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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-16-1195
8:30 a.m. (EDT) Tuesday, June 14, 2016

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 - MAY 2016

Prices for U.S. imports increased 1.4 percent in May, following advances of 0.7 percent in April and 0.4 
percent in March, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. The May rise was primarily driven by 
higher fuel prices, although nonfuel prices also increased. U.S. export prices advanced 1.1 percent in May, 
after rising 0.5 percent the previous month.  

Imports

All Imports: Import prices rose for the third consecutive month in May, rising 1.4 percent, after recording 
0.7-percent and 0.4-percent increases in April and March. The May advance was the largest monthly rise 
since the index increased 1.4 percent in March 2012. The last 1-month gain larger than 1.4 percent was a 
2.6-percent advance in April 2011. Despite the recent increases, import prices declined 5.0 percent over the 
past 12 months, driven by decreases over the second half of 2015 and the first 2 months of 2016. 

Fuel Imports: The price index for import fuel increased 16.2 percent in May, following a 9.4-percent 
advance in April and an 8.4-percent rise in March. The May increase was the largest monthly jump in fuel 
prices since the index rose 17.3 percent in April 1999 and the second largest 1-month advance since the 
index was first published monthly in October 1992. A 17.4-percent increase in petroleum prices led the May 
rise in fuel prices, although natural gas prices also rose, up 2.5 percent for the month. Prices for imported 
fuel continued to decrease on a 12-month basis, falling 28.8 percent between May 2015 and May 2016. 
Petroleum prices declined 29.1 percent for the year ended in May, and natural gas prices decreased 38.4 
percent over the same period.              

All Imports Excluding Fuel: Nonfuel prices advanced 0.3 percent in May, after ticking up 0.1 percent in 
April. The May increase was the largest 1-month rise since the index advanced 0.3 percent in March 2014. 
The last time the index rose by more than 0.3 percent was a 0.4-percent increase in March 2012. Higher 
prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials; automotive vehicles; consumer goods; and foods, feeds, 
and beverages all contributed to the May rise in nonfuel prices. The price index for nonfuel imports declined 
1.7 percent over the past year.           

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

2015

May

1.1 10.8 0.0 0.5 -1.3 0.6

June

0.1 1.5 -0.2 -0.3 -1.6 -0.1

July

-0.9 -6.1 -0.3 -0.4 1.0 -0.6

August

-1.8 -12.7 -0.3 -1.4 -2.5 -1.3

September

-1.1 -8.4 -0.3 -0.6 -1.4 -0.5

October

-0.3 -0.4 -0.3 -0.2 0.1 -0.3

November

-0.6 -4.0 -0.3 -0.7 -0.9 -0.7

December

-1.2 -10.0 -0.3 -1.1 -0.9 -1.1

2016

January

-1.3 -15.6 -0.1 -0.9 -1.3 -0.9

February

-0.5 (r)-6.8 -0.1 -0.4 (r)0.7 -0.6

March

(r)0.4 (r)8.4 -0.1 (r)-0.1 (r)-2.2 (r)0.2

April

(r)0.7 (r)9.4 0.1 0.5 (r)0.8 (r)0.4

May

1.4 16.2 0.3 1.1 2.9 1.0

May 2014 to 2015

-9.7 -40.1 -2.2 -6.0 -17.0 -4.7

May 2015 to 2016

-5.0 -28.8 -1.7 -4.5 -5.4 -4.4

Footnotes
(r) Revised

Exports

All Exports: U.S. export prices rose 1.1 percent in May, following a 0.5-percent advance the previous 
month. Higher agricultural prices and nonagricultural prices both contributed to the May and April 
increases. The May advance in export prices was the largest monthly rise since the index increased 1.5 
percent in March 2011. Overall export prices continued to decrease on a 12-month basis, although the 4.5- 
percent drop between May 2015 and May 2016 was the smallest over-the-year decrease since the index fell 
3.0 percent for the year ended in December 2014.                       

