase in Asian air freight prices. Import air freight prices increased 10.3 percent for the year ended in 

March. Export air freight prices rose 0.3 percent in March after falling 0.3 percent the previous month. 

The index advanced 12.8 percent over the past year. 

CONTENTS OF RELEASE 

This news release includes the following tables: 

Table 1 U.S. Import Price Indexes, by End Use.....page 4 

Table 2 U.S. Export Price Indexes, by End Use.....page 5 

Table 3 U.S. Import Price Indexes, by NAICS.....page 6 

Table 4 U.S. Export Price Indexes, by NAICS.....page 7 

Table 5 U.S. Import Price Indexes, by Harmonized System.....pages 8-9 

Table 6 U.S. Export Price Indexes, by Harmonized System.....pages 10-11 

Table 7 U.S. Import Price Indexes, by Locality of Origin.....page 12 

Table 8 U.S. International Price Indexes for Selected Transportation Services.....page 13 

------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Import and Export Price Index data for April are scheduled for release on May 13 at 

8:30 A.M. (EDT) 

3
Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: March 2007 to March

2008

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Feb.

20081

Index Percent change

Feb.

2008

Mar.

2008

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2007 to

Mar.

2008

Nov.

2007 to

Dec.

2007

Dec.

2007 to

Jan.

2008

Jan.

2008 to

Feb.

2008

Feb.

2008 to

Mar.

2008

All commodities..................................... 100.000 129.4 133.0 14.8 -0.2 1.5 0.2 2.8

All imports excluding petroleum................ 78.551 110.4 111.6 5.4 0.4 0.6 0.7 1.1

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)... 76.396 112.8 113.8 5.0 0.4 0.7 0.5 0.9

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 4.377 138.7 142.1 14.0 0.7 3.2 0.0 2.5

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 3.385 153.8 157.7 16.7 0.8 3.8 -0.1 2.5

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 0.992 104.5 107.1 5.7 0.5 1.4 0.1 2.5

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 38.806 218.1 232.5 36.9 -0.7 3.1 0.1 6.6

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

petroleum..................................... 17.357 154.3 159.8 14.7 0.7 1.8 2.7 3.6

Industrial supplies & materials excluding

fuels (Dec. 2001=100)....................... 15.202 161.8 167.0 14.2 0.6 2.0 2.1 3.2

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 9.860 152.1 158.8 12.6 0.3 0.1 1.9 4.4

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable

excluding petroleum......................... 5.342 156.4 160.3 17.6 1.0 4.2 3.9 2.5

Fuels & lubricants............................... 10 23.605 298.0 324.2 54.7 -1.5 3.9 -1.2 8.8

Petroleum & petroleum products........... 100 21.450 313.3 341.7 60.0 -1.8 4.2 -1.9 9.1

Crude.......................................... 10000 16.041 328.6 356.1 68.4 -1.1 4.4 0.2 8.4

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas.................... 101 1.822 201.4 215.6 19.8 1.2 1.0 8.7 7.1

Gas-natural................................... 10110 1.665 197.7 213.0 20.3 1.4 0.8 9.9 7.7

Paper & paper base stocks................... 11 0.744 113.4 114.2 2.4 1.1 3.2 0.6 0.7

Materials associated with nondurable

supplies & materials......................... 12 4.669 147.2 148.7 19.9 1.2 6.0 2.6 1.0

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.726 113.7 114.4 2.7 0.3 0.0 -2.0 0.6

Unfinished metals related to durable

goods.......................................... 14 4.664 223.9 241.2 18.9 1.1 -1.0 4.1 7.7

Finished metals related to durable goods. .. 15 1.833 139.8 145.6 16.1 -1.7 1.9 1.7 4.1

Nonmetals related to durable goods......... 16 1.566 105.7 104.8 2.9 0.5 1.5 0.3 -0.9

Capital goods..................................... 2 21.052 92.0 92.0 1.0 0.1 -0.3 0.1 0.0

Electric generating equipment................ 20 2.666 108.2 108.4 3.9 0.4 -0.3 0.6 0.2

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 16.777 87.4 87.4 0.2 0.0 -0.3 0.0 0.0

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 1.609 115.3 115.4 4.8 0.1 0.4 0.1 0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 13.156 107.2 107.4 2.9 0.6 0.3 0.1 0.2

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 22.609 103.5 104.0 2.7 0.2 0.5 0.4 0.5

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 10.470 106.9 107.5 3.3 0.2 0.9 0.4 0.6

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 11.029 100.0 100.3 2.0 0.1 0.2 0.5 0.3

Nonmanufactured consumer goods.......... 42 1.109 104.1 104.1 1.9 0.5 0.2 0.1 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2006 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

4
Table 2. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: March 2007 to March

2008

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description End Use

Relative

importance

Feb.

