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

Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until					USDL-15-0387
8:30 a.m. (EDT) Thursday, March 12, 2015

Technical information: (202) 691-7101 * MXPinfo@bls.gov * www.bls.gov/mxp
Media contact:	       (202) 691-5902 * PressOffice@bls.gov

			     U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES - FEBRUARY 2015

U.S. import prices increased 0.4 percent in February following declines of 3.1 percent in January and 2.5 
percent in December, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. An upturn in fuel prices led the 
February rise. Prices for U.S. exports edged down 0.1 percent in February, after a 1.9-percent drop the 
previous month.

Imports

All Imports: Import prices advanced 0.4 percent in February, the first monthly rise since a 0.3-percent 
increase in June 2014, and the largest 1-month advance since the index rose 0.5 percent in March 2014. In 
February, an upturn in fuel prices more than offset declining nonfuel prices. Despite the February increase, 
import prices fell 9.4 percent over the past 12 months, the largest year-over-year decrease since the index 
fell 12.0 percent between September 2008 and September 2009.          

Fuel Imports: The price index for import fuel increased 6.5 percent in February, the first advance since a 
1.6-percent rise in June 2014. The February increase was the largest monthly advance since the index rose 
7.6 percent in April 2011, and followed a 19.5-percent drop in January, the largest 1-month decline since a 
22.2-percent drop in December 2008. An 8.1-percent advance in petroleum prices led the February increase 
in the price index for fuel, more than offsetting a 17.9-percent drop in natural gas prices. Despite the 
February upturn, fuel prices declined 43.0 percent over the past year. Petroleum prices declined 43.2 percent 
for the year ended in February, and natural gas prices decreased 52.0 percent over the same period.       

All Imports Excluding Fuel: Nonfuel import prices decreased 0.3 percent in February, after a 0.6-percent 
drop the previous month. The price index for nonfuel imports has not recorded a monthly advance since the 
index ticked up 0.1 percent in July 2014. In February, decreasing prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and 
materials; capital goods; automotive vehicles; and foods, feeds, and beverages all contributed to the overall 
drop in nonfuel prices. In contrast, consumer goods prices increased in February. Nonfuel import prices fell 
1.2 percent for the year ended in February.          

Table A. Percent change in Import and Export Price Indexes, selected categories

Month IMPORTS EXPORTS
All
imports
Fuel
imports
Nonfuel
imports
All
exports
Agri-
cultural
exports
Non-
agricultural
exports

2014

February

1.1 5.9 0.0 0.8 1.4 0.6

March

0.5 1.0 0.3 0.9 2.8 0.7

April

-0.6 -2.6 0.0 -1.0 1.5 -1.2

May

0.3 1.2 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.0

June

0.3 1.6 -0.1 -0.5 -1.9 -0.3

July

-0.3 -1.5 0.1 0.1 -1.8 0.2

August

-0.8 -3.8 0.0 -0.5 -3.1 -0.2

September

-0.8 -3.6 -0.2 -0.4 -1.6 -0.2

October

-1.4 -6.8 -0.1 -0.9 -2.2 -0.7

November

-1.8 (r)-9.3 -0.3 -0.9 0.1 -1.0

December

(r)-2.5 (r)-14.9 -0.1 (r)-0.9 -0.7 -1.0

2015

January

(r)-3.1 (r)-19.5 (r)-0.6 (r)-1.9 -1.2 (r)-2.0

February

0.4 6.5 -0.3 -0.1 -2.0 0.2

Feb. 2013 to 2014

-1.1 -0.1 -1.2 -1.0 -5.9 -0.5

Feb. 2014 to 2015

-9.4 -43.0 -1.2 -5.9 -9.5 -5.5

Footnotes
(r) Revised

Exports

All Exports: U.S. export prices edged down 0.1 percent in February, led by lower agricultural prices which 
more than offset rising nonagricultural prices. The price index for overall exports has not recorded a 
monthly advance since the index increased 0.1 percent in July 2014. Overall export prices also fell for the 
year ended in February, declining 5.9 percent, the largest 12-month drop since the index decreased 6.2 
percent in August 2009.             

Agricultural Exports: The price index for agricultural exports decreased 2.0 percent in February, after a 
1.2-percent drop the previous month. A 5.1-percent decline in soybean prices drove the decrease, although 
lower prices for wheat, fruit, and meat were contributing factors. Agricultural prices fell 9.5 percent over the 
past 12 months, led by decreasing prices for soybeans, fruit, corn, and wheat.                                  

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: Nonagricultural export prices rose 0.2 percent in February following a 
2.0-percent decline in January and 1.0-percent decreases in both December and November. The February 
increase was the first advance since a 0.2-percent rise in July 2014, and was driven by higher prices for 
nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials and capital goods. The increases more than offset lower 
prices for consumer goods and automotive vehicles. Despite the February advance, nonagricultural export 
prices fell 5.5 percent over the past year, the largest year-over-year decrease since the index fell 6.6 percent 
in July 2009. 

					 SELECTED FEBRUARY HIGHLIGHTS

Import Prices

Imports by Locality of Origin: Prices for imports from China declined 0.2 percent for the second 
consecutive month in February. The index fell 0.6 percent for the year ended in February, the largest 12-
month drop since a 0.7-percent decrease between January 2013 and January 2014. The price index for 
imports from Japan fell 0.2 percent in February, after declining 0.6 percent in January and 0.5 percent in 
December. Import prices from Japan have not recorded a monthly advance since the index rose 0.2 percent 
in March 2014. Prices for imports from the European Union also decreased in February, declining 1.0 
percent following a 1.4-percent drop in January. In contrast, higher petroleum prices led the price indexes 
for imports from Canada and Mexico up in February, 0.2 percent and 0.3 percent, respectively.              

