Department of Labor Logo United States Department of Labor
Dot gov

The .gov means it's official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Economic News Release
PRINT:Print
MXP MXP Program Links

U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes News Release

Technical information:					      		  	  USDL-09-0169
     (202) 691-7101								  Transmission of this
Media contact:								          material is embargoed
     (202) 691-5902								  until 8:30 A.M. EST
Internet address:   http://www.bls.gov/mxp					  Wednesday, February 18, 2009


                                     U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES
                                               - JANUARY 2009 -

   The U.S. Import Price Index declined 1.1 percent in January, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the 
U.S. Department of Labor reported today, following decreases in each of the previous five months.  In 
contrast, export prices rose for the first time in six months, advancing 0.5 percent in January.

                              Percent changes in import and export price indexes
                                             by End Use category
                                          - not seasonally adjusted -

Month IMPORTS EXPORTS
All
imports
Petroleum
imports
Non-
petroleum
imports
All
exports
Agri-
cultural
exports
Non-
agricultural
exports

2008

January

1.5 4.2 0.7 1.2 4.8 0.8

February

0.2 -1.3 0.6 0.9 4.6 0.6

March

3.1 10.1 1.1 1.6 4.7 1.3

April

2.8 8.1 1.3 0.5 -2.0 0.7

May

2.8 9.7 0.7 0.3 0.2 0.4

June

3.0 9.2 0.9 1.0 2.3 0.9

July

1.4 3.3 0.6 1.5 6.7 0.9

August

-3.1 -9.8 -0.4 -1.6 -9.6 -0.7

September

-3.6 -11.4 -1.0 -0.8 0.1 -0.9

October

(r)-6.0 (r)-22.2 (r)-0.9 -2.1 (r)-8.4 -1.4

November

(r)-7.3 (r)-29.9 (r)-1.7 (r)-3.2 (r)-6.8 (r)-2.8

December

(r)-5.0 (r)-27.2 -1.1 (r)-2.2 (r)-6.2 -1.9

2009

January

-1.1 -2.4 -0.8 0.5 6.2 0.0

Jan. 2007 to 2008

13.6 65.2 3.9 6.8 28.5 4.9

Jan. 2008 to 2009

-12.5 -55.0 -0.6 -3.6 -9.7 -2.9

Footnotes
(r) Revised

Import Goods
   
   Import prices fell 1.1 percent in January and 23.4 percent over the past six months.  For the sixth 
consecutive month, petroleum prices and nonpetroleum prices decreased, falling 2.4 percent and 0.8 
percent, respectively, in January.  However, prices for both overall imports and petroleum decreased at a 
smaller rate in January than in each of the previous five months since prices last rose in July.  Petroleum 
prices fell 69.1 percent over the past six months and 55.0 percent over the past year, the largest 12-
month decline since the index was first published in June 1982.  Overall, import prices fell 12.5 percent 
for the year ended in January, the largest 12-month decline since the index was first published in 
September 1982. Nonpetroleum prices decreased 5.7 percent over the past six months and 0.6 percent 
over the past year.  
    
   The 0.8 percent January decrease in nonpetroleum prices was led by a 4.8 percent drop in the 
price index for nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials.  Falling prices for chemicals and natural 
gas were the largest contributors to the decline.  Nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials prices 
decreased 7.6 percent over the past year, led primarily by declining unfinished metals prices.    

   In contrast, prices for automotive vehicles increased in January, rising 0.2 percent after 
decreasing the previous two months.  For the year ended in January, the index increased 0.7 percent.
   
   The price indexes for consumer goods, capital goods, and foods, feeds, and beverages were 
unchanged in January.  Over the past year, consumer goods prices increased 1.5 percent, capital goods 
prices advanced 0.9 percent, and prices for foods, feeds, and beverages rose 3.3 percent. 


Export Goods 

   Export prices rose 0.5 percent in January after declining in each of the previous five months.  The 
increase was driven by a 6.2 percent rise in agricultural prices as nonagricultural prices were unchanged.  
The rise in agricultural prices followed decreases in four of the previous five months.  Higher prices for 
corn, soybeans, and wheat accounted for the increase in January.  Despite the January increase, 
agricultural prices fell 9.7 percent over the past 12 months.  Nonagricultural prices recorded no change 
in January after falling in each of the previous five months.  The price index for nonagricultural exports 
declined 2.9 percent for the year ended in January, the largest 12-month decrease since a 2.9 percent 
drop for the February 2001-2002 period.  Similarly, overall export prices fell 3.6 percent over the past 
year, the largest 12-month decrease since the index fell 3.8 percent for the year ended in November 
1998.   
   
   Finished goods prices also contributed to the rise in overall export prices in January.  The price 
indexes for capital goods and automotive vehicles each advanced 0.3 percent in January.  Capital goods 
prices and prices for automotive vehicles increased 0.9 percent and 1.3 percent, respectively, over the 
past year.  Consumer goods prices rose 0.7 percent in January and 2.2 percent for the January 2008-2009 
period.
   
   In contrast, prices for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials continued to move lower 
in January, falling 1.2 percent.  The index decreased in each of the past six months, dropping a 
cumulative 22.4 percent.  Lower prices for chemicals, particularly organic chemicals and plastics, largely 
drove the January decline.  