20081

Index Percent change

Feb.

2008

Mar.

2008

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2007 to

Mar.

2008

Nov.

2007 to

Dec.

2007

Dec.

2007 to

Jan.

2008

Jan.

2008 to

Feb.

2008

Feb.

2008 to

Mar.

2008

All commodities..................................... 100.000 122.0 123.8 7.9 0.5 1.2 1.1 1.5

Agricultural commodities......................... 9.937 185.8 193.5 33.4 2.6 5.0 4.6 4.1

Nonagricultural commodities.................... 90.063 117.5 118.9 5.6 0.3 0.9 0.7 1.2

Foods, feeds, & beverages.................... 0 9.099 188.9 196.1 33.5 3.1 5.6 4.6 3.8

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,

excluding distilled beverages............... 00 8.409 194.1 201.6 35.1 3.2 5.7 4.9 3.9

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled

beverages).................................... 01 0.690 145.1 148.8 16.3 2.3 4.5 2.0 2.5

Industrial supplies & materials................ 1 30.097 159.6 165.6 13.8 0.1 1.9 1.6 3.8

Industrial supplies & materials, durable...... 11.704 166.2 172.3 7.6 -0.1 0.4 3.9 3.7

Industrial supplies & materials,

nondurable.................................... 18.392 156.4 162.4 18.0 0.4 2.9 0.1 3.8

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials... 10 1.528 150.7 159.7 25.5 -0.1 0.9 3.2 6.0

Nonagricultural industrial supplies &

materials........................................ 28.568 160.3 166.2 13.3 0.2 2.0 1.5 3.7

Fuels & lubricants............................... 11 4.576 225.3 249.4 32.1 -0.8 4.2 -3.0 10.7

Nonagricultural supplies & materials

excluding fuels & building materials. . . . . .. 12 22.969 154.6 158.3 10.3 0.4 1.6 2.5 2.4

Selected building materials.................... 13 1.023 114.1 114.8 1.9 -0.1 -0.4 0.7 0.6

Capital goods..................................... 2 39.222 101.3 101.3 2.1 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.0

Electrical generating equipment.............. 20 3.714 108.2 108.7 2.5 0.3 0.2 0.5 0.5

Nonelectrical machinery....................... 21 27.790 94.0 93.8 1.1 0.2 0.1 0.3 -0.2

Transportation equipment excluding motor

vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)................... 22 7.718 127.7 128.1 5.8 0.4 1.4 0.7 0.3

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines....... 3 9.661 107.0 107.2 1.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2

Consumer goods, excluding automotives... 4 11.922 107.6 107.8 2.9 0.5 0.1 0.2 0.2

Nondurables, manufactured................... 40 5.556 108.2 108.5 3.3 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.3

Durables, manufactured....................... 41 5.359 105.7 105.6 2.1 0.8 0.1 0.4 -0.1

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2006 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

5
Table 3. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: March 2007 to March

2008

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Feb.

20081

Index Percent change

Feb.

2008

Mar.

2008

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2007 to

Mar.

2008

Nov.

2007 to

Dec.

2007

Dec.

2007 to

Jan.

2008

Jan.

2008 to

Feb.

2008

Feb.

2008 to

Mar.

2008

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 20.270 147.6 158.5 55.5 -0.9 3.8 0.7 7.4

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 1.594 126.4 131.6 19.5 -0.3 8.8 -2.5 4.1

Crop production................................. 111 1.136 129.7 135.4 25.5 -0.6 10.9 -4.4 4.4

Mining.............................................. 21 18.676 149.6 161.1 59.3 -1.0 3.3 0.9 7.7

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec.