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: The price index for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials 
decreased 1.3 percent in February following a 1.2-percent decline the previous month. Falling chemicals 
prices, down 2.2 percent in February and 2.1 percent in January, led both monthly declines.             

Finished Goods: Prices for capital goods fell 0.4 percent in February, after decreasing 0.3 percent in 
January. The February drop was the largest 1-month decline for the index since a 0.5-percent decrease in 
March 2009. Automotive vehicle prices also fell in February, declining 0.2 percent following a 0.7-percent 
decrease the previous month. In contrast, consumer goods prices rose 0.3 percent in February.        

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Foods, feeds, and beverages prices decreased 0.2 percent in February 
following a 1.6-percent decline the previous month. Lower coffee and vegetable prices contributed to the 
overall drop in foods, feeds, and beverages prices in February.     

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares fell 2.5 percent in February, after decreasing 6.8 
percent the previous month. The index for import air passenger fares decreased 0.6 percent for the year 
ended in February. Import air freight prices declined 2.2 percent in February, the largest monthly decrease 
since the index fell 3.3 percent in January 2012. Prices for import air freight decreased 6.7 percent over the 
past 12 months.          

Export Prices

Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials 
prices rose 0.7 percent in February following a 5.6-percent drop the previous month. The February rise was 
the first 1-month advance since the index increased 0.7 percent in July 2014, and was driven by an upturn in 
export fuel prices.  

Finished Goods: The price index for export capital goods rose 0.2 percent for the second consecutive 
month in February. Both increases were led by higher prices for non-motor vehicle transportation 
equipment. In contrast, consumer goods prices and prices for automotive vehicles declined in February, 
down 0.5 percent and 0.3 percent, respectively.       

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares fell 14.3 percent in February, after advancing 0.4 
percent in January. The drop was the largest monthly decline for the index since its first publication in 
January 2001. The index for export air passenger fares decreased 5.9 percent for the year ended in February. 
Export air freight prices declined 1.7 percent in February, the largest drop since the index fell 2.2 percent in 
July 2012. Despite the February decline, the index rose 4.2 percent over the past year.     
		
Import and Export Price Index data for March 2015 are scheduled for release on Friday, April 10, 2015 at 
8:30 a.m. (EDT).    

Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: February 2014 to February 2015
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description End
Use
Relative
import-
ance
Jan.
2015(1)
Index Percent change
Jan.
2015
Feb.
2015
Annual Monthly
Feb.
2014
to
Feb.
2015
Oct.
2014
to
Nov.
2014
Nov.
2014
to
Dec.
2014
Dec.
2014
to
Jan.
2015
Jan.
2015
to
Feb.
2015

All commodities

  100.000 126.2 126.7 -9.4 -1.8 -2.5 -3.1 0.4

All imports excluding food and fuels (Dec. 2010=100)

  83.181 101.1 100.8 -1.3 -0.2 -0.2 -0.5 -0.3

All imports excluding petroleum

  90.116 114.4 113.9 -1.8 -0.3 0.0 -0.6 -0.4

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)

  89.198 118.3 117.9 -1.2 -0.3 -0.1 -0.6 -0.3

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

6.017 179.3 179.0 1.8 -0.6 0.8 -1.6 -0.2

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

4.670 197.9 197.0 3.7 -0.4 1.4 -1.9 -0.5

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

1.347 137.0 138.1 -3.9 -1.1 -1.4 -0.7 0.8

Industrial supplies & materials

1

24.692 179.4 183.2 -27.5 -5.6 -8.4 -10.2 2.1

Industrial supplies & materials excluding petroleum

  14.808 155.7 152.7 -7.6 -0.8 0.1 -1.6 -1.9

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

  13.890 174.7 172.5 -3.9 -0.8 -0.4 -1.2 -1.3

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  8.267 162.7 161.2 -3.5 -1.2 -0.1 -0.9 -0.9