Imports by Locality of Origin 
	
   Prices of imports from China decreased for the fifth consecutive month, falling 0.7 percent in 
January after a 0.5 percent decline in December.  Despite the recent decreases, import prices from China 
advanced 1.2 percent over the past 12 months.
    
   Import prices from Canada fell for the sixth consecutive month, declining 0.9 percent in January 
following a 4.8 percent drop the previous month.  Falling fuel prices continued to lead the decrease.  The 
index fell 11.3 percent for the year ended in January, the largest 12-month decline since an identical drop 
for the February 2001-2002 period.  The price index for imports from Mexico also decreased in January, 
falling 2.3 percent.  The index fell 9.5 percent over the past year, the largest 12-month decline since the 
index was first published in December 2003. 
   
   In contrast, prices of imports from Japan and from the European Union each rose in January, 
increasing 0.3 percent and 0.1 percent, respectively.  The price index for imports from Japan increased 
2.2 percent for the year ended in January, the largest 12-month advance since the index rose 2.3 percent 
for the July 1999-2000 period.  Import prices from the European Union fell 1.8 percent over the past 
year. 

Import and Export Services

   Import air passenger fares decreased 5.6 percent in January after a 0.2 percent decline in 
December.  The January decrease was driven by an 11.7 percent drop in Asian fares and a 19.7 percent 
fall in Latin American/Caribbean fares.  Despite the recent decreases, the index of import air passenger 
fares increased 12.2 percent for the January 2008-2009 period.  In contrast, export air passenger fares 
advanced 3.2 percent in January as a 10.5 percent increase in Asian fares and a 7.0 percent rise in Latin 
American/Caribbean fares more than offset a 3.4 percent fall in European fares.  Export air passenger 
fares rose 4.9 percent over the past 12 months.   
	
   The price index for import air freight fell for the sixth consecutive month, declining 1.4 percent 
in January.  The index decreased 2.5 percent over the past 12 months.  Similarly, export air freight prices 
fell for the fifth consecutive month, declining 1.7 percent in January.  The recent decreases 
notwithstanding, export air freight prices advanced 0.8 percent for the year ended in January.

CONTENTS OF RELEASE

This news release includes the following tables:

Table 1    U.S. Import Price Indexes, by End Use
Table 2    U.S. Export Price Indexes, by End Use
Table 3    U.S. Import Price Indexes, by NAICS
Table 4    U.S. Export Price Indexes, by NAICS
Table 5    U.S. Import Price Indexes, by Harmonized System
Table 6    U.S. Export Price Indexes, by Harmonized System
Table 7    U.S. Import Price Indexes, by Locality of Origin
Table 8    U.S. International Price Indexes for Selected Transportation Services
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Import and Export Price Index data for February 2009 are scheduled for release on March 13, 2009 at 
8:30 A.M. (E.D.T.).  

Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: January 2008 to January 2009 2000=100, unless otherwise noted
Description End
Use
Relative
import-
ance
Dec.
2008(1)
Index Percent change
Dec.
2008
Jan.
2009
Annual Monthly
Jan.
2008
to
Jan.
2009
Sept.
2008
to
Oct.
2008
Oct.
2008
to
Nov.
2008
Nov.
2008
to
Dec.
2008
Dec.
2008
to
Jan.
2009

All commodities

  100.000 114.2 113.0 -12.5 -6.0 -7.3 -5.0 -1.1

All imports excluding petroleum

  89.002 109.9 109.0 -0.6 -0.9 -1.7 -1.1 -0.8

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)

  86.741 112.7 111.9 -0.3 -0.8 -1.7 -1.1 -0.7

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

5.045 142.6 142.6 3.3 -1.3 -4.5 2.2 0.0

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

3.933 159.7 159.5 4.2 -1.4 -5.2 3.4 -0.1

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

1.112 103.8 104.4 0.1 -1.0 -2.0 -1.9 0.6

Industrial supplies & materials

1

28.482 149.1 143.3 -34.3 -14.2 -18.0 -14.8 -3.9

Industrial supplies & materials excluding petroleum

  17.484 146.0 139.0 -7.6 -3.3 -5.1 -4.9 -4.8

Industrial supplies & materials excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)

  15.223 155.2 148.1 -6.7 -3.4 -5.3 -5.5 -4.6

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  9.287 142.1 138.1 -7.6 -4.4 -6.7 -6.1 -2.8

