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Economic News Release
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U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes News Release

Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until					  USDL-12-0894
8:30 a.m. (EDT) Thursday, May 10, 2012

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 - APRIL 2012

U.S. import prices declined 0.5 percent in April, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today, 
following a 1.5 percent increase in March. The April decrease was driven by lower fuel prices which more 
than offset a small increase in nonfuel prices. The price index for overall exports rose 0.4 percent in April 
after a 0.8 percent increase the previous month. 

 
Imports
 	
All Imports: Prices for U.S. imports fell 0.5 percent in April, the first monthly decrease since a 0.4 percent 
decline in October 2011 and the largest one-month drop since the index decreased 0.6 percent in June 2011. 
Despite the April decline, import prices rose 0.5 percent over the past year, although that was the smallest 
12-month advance since the index last recorded a year-over-year decrease in October 2009.  

Fuel Imports: A 2.1 percent drop in fuel prices led the overall decline in import prices in April. The decrease 
in fuel prices followed a 4.4 percent increase in March and was the largest decline for the index since a 
similar 2.1 percent decrease in August 2011. A 1.8 percent decline in petroleum prices and a 14.1 percent 
drop in natural gas prices each contributed to the April decrease in overall fuel prices. Fuel prices also fell 
over the past 12 months as a 45.3 percent decline in natural gas prices more than offset higher petroleum 
prices that ticked up 0.1 percent from April 2011 to April 2012. The decrease in overall fuel prices was the 
first 12-month decline since the index fell 14.2 percent for the year ended in October 2009.     

All Imports Excluding Fuel: The price index for nonfuel prices ticked up 0.1 percent in April after rising 
0.5 percent the previous month. Higher prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials, automotive 
vehicles, consumer goods, and foods, feeds, and beverages all contributed to the increase in overall nonfuel 
prices. Capital goods prices were unchanged. Nonfuel prices rose 1.3 percent over the past 12 months.  

Table A. Percent changes

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

2011

April

2.6 7.6 0.8 0.8 -0.5 0.9

May

0.1 -0.6 0.3 0.4 -1.1 0.5

June

-0.6 -2.3 0.0 0.1 0.8 0.2

July

0.1 0.1 0.2 -0.4 -4.0 0.1

August

-0.4 -2.1 0.2 0.4 1.6 0.3

September

-0.1 -1.0 0.2 0.5 1.9 0.3

October

-0.4 -0.6 -0.2 -2.0 -6.5 -1.4

November

0.7 3.4 -0.2 0.1 1.7 -0.2

December

0.0 -0.4 0.1 -0.5 -2.3 -0.2

2012

January

0.0 -0.2 (r)0.2 (r)0.3 (r)1.1 (r)0.2

February

(r)0.0 (r)-0.1 0.0 (r)0.5 (r)-0.4 (r)0.6

March

(r)1.5 (r)4.4 0.5 0.8 (r)2.5 0.5

April

-0.5 -2.1 0.1 0.4 2.0 0.2

Apr. 2010 to 2011

11.9 37.3 4.6 9.2 33.9 6.8

Apr. 2011 to 2012

0.5 -1.7 1.3 0.7 -3.1 1.2

Footnotes
(r) Revised


Exports
 
All Exports: U.S. export prices increased 0.4 percent in April as agricultural and nonagricultural prices each 
contributed to the advance. The April rise in overall export prices followed a 1.5 percent increase in the first 
quarter of 2012. Export prices advanced 0.7 percent for the April 2011-12 period, the smallest year-over-
year increase since the index rose 0.4 percent between November 2008 and November 2009. The 12-month 
increase in April was led by higher nonagricultural prices which more than offset declining agricultural prices 
over the past year.   

Agricultural Exports: Agricultural prices rose 2.0 percent in April after rising 2.5 percent in March. The 
April advance was led by a 7.4 percent increase in soybean prices. Despite the increases in the past two 
months, agricultural prices fell 3.1 percent over the past 12 months. That decline was driven by falling 
cotton, corn, and wheat prices between April 2011 and April 2012.       

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: The price index for nonagricultural prices advanced 0.2 percent in 
April following a 0.5 percent rise the previous month. Rising prices for nonagricultural industrial supplies 
and materials, as well as automotive vehicles, more than offset lower consumer goods prices. Overall 
nonagricultural prices increased 1.2 percent for the year ended in April.  
		
		
                                        SELECTED APRIL HIGHLIGHTS

Import Prices

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonfuel industrial supplies and materials prices advanced 0.3 
percent in April after increasing 1.6 percent in March. In April, a 13.6 percent increase in agricultural 
products prices and a 1.5 percent advance in chemicals prices more than offset a 2.3 percent decline in 
unfinished metals prices. The price index for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials rose 1.5 percent over 
the past year. 