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable excluding petroleum

  5.624 146.9 142.2 -12.3 -0.4 0.5 -2.5 -3.2

Fuels & lubricants

10

10.802 185.5 197.5 -43.0 -9.3 -14.9 -19.5 6.5

Petroleum & petroleum products

100

9.884 198.0 214.0 -43.2 -9.7 -16.2 -20.6 8.1

Crude

10000

7.063 198.6 223.5 -42.1 -10.1 -18.6 -20.4 12.5

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

101

0.721 128.3 110.5 -45.8 -1.7 9.0 -7.4 -13.9

Gas-natural

10110

0.561 116.2 95.4 -52.0 -2.0 11.1 -8.6 -17.9

Paper & paper base stocks

11

0.596 112.1 112.0 -1.4 -0.1 0.0 -0.6 -0.1

Materials associated with nondurable supplies & materials

12

5.098 164.9 161.6 -4.9 -0.3 -0.8 -1.9 -2.0

Selected building materials

13

1.225 140.7 139.7 -2.4 -0.6 -0.1 0.1 -0.7

Unfinished metals related to durable goods

14

3.554 224.7 221.7 -6.4 -2.1 0.0 -1.8 -1.3

Finished metals related to durable goods

15

1.723 155.8 154.3 -1.3 -0.8 -0.1 -0.7 -1.0

Nonmetals related to durable goods

16

1.694 111.7 111.5 0.0 -0.2 -0.3 0.2 -0.2

Capital goods

2

27.551 91.8 91.4 -1.0 -0.1 -0.1 -0.3 -0.4

Electric generating equipment

20

3.369 119.7 119.5 0.3 0.0 -0.1 -0.3 -0.2

Nonelectrical machinery

21

21.774 84.3 83.9 -1.3 -0.1 -0.1 -0.4 -0.5

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

22

2.408 136.9 136.9 0.5 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

15.278 111.8 111.6 -1.3 0.0 0.0 -0.7 -0.2

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

26.462 107.5 107.8 -0.3 -0.1 -0.1 -0.4 0.3

Nondurables, manufactured

40

12.561 118.7 118.9 0.8 0.1 0.2 -0.3 0.2

Durables, manufactured

41

12.424 96.2 96.3 -1.5 -0.1 -0.4 -0.3 0.1

Nonmanufactured consumer goods

42

1.477 119.1 122.3 1.7 -0.5 -1.2 0.1 2.7

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2013 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: February 2014 to February 2015
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description End
Use
Relative
import-
ance
Jan.
2015(1)
Index Percent change
Jan.
2015
Feb.
2015
Annual Monthly
Feb.
2014
to
Feb.
2015
Oct.
2014
to
Nov.
2014
Nov.
2014
to
Dec.
2014
Dec.
2014
to
Jan.
2015
Jan.
2015
to
Feb.
2015

All commodities

  100.000 125.9 125.8 -5.9 -0.9 -0.9 -1.9 -0.1

Agricultural commodities

  9.449 199.2 195.2 -9.5 0.1 -0.7 -1.2 -2.0

All exports excluding food and fuels (Dec. 2010=100)

  83.779 101.1 100.8 -1.3 -0.4 -0.1 -0.3 -0.3

Nonagricultural commodities

  90.551 120.5 120.7 -5.5 -1.0 -1.0 -2.0 0.2

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

8.757 200.7 196.5 -8.6 0.1 -0.8 -1.7 -2.1

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

8.061 202.0 197.5 -9.6 0.2 -0.9 -2.0 -2.2

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

0.696 194.7 193.7 3.3 -1.8 1.0 2.4 -0.5

Industrial supplies & materials

1

30.877 153.9 154.8 -15.3 -2.6 -2.9 -5.3 0.6

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  11.268 164.4 162.8 -4.4 -1.7 -0.1 -0.3 -1.0

Industrial supplies & materials, nondurable

  19.608 149.2 151.4 -20.4 -3.0 -4.4 -7.9 1.5

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials

10

1.388 188.5 187.0 -8.9 -0.3 0.5 3.4 -0.8

Nonagricultural industrial supplies & materials

  29.489 152.8 153.8 -15.5 -2.6 -3.1 -5.6 0.7

Fuels & lubricants

11

7.464 170.2 179.4 -36.6 -6.2 -9.0 -16.6 5.4

Nonagricultural supplies & materials excluding fuels & building materials

12

20.998 159.5 157.9 -4.9 -1.3 -0.7 -1.2 -1.0

Selected building materials

13

1.027 121.6 120.0 -6.8 0.3 -0.4 0.3 -1.3

Capital goods

2

37.731 107.6 107.8 0.8 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.2

Electrical generating equipment

20

3.828 115.0 114.7 -0.2 0.0 0.0 -0.3 -0.3

Nonelectrical machinery

21

25.889 95.5 95.5 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0

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

22

8.014 159.3 160.6 3.4 0.0 0.3 0.6 0.8

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

10.128 114.0 113.7 0.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.1 -0.3

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

12.507 113.5 112.9 -1.4 -0.3 -0.1 -0.7 -0.5

Nondurables, manufactured

40

5.599 110.3 109.0 -2.0 -0.4 0.5 -1.2 -1.2

Durables, manufactured

41

5.299 110.6 110.7 -1.5 -0.2 0.0 -0.5 0.1

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2013 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: February 2014 to February 2015
[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
Jan.
2015(1)
Index Percent change
Jan.
2015
Feb.
2015
Annual Monthly
Feb.
2014
to
Feb.
2015
Oct.
2014
to
Nov.
2014
Nov.
2014
to
Dec.
2014
Dec.
2014
to
Jan.
2015
Jan.
2015
to
Feb.
2015

Nonmanufactured articles

  9.987 99.8 107.5 -37.8 -8.8 -14.2 -16.4 7.7

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

2.066 179.3 178.2 4.1 -2.1 2.5 -3.5 -0.6

Crop production

111

1.647 188.4 188.1 7.7 -2.5 3.5 -4.4 -0.2

Animal production (Dec. 2014=100)

112

0.237 97.7 94.3 - - - -2.3 -3.5

Forestry and logging (Dec. 2012=100)

113

0.116 68.4 67.3 -25.3 -1.3 0.3 0.4 -1.6

Mining

21

7.921 90.4 99.3 -42.5 -9.7 -16.6 -19.2 9.8

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

212

0.241 115.8 116.1 -7.6 -0.2 -0.1 -1.8 0.3

Manufactured articles

  89.671 112.7 112.3 -3.4 -0.5 -0.5 -1.4 -0.4

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

11.959 125.7 125.7 0.8 -0.2 -0.2 -0.3 0.0

Food manufacturing

311

3.389 157.9 158.0 -0.4 -0.7 -0.4 -1.1 0.1

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

1.073 117.4 117.3 1.7 0.0 -0.1 0.1 -0.1

Textile mills (Dec. 2011=100)