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable excluding petroleum

  5.936 150.5 139.8 -7.5 -2.0 -2.9 -3.3 -7.1

Fuels & lubricants

10

13.260 150.8 146.2 -51.6 -20.8 -27.6 -24.0 -3.1

Petroleum & petroleum products

100

10.999 147.4 143.9 -55.0 -22.2 -29.9 -27.2 -2.4

Crude

10000

7.876 149.1 147.8 -54.9 -23.9 -30.9 -26.3 -0.9

Fuels, n.e.s.-coals & gas

101

2.048 178.6 166.6 -11.1 -3.1 -3.4 -0.1 -6.7

Gas-natural

10110

1.867 169.6 156.0 -14.5 -3.8 -3.8 -0.1 -8.0

Paper & paper base stocks

11

0.812 113.3 110.2 -2.0 -2.9 -1.1 -1.6 -2.7

Materials associated with nondurable supplies & materials

12

5.204 148.0 136.8 -4.7 -1.4 -3.1 -4.7 -7.6

Selected building materials

13

1.748 118.1 117.1 1.0 -1.9 -1.3 -0.6 -0.8

Unfinished metals related to durable goods

14

3.695 185.7 175.7 -18.4 -7.3 -11.4 -11.4 -5.4

Finished metals related to durable goods

15

2.050 141.7 139.4 1.2 -2.5 -5.3 -4.1 -1.6

Nonmetals related to durable goods

16

1.714 109.2 107.1 1.6 -0.4 -0.5 -1.1 -1.9

Capital goods

2

25.069 92.7 92.7 0.9 0.0 -0.4 -0.2 0.0

Electric generating equipment

20

3.232 111.3 111.4 3.4 -0.5 -0.5 -0.4 0.1

Nonelectrical machinery

21

19.661 87.5 87.5 0.1 -0.1 -0.5 -0.2 0.0

Transportation equipment excluding motor vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)

22

2.176 120.2 121.1 5.1 1.4 0.3 0.0 0.7

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

14.650 107.7 107.9 0.7 0.2 -0.5 -0.1 0.2

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

26.754 104.6 104.6 1.5 0.0 -0.5 0.0 0.0

Nondurables, manufactured

40

12.316 108.2 109.1 2.4 -0.1 -0.1 0.2 0.8

Durables, manufactured

41

13.133 100.9 100.4 0.8 0.0 -0.5 -0.4 -0.5

Nonmanufactured consumer goods

42

1.305 103.6 102.7 -1.3 -0.7 -2.5 0.4 -0.9

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.
Dash = Not available


Table 2. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: January 2008 to January 2009 2000=100, unless otherwise noted
Description End
Use
Relative
import-
ance
Dec.
2008(1)
Index Percent change
Dec.
2008
Jan.
2009
Annual Monthly
Jan.
2008
to
Jan.
2009
Sept.
2008
to
Oct.
2008
Oct.
2008
to
Nov.
2008
Nov.
2008
to
Dec.
2008
Dec.
2008
to
Jan.
2009

All commodities

  100.000 115.8 116.4 -3.6 -2.1 -3.2 -2.2 0.5

Agricultural commodities

  8.367 150.8 160.2 -9.7 -8.4 -6.8 -6.2 6.2

Nonagricultural commodities

  91.633 113.2 113.2 -2.9 -1.4 -2.8 -1.9 0.0

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

7.820 155.1 166.6 -7.7 -8.1 -5.8 -5.9 7.4

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

7.148 156.6 168.3 -9.0 -8.8 -6.4 -6.2 7.5

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

0.672 143.5 153.3 8.0 1.6 0.2 -3.1 6.8

Industrial supplies & materials

1

27.324 139.6 137.9 -12.2 -4.5 -8.3 -5.9 -1.2

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  10.475 141.5 141.2 -11.7 -4.3 -6.5 -5.4 -0.2

Industrial supplies & materials, nondurable

  16.848 139.2 136.6 -12.6 -4.7 -9.3 -6.2 -1.9

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials

10

1.219 126.3 125.3 -14.2 -5.7 -9.5 -6.0 -0.8

Nonagricultural industrial supplies & materials

  26.105 140.5 138.8 -12.2 -4.5 -8.2 -5.9 -1.2

Fuels & lubricants

11

3.752 166.7 165.9 -28.5 -10.5 -19.1 -13.8 -0.5

Nonagricultural supplies & materials excluding fuels & building materials

12

21.296 138.9 136.9 -9.3 -3.3 -6.3 -4.7 -1.4

Selected building materials

13

1.057 114.9 114.3 0.9 1.0 -0.9 -0.6 -0.5

Capital goods

2

41.243 101.5 101.8 0.9 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.3

Electrical generating equipment

20

3.850 109.0 107.4 -0.3 0.2 -0.5 -0.2 -1.5

Nonelectrical machinery

21

28.644 93.2 93.3 -0.4 -0.3 -0.1 -0.3 0.1

Transportation equipment excluding motor vehicles (Dec. 2001=100)

22

8.748 131.7 134.6 6.1 0.3 -0.1 0.5 2.2

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

10.514 108.0 108.3 1.3 0.3 -0.1 -0.1 0.3

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

13.099 108.9 109.7 2.2 0.5 -0.8 -0.1 0.7

Nondurables, manufactured

40

5.723 106.9 108.8 0.6 -0.1 -1.5 -0.4 1.8

Durables, manufactured

41

6.181 109.8 109.9 4.5 1.1 -0.1 0.0 0.1

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.
Dash = Not available


Table 3. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: January 2008 to January 2009 December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
Dec.
2008(1)
Index Percent change
Dec.
2008
Jan.
2009
Annual Monthly
Jan.
2008
to
Jan.
2009
Sept.
2008
to
Oct.
2008
Oct.
2008
to
Nov.
2008
Nov.
2008
to
Dec.
2008
Dec.
2008
to
Jan.
2009

Nonmanufactured articles

  12.314 81.2 79.4 -45.9 -20.5 -26.1 -18.5 -2.2

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

1.923 140.5 138.9 7.3 -4.0 -6.6 12.0 -1.1

Crop production

111

1.443 154.9 153.7 13.5 -5.4 -5.1 20.3 -0.8

Mining

21

10.391 75.2 73.3 -50.6 -21.9 -28.1 -22.4 -2.5

Mining (except oil and gas) (Dec. 2006=100)