Finished Goods: Prices for imported finished goods were up overall in April, led by a 0.4 percent increase in 
automotive vehicles prices and a 0.1 percent advance in the price index for consumer goods. Capital goods 
prices were unchanged in April as a 0.3 percent increase in capital goods prices excluding computers was 
offset by a 0.5 percent drop in computers, peripherals, and semiconductors prices. 
 
Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Foods, feeds, and beverages prices ticked up 0.1 percent in April following a 
1.8 percent increase the previous month. In April, rising prices for vegetables, coffee, and food oils, up 4.7 
percent, 1.4 percent, and 1.3 percent, respectively, more than offset a 2.7 percent drop in meat prices and a 
4.1 percent decline in the price index for dairy products. 

Imports by Locality of Origin: The price index for imports from China fell 0.3 percent in April, the first 
monthly decrease since the index fell 0.2 percent in June 2010. Despite the monthly decline, import prices 
from China have risen 2.0 percent over the past year. Import prices from Canada, the European Union, 
Mexico, and Japan decreased 1.0 percent, 0.1 percent, 0.5 percent, and 0.4 percent, respectively, in April. 

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares rose 0.7 percent in April after falling 1.0 percent in 
March. Higher European, Latin American/Caribbean, and Asian fares all contributed to the April increase. 
The index for import air passenger fares advanced 10.3 percent for the year ended in April. Import air 
freight prices rose 2.3 percent in April and 1.5 percent over the past year. 


Export Prices
 
Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials 
prices increased 0.4 percent in April following a 1.2 percent advance in March. The April rise was driven by 
a 1.5 percent increase in fuel prices and a 0.6 percent rise in chemicals prices.
  
Finished Goods: Finished goods prices were mixed in April. Automotive vehicles prices rose 0.5 percent, 
led by a 0.5 percent advance in the price index for parts, engines, bodies and chassis. In contrast, consumer 
goods prices decreased 0.2 percent in April, while prices for capital goods were unchanged. 

Transportation Services: The index for export air passenger fares advanced 1.2 percent in April, driven by 
a 9.5 percent rise in European fares. Export air passenger fares rose 6.7 percent over the past year. Prices for 
export air freight increased 0.8 percent in April and 5.1 percent over the past 12 months. 
		
Import and Export Price Index data for May 2012 are scheduled for release on Tuesday, June 12, 
2012 at 8:30 a.m. (EDT).

Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: April 2011 to April 2012
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description End
Use
Relative
import-
ance
Mar.
2012(1)
Index Percent change
Mar.
2012
Apr.
2012
Annual Monthly
Apr.
2011
to
Apr.
2012
Dec.
2011
to
Jan.
2012
Jan.
2012
to
Feb.
2012
Feb.
2012
to
Mar.
2012
Mar.
2012
to
Apr.
2012

All commodities

  100.000 144.3 143.6 0.5 0.0 0.0 1.5 -0.5

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

  69.903 103.9 104.0 1.8 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.1

All imports excluding petroleum

  75.887 116.7 116.7 0.7 0.0 -0.1 0.3 0.0

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)

  74.956 121.2 121.3 1.3 0.2 0.0 0.5 0.1

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

5.053 174.3 174.4 -2.7 2.3 -2.8 1.8 0.1

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

3.917 196.2 196.4 -3.8 2.5 -3.4 2.1 0.1

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

1.136 124.6 124.8 1.5 1.4 -0.9 0.2 0.2

Industrial supplies & materials

1

38.208 272.1 268.7 -0.7 -0.5 0.3 3.4 -1.2

Industrial supplies & materials excluding petroleum

  14.095 167.7 167.1 -2.2 -1.3 0.3 0.9 -0.4

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

  13.164 193.0 193.6 1.5 -0.9 1.0 1.6 0.3

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  7.867 183.4 181.2 -1.4 -1.0 1.2 1.8 -1.2