313

0.407 102.6 102.2 0.1 -0.1 -0.2 -0.5 -0.4

Textile product mills

314

0.888 113.6 113.1 -1.1 0.2 -0.4 -0.1 -0.4

Apparel manufacturing

315

4.325 112.0 112.0 1.5 0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.0

Leather and allied product manufacturing

316

1.877 124.1 124.3 1.6 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.2

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

17.420 123.0 121.8 -12.1 -1.6 -1.9 -4.8 -1.0

Wood product manufacturing

321

0.745 120.1 118.6 -3.5 -0.9 0.1 0.3 -1.2

Paper manufacturing

322

1.114 110.8 110.6 -0.1 0.0 0.4 -0.4 -0.2

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

2.638 93.0 90.6 -45.0 -8.0 -8.7 -21.2 -2.6

Chemical manufacturing

325

9.559 135.3 134.3 -2.2 0.0 -0.4 -1.6 -0.7

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

2.193 120.9 120.2 -2.5 0.2 -0.1 -0.8 -0.6

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

0.964 130.2 130.2 -0.2 0.1 -0.5 0.1 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

60.292 106.6 106.3 -1.4 -0.2 -0.2 -0.5 -0.3

Primary metal manufacturing

331

4.271 149.8 148.1 -4.9 -1.8 -0.2 -1.6 -1.1

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

3.014 127.2 126.4 0.2 -0.2 -0.1 -0.2 -0.6

Machinery manufacturing

333

7.196 119.9 119.1 -1.9 -0.1 -0.2 -0.2 -0.7

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

17.686 78.8 78.6 -1.9 -0.1 -0.3 -0.5 -0.3

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

4.693 118.6 118.8 0.3 0.3 -0.3 -0.3 0.2

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

16.386 110.7 110.6 -1.0 0.0 -0.1 -0.5 -0.1

Furniture and related product manufacturing

337

1.571 116.4 116.4 1.4 0.0 -0.3 0.2 0.0

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

5.475 121.0 121.1 -0.2 0.1 -0.3 -0.2 0.1

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2013 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: February 2014 to February 2015
[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
Jan.
2015(1)
Index Percent change
Jan.
2015
Feb.
2015
Annual Monthly
Feb.
2014
to
Feb.
2015
Oct.
2014
to
Nov.
2014
Nov.
2014
to
Dec.
2014
Dec.
2014
to
Jan.
2015
Jan.
2015
to
Feb.
2015

Nonmanufactured articles

  6.736 140.9 135.0 -25.2 2.2 0.7 -4.2 -4.2

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

4.378 171.8 166.7 -15.0 2.0 0.4 -0.2 -3.0

Crop production

111

4.136 178.3 172.9 -14.7 2.2 0.5 -0.3 -3.0

Mining

21

2.358 80.3 75.1 -40.5 2.7 1.1 -10.8 -6.5

Mining (except oil and gas)

212

1.250 92.9 90.3 -10.1 -0.1 -0.9 -2.2 -2.8

Manufactured articles

  91.597 115.2 115.5 -4.4 -1.0 -1.0 -1.6 0.3

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

7.362 149.6 148.2 -2.8 -1.0 -1.1 -1.4 -0.9

Food manufacturing

311

5.121 171.8 169.5 -2.8 -1.5 -1.5 -2.2 -1.3

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

0.609 116.8 117.6 -5.8 3.7 1.3 3.1 0.7

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

23.968 113.5 114.6 -14.6 -2.6 -3.6 -5.9 1.0

Paper manufacturing

322

1.869 124.6 124.1 -0.7 0.0 0.2 -1.1 -0.4

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

4.986 98.4 105.9 -39.6 -8.0 -11.9 -19.0 7.6

Chemical manufacturing

325

13.266 121.5 120.3 -5.8 -0.9 -1.2 -2.5 -1.0

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

2.231 118.9 118.3 -0.4 -0.2 -0.3 0.4 -0.5

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

0.814 112.4 112.7 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.3

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

60.267 112.5 112.7 0.2 -0.3 0.1 0.1 0.2

Primary metal manufacturing

331

4.812 142.4 144.3 -1.4 -2.2 0.8 -0.1 1.3

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

2.977 129.3 129.5 -1.7 -0.2 0.3 0.8 0.2

Machinery manufacturing

333

11.341 124.7 124.7 1.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.0

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

14.288 86.9 86.9 -1.0 -0.2 0.1 0.0 0.0

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

3.711 114.7 114.7 0.3 -0.2 -0.2 0.1 0.0

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

17.220 120.8 121.1 1.5 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.2

Furniture and related product manufacturing (Dec. 2011=100)

337

0.380 110.3 110.2 3.9 0.0 0.4 0.6 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

5.537 123.4 123.5 -0.2 0.2 -0.8 -0.6 0.1

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2013 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: February 2014 to February 2015
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
Jan.
2015(1)
Index Percent change
Jan.
2015
Feb.
2015
Annual Monthly
Feb.
2014
to
Feb.
2015
Oct.
2014
to
Nov.
2014
Nov.
2014
to
Dec.
2014
Dec.
2014
to
Jan.
2015
Jan.
2015
to
Feb.
2015