212

0.468 128.0 126.5 15.8 1.1 -0.9 -0.8 -1.2

Manufactured articles

  87.162 106.2 105.3 -3.7 -1.8 -2.9 -2.5 -0.8

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

11.018 107.3 107.5 0.7 -0.3 -1.4 -0.4 0.2

Food manufacturing

311

2.607 118.6 117.7 -0.8 -1.1 -5.2 -2.3 -0.8

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

0.980 106.2 106.6 1.4 -0.1 -0.3 0.4 0.4

Textile mills

313

0.465 110.3 111.5 1.2 -0.4 -1.1 -1.5 1.1

Textile product mills

314

0.868 101.9 101.1 0.1 -0.2 0.1 -0.2 -0.8

Apparel manufacturing

315

4.455 102.4 102.5 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.5 0.1

Leather and allied product manufacturing

316

1.644 106.5 108.7 5.0 0.5 0.2 0.1 2.1

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

17.747 107.6 104.6 -13.6 -5.2 -7.1 -7.4 -2.8

Wood product manufacturing

321

1.049 92.9 90.9 -2.2 -4.3 -1.9 -0.9 -2.2

Paper manufacturing

322

1.416 109.9 108.1 0.7 -1.6 -1.0 -1.3 -1.6

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

2.653 71.0 66.8 -54.5 -17.1 -25.6 -30.5 -5.9

Chemical manufacturing

325

9.332 123.7 119.7 0.1 -0.5 -1.7 -2.7 -3.2

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

1.976 113.3 113.4 5.2 -0.4 -0.3 0.0 0.1

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

1.207 117.7 118.1 7.6 2.3 -0.1 -0.3 0.3

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

58.397 105.4 104.9 -1.0 -0.8 -1.7 -1.3 -0.5

Primary metal manufacturing

331

4.453 130.9 125.0 -15.7 -6.7 -10.5 -10.6 -4.5

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

3.039 119.1 119.5 5.0 0.0 -1.0 -1.2 0.3

Machinery manufacturing

333

7.189 110.2 111.0 3.2 -0.3 -0.5 -0.2 0.7

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

16.388 91.0 90.1 -4.0 -0.3 -0.5 -0.3 -1.0

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

4.312 114.0 113.9 4.7 0.4 -0.4 -0.1 -0.1

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

15.841 104.7 105.0 1.2 0.2 -0.4 -0.2 0.3

Furniture and related product manufacturing

337

1.673 109.7 108.9 5.0 -0.3 -0.9 -0.5 -0.7

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

5.502 110.7 110.6 2.2 0.0 -0.5 0.3 -0.1

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.
Dash = Not available


Table 4. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: January 2008 to January 2009 December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
Dec.
2008(1)
Index Percent change
Dec.
2008
Jan.
2009
Annual Monthly
Jan.
2008
to
Jan.
2009
Sept.
2008
to
Oct.
2008
Oct.
2008
to
Nov.
2008
Nov.
2008
to
Dec.
2008
Dec.
2008
to
Jan.
2009

Nonmanufactured articles

  5.897 114.3 122.5 -17.8 -10.9 -6.6 -6.8 7.2

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

4.528 128.7 143.0 -15.5 -12.3 -6.0 -7.3 11.1

Crop production

111

4.175 131.8 147.2 -16.2 -13.0 -6.4 -7.6 11.7

Mining

21

1.369 81.9 77.3 -25.2 -4.9 -8.7 -5.1 -5.6

Mining (except oil and gas)

212

1.009 90.7 85.4 -13.7 -3.0 -4.6 -1.0 -5.8

Manufactured articles

  92.593 107.3 107.4 -1.3 -1.1 -2.5 -1.6 0.1

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

6.534 117.1 117.9 2.0 -1.3 -3.4 -2.7 0.7

Food manufacturing

311

4.320 129.2 131.1 3.6 -1.8 -4.7 -3.6 1.5

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

0.508 103.0 102.8 -0.9 -0.4 -0.8 -0.2 -0.2

Apparel manufacturing

315

0.393 101.6 101.6 0.7 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

22.139 109.9 108.9 -7.2 -2.8 -7.0 -4.4 -0.9

Wood product manufacturing

321

0.483 110.4 108.4 -2.0 0.1 -1.4 -0.5 -1.8

Paper manufacturing

322

1.988 114.2 112.7 -0.7 0.0 -0.8 -1.2 -1.3

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

2.201 97.6 97.2 -34.8 -13.1 -23.3 -18.5 -0.4

Chemical manufacturing

325

14.330 111.7 110.3 -4.7 -1.4 -5.8 -3.3 -1.3

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

2.265 110.7 111.7 5.3 0.2 -0.4 -0.8 0.9

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

0.871 112.2 113.0 3.9 1.1 0.5 0.3 0.7

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

63.920 105.3 105.6 0.6 -0.3 -0.8 -0.5 0.3

Primary metal manufacturing

331

4.230 119.6 119.7 -8.6 -5.2 -8.1 -5.3 0.1

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

2.816 118.3 120.9 5.8 0.3 -0.2 -0.3 2.2

Machinery manufacturing

333

12.853 111.3 112.0 4.6 0.5 0.0 -0.1 0.6

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

16.667 92.8 91.7 -4.7 -1.0 -0.3 -0.3 -1.2

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

3.661 106.8 107.1 0.8 0.1 -0.5 -0.3 0.3

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

18.258 108.1 109.3 3.3 0.5 0.1 0.3 1.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