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable excluding petroleum

  5.296 149.7 150.7 -3.1 -1.6 -0.8 -0.1 0.7

Fuels & lubricants

10

25.044 371.1 363.4 -1.7 -0.2 -0.1 4.4 -2.1

Petroleum & petroleum products

100

24.113 418.5 411.1 0.1 0.0 0.3 4.9 -1.8

Crude

10000

18.325 432.7 418.8 -0.9 -0.4 2.3 4.0 -3.2

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

101

0.634 88.2 77.6 -40.4 -5.6 -10.0 -9.7 -12.0

Gas-natural

10110

0.528 73.5 63.1 -45.3 -6.6 -10.9 -13.0 -14.1

Paper & paper base stocks

11

0.579 114.0 113.0 -4.9 -2.0 0.0 1.3 -0.9

Materials associated with nondurable supplies & materials

12

4.823 177.9 182.6 7.8 -0.2 0.6 1.2 2.6

Selected building materials

13

0.978 134.4 135.2 2.4 0.5 0.5 1.8 0.6

Unfinished metals related to durable goods

14

3.796 284.1 277.6 -6.0 -2.5 1.8 3.1 -2.3

Finished metals related to durable goods

15

1.520 163.9 164.0 3.2 -0.2 1.5 -0.2 0.1

Nonmetals related to durable goods

16

1.468 115.3 115.4 2.2 -0.4 0.0 0.5 0.1

Capital goods

2

21.835 93.6 93.6 1.1 0.4 -0.1 0.2 0.0

Electric generating equipment

20

2.832 119.5 119.7 2.7 0.4 0.2 0.3 0.2

Nonelectrical machinery

21

17.395 86.6 86.5 0.2 0.3 -0.1 0.0 -0.1

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

22

1.608 133.1 133.7 6.1 1.2 0.2 0.9 0.5

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

11.258 113.7 114.1 2.1 0.3 0.1 0.3 0.4

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

23.646 107.7 107.8 2.4 -0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1

Nondurables, manufactured

40

11.319 114.5 115.0 3.8 0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.4

Durables, manufactured

41

11.065 100.3 100.0 0.5 -0.3 0.1 0.2 -0.3

Nonmanufactured consumer goods

42

1.262 118.0 119.2 8.9 -0.6 1.0 -1.5 1.0

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2010 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: April 2011 to April 2012
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description End
Use
Relative
import-
ance
Mar.
2012(1)
Index Percent change
Mar.
2012
Apr.
2012
Annual Monthly
Apr.
2011
to
Apr.
2012
Dec.
2011
to
Jan.
2012
Jan.
2012
to
Feb.
2012
Feb.
2012
to
Mar.
2012
Mar.
2012
to
Apr.
2012

All commodities

  100.000 134.1 134.7 0.7 0.3 0.5 0.8 0.4

Agricultural commodities

  10.813 206.9 211.1 -3.1 1.1 -0.4 2.5 2.0

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

  81.128 103.5 103.5 0.8 0.1 0.6 0.4 0.0

Nonagricultural commodities

  89.189 129.0 129.2 1.2 0.2 0.6 0.5 0.2

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

9.880 206.0 210.7 1.2 1.3 -0.5 2.7 2.3

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

9.180 208.6 213.5 0.1 1.3 -0.6 3.0 2.3

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

0.700 186.1 190.1 18.3 1.1 0.5 -0.4 2.1

Industrial supplies & materials

1

34.925 188.3 189.0 -1.4 -0.4 1.3 1.1 0.4

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  12.492 191.2 189.8 0.9 -1.8 2.2 1.2 -0.7

Industrial supplies & materials, nondurable

  22.433 187.6 189.5 -2.5 0.4 0.8 1.1 1.0

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials

10

1.633 201.7 202.5 -17.7 0.0 0.6 -0.1 0.4

Nonagricultural industrial supplies & materials

  33.293 188.1 188.8 -0.3 -0.4 1.3 1.2 0.4

Fuels & lubricants

11

8.994 280.9 285.1 -0.7 1.1 0.1 2.5 1.5

Nonagricultural supplies & materials excluding fuels & building materials

12

23.367 176.4 176.3 -0.2 -1.0 1.7 0.8 -0.1

Selected building materials

13

0.932 117.2 117.8 0.9 0.2 1.0 0.2 0.5

Capital goods

2

34.359 105.9 105.9 1.6 0.8 0.3 0.2 0.0

Electrical generating equipment

20

3.496 113.0 113.0 1.3 -0.4 0.3 0.4 0.0

Nonelectrical machinery

21

24.941 95.3 95.3 1.4 1.0 0.0 0.1 0.0

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

22

5.922 148.7 149.2 3.2 0.8 1.0 0.3 0.3

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

8.145 112.5 113.1 2.9 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.5

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

12.692 116.8 116.6 2.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 -0.2

Nondurables, manufactured

40

5.891 115.0 115.1 1.3 0.6 0.1 0.3 0.1

Durables, manufactured

41

5.331 114.3 114.0 1.4 0.1 0.5 0.3 -0.3

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2010 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: April 2011 to April 2012
[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
Mar.
2012(1)
Index Percent change
Mar.
2012
Apr.
2012
Annual Monthly
Apr.
2011
to
Apr.
2012
Dec.
2011
to
Jan.
2012
Jan.
2012
to
Feb.
2012
Feb.
2012
to
Mar.
2012
Mar.
2012
to
Apr.
2012