Live animals; animal products

I

1.393 194.7 195.2 0.0 -1.0 -1.6 -1.7 0.3

Meat and edible meat offal

02

0.330 247.8 254.6 10.9 -1.4 -3.0 -2.8 2.7

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.712 135.7 137.3 -7.9 -1.6 -1.9 -0.9 1.2

Vegetable products

II

1.964 203.5 203.4 3.8 -1.9 4.8 -4.9 0.0

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers

07

0.476 404.3 398.2 21.4 -7.3 18.6 -17.4 -1.5

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.508 101.4 100.8 -7.9 4.5 -1.8 3.7 -0.6

Coffee, tea, mate and spices

09

0.405 264.2 256.3 8.8 -2.7 1.2 1.7 -3.0

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec. 2009=100)

III

0.281 110.5 108.0 -3.6 -0.4 -2.7 1.3 -2.3

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and tobacco

IV

2.795 161.8 162.3 1.8 -0.6 0.4 -0.4 0.3

Sugars and sugar confectionary (Dec. 2012=100)

17

0.187 91.5 91.9 6.4 0.0 1.8 -0.2 0.4

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec. 2009=100)

18

0.252 112.2 112.7 13.6 -6.6 -0.8 2.0 0.4

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

19

0.281 133.8 133.5 1.7 -0.1 0.0 0.1 -0.2

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

20

0.345 164.7 164.9 -2.2 0.7 0.6 -1.6 0.1

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar

22

1.046 127.8 127.4 1.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.3

Mineral products

V

10.723 186.6 199.0 -42.8 -9.2 -14.8 -19.5 6.6

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

27

10.464 183.3 195.8 -43.2 -9.3 -15.1 -19.8 6.8

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

8.699 149.1 148.1 -2.5 -0.1 -0.3 -2.1 -0.7

Inorganic chemicals

28

0.705 318.2 302.9 0.3 2.5 -0.5 -6.1 -4.8

Organic chemicals

29

2.466 124.5 122.6 -11.0 -0.6 -1.3 -5.5 -1.5

Pharmaceutical products

30

3.449 135.5 136.2 2.5 0.1 0.4 0.5 0.5

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)

31

0.401 116.8 116.1 7.3 -1.5 1.5 0.0 -0.6

Tanning extracts; dye, pigments, varnish, paints & putty (Dec. 2011=100)

32

0.215 104.4 104.5 4.0 -0.2 -0.5 -0.9 0.1

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

0.551 90.7 90.2 -3.3 -0.6 -0.5 -1.1 -0.6

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

3.456 144.9 143.7 -3.6 0.1 -0.4 -0.7 -0.8

Plastics and articles thereof

39

2.251 149.5 148.2 -0.8 0.1 -0.8 0.1 -0.9

Rubber and articles thereof

40

1.205 138.5 137.4 -8.2 0.1 0.4 -2.2 -0.8

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

VIII

0.719 128.3 128.4 0.8 -0.1 0.2 0.2 0.1

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

42

0.669 130.7 130.7 1.5 -0.1 0.2 0.2 0.0

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

IX

0.771 145.5 143.9 -3.4 -0.9 0.0 0.2 -1.1

Wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal (Dec. 2014=100)

44

0.734 100.2 99.0 - - - 0.2 -1.2

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

1.162 113.1 113.1 -0.8 0.0 0.3 -0.2 0.0

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

48

0.774 107.1 106.9 -0.3 -0.2 0.1 0.2 -0.2

Textile and textile articles

XI

5.462 114.8 114.8 1.0 0.1 -0.2 -0.1 0.0

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted

61

2.176 103.9 103.9 1.7 0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.0

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted

62

1.958 120.3 120.4 1.3 0.2 -0.1 0.0 0.1

Made-up or worn textile articles

63

0.640 107.4 106.8 -1.0 0.2 -0.1 -0.2 -0.6

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.

XII

1.485 122.7 122.8 1.4 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1

Footwear and parts of such articles

64

1.293 122.0 122.2 1.4 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.2

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

XIII

0.895 132.2 132.1 -0.8 0.1 -0.5 -0.2 -0.1

Ceramic products

69

0.268 138.6 137.9 -2.1 -0.1 -1.6 -0.5 -0.5

Glass and glassware

70

0.312 129.0 129.0 -0.9 -0.2 -0.1 -0.2 0.0

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

XIV

3.077 173.6 176.2 -1.3 -2.2 0.3 0.4 1.5

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

5.565 177.6 174.4 -3.6 -0.7 -0.7 -1.6 -1.8

Iron and steel

72

1.263 212.5 202.9 -8.3 -1.4 -1.1 -2.2 -4.5

Articles of iron or steel

73

1.714 152.5 150.9 -0.9 -0.6 -0.8 -0.7 -1.0

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.480 301.5 285.6 -17.4 -1.6 -1.0 -3.5 -5.3

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.772 138.2 139.2 2.4 1.1 -1.4 -2.7 0.7

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

82

0.445 128.9 128.9 -0.1 0.0 0.0 -0.1 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.517 138.0 138.1 1.7 0.0 0.1 -0.1 0.1