5.086 111.4 112.5 6.2 1.4 -0.4 -0.2 1.0

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.
Dash = Not available


Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: January 2008 to January 2009 2000=100, unless otherwise noted
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
Dec.
2008(1)
Index Percent change
Dec.
2008
Jan.
2009
Annual Monthly
Jan.
2008
to
Jan.
2009
Sept.
2008
to
Oct.
2008
Oct.
2008
to
Nov.
2008
Nov.
2008
to
Dec.
2008
Dec.
2008
to
Jan.
2009

Live animals; animal products

I

1.160 125.6 125.6 -0.1 -2.9 -6.3 -3.4 0.0

Meat and edible meat offal

02

0.263 148.9 148.5 0.4 -2.1 -7.8 -4.8 -0.3

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.589 99.4 99.8 -0.2 -1.5 -2.7 -2.8 0.4

Vegetable products

II

1.688 176.3 172.6 12.7 -3.1 -4.6 17.4 -2.1

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers

07

0.547 354.5 346.3 31.0 10.8 -1.1 49.3 -2.3

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.517 116.9 115.0 24.9 -6.6 -5.7 13.7 -1.6

Coffee, tea, mate and spices

09

0.255 144.8 150.5 -4.6 -9.9 -4.2 -1.7 3.9

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and tobacco

IV

2.406 134.6 134.9 1.9 -2.2 -2.1 0.2 0.2

Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk; bakers' wares (Dec. 2007=100)

19

0.252 106.9 107.1 6.4 -0.6 -3.4 -1.7 0.2

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or other parts of plants

20

0.314 133.3 132.0 -2.7 -0.4 -3.2 -1.4 -1.0

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar

22

0.980 114.6 115.1 -0.9 -1.9 -0.3 -0.1 0.4

Mineral products

V

13.568 154.5 149.9 -49.6 -20.3 -26.6 -22.9 -3.0

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous substances and mineral waxes

27

13.142 150.6 146.1 -51.1 -20.9 -27.4 -23.8 -3.0

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

8.500 136.0 129.6 -2.5 -0.4 -2.2 -3.8 -4.7

Inorganic chemicals

28

0.949 251.2 159.9 -32.8 -0.5 -0.9 -13.6 -36.3

Organic chemicals

29

2.519 121.8 119.6 -9.3 -0.9 -4.5 -4.3 -1.8

Pharmaceutical products

30

2.868 113.3 115.4 3.6 -0.2 -0.2 0.1 1.9

Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye & pigments; varnish & paints; putty

32

0.183 105.6 105.5 2.6 -3.5 -0.4 0.3 -0.1

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec. 2001=100)

33

0.451 120.6 121.6 3.8 0.6 -2.2 -1.3 0.8

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

0.487 97.6 96.5 -1.0 -0.8 -1.2 -0.9 -1.1

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

3.157 130.3 128.7 0.5 -1.2 -2.6 -1.8 -1.2

Plastics and articles thereof

39

2.064 128.4 126.2 0.2 -2.4 -1.9 -0.8 -1.7

Rubber and articles thereof

40

1.093 134.1 133.5 0.8 0.7 -3.9 -3.5 -0.4

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel goods, etc

VIII

0.663 114.0 114.0 2.8 1.1 0.3 0.0 0.0

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

42

0.615 114.8 114.9 3.0 1.2 0.3 0.3 0.1

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw, basketware and wickerwork

IX

1.081 113.5 111.3 -2.5 -4.5 -1.9 -0.9 -1.9

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

1.596 113.8 112.8 0.4 -1.5 -0.8 -1.0 -0.9

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp, paper or paperboard

48

1.119 113.7 113.8 6.1 0.5 -0.4 -0.4 0.1

Printed matter

49

0.300 119.3 119.8 1.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4

Textile and textile articles

XI

5.607 103.4 103.4 0.1 -0.1 -0.4 -0.1 0.0

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted

61

2.108 99.8 100.2 -0.8 -0.3 -0.1 -0.5 0.4

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted

62

2.145 103.6 103.4 0.7 0.3 0.0 1.1 -0.2

Made-up or worn textile articles

63

0.600 95.1 91.7 -1.7 -0.4 -0.2 -0.3 -3.6

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.

XII

1.340 106.9 109.1 4.8 0.1 0.4 0.1 2.1

Footwear and parts of such articles

64

1.129 106.0 108.7 5.8 0.2 0.4 0.1 2.5

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics, glass etc.