Nonmanufactured articles

  21.512 181.8 176.5 -3.6 -0.6 1.1 3.6 -2.9

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

1.809 173.4 176.7 -10.3 1.1 -5.3 3.4 1.9

Crop production

111

1.277 179.0 183.9 -11.2 2.8 -7.9 4.1 2.7

Mining

21

19.703 182.2 176.1 -2.9 -0.7 1.7 3.7 -3.3

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

212

0.325 146.2 145.6 -5.1 0.3 -1.8 1.2 -0.4

Manufactured articles

  78.022 118.8 119.1 1.8 0.2 -0.3 0.8 0.3

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

10.648 125.3 126.1 5.1 0.8 0.2 0.2 0.6

Food manufacturing

311

3.000 161.5 164.6 7.0 1.6 -0.1 1.2 1.9

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

0.823 111.6 111.5 0.6 0.1 -0.2 -0.3 -0.1

Textile mills (Dec. 2011=100)

313

0.393 101.5 101.7 - 1.2 0.1 0.2 0.2

Textile product mills

314

0.847 115.5 116.5 0.8 -0.6 -0.1 -1.9 0.9

Apparel manufacturing

315

3.994 112.0 112.1 5.0 0.4 0.2 -0.1 0.1

Leather and allied product manufacturing

316

1.590 119.4 119.5 6.9 1.4 0.7 0.1 0.1

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

17.789 141.0 142.8 2.7 0.4 -1.9 2.5 1.3

Wood product manufacturing

321

0.587 112.2 113.3 1.9 0.7 0.7 3.0 1.0

Paper manufacturing

322

1.067 111.4 110.7 -1.3 -1.3 0.0 1.0 -0.6

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

4.842 182.0 187.2 2.7 2.0 -7.0 7.2 2.9

Chemical manufacturing

325

8.549 134.7 136.0 3.3 -0.6 0.1 0.8 1.0

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

1.843 127.0 127.3 4.3 1.1 -0.2 0.0 0.2

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

0.813 129.5 129.6 2.0 0.4 0.2 0.2 0.1

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

49.585 110.6 110.3 0.6 0.0 0.2 0.5 -0.3

Primary metal manufacturing

331

4.389 186.1 182.8 -3.7 -2.4 2.0 2.8 -1.8

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

2.492 129.8 129.4 4.2 0.1 0.4 0.0 -0.3

Machinery manufacturing

333

5.484 120.7 121.1 2.9 0.7 0.2 0.2 0.3

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

15.220 83.0 82.5 -1.9 0.2 -0.2 0.1 -0.6

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

3.761 118.7 118.9 3.3 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.2

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

11.919 111.0 111.3 2.5 0.4 0.1 0.5 0.3

Furniture and related product manufacturing

337

1.276 113.2 113.2 3.1 0.1 -0.2 0.4 0.0

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

5.044 122.2 122.3 2.1 -1.0 0.2 -0.1 0.1

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2010 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: April 2011 to April 2012
[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
Mar.
2012(1)
Index Percent change
Mar.
2012
Apr.
2012
Annual Monthly
Apr.
2011
to
Apr.
2012
Dec.
2011
to
Jan.
2012
Jan.
2012
to
Feb.
2012
Feb.
2012
to
Mar.
2012
Mar.
2012
to
Apr.
2012

Nonmanufactured articles

  8.240 165.5 168.1 -9.1 0.2 -1.3 0.8 1.6

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

6.187 195.1 201.5 -6.3 2.1 -0.4 2.8 3.3

Crop production

111

5.771 202.5 208.7 -7.1 2.5 -0.7 3.0 3.1

Mining

21

2.053 104.5 100.9 -16.7 -4.6 -3.8 -4.7 -3.4

Mining (except oil and gas)