2006=100)..................................... 212 0.349 108.7 109.3 8.6 2.2 2.2 -0.5 0.6

Manufactured articles.............................. 79.138 109.4 111.2 6.9 0.2 0.9 0.1 1.6

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 9.736 107.3 108.2 5.6 0.5 0.7 0.5 0.8

Food manufacturing............................ 311 2.397 121.3 125.0 16.8 1.1 1.9 1.7 3.1

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.809 104.9 104.4 1.7 0.5 0.5 0.0 -0.5

Textile mills...................................... 313 0.439 111.2 111.0 5.4 0.8 1.0 0.9 -0.2

Textile product mills............................ 314 0.738 101.2 101.4 0.7 0.1 0.3 0.3 0.2

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 3.944 102.4 102.5 2.0 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.1

Leather and allied product manufacturing. .. 316 1.409 103.8 103.9 2.6 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.1

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 17.606 119.2 124.1 17.7 -0.4 3.7 -1.5 4.1

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 1.062 90.2 91.2 1.4 0.4 -0.1 -3.2 1.1

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.250 108.3 108.8 4.4 0.8 4.0 0.7 0.5

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 4.295 132.6 151.7 41.2 -3.3 6.5 -9.6 14.4

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 8.168 122.2 123.7 14.6 1.1 3.5 2.3 1.2

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 1.642 108.2 108.6 4.9 0.4 1.9 0.4 0.4

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 1.088 110.8 110.8 5.7 0.3 0.3 0.9 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 51.797 106.6 107.7 3.8 0.3 0.0 0.6 1.0

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 5.487 154.7 167.4 20.5 0.4 -1.1 4.5 8.2

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.528 114.1 114.7 7.5 0.5 2.0 0.3 0.5

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 6.522 108.2 108.5 3.8 0.5 0.7 0.5 0.3

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 13.831 93.6 93.3 -2.4 -0.1 -0.6 -0.3 -0.3

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.607 109.2 109.3 3.9 0.3 0.1 0.5 0.1

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 13.883 104.0 104.1 3.2 0.5 0.3 0.2 0.1

Furniture and related product

manufacturing................................ 337 1.407 103.9 105.7 4.5 0.2 1.2 0.2 1.7

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 4.531 108.9 109.3 3.2 0.3 -0.1 0.6 0.4

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2006 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

6
Table 4. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: March 2007 to March

2008

[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description NAICS

Relative

importance

Feb.

20081

Index Percent change

Feb.

2008

Mar.

2008

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2007 to

Mar.

2008

Nov.

2007 to

Dec.

2007

Dec.

2007 to

Jan.

2008

Jan.

2008 to

Feb.

2008

Feb.

2008 to

Mar.

2008

Nonmanufactured articles........................ 7.451 156.8 164.2 40.2 4.2 6.3 5.2 4.7

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting... 11 6.071 179.9 188.6 51.0 4.4 7.7 6.3 4.8

Crop production................................. 111 5.708 187.5 197.1 55.6 4.8 7.7 6.7 5.1

Mining.............................................. 21 1.380 104.2 108.3 8.5 3.3 1.0 0.7 3.9

Mining (except oil and gas).................... 212 0.889 100.6 101.8 0.7 -0.6 -0.5 1.6 1.2

Manufactured articles.............................. 89.481 109.4 110.6 6.2 0.4 0.8 0.6 1.1

Manufactured goods, part 1................... 31 6.609 117.4 119.4 10.9 1.1 0.9 1.5 1.7

Food manufacturing............................ 311 4.292 129.5 132.9 17.5 1.5 1.4 2.1 2.6

Beverage and tobacco product

manufacturing................................ 312 0.486 103.9 104.5 2.2 0.2 -0.3 0.4 0.6

Apparel manufacturing......................... 315 0.471 101.3 101.3 0.9 -0.2 0.7 0.3 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2................... 32 22.504 117.4 120.5 13.1 0.1 2.3 0.0 2.6

Wood product manufacturing................. 321 0.527 112.8 113.6 4.1 -0.5 0.7 2.0 0.7

Paper manufacturing........................... 322 1.914 113.7 113.8 5.1 0.6 0.9 0.2 0.1

Petroleum and coal products

manufacturing................................ 324 3.033 142.4 163.4 44.0 -4.1 5.2 -4.4 14.7

Chemical manufacturing....................... 325 14.016 116.6 117.6 11.4 0.9 2.3 0.8 0.9