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

XVI

29.789 83.4 83.1 -1.5 -0.2 -0.2 -0.4 -0.4

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

15.147 88.6 88.2 -1.2 0.0 -0.2 -0.4 -0.5

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

85

14.642 78.3 78.3 -1.8 -0.3 -0.4 -0.5 0.0

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

13.727 114.9 114.9 -0.9 -0.1 -0.1 -0.4 0.0

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

12.402 113.5 113.5 -1.0 -0.1 -0.1 -0.5 0.0

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

88

1.232 120.2 120.2 -0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

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

XVIII

3.887 104.1 104.0 -0.2 0.2 0.2 -0.3 -0.1

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical instruments

90

3.565 100.9 100.7 -0.2 0.0 0.2 -0.2 -0.2

Clocks and watches and parts thereof

91

0.260 142.3 142.9 -0.4 1.7 -0.1 -0.7 0.4

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

4.041 113.9 113.8 0.7 0.1 0.1 -0.2 -0.1

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

94

2.442 118.9 118.6 1.4 0.3 0.1 0.1 -0.3

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

1.340 105.1 105.1 -0.3 0.2 0.0 -0.7 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

96

0.259 135.7 135.6 -0.3 -0.7 0.0 0.6 -0.1

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2013 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: February 2014 to February 2015
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
Jan.
2015(1)
Index Percent change
Jan.
2015
Feb.
2015
Annual Monthly
Feb.
2014
to
Feb.
2015
Oct.
2014
to
Nov.
2014
Nov.
2014
to
Dec.
2014
Dec.
2014
to
Jan.
2015
Jan.
2015
to
Feb.
2015

Live animals; animal products

I

2.082 221.2 215.6 -5.0 -2.3 -4.6 -4.5 -2.5

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

02

1.260 177.4 173.5 3.6 -1.3 -5.1 -4.4 -2.2

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.410 215.0 213.8 5.0 -1.5 2.4 1.6 -0.6

Vegetable products

II

4.193 223.0 215.8 -12.6 2.0 1.2 -1.0 -3.2

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

1.174 184.6 182.3 -4.7 -5.4 4.4 -1.7 -1.2

Cereals

10

1.101 219.8 207.5 -14.2 6.3 3.4 -3.5 -5.6

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

12

1.498 224.9 215.6 -19.5 6.0 -2.8 1.4 -4.1

Animal or vegetable fats and oils (Dec. 2009=100)

III

0.219 104.9 97.0 -12.8 -1.5 0.7 0.3 -7.5

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and tobacco

IV

3.066 162.3 161.8 -3.1 -0.1 0.7 -0.1 -0.3

Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other parts of plants (Dec. 2009=100)

20

0.400 118.5 118.4 3.1 -0.2 0.0 0.9 -0.1

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

22

0.508 110.2 110.3 -0.3 2.0 -1.2 -0.5 0.1

Residues and waste from the food industries; prepared animal feed

23

0.808 244.7 244.0 -11.5 -0.3 5.0 0.5 -0.3

Mineral products

V

7.411 198.0 204.1 -38.6 -5.6 -8.7 -16.2 3.1

Ores, slag and ash (Dec. 2012=100)

26

0.498 89.8 88.7 -4.4 -0.1 -2.1 -3.9 -1.2

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

27

6.726 189.9 196.7 -40.7 -6.0 -9.4 -17.3 3.6

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

10.818 143.6 142.7 -4.5 -0.7 -0.7 -1.9 -0.6

Inorganic chemicals

28

0.832 173.0 174.0 -1.0 -0.4 1.1 -0.3 0.6

Organic chemicals

29

2.919 145.8 144.5 -11.2 -1.7 -3.8 -5.7 -0.9

Pharmaceutical products

30

2.608 113.5 111.4 -3.5 -0.6 0.9 -1.0 -1.9

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery cosmetic or toilet preparations

33

0.783 136.3 135.9 2.0 -0.2 0.0 2.5 -0.3

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

34

0.489 117.1 113.7 -6.3 -0.8 0.0 -0.1 -2.9

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

1.875 151.6 152.8 -2.7 -0.1 0.7 -1.6 0.8

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

5.255 146.6 144.2 -3.8 -1.0 -0.6 -1.3 -1.6

Plastics and articles thereof

39

4.284 141.9 139.8 -3.5 -0.8 -0.6 -1.5 -1.5

Rubber and articles thereof

40

0.971 166.1 162.9 -5.3 -1.7 -0.7 -0.7 -1.9

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

VIII

0.445 150.0 148.7 -3.3 -1.3 -3.0 -2.0 -0.9

Raw hides and skins other than furskins and leather (Dec.2014=100)

41

0.276 97.1 96.4 - - - -2.9 -0.7

Wood, wood charcoal, cork, straw, baskets and wickerwork (Dec. 2014=100)

IX

0.635 101.0 100.5 - - - 1.0 -0.5

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

2.244 124.9 123.4 -1.7 -0.2 0.3 -0.9 -1.2

Woodpulp and recovered paper

47

0.634 127.3 122.6 -6.3 -0.2 0.5 -1.9 -3.7

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

48

1.202 124.0 123.7 -0.2 -0.2 0.2 -0.7 -0.2

Printed material (Dec. 2014=100)