212

1.487 132.0 126.6 -8.9 -2.3 0.7 -5.1 -4.1

Manufactured articles

  88.650 121.8 122.2 2.1 0.3 0.5 0.7 0.3

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

7.039 145.5 146.5 2.4 -0.6 0.6 1.3 0.7

Food manufacturing

311

4.895 166.1 167.7 5.3 -0.1 0.6 1.5 1.0

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

0.560 118.8 119.1 2.7 -0.7 1.4 2.6 0.3

Apparel manufacturing

315

0.415 119.8 119.8 8.4 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

26.801 136.7 138.3 2.1 0.7 1.0 1.5 1.2

Wood product manufacturing

321

0.400 114.1 115.3 -2.9 0.0 0.4 -0.4 1.1

Paper manufacturing

322

1.809 118.3 119.9 -5.7 -0.8 -0.1 -0.3 1.4

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

6.569 178.3 183.7 2.6 2.4 2.0 4.3 3.0

Chemical manufacturing

325

15.113 133.3 134.1 2.4 0.2 0.9 0.8 0.6

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

2.162 117.1 117.6 6.9 0.6 0.2 0.2 0.4

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

0.749 111.7 111.4 0.7 0.4 0.0 0.5 -0.3

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

54.810 113.7 113.6 2.1 0.3 0.3 0.4 -0.1

Primary metal manufacturing

331

4.981 179.6 176.4 0.7 -3.8 1.4 2.4 -1.8

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

2.591 129.0 129.3 1.4 0.4 -0.9 0.5 0.2

Machinery manufacturing

333

10.986 120.2 120.4 3.6 1.7 0.0 0.3 0.2

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

14.392 90.5 90.2 0.3 1.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.3

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

3.176 112.0 112.4 1.3 0.0 0.5 0.4 0.4

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

13.284 116.5 117.0 2.8 0.4 0.5 0.3 0.4

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

337

0.293 101.7 102.6 - 0.0 1.5 0.2 0.9

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

5.108 122.1 121.6 3.4 -0.9 -0.2 -0.1 -0.4

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2010 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: April 2011 to April 2012
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
Mar.
2012(1)
Index Percent change
Mar.
2012
Apr.
2012
Annual Monthly
Apr.
2011
to
Apr.
2012
Dec.
2011
to
Jan.
2012
Jan.
2012
to
Feb.
2012
Feb.
2012
to
Mar.
2012
Mar.
2012
to
Apr.
2012

Live animals; animal products

I

1.168 170.6 168.5 -1.1 2.0 -0.9 1.4 -1.2

Meat and edible meat offal

02

0.272 222.3 212.0 -2.4 2.6 -1.3 2.0 -4.6

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.608 123.0 122.5 -2.9 2.1 -1.5 0.7 -0.4

Vegetable products

II

1.653 214.7 227.6 -0.3 3.1 -5.8 4.4 6.0

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers

07

0.288 293.1 314.5 -24.4 19.4 -32.0 17.8 7.3

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.496 127.7 127.8 -1.5 2.9 1.9 7.2 0.1

Coffee, tea, mate and spices

09

0.412 273.7 276.5 -8.0 1.0 -2.3 -6.2 1.0

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

III

0.258 134.7 135.9 -11.4 1.2 -2.8 2.1 0.9

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and tobacco

IV

2.333 157.8 157.6 2.4 0.6 0.0 -0.2 -0.1

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec. 2009=100)

18

0.185 88.0 86.6 -13.3 0.6 1.8 1.3 -1.6

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

19

0.221 126.0 126.1 -0.2 0.4 0.0 0.2 0.1

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

20

0.347 175.5 174.9 11.9 1.4 -0.2 -0.5 -0.3

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar

22

0.779 122.0 121.9 0.9 0.2 -0.2 -0.5 -0.1

Mineral products

V

24.708 372.6 364.4 -1.7 -0.2 -0.1 4.4 -2.2

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

27

24.404 368.9 360.7 -1.7 -0.2 -0.1 4.4 -2.2

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

8.011 148.3 149.8 2.7 -0.7 -0.5 0.4 1.0

Inorganic chemicals

28

0.831 341.5 340.3 -9.4 -4.7 -3.3 -3.9 -0.4

Organic chemicals

29

2.418 140.4 141.2 3.8 0.4 0.1 1.9 0.6

Pharmaceutical products

30

2.919 115.5 117.6 4.7 -0.6 -0.5 0.3 1.8

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)

31

0.443 142.5 146.8 18.3 -3.7 1.2 1.0 3.0

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

32

0.176 103.5 107.9 - 3.1 -0.5 0.9 4.3

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec. 2001=100)

33

0.405 124.7 125.8 1.2 0.2 -0.9 0.8 0.9

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

0.468 103.9 103.9 -3.3 -1.2 0.0 0.5 0.0

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

3.040 152.8 153.2 1.8 -0.1 0.3 0.3 0.3

Plastics and articles thereof

39

1.841 143.7 144.3 3.4 0.2 -0.1 0.4 0.4

Rubber and articles thereof

40

1.199 170.2 170.3 -0.8 -0.4 0.8 0.1 0.1

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

VIII

0.577 126.8 127.1 6.4 1.9 1.0 0.0 0.2

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

42

0.530 127.6 127.9 6.8 2.0 1.0 0.0 0.2

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

IX

0.618 135.8 137.1 2.5 0.6 0.8 3.1 1.0

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

1.167 113.9 113.4 -1.5 -1.1 0.3 0.6 -0.4

Pulp wood, waste paper, and paperboard (Dec. 2011=100)

47

0.176 100.9 99.3 - -4.4 0.5 5.0 -1.6

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

48

0.782 108.9 108.6 0.6 -0.6 0.0 -0.1 -0.3

Textile and textile articles

XI

5.113 115.5 115.6 4.1 0.3 0.2 -0.4 0.1

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted

61

1.986 106.7 106.6 3.2 0.3 0.0 -0.1 -0.1

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted

62

1.878 117.9 118.0 8.1 0.6 0.3 0.1 0.1

Made-up or worn textile articles

63

0.618 108.9 109.3 -1.4 -0.7 0.0 -2.8 0.4

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.