Plastics and rubber products

manufacturing................................ 326 2.113 106.7 107.3 3.3 0.1 0.0 0.6 0.6

Nonmetallic mineral product

manufacturing................................ 327 0.816 109.0 109.4 3.8 0.6 1.4 0.2 0.4

Manufactured goods, part 3................... 33 60.369 105.7 106.2 3.2 0.4 0.3 0.7 0.5

Primary metal manufacturing.................. 331 4.551 137.7 147.7 21.0 1.3 0.6 5.1 7.3

Fabricated metal product manufacturing. . .. 332 2.672 114.7 114.4 4.6 0.4 1.1 0.3 -0.3

Machinery manufacturing...................... 333 11.750 107.6 108.0 3.5 0.3 0.4 0.6 0.4

Computer and electronic product

manufacturing................................ 334 16.765 96.4 95.9 -0.7 0.2 -0.2 0.2 -0.5

Electrical equipment, appliance, and

component manufacturing.................. 335 3.629 107.4 108.1 4.4 0.4 0.5 0.8 0.7

Transportation equipment manufacturing.... 336 16.334 106.0 106.1 2.4 0.2 0.7 0.1 0.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing................. 339 4.329 105.9 106.1 2.9 1.0 -0.1 0.0 0.2

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2006 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

7
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: March 2007 to March

2008

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Feb.

20081

Index Percent change

Feb.

2008

Mar.

2008

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2007 to

Mar.

2008

Nov.

2007 to

Dec.

2007

Dec.

2007 to

Jan.

2008

Jan.

2008 to

Feb.

2008

Feb.

2008 to

Mar.

2008

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.064 128.7 131.6 7.4 1.4 -0.2 2.4 2.3

Meat and edible meat offal....................... 02 0.242 149.8 152.9 7.5 -0.5 0.4 1.3 2.1

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.532 100.3 103.8 3.0 0.5 1.0 0.2 3.5

Vegetable products................................ II 1.279 146.5 147.9 19.0 -1.0 8.4 -4.5 1.0

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers............ 07 0.335 209.9 199.6 11.5 4.4 30.2 -21.0 -4.9

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.365 96.7 94.6 15.1 -8.7 -1.9 5.0 -2.2

Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................... 09 0.244 157.6 171.2 26.7 1.9 3.5 -0.1 8.6

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.139 133.2 135.4 10.4 0.8 3.0 0.7 1.7

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;

bakers’ wares (Dec. 2007=100).............. 19 0.171 102.1 104.6 – – 0.8 1.3 2.4

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or other

parts of plants................................... 20 0.235 138.2 139.8 14.9 1.4 0.5 2.2 1.2

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar.................. 22 0.793 116.1 115.4 4.0 0.8 3.2 -0.1 -0.6

Mineral products.................................... V 23.278 294.1 319.6 54.2 -1.4 3.9 -1.1 8.7

Salt; sulfur; earths and stone; plaster

materials, lime & cement (Dec.2007=100)... 25 0.209 101.8 102.3 – – 0.2 1.6 0.5

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 22.734 294.9 321.1 55.5 -1.5 3.9 -1.1 8.9

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 7.420 136.0 138.5 14.2 1.0 3.3 2.6 1.8

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 0.988 255.6 272.7 37.2 2.6 10.9 8.7 6.7

Organic chemicals................................. 29 2.482 132.5 135.0 10.2 0.4 3.9 0.5 1.9

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 2.229 111.2 112.1 4.6 0.6 1.1 -0.2 0.8

Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye & pigments;

varnish & paints; putty......................... 32 0.160 103.2 103.6 1.7 0.3 0.2 0.4 0.4

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec.