XIII

1.071 122.1 122.5 7.6 3.5 -0.2 -0.4 0.3

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or mica (Dec. 2001=100)

68

0.410 118.9 119.3 12.4 2.9 -0.2 -0.1 0.3

Ceramic products

69

0.327 131.9 132.4 8.9 7.7 -0.2 -0.1 0.4

Glass and glassware

70

0.333 114.1 114.3 0.7 0.0 -0.5 -1.0 0.2

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation jewelry, and coins

XIV

2.588 130.7 132.3 -7.5 -2.1 -5.1 -1.2 1.2

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

6.247 164.4 158.2 -8.0 -4.9 -8.3 -7.6 -3.8

Iron and steel

72

1.541 219.9 206.8 -5.8 -8.8 -8.2 -14.2 -6.0

Articles of iron or steel

73

2.133 158.7 157.0 12.7 -0.7 -1.8 -2.3 -1.1

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.471 188.1 171.7 -36.2 -8.0 -23.2 -12.7 -8.7

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.813 118.4 108.4 -22.8 -5.4 -12.0 -6.3 -8.4

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks, of base metal; parts thereof

82

0.412 116.4 118.1 5.4 0.5 -0.3 -0.3 1.5

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.508 131.6 131.7 4.0 0.9 -0.2 -0.2 0.1

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image and sound recorders, parts, etc.

XVI

27.730 87.8 87.5 -0.9 -0.2 -0.5 -0.3 -0.3

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

13.800 87.9 88.0 -0.7 -0.2 -0.6 -0.3 0.1

Electrical machinery and equip, sound and TV recorders & reproducers, parts

85

13.930 87.8 87.0 -1.1 -0.2 -0.3 -0.2 -0.9

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

13.515 109.0 109.4 0.7 0.2 -0.5 -0.3 0.4

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

12.258 107.9 108.2 0.4 0.0 -0.6 -0.2 0.3

Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof (Dec. 2002=100)

88

1.142 115.5 116.5 5.4 2.8 0.2 -0.1 0.9

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical instruments; & timepieces

XVIII

3.369 101.2 101.3 1.5 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.1

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical instruments

90

3.030 99.1 99.2 1.2 -0.1 0.0 -0.2 0.1

Clocks and watches and parts thereof

91

0.259 121.1 122.2 3.9 0.4 -0.7 -0.4 0.9

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

4.465 106.9 106.8 4.2 0.0 -0.3 -0.3 -0.1

Furniture & stuffed furnishings; lamps & lighting fittings, nesoi; prefab bldgs

94

2.449 112.1 111.8 5.3 0.0 -0.5 -0.4 -0.3

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

1.797 99.7 99.7 2.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

96

0.220 112.3 112.7 4.1 -0.3 -0.2 -0.1 0.4

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.
Dash = Not available


Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: January 2008 to January 2009 2000=100, unless otherwise noted
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
Dec.
2008(1)
Index Percent change
Dec.
2008
Jan.
2009
Annual Monthly
Jan.
2008
to
Jan.
2009
Sept.
2008
to
Oct.
2008
Oct.
2008
to
Nov.
2008
Nov.
2008
to
Dec.
2008
Dec.
2008
to
Jan.
2009

Live animals; animal products

I

1.530 156.1 159.6 1.3 -1.1 -9.8 -3.1 2.2

Meat & edible meat offal (Dec. 2006=100)

02

0.762 120.2 123.2 0.0 -3.0 -14.9 -3.9 2.5

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.420 151.2 157.1 9.0 3.0 -0.5 -1.7 3.9

Vegetable products

II

4.304 171.5 191.1 -12.8 -11.6 -5.4 -8.6 11.4

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.614 107.2 105.2 -14.5 -6.1 -2.0 -2.3 -1.9

Cereals

10

1.789 177.7 210.9 -19.6 -15.0 -10.4 -12.8 18.7

Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds, fruits, plants, straw and fodder

12

1.255 178.4 201.8 -12.3 -15.7 -4.0 -8.4 13.1

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and tobacco

IV

2.406 132.2 135.8 3.6 -1.9 -0.7 -0.8 2.7

Miscellaneous edible preparations

21

0.384 121.8 124.7 5.1 1.0 -0.3 0.1 2.4

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar (Dec.2008=100)

22

0.283 100.0 100.7 - - - - 0.7

Residues and waste from the food industries; prepared animal feed

23

0.461 168.6 183.5 -0.5 -10.4 -2.7 -4.5 8.8

Mineral products

V

3.847 203.7 194.6 -30.6 -11.2 -18.5 -13.1 -4.5

Mineral fuels, oils and residuals, bituminous substances and mineral waxes

27

3.265 194.3 189.2 -31.0 -12.2 -19.6 -14.6 -2.6

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

11.817 134.9 133.9 -2.5 -1.2 -4.6 -2.2 -0.7

Inorganic chemicals

28

1.357 201.3 199.4 12.1 0.2 -1.7 -2.6 -0.9

Organic chemicals

29

3.193 132.1 125.9 -16.7 -3.4 -12.9 -5.4 -4.7

Pharmaceutical products

30

2.674 113.6 116.8 0.3 -0.4 -2.3 -0.6 2.8

Tanning or dyeing extracts, dyes, paints, varnish, putty, & inks

32

0.551 114.1 112.9 -2.5 -0.3 -1.0 0.2 -1.1

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery cosmetic or toilet preparations

33

0.737 122.8 125.0 5.8 0.4 -0.9 0.4 1.8

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or scouring products; candles, pastes

34

0.443 121.8 118.0 4.8 -0.2 -0.7 -0.1 -3.1

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

1.801 129.0 130.3 6.5 0.5 0.3 -1.5 1.0

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

5.568 136.6 134.9 -1.5 -1.1 -4.1 -3.7 -1.2

Plastics and articles thereof

39

4.474 130.1 128.6 -3.4 -1.7 -4.1 -3.6 -1.2

Rubber and articles thereof

40

1.094 166.4 163.3 7.0 1.6 -3.9 -4.1 -1.9

Raw hides, skins, leather, furskins, travel goods, etc.