XII

1.301 118.4 118.5 6.2 0.9 0.3 0.1 0.1

Footwear and parts of such articles

64

1.106 117.4 117.5 6.3 0.8 0.3 0.1 0.1

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

XIII

0.737 131.5 131.4 2.3 0.2 -0.1 0.3 -0.1

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

68

0.236 124.6 124.5 3.0 -0.1 0.2 0.2 -0.1

Ceramic products

69

0.222 142.1 142.1 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.6 0.0

Glass and glassware

70

0.279 126.4 126.2 2.9 0.6 -0.3 0.2 -0.2

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

XIV

3.362 211.3 207.2 8.0 -1.9 1.5 2.5 -1.9

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

4.862 193.1 192.4 -3.9 0.3 1.1 0.8 -0.4

Iron and steel

72

1.116 246.2 246.4 -5.4 0.2 -0.5 0.3 0.1

Articles of iron or steel

73

1.392 161.9 161.9 2.7 0.1 -0.2 0.4 0.0

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.471 375.8 369.3 -10.5 2.6 6.2 1.4 -1.7

Nickel and articles thereof (Dec. 2009=100)

75

0.149 118.0 110.5 -24.5 -1.6 6.0 6.1 -6.4

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.707 142.6 143.2 -7.1 -1.3 2.0 1.1 0.4

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

82

0.351 126.8 127.0 3.8 2.1 0.2 -0.2 0.2

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.393 132.7 132.7 2.4 0.5 0.5 -0.2 0.0

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

XVI

24.336 86.2 86.0 0.1 0.3 0.0 0.0 -0.2

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

12.219 89.9 89.9 1.4 0.8 0.0 0.2 0.0

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

85

12.117 82.7 82.2 -1.2 -0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.6

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

9.960 115.3 115.7 2.6 0.3 0.1 0.5 0.3

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

9.181 114.3 114.8 2.6 0.2 0.1 0.4 0.4

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

88

0.688 117.9 117.9 2.2 0.3 0.0 1.6 0.0

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

XVIII

3.140 104.3 104.4 -0.3 -1.9 0.2 0.2 0.1

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical instruments

90

2.893 101.8 101.9 -0.6 -2.1 0.3 0.1 0.1

Clocks and watches and parts thereof

91

0.188 128.2 128.2 1.8 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

3.602 112.2 112.2 2.8 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.0

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

94

1.921 115.9 115.9 3.2 -0.3 0.3 0.4 0.0

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

1.487 104.9 105.1 2.4 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

96

0.194 133.2 133.3 3.7 -0.1 0.4 0.0 0.1

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2010 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: April 2011 to April 2012
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
Mar.
2012(1)
Index Percent change
Mar.
2012
Apr.
2012
Annual Monthly
Apr.
2011
to
Apr.
2012
Dec.
2011
to
Jan.
2012
Jan.
2012
to
Feb.
2012
Feb.
2012
to
Mar.
2012
Mar.
2012
to
Apr.
2012

Live animals; animal products

I

1.887 203.1 203.6 2.9 -0.9 -0.5 -0.9 0.2

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

02

1.105 169.0 167.1 4.4 -0.8 0.3 -0.2 -1.1

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.394 199.3 203.9 17.3 0.9 0.2 -1.9 2.3

Vegetable products

II

5.692 243.4 251.1 -1.0 1.7 -0.8 3.9 3.2

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.832 134.3 138.3 5.3 -4.7 -2.5 4.2 3.0

Cereals

10

2.181 285.0 286.7 -8.6 3.2 -0.1 2.0 0.6

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

12

2.100 261.9 277.8 4.7 5.2 0.5 7.1 6.1

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

III

0.481 151.7 154.7 -2.8 1.1 -1.3 4.3 2.0

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and tobacco

IV

2.650 154.2 156.4 5.0 0.1 1.0 2.5 1.4

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

20

0.319 110.3 110.6 3.5 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3

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

22

0.398 109.5 109.8 4.4 1.0 0.4 2.7 0.3

Residues and waste from the food industries; prepared animal feed

23

0.752 217.7 226.3 1.8 -1.4 2.2 5.0 4.0

Mineral products

V

8.975 331.3 337.5 -1.0 0.8 0.5 2.6 1.9

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

27

8.339 327.5 334.0 -0.7 1.0 0.2 2.7 2.0

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

12.216 155.5 155.6 2.0 -0.3 0.4 0.3 0.1

Inorganic chemicals

28

0.993 184.4 184.6 -6.3 -6.4 0.2 -0.6 0.1

Organic chemicals

29

3.484 170.5 170.9 2.3 0.1 1.6 0.5 0.2

Pharmaceutical products

30

3.151 125.1 125.0 0.3 0.6 0.0 0.5 -0.1

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery cosmetic or toilet preparations