2001=100)....................................... 33 0.400 122.0 122.6 9.6 0.4 2.4 4.2 0.5

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 0.404 98.3 99.2 5.1 -0.6 -1.4 1.1 0.9

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 2.793 128.7 129.2 6.8 0.2 2.1 0.5 0.4

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 1.847 126.4 126.7 7.6 0.5 2.4 0.4 0.2

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 0.946 133.2 134.2 5.4 -0.2 1.3 0.6 0.8

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.571 111.2 111.3 5.0 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.1

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

various materials................................ 42 0.507 111.6 111.7 5.3 0.5 0.5 0.1 0.1

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 1.101 110.6 111.7 0.7 0.4 0.0 -3.2 1.0

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 1.411 113.1 113.4 4.6 0.6 4.4 0.5 0.3

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 0.964 108.1 108.3 3.0 0.4 5.8 0.7 0.2

Printed matter...................................... 49 0.252 118.9 119.0 3.5 0.0 1.1 0.0 0.1

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 4.956 103.5 103.8 2.2 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.3

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

knitted or crocheted............................ 61 1.800 100.9 101.0 0.8 0.0 0.3 -0.1 0.1

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,

not knitted or crocheted........................ 62 1.964 102.8 103.1 2.5 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.3

Made-up or worn textile articles................. 63 0.494 93.6 95.3 1.0 0.0 0.5 0.3 1.8

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.. .. XII 1.175 104.3 104.4 2.9 1.5 0.2 0.2 0.1

Footwear and parts of such articles............ 64 0.981 103.0 103.1 1.7 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.1

See footnotes at end of table.

8
Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: March 2007 to March

2008 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Feb.

20081

Index Percent change

Feb.

2008

Mar.

2008

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2007 to

Mar.

2008

Nov.

2007 to

Dec.

2007

Dec.

2007 to

Jan.

2008

Jan.

2008 to

Feb.

2008

Feb.

2008 to

Mar.

2008

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 0.938 114.8 115.0 5.0 0.4 0.2 0.8 0.2

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or

mica (Dec. 2001=100)......................... 68 0.333 106.5 106.4 3.4 0.6 0.3 0.4 -0.1

Ceramic products.................................. 69 0.304 124.1 124.4 8.6 0.1 0.4 2.1 0.2

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.302 113.4 113.7 3.4 0.5 0.1 -0.1 0.3

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 2.752 149.8 157.3 18.4 1.7 0.5 4.7 5.0

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 6.557 174.7 182.1 11.0 -0.5 0.2 1.8 4.2

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.908 226.6 238.4 23.0 1.2 4.3 3.4 5.2

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.591 139.6 143.0 12.6 0.8 3.6 0.6 2.4

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.787 283.3 307.6 29.1 -6.2 -8.9 5.3 8.6

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.957 141.4 149.6 2.4 1.3 -0.4 0.7 5.8

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.355 112.8 112.9 4.6 0.1 0.8 0.7 0.1

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.440 126.5 127.1 1.2 0.5 -0.2 -0.1 0.5

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 23.773 88.3 88.2 0.5 0.1 -0.2 0.0 -0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 12.240 88.7 88.7 0.7 0.1 -0.6 0.1 0.0

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and TV

recorders & reproducers, parts............... 85 11.533 88.0 87.8 0.3 0.1 -0.1 0.1 -0.2

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 12.144 108.8 108.9 3.2 0.7 0.3 0.2 0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 11.262 108.0 108.1 3.2 0.6 0.4 0.2 0.1

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec.

2002=100)....................................... 88 0.793 110.6 110.7 2.5 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 2.793 99.5 99.8 0.7 0.2 0.0 -0.3 0.3

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical

instruments...................................... 90 2.503 97.6 97.7 0.4 0.2 0.0 -0.4 0.1

Clocks and watches and parts thereof. . . . . . . .. 91 0.217 118.3 120.3 3.7 0.4 -0.3 0.8 1.7

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 3.581 102.6 103.7 2.8 0.0 0.5 0.2 1.1

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps &

lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs........... 94 2.058 106.5 108.2 3.6 -0.1 0.8 0.3 1.6

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 1.331 97.1 97.6 1.8 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.5

Miscellaneous manufactured articles........... 96 0.191 108.2 108.5 2.1 0.6 0.3 -0.1 0.3

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2006 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

9
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: March 2007 to March

2008

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Feb.

20081

Index Percent change

Feb.

2008

Mar.

2008

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2007 to

Mar.

2008

Nov.

2007 to

Dec.

2007

Dec.

2007 to

Jan.

2008

Jan.

2008 to

Feb.

2008

Feb.

2008 to

Mar.