Agricultural Exports: Agricultural prices advanced 2.9 percent in May, the largest 1-month rise since the 
index increased 4.8 percent in August 2012. The May increase in agricultural prices was driven by an 11.2-
percent advance in soybean prices and a 6.7-percent rise in corn prices. Higher prices for meat and nuts also 
contributed to the May advance. Prices for agricultural exports fell 5.4 percent over the past 12 months. 
Lower prices for nuts, meat, and wheat were the primary contributors to the decline.     

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: Nonagricultural export prices increased 1.0 percent in May, after a 
0.4-percent advance the previous month. In May, the increase was driven by rising prices for nonagricultural 
industrial supplies and materials, capital goods, and consumer goods which more than offset falling 
automotive vehicles prices. The price index for nonagricultural exports decreased 4.4 percent for the year 
ended in May.   

					    SELECTED MAY HIGHLIGHTS

Import Prices

Imports by Locality of Origin: Prices for imports from Canada, the European Union, and Mexico all rose 
in May, largely resulting from higher petroleum prices. Import prices from Canada advanced 4.2 percent in 
May, after increasing 3.7 percent in April and 1.6 percent in March. The price index for imports from the 
European Union rose 0.6 percent in May and 0.2 percent in April. Prices for imports from Mexico advanced 
0.9 percent in May, following 0.3-percent and 0.2-percent rises the previous 2 months. Import prices from 
Japan also rose in May, ticking up 0.1 percent for the second consecutive month. The price index for 
imports from China recorded no change in May, after declining 0.2 percent in each of the 3 previous 
months. Prices for imports from China have not recorded a monthly advance since the index rose 0.1 
percent in December 2014.                        

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonfuel industrial supplies and materials prices increased 1.7 
percent in May, following a 0.4-percent advance in April. The May rise was led by a 5.5-percent increase in 
unfinished metals prices that was in turn driven by higher prices for iron and steel mill products, 
steelmaking materials, gold, and other precious metals.         
 
Finished Goods: Finished goods prices were mostly up in May. Automotive vehicle prices rose 0.2 percent, 
driven by higher prices for non-engine parts. Consumer goods prices also advanced in May, ticking up 0.1 
percent. The price index for capital goods recorded no change in May.                      

Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Prices for foods, feeds, and beverages increased 0.3 percent in May, after 
rising 1.4 percent the previous month. In May, higher meat prices more than offset falling prices for 
vegetables and fruit.              

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares increased 1.5 percent in May, following a 3.5-percent 
advance the previous month. The May rise was driven by a 3.0-percent increase in Asian fares. Despite the 
recent increases, import air passenger fares fell 0.5 percent over the past year. The price index for import air 
freight declined 0.9 percent in May, after rising 0.9 percent in April. Import air freight prices declined 11.9 
percent over the past 12 months.       


Export Prices

Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials 
prices advanced 3.0 percent in May, following a 1.2-percent increase the previous month. Both increases 
were led by higher fuel prices.        

Finished Goods: Finished goods prices were mixed in May. Capital goods prices ticked up 0.1 percent, 
following a 0.2-percent increase in April. Prices for consumer goods also rose, advancing 0.2 percent in 
May. In contrast, automotive vehicles prices edged down 0.1 percent in May.                  

Transportation Services: Export air passenger prices declined 1.0 percent in May, following a 6.0-percent 
decrease in April. The decreases for both months were driven by lower European fares, which fell 3.4 
percent in May and 11.4 percent in April. Export air passenger fares declined 10.6 percent for the year 
ended in May. Export air freight prices recorded no change in May and fell 2.4 percent over the past year. 
		
Import and Export Price Index data for June 2016 are scheduled for release on Wednesday, July 13, 2016 at 
8:30 a.m. (EDT).    



Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: May 2015 to May 2016 [2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description End
Use
Relative
import-
ance
Apr.
2016(1)
Index Percent change
Apr.
2