33

0.754 135.6 135.9 6.3 0.9 0.3 0.4 0.2

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

34

0.463 122.9 123.0 -0.4 -0.5 -0.9 -0.1 0.1

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

1.757 153.3 152.9 4.1 1.3 0.0 0.6 -0.3

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

5.518 151.2 153.3 3.2 0.3 1.4 0.9 1.4

Plastics and articles thereof

39

4.411 141.3 142.5 1.3 0.7 1.4 0.3 0.8

Rubber and articles thereof

40

1.107 198.4 205.9 11.7 -1.2 1.4 3.6 3.8

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

VIII

0.368 130.7 133.5 -2.4 2.2 2.2 3.6 2.1

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

IX

0.527 107.3 110.0 -0.2 -1.8 1.4 -0.3 2.5

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

2.306 118.1 119.2 -7.0 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.9

Woodpulp and recovered paper

47

0.642 126.9 127.9 -18.1 0.7 2.3 1.3 0.8

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

48

1.218 116.9 118.1 -1.9 0.1 -0.4 0.0 1.0

Printed material

49

0.446 119.5 120.6 2.1 0.3 -0.1 0.0 0.9

Textile and textile articles

XI

1.973 131.2 131.0 -16.7 0.2 0.2 -1.4 -0.2

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics thereof

52

0.634 159.1 157.1 -40.4 -1.5 -0.2 -4.7 -1.3

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

XIII

0.738 117.7 117.7 1.6 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.0

Glass and glassware

70

0.399 98.8 98.4 -0.9 -0.1 -0.1 0.2 -0.4

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

XIV

5.462 292.2 284.5 10.3 -4.2 1.8 1.7 -2.6

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

5.652 179.4 178.8 -4.8 1.1 1.8 0.3 -0.3

Iron and steel

72

1.775 225.6 223.9 -8.7 3.5 3.4 -0.8 -0.8

Articles of iron or steel

73

1.352 172.6 172.6 1.0 0.2 -0.8 0.8 0.0

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.692 266.8 265.7 -6.9 -0.4 5.4 2.0 -0.4

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.840 128.9 128.8 -6.7 0.5 1.7 0.2 -0.1

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

82

0.375 129.2 129.2 3.0 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.319 138.0 138.0 2.3 -0.1 0.4 1.0 0.0

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

XVI

27.494 97.3 97.2 1.4 0.8 0.0 0.2 -0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

15.948 110.5 110.6 2.4 1.3 0.3 0.2 0.1

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts and accessories thereof

85

11.546 82.9 82.7 0.0 0.1 -0.2 0.0 -0.2

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

10.859 126.3 126.8 2.9 0.9 0.2 0.2 0.4

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

7.188 112.8 113.2 3.4 1.0 0.3 0.2 0.4

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

XVIII

5.734 105.5 105.7 0.0 -0.8 0.6 0.2 0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

1.322 109.0 110.9 1.7 0.2 0.4 0.0 1.7

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;

94

0.689 119.5 119.9 1.3 -0.3 0.5 0.1 0.3

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

0.516 91.2 91.2 -1.3 0.9 0.3 0.1 0.0

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2010 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: April 2011 to April 2012
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Percent
of
U.S.
imports(1)
Index Percent change
Mar.
2012
Apr.
2012
Annual Monthly
Apr.
2011
to
Apr.
2012
Dec.
2011
to
Jan.
2012
Jan.
2012
to
Feb.
2012
Feb.
2012
to
Mar.
2012
Mar.
2012
to
Apr.
2012

Industrialized Countries(2)

38.296 133.0 132.3 -1.1 -0.5 -0.2 0.6 -0.5

Nonmanufactured articles

4.447 231.0 222.1 -14.7 -1.5 -1.8 -3.1 -3.9

Manufactured articles

33.487 124.9 124.8 1.2 -0.3 -0.1 1.2 -0.1

Other Countries(3)

61.704 145.2 144.4 1.0 0.1 0.6 1.5 -0.6

Nonmanufactured articles

12.907 387.1 376.2 -1.1 -0.3 2.0 4.5 -2.8

Manufactured articles

48.593 112.7 113.0 2.0 0.3 0.2 0.4 0.3

Canada

14.414 154.2 152.7 -5.6 -0.6 0.1 -0.3 -1.0

Nonmanufactured articles

4.027 219.3 210.5 -16.3 -1.7 -2.4 -3.3 -4.0

Manufactured articles

10.122 140.6 141.1 -0.4 -0.1 1.2 1.0 0.4

European Union(4)