2008

Live animals; animal products................... I 1.519 157.0 156.1 6.0 1.4 0.8 -0.4 -0.6

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100). . .. 02 0.789 124.7 125.0 10.0 0.2 -1.4 1.2 0.2

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other

aquatic invertebrates........................... 03 0.433 148.7 153.7 23.9 3.6 5.8 3.0 3.4

Vegetable products................................ II 5.607 233.3 244.9 52.5 4.1 8.5 6.4 5.0

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or

melons........................................... 08 0.694 122.1 121.2 7.8 -4.0 1.4 -0.7 -0.7

Cereals.............................................. 10 2.636 293.9 313.1 70.3 8.9 9.5 12.0 6.5

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits,

plants, straw and fodder....................... 12 1.670 242.3 262.5 78.8 7.0 10.3 5.3 8.3

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and

tobacco............................................ IV 2.366 133.5 135.7 12.6 0.7 2.2 1.5 1.6

Miscellaneous edible preparations.............. 21 0.441 118.9 119.9 7.2 0.3 1.3 0.2 0.8

Residues and waste from the food industries;

prepared animal feed........................... 23 0.585 193.6 200.6 39.9 1.7 5.6 4.2 3.6

Mineral products.................................... V 4.679 274.7 302.9 31.5 -0.8 4.0 -2.1 10.3

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous

substances and mineral waxes............... 27 4.090 267.1 297.1 37.4 -0.6 4.7 -2.7 11.2

Products of the chemical or allied

industries.......................................... VI 11.566 138.4 140.5 11.6 0.8 2.3 0.9 1.5

Inorganic chemicals............................... 28 1.131 180.6 183.8 20.5 2.6 3.3 1.8 1.8

Organic chemicals................................. 29 3.566 153.5 159.3 13.5 0.9 1.5 1.5 3.8

Pharmaceutical products......................... 30 2.536 116.8 117.1 4.0 0.5 -0.3 0.3 0.3

Tanning or dyeing extracts, dyes, paints,

varnish, putty, & inks........................... 32 0.548 115.9 116.4 2.4 0.2 -1.0 0.1 0.4

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery

cosmetic or toilet preparations................ 33 0.656 118.6 119.5 2.9 0.1 -0.2 0.4 0.8

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or scouring

products; candles, pastes..................... 34 0.398 115.5 115.7 5.0 0.9 -0.4 2.6 0.2

Miscellaneous chemical products............... 38 1.603 122.6 122.9 3.2 0.7 0.9 0.2 0.2

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and

articles thereof................................... VII 5.236 137.5 137.7 6.8 0.9 1.0 0.4 0.1

Plastics and articles thereof...................... 39 4.260 133.7 133.8 7.3 1.2 1.1 0.5 0.1

Rubber and articles thereof...................... 40 0.976 153.4 154.0 5.1 0.1 0.5 0.7 0.4

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel

goods, etc......................................... VIII 0.401 117.0 117.9 -5.9 -0.4 0.3 -0.6 0.8

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw,

basketware and wickerwork................... IX 0.645 112.2 112.9 0.1 -0.5 0.0 1.4 0.6

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper

products........................................... X 2.533 116.3 116.8 6.4 0.5 0.6 0.4 0.4

Woodpulp and recovered paper................. 47 0.708 127.8 129.1 12.6 0.4 1.5 2.3 1.0

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp,

paper or paperboard........................... 48 1.296 110.8 110.8 3.1 0.6 0.8 -0.4 0.0

Printed material.................................... 49 0.529 120.5 121.3 7.1 0.2 -0.7 -0.2 0.7

Textile and textile articles........................ XI 2.219 106.7 109.1 6.3 -0.1 0.7 0.7 2.2

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics

thereof............................................ 52 0.692 107.4 114.5 21.2 -0.3 2.0 1.8 6.6

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics,

glass etc........................................... XIII 0.802 111.6 111.7 3.9 0.4 0.4 0.0 0.1

Glass and glassware.............................. 70 0.432 99.3 99.7 4.0 0.1 0.1 -0.1 0.4

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation

jewelry, and coins............................... XIV 3.974 180.5 188.4 9.6 1.1 -0.8 5.9 4.4

Base metals and articles of base metals. . . . .. XV 5.732 169.1 175.5 7.8 0.1 1.2 3.0 3.8

See footnotes at end of table.

10
Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: March 2007 to March

2008 — Continued

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Harmonized

system

Relative

importance

Feb.

20081

Index Percent change

Feb.