49

0.408 100.3 100.3 - - - 0.3 0.0

Textile and textile articles

XI

1.788 123.6 122.9 -9.6 -1.3 -0.8 -0.9 -0.6

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics thereof

52

0.455 119.8 117.7 -23.6 -3.0 -2.2 -1.5 -1.8

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

XIII

0.814 122.4 122.4 2.7 0.1 0.2 1.7 0.0

Glass and glassware

70

0.421 99.4 99.4 1.6 0.1 0.4 0.5 0.0

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

XIV

4.762 236.2 240.6 -0.6 -2.4 0.4 -0.2 1.9

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

5.330 157.9 154.5 -6.6 -0.9 -0.7 -1.3 -2.2

Iron and steel

72

1.320 178.9 167.2 -10.3 -3.2 -2.4 -0.1 -6.5

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.518 192.7 182.9 -21.4 0.2 -2.3 -4.5 -5.1

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.905 120.7 119.5 -2.0 0.1 0.1 -3.2 -1.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.329 147.7 147.7 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.0

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

XVI

28.820 97.5 97.5 0.3 -0.1 0.1 0.2 0.0

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

17.273 113.5 113.8 1.3 -0.1 -0.1 0.4 0.3

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts and accessories thereof

85

11.547 80.1 79.9 -1.2 0.0 0.3 0.0 -0.2

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

14.376 130.4 130.3 0.9 0.0 0.1 0.2 -0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

8.970 115.0 114.7 0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.2 -0.3

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

XVIII

6.147 107.4 107.4 0.0 -0.2 0.0 -0.2 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

1.468 110.9 111.3 0.8 -0.4 0.1 0.1 0.4

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;

94

0.832 122.7 123.3 1.5 -0.7 0.1 0.2 0.5

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

0.475 89.7 89.8 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2013 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: February 2014 to February 2015
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Relative
import-
ance
Jan.
2015(1)
Index Percent change
Jan.
2015
Feb.
2015
Annual Monthly
Feb.
2014
to
Feb.
2015
Oct.
2014
to
Nov.
2014
Nov.
2014
to
Dec.
2014
Dec.
2014
to
Jan.
2015
Jan.
2015
to
Feb.
2015

Industrialized Countries(2)

100.000 122.7 122.5 -8.4 -1.2 -2.0 -2.4 -0.2

Nonmanufactured articles

8.561 150.2 157.9 -39.5 -7.5 -16.8 -10.8 5.1

Manufactured articles

90.920 120.1 119.4 -3.5 -0.4 -0.2 -1.5 -0.6

Other Countries(3)

100.000 124.3 125.4 -9.5 -2.1 -2.5 -3.1 0.9

Nonmanufactured articles

11.092 204.7 224.6 -34.9 -9.2 -13.3 -16.1 9.7

Manufactured articles

88.681 106.8 106.5 -3.4 -0.5 -0.3 -1.2 -0.3

Canada

100.000 130.1 130.4 -17.2 -3.2 -5.6 -3.8 0.2

Nonmanufactured articles

23.474 144.0 151.5 -40.1 -7.5 -17.3 -10.8 5.2

Manufactured articles

75.701 130.4 129.0 -5.0 -1.2 -0.8 -1.4 -1.1

European Union(4)

100.000 135.2 133.9 -2.7 0.4 -0.4 -1.4 -1.0

Manufactured articles

99.236 131.6 130.3 -2.6 0.5 -0.4 -1.3 -1.0

France (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 123.0 122.4 -0.7 -0.1 -0.3 0.2 -0.5

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 118.2 117.7 -0.5 -0.4 -0.3 0.1 -0.4

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 120.5 120.8 -6.6 -2.8 0.1 -5.3 0.2

Latin America(5)

100.000 148.1 149.6 -13.7 -2.6 -3.9 -4.5 1.0

Nonmanufactured articles

17.508 212.8 230.9 -36.7 -8.8 -13.6 -17.5 8.5

Manufactured articles

82.081 126.2 125.5 -4.7 -0.3 -0.6 -1.3 -0.6

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 131.4 131.8 -6.4 -1.2 -2.0 -2.4 0.3

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100)

9.762 119.3 126.1 -33.5 -7.7 -12.7 -17.2 5.7

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100)

89.931 91.8 91.6 -1.3 0.0 -0.1 -0.5 -0.2

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

100.000 101.3 101.2 -1.7 -0.2 -0.2 -0.5 -0.1

China (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 103.5 103.3 -0.6 -0.1 0.1 -0.2 -0.2

Japan

100.000 97.3 97.1 -1.9 -0.1 -0.5 -0.6 -0.2

Asian NICs(7)

100.000 87.7 87.7 -2.0 -0.2 -0.3 -0.7 0.0

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)(8)

100.000 100.4 100.1 -4.0 -0.5 -0.2 -1.1 -0.3

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

100.000 180.1 194.4 -26.6 -6.7 -11.7 -10.4 7.9

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2013 trade values.
(2) Western Europe, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
(3) Eastern Europe, Latin America, OPEC countries, and other countries in Asia, Africa and the Western Hemisphere.
(4) European Union countries.
(5) Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean.
(6) China, Japan, Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Macao, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines and the Asian Newly Industrialized Countries.
(7) Asian Newly Industrialized Countries - Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan.
(8) Association of Southeast Asian Nations - Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
(9) 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: February 2014 to February 2015
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Relative
import-
ance
Jan.
2015(1)
Index Percent change
Jan.
2015
Feb.
2015
Annual Monthly
Feb.
2014
to
Feb.
2015
Oct.
2014
to
Nov.
2014
Nov.
2014
to
Dec.
2014
Dec.
2014
to
Jan.
2015
Jan.
2015
to
Feb.
2015