VIII

0.324 95.1 83.5 -28.7 -1.6 -1.9 -14.4 -12.2

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw, basketware and wickerwork

IX

0.610 108.8 105.8 -4.4 -0.2 -2.1 -0.8 -2.8

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

2.409 107.2 105.8 -8.6 -1.4 -5.5 -2.5 -1.3

Woodpulp and recovered paper

47

0.503 90.5 86.0 -31.1 -6.6 -18.8 -8.3 -5.0

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp, paper or paperboard

48

1.369 113.5 112.9 1.5 0.9 -0.3 -0.8 -0.5

Printed material

49

0.537 115.4 115.4 -4.5 0.2 -1.5 -0.3 0.0

Textile and textile articles

XI

2.028 103.9 104.1 -1.8 -2.0 -2.6 -0.5 0.2

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics thereof

52

0.551 92.3 92.5 -12.3 -7.1 -7.5 -2.8 0.2

Stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, ceramics, glass etc. (Dec.2008=100)

XIII

0.843 114.4 116.4 4.3 1.0 0.4 0.4 1.7

Glass and glassware

70

0.450 99.7 100.7 1.3 0.6 0.0 0.2 1.0

Pearls, stones, precious metals, imitation jewelry, and coins

XIV

3.637 161.1 166.3 -2.3 -1.7 -5.3 -2.8 3.2

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

5.143 144.9 143.8 -12.4 -6.0 -7.0 -6.0 -0.8

Iron and steel

72

1.366 169.3 171.0 -16.3 -11.3 -10.2 -8.2 1.0

Articles of iron or steel

73

1.482 158.7 162.9 9.2 -0.6 -0.1 -0.5 2.6

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.353 127.7 117.1 -49.0 -9.3 -20.4 -29.1 -8.3

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.711 101.8 96.7 -30.3 -9.0 -13.7 -6.4 -5.0

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks, of base metal; parts thereof

82

0.407 121.7 121.4 3.1 1.1 0.0 0.1 -0.2

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.362 128.1 128.3 -0.5 -0.1 -1.1 -0.8 0.2

Machinery, electrical equipment, TV image and sound recorders, parts, etc.

XVI

31.537 94.6 94.6 -0.5 -0.3 0.0 -0.2 0.0

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

18.133 104.3 105.0 1.4 0.1 0.1 -0.2 0.7

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts and accessories thereof

85

13.404 84.2 83.2 -3.1 -0.9 -0.1 -0.1 -1.2

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

15.781 118.1 118.9 3.1 0.5 0.1 0.3 0.7

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

9.209 107.5 107.6 1.4 0.5 0.0 -0.1 0.1

Optical, photo, measuring, medical & musical instruments; & timepieces

XVIII

6.271 106.1 107.3 1.5 -0.1 -0.7 0.1 1.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

1.587 106.6 106.3 -1.2 0.0 -0.8 -1.0 -0.3

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;

94

0.775 116.0 116.1 -0.6 0.2 -0.4 -1.0 0.1

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

0.690 93.1 92.4 -0.2 0.2 -0.8 -0.7 -0.8

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2007 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.
Dash = Not available


Table 7. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes by locality of origin: January 2008 to January 2009 2000=100, unless otherwise noted
Description Percent
of
U.S.
imports(1)
Index Percent change
Dec.
2008
Jan.
2009
Annual Monthly
Jan.
2008
to
Jan.
2009
Sept.
2008
to
Oct.
2008
Oct.
2008
to
Nov.
2008
Nov.
2008
to
Dec.
2008
Dec.
2008
to
Jan.
2009

Industrialized Countries(2)

42.434 118.7 118.5 -6.5 -3.9 -5.6 -3.1 -0.2

Nonmanufactured articles

4.390 151.7 147.0 -38.2 -19.4 -18.5 -17.3 -3.1

Manufactured articles

37.621 115.5 115.6 -2.1 -1.5 -3.9 -1.7 0.1

Other Countries(3)

57.566 111.0 109.2 -15.8 -7.7 -8.4 -5.5 -1.6

Nonmanufactured articles

12.442 158.3 155.7 -46.4 -21.3 -28.1 -16.7 -1.6

Manufactured articles

44.910 103.5 101.8 -4.9 -2.2 -2.0 -2.9 -1.6

Canada

15.963 129.3 128.1 -11.3 -6.7 -9.0 -4.8 -0.9

Nonmanufactured articles

3.979 148.0 144.9 -37.5 -18.2 -19.8 -17.3 -2.1

Manufactured articles

11.678 126.8 126.2 -1.4 -2.0 -5.3 -1.5 -0.5

European Union(4)

17.447 124.3 124.4 -1.8 -1.4 -2.6 -1.5 0.1

Nonmanufactured articles

0.222 230.8 220.6 -28.2 -24.8 -10.6 3.4 -4.4

Manufactured articles

17.133 121.8 121.9 -1.4 -1.0 -2.4 -1.6 0.1

France (Dec. 2003=100)

1.954 118.0 120.1 6.7 0.4 -1.7 -0.8 1.8

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)

4.735 108.3 109.6 -1.1 -1.0 -1.5 -0.7 1.2

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)