2008

Mar.

2008

Annual Monthly

Mar.

2007 to

Mar.

2008

Nov.

2007 to

Dec.

2007

Dec.

2007 to

Jan.

2008

Jan.

2008 to

Feb.

2008

Feb.

2008 to

Mar.

2008

Iron and steel...................................... 72 1.487 218.0 231.1 20.6 0.7 4.5 6.8 6.0

Articles of iron or steel............................ 73 1.393 150.0 150.8 4.4 -0.1 1.3 0.5 0.5

Copper and articles thereof...................... 74 0.672 246.7 264.3 13.5 -2.5 -1.7 7.4 7.1

Aluminum and articles thereof................... 76 0.955 140.2 150.2 1.1 1.2 -1.7 1.1 7.1

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks,

of base metal; parts thereof................... 82 0.385 118.3 118.6 4.0 -0.1 2.4 0.0 0.3

Miscellaneous articles of base metal........... 83 0.370 129.5 124.7 -1.4 -0.2 0.2 0.5 -3.7

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image

and sound recorders, parts, etc............... XVI 30.800 95.5 95.5 1.6 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.0

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts

thereof............................................ 84 17.043 103.7 103.7 1.3 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.0

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts

and accessories thereof....................... 85 13.757 86.6 86.4 1.8 0.5 0.2 0.8 -0.2

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated

transport equipment............................. XVII 13.932 115.5 115.5 1.9 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.0

Motor vehicles and their parts................... 87 8.255 106.2 106.3 0.9 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical

instruments; & timepieces..................... XVIII 6.049 105.9 106.0 2.5 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles. . . . . ..... XX 1.430 107.6 107.4 4.3 0.5 0.9 -0.1 -0.2

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and

lighting fittings nesoi;........................... 94 0.766 116.7 116.3 3.0 0.6 1.9 -0.2 -0.3

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and

accessories thereof............................. 95 0.511 92.7 92.7 6.8 0.3 -0.2 0.0 0.0

1 Relative importance figures are based on 2006 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

11
Table 7. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes by locality of origin: March 2007 to March 2008

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Percent of

U.S.

imports1

Index Percent change

Feb.

2008

Mar.

2008

Annual Monthly

Mar. 2007

to Mar.

2008

Nov. 2007

to Dec.

2007

Dec. 2007

to Jan.

2008

Jan. 2008

to Feb.

2008

Feb. 2008

to Mar.

2008

Industrialized Countries2

...................... 42.888 127.9 130.9 11.0 0.1 1.9 1.0 2.3

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 4.201 257.6 276.3 48.9 0.7 3.8 8.7 7.3

Manufactured articles......................... 38.251 118.1 120.0 6.7 0.0 1.6 -0.1 1.6

Other Countries3

................................ 57.112 128.7 132.5 17.2 -0.4 1.7 -0.8 3.0

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 12.058 284.9 306.2 59.1 -1.4 4.0 -1.8 7.5

Manufactured articles......................... 44.837 106.6 108.0 5.9 0.0 0.9 -0.4 1.3

Canada............................................ 16.032 146.9 151.6 16.4 -0.9 1.5 1.7 3.2

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 3.711 252.8 273.6 45.7 -1.0 4.0 9.4 8.2

Manufactured articles......................... 12.028 126.9 128.4 7.4 -0.9 0.5 -1.0 1.2

European Union4

............................... 17.355 127.7 129.7 6.9 0.7 2.0 0.9 1.6

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 0.249 307.1 326.9 59.3 7.8 0.9 -0.1 6.4

Manufactured articles......................... 16.987 124.6 126.5 5.9 0.6 2.1 0.8 1.5

France (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 1.844 113.6 114.1 6.1 0.6 1.4 0.9 0.4

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)..................... 4.732 111.2 111.7 4.9 0.6 1.4 0.4 0.4

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)........... 2.684 132.1 136.5 16.2 1.4 2.0 2.4 3.3

Latin America5

.................................. 18.032 163.8 170.0 23.1 -0.7 2.6 -1.1 3.8

Nonmanufactured articles.................... 5.151 291.1 312.0 56.5 -1.0 3.9 -3.3 7.2

Manufactured articles......................... 12.786 136.9 139.5 9.5 -0.6 1.9 0.1 1.9