Air Freight

Import Air Freight

100.000 168.1 164.4 -6.7 -1.3 -1.7 0.6 -2.2

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

26.746 162.1 153.9 -15.3 -1.4 -2.3 -2.7 -5.1

Asia

67.931 148.2 146.4 -3.4 -1.4 -1.6 2.0 -1.2

Export Air Freight

100.000 160.4 157.6 4.2 -0.2 -1.6 2.9 -1.7

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)

35.300 147.4 144.9 6.6 -0.1 -1.3 4.5 -1.7

Inbound Air Freight

100.000 160.7 158.3 -2.9 -0.7 -1.9 1.3 -1.5

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

26.469 148.3 142.8 -10.6 -1.4 -2.0 -1.3 -3.7

Asia

60.465 145.6 144.5 0.1 -0.7 -2.1 2.5 -0.8

Outbound Air Freight

100.000 151.4 150.8 1.9 -0.1 -0.3 -0.6 -0.4

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

32.968 170.6 170.5 2.8 0.0 0.0 -0.9 -0.1

Asia

43.901 142.5 141.4 0.6 -0.2 -0.6 -0.9 -0.8

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares

100.000 201.1 196.0 -0.6 1.0 7.9 -6.8 -2.5

Europe

47.752 235.4 241.8 8.1 2.8 0.8 3.1 2.7

Asia

24.135 147.5 138.3 -9.7 -0.9 16.2 -14.4 -6.2

Latin America/Caribbean

9.612 165.3 166.0 0.2 -1.6 10.6 -11.2 0.4

Export Air Passenger Fares

100.000 189.2 162.2 -5.9 -5.0 8.3 0.4 -14.3

Europe

26.702 213.4 209.8 -0.2 -6.4 4.2 -5.4 -1.7

Asia

28.363 167.2 137.3 -4.3 0.8 7.2 2.5 -17.9

Latin America/Caribbean

23.267 198.3 177.8 -10.8 -1.9 10.6 -0.8 -10.3

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2013 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 are reweighted annually, with a two-year lag in 
the weights.  Published series use a base year of 2000=100 where possible.  More detailed index series 
and additional information may be obtained at http://www.bls.gov/mxp, or by calling (202) 691-7101.

Merchandise Goods Classification Systems -- The merchandise price indexes are published using three 
classification systems.  Items are classified by end use according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis 
Classification System, by industry according to the North American Industry Classification System 
(NAICS), and by product category according to the Harmonized System (HS).  While classification by 
end use and product category are self-explanatory, some notes are in order for classifying items by 
industry.  In the NAICS imports and exports tables, items are classified by output industry, not input 
industry.  As an example, NAICS import index 326 (plastics and rubber products manufacturing) 
include outputs such as manufactured plastic rather than inputs such as petroleum.  The NAICS 
classification structure also matches the classification system used by the PPI (Producer Price Index) to 
produce the NAICS primary products indexes.

Import Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United 
States Annotated (TSUSA).  Import prices are based on U.S. dollar prices paid by the U.S. importer.  
The prices are generally either "free on board" (f.o.b.) foreign port or "cost, insurance, and freight" 
(c.i.f.) U.S. port transaction prices, depending on the practices of the individual industry.  The index for 
crude petroleum is calculated from data collected by the U.S. Department of Energy.  

Export Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the Harmonized Schedule B classification 
system of the U.S. Bureau of the Census.  The prices used are generally either "free alongside ship" 
(f.a.s.) factory or "free on board" (f.o.b.) transaction prices, depending on the practices of the individual 
industry.  Prices used in the grain index, excluding rice, are obtained from the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture.

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

Import Indexes by Locality of Origin -- Prices used in these indexes are a subset of the data collected 
for the Import Price Indexes.  Beginning with January 2002, the indexes are defined by locality of origin 
using a nomenclature based upon the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).  
Nonmanufactured goods are defined as NAICS 11 and 21 and manufactured goods are defined as 
NAICS 31-33. 

Revision Policy -- To reflect the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents, monthly data 
may be revised in each of the three months after original publication.  After three months, no further 
data revisions take place.  So, for example, data released in the January release will be subject to revision 
in the releases for February, March, and April.

Uses of the Data -- The primary use of the indexes is to deflate trade statistics, notably the foreign trade 
sector of the National Income and Product Accounts constructed by the Department of Commerce.  
Other published indexes are useful for general market analysis.  For trade in international services, 
Balance of Payments indexes are used for deflating National Income and Product Accounts, while 
International indexes are more appropriate for market analysis.  Merchandise and services indexes also 
can be used to study U.S. competitiveness and to compute price elasticities, and the merchandise import 
indexes by country or region of origin are useful in terms of trade analysis.

E-Mail Subscription -- The U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes news release is available through an 
e-mail subscription service at (http://www.bls.gov/bls/list.htm).

Additional Information -- More detailed data are available on the Import/Export Price Indexes home 
page at (http://www.bls.gov/mxp). For technical assistance in using the BLS Internet site, send e-mail to 
(labstat.helpdesk@bls.gov).  For Import/Export Price Index data requests, send e-mail to 
(mxpinfo@bls.gov). 

Information from this release will be made available to sensory impaired individuals upon request.  Voice 
phone: 202-691-5200; Federal Relay Service: 1-800-877-8339.

Last Modified Date: March 12, 2015