15.813 136.2 136.1 1.6 -0.9 -0.1 0.9 -0.1

Nonmanufactured articles

0.262 393.0 382.6 9.1 2.1 5.6 0.2 -2.6

Manufactured articles

15.467 132.4 132.4 1.5 -0.9 -0.2 0.9 0.0

France (Dec. 2003=100)

1.736 121.5 121.8 2.5 0.0 -0.2 0.4 0.2

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)

4.265 115.1 115.0 -0.3 -0.9 0.1 0.8 -0.1

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)

2.397 136.0 135.3 1.0 0.9 0.9 0.9 -0.5

Latin America(5)

19.049 186.0 184.2 -0.9 0.7 0.4 1.4 -1.0

Nonmanufactured articles

5.633 416.0 405.8 -1.8 0.5 0.1 3.5 -2.5

Manufactured articles

13.328 136.3 136.3 -0.3 0.7 0.4 0.3 0.0

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)

12.091 149.8 149.1 -3.1 1.0 -0.2 0.5 -0.5

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100)

2.017 220.3 215.7 -5.3 3.5 -1.8 2.8 -2.1

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100)

10.028 96.4 96.3 -2.2 0.3 0.2 0.0 -0.1

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

34.659 104.9 104.7 0.7 0.2 0.0 0.0 -0.2

China (Dec. 2003=100)

19.583 105.5 105.2 2.0 0.3 0.1 0.0 -0.3

Japan

6.349 102.4 102.0 0.6 0.2 0.2 -0.1 -0.4

Asian NICs(7)

5.471 90.6 90.8 -1.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)(8)

5.652 106.0 106.3 2.0 0.2 0.6 0.3 0.3

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

3.948 288.5 284.1 3.2 0.1 2.1 3.4 -1.5

Footnotes
(1) Percentage of trade figures are based on 2010 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: April 2011 to April 2012
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Relative
import-
ance
Mar.
2012(1)
Index Percent change
Mar.
2012
Apr.
2012
Annual Monthly
Apr.
2011
to
Apr.
2012
Dec.
2011
to
Jan.
2012
Jan.
2012
to
Feb.
2012
Feb.
2012
to
Mar.
2012
Mar.
2012
to
Apr.
2012

Air Freight

Import Air Freight

100.000 173.4 177.4 1.5 -3.3 -1.2 2.5 2.3

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

24.958 166.6 166.7 4.5 -2.3 -1.6 3.0 0.1

Asia

70.463 152.1 157.1 0.3 -3.8 -1.2 2.4 3.3

Export Air Freight

100.000 149.0 150.2 5.1 1.6 0.3 1.4 0.8

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)

36.077 134.2 135.7 5.1 1.5 0.5 1.5 1.1

Inbound Air Freight

100.000 158.4 161.4 1.4 -2.1 -1.1 1.9 1.9

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

25.410 149.6 151.1 3.3 -1.6 -1.0 2.7 1.0

Asia

63.018 141.2 144.7 1.5 -2.6 -1.6 1.9 2.5

Outbound Air Freight

100.000 146.5 150.2 7.6 -0.3 0.4 1.2 2.5

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

31.014 165.3 166.8 5.4 -0.4 0.7 1.2 0.9

Asia

49.039 137.4 143.5 9.7 -0.1 0.2 1.6 4.4

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares

100.000 178.7 180.0 10.3 0.2 0.3 -1.0 0.7

Europe

38.049 180.7 187.5 9.8 4.8 0.2 -2.4 3.8

Asia

25.938 147.5 148.7 9.3 -4.1 1.3 -6.6 0.8

Latin America/Caribbean

12.457 178.2 181.9 5.9 -4.4 -0.6 0.3 2.1

Export Air Passenger Fares

100.000 185.1 187.3 6.7 2.3 -4.5 -0.8 1.2

Europe

26.381 209.0 228.9 15.0 0.8 5.1 -4.7 9.5

Asia

28.156 166.9 167.9 7.6 6.2 -14.7 3.0 0.6

Latin America/Caribbean

26.352 236.3 224.7 17.8 3.7 12.3 -0.9 -4.9

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2010 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).  Flat Files and the FTP server are available for users requiring access 
to either a large volume of time series data or other related documentation. The FTP site can be accessed 
at ftp://ftp.bls.gov.   For technical assistance in using the BLS Internet site, send e-mail to 
(labstat.helpdesk@bls.gov).  For Import/Export Price Index data requests, send e-mail to 
(mxpinfo@bls.gov). 

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

Last Modified Date: May 10, 2012