2.660 118.3 118.2 -8.4 -4.0 -5.5 -2.6 -0.1

Latin America(5)

17.808 135.4 132.5 -20.1 -10.7 -10.5 -6.8 -2.1

Nonmanufactured articles

5.160 181.3 179.1 -40.5 -22.0 -27.4 -8.0 -1.2

Manufactured articles

12.547 127.7 124.5 -9.1 -4.0 -2.2 -6.4 -2.5

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)

10.785 130.1 127.1 -9.5 -7.1 -7.1 0.5 -2.3

Nonmanufactured articles

1.947 100.0 94.1 - - - - -5.9

Manufactured articles

8.788 100.0 98.2 - - - - -1.8

Pacific Rim (Dec. 2003=100)(6)

33.590 101.1 100.5 0.1 -0.1 -0.7 -0.6 -0.6

China (Dec. 2003=100)

16.852 102.4 101.7 1.2 -0.1 -0.7 -0.5 -0.7

Japan

7.488 96.0 96.3 2.2 0.5 0.3 0.3 0.3

Asian NICs(7)

5.647 90.5 87.9 -1.2 -0.8 -0.5 -1.6 -2.9

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)(8)

5.729 97.3 95.8 -3.9 -1.3 -1.6 -1.3 -1.5

Asia Near East (Dec. 2003=100)(9)

3.992 140.6 139.0 -40.5 -16.9 -22.7 -16.6 -1.1

Footnotes
(1) Percentage of trade figures are based on 2007 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


Table 8. U.S. international price indexes and percent changes for selected transportation services: January 2008 to January 2009 2000=100, unless otherwise noted
Description Relative
import-
ance
Dec.
2008(1)
Index Percent change
Dec.
2008
Jan.
2009
Annual Monthly
Jan.
2008
to
Jan.
2009
Sept.
2008
to
Oct.
2008
Oct.
2008
to
Nov.
2008
Nov.
2008
to
Dec.
2008
Dec.
2008
to
Jan.
2009

Air Freight

Import Air Freight

100.000 140.3 138.4 -2.5 -3.3 -4.1 -3.6 -1.4

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

22.138 131.8 131.5 -11.8 -6.4 -10.4 -6.8 -0.2

Asia

68.589 124.0 122.2 1.2 -1.4 -0.9 -1.4 -1.5

Export Air Freight

100.000 135.3 133.0 0.8 -1.9 -1.6 -2.9 -1.7

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)

37.255 124.8 125.1 1.5 -3.7 -3.3 -4.1 0.2

Inbound Air Freight

100.000 137.8 134.9 -2.8 -2.6 -3.3 -3.5 -2.1

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

24.508 131.8 129.6 -11.0 -4.8 -8.4 -6.7 -1.7

Asia

63.421 120.3 118.5 2.0 -1.1 -0.4 -1.4 -1.5

Outbound Air Freight

100.000 132.8 127.3 0.5 -3.2 -2.5 -4.3 -4.1

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

39.766 152.1 148.8 2.7 -4.0 -2.2 -3.7 -2.2

Asia

40.466 119.0 111.5 -1.0 -3.0 -2.9 -4.0 -6.3

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares

100.000 157.3 148.5 12.2 2.9 -5.0 -0.2 -5.6

Europe

39.090 147.0 154.8 24.2 4.1 -7.0 -10.2 5.3

Asia

30.163 152.3 134.5 13.5 0.9 1.5 10.1 -11.7

Latin America/Caribbean

13.672 158.0 126.9 -0.5 -3.3 -0.2 22.1 -19.7

Export Air Passenger Fares

100.000 164.7 169.9 4.9 -5.6 -1.5 3.1 3.2

Europe

29.993 187.0 180.7 -1.8 -3.2 -5.7 -3.4 -3.4

Asia

34.594 142.5 157.5 11.7 -10.2 3.9 4.5 10.5

Latin America/Caribbean

21.873 178.9 191.5 13.6 -1.8 -1.2 9.2 7.0

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures for Air Passenger Fares Indexes are based on 2007 trade values, while the relative importance figures for the Air Freight Indexes are based on 2006 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.
Dash = Not available


                                        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 -- Starting in September 2008 the Import Air Passenger Fares Indexes represent 
changes in the average revenue per passenger received by foreign carriers from U.S. residents and are 
calculated from data obtained from an airline consulting service.  These data include tickets sold by 
travel agencies and travel websites.  Tickets sold directly by the airlines are excluded, as are frequent 
flyer tickets generally.  Starting in January 2008 the Export Air Passenger Fares Indexes represent 
changes in the average revenue per passenger received by U.S. carriers from foreign residents and are 
calculated from data collected directly from airlines. These data include frequent flyer tickets and those 
sold by consolidators. Taxes and fees are excluded from both indexes. The Air Freight Indexes are 
calculated from data collected directly from airlines. These data exclude mail and passenger baggage. 
The scope of the service being priced is the movement of freight from airport to airport only, and does 
not include any ground transportation or port service. The Air Freight Indexes are presented using two 
definitions: Balance of Payments (which represent transactions between U.S. and foreign residents) and 
International (which represent transactions inbound to and outbound from the U.S.). Fact sheets 
specifying detailed information for each services industry are available at http://www.bls.gov/mxp under 
"Publications and Other Documentation."

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.

Last Modified Date: February 18, 2009