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)....................... 10.710 137.9 141.0 17.2 0.6 2.1 -1.8 2.2

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)6................. 33.822 100.5 101.1 3.0 0.0 0.5 0.1 0.6

China (Dec. 2003=100)......................... 15.926 100.6 101.3 4.0 0.1 0.9 0.1 0.7

Japan.............................................. 8.032 94.5 94.6 0.7 0.3 0.0 0.3 0.1

Asian NICs7

...................................... 5.887 89.1 89.1 0.5 -0.8 0.1 0.1 0.0

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)8

...................... 6.041 99.9 100.9 4.3 0.4 1.0 0.2 1.0

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)9

............ 3.928 237.2 252.1 45.6 -2.6 2.0 1.9 6.3

1 Percentage of trade figures are based on 2006 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

12
Table 8. U.S. international price indexes and percent changes for selected transportation services: March 2007

to March 2008

[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]

Description

Relative

importance

Feb.

20081

Index Percent change

Feb.

2008

Mar.

2008

Annual Monthly

Mar. 2007

to Mar.

2008

Nov. 2007

to Dec.

2007

Dec. 2007

to Jan.

2008

Jan. 2008

to Feb.

2008

Feb. 2008

to Mar.

2008

Air Freight

Import Air Freight..................................... 100.000 142.6 144.2 10.3 2.6 0.0 0.6 1.1

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 28.721 149.3 149.9 15.8 3.7 0.3 0.4 0.4

Asia.................................................... 61.180 121.7 123.8 8.9 2.3 -0.2 0.8 1.7

Export Air Freight..................................... 100.000 131.6 132.0 12.8 2.9 3.9 -0.3 0.3

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)............................ 42.295 123.2 123.5 22.0 3.8 8.3 0.0 0.2

Inbound Air Freight................................... 100.000 139.4 140.6 11.1 3.0 0.5 0.4 0.9

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 30.872 145.7 146.1 16.4 3.7 1.0 0.3 0.3

Asia.................................................... 57.099 116.8 118.3 8.5 2.8 0.2 0.5 1.3

Outbound Air Freight................................. 100.000 126.9 128.0 14.0 2.7 1.9 0.2 0.9

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)............................ 41.722 144.8 145.0 14.5 2.8 2.5 -0.1 0.1

Asia.................................................... 40.539 112.9 114.7 11.5 2.7 1.5 0.3 1.6

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 131.0 131.3 6.8 5.5 -2.1 -1.1 0.2

Europe................................................. 41.270 124.1 124.5 5.0 1.5 0.4 -0.4 0.3

Asia.................................................... 25.660 116.6 117.0 3.3 16.0 -11.2 -1.6 0.3

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 13.444 128.4 130.0 5.1 1.0 -0.5 0.6 1.2

Export Air Passenger Fares......................... 100.000 152.8 160.4 14.4 2.6 4.0 -5.6 5.0

Europe................................................. 28.600 175.4 179.9 9.2 3.5 0.8 -4.7 2.6

Asia.................................................... 35.033 129.4 134.6 22.7 6.3 11.6 -8.2 4.0

Latin America/Caribbean............................ 19.933 152.7 156.1 -7.1 -0.8 -0.9 -9.3 2.2

1 Relative importance figures for Air Passenger Fares Indexes are based on 2006 trade values, while the relative importance figures for the Air Freight

Indexes are based on 2005 trade values.

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

Dash = Not available

13
TECHNICAL NOTE

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

formula and are not seasonally adjusted. Price indexes for merchandise goods 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 -- The Import Air Passenger Fares Indexes are calculated from data obtained 

from a commercial airline reservation system. These data exclude frequent flyer tickets and those sold 

by consolidators. The Export Air Passenger Fares Indexes are calculated from data collected directly 

from airlines. These data include frequent flyer tickets and those sold by consolidators. Taxes and fees 

are excluded from both the Import and Export Air Passenger Fares Indexes. The Air Freight Indexes are 

calculated from data collected directly from companies. 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 "Publications and Other Documentation." 

14
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 IPP news release is available through an e-mail subscription service at 

(http://www.bls.gov/mxp) or (http://www.bls.gov/bls/newsrels.htm). 

 

Additional Information -- More detailed IPP data are available on the IPP 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 IPP-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 IPP 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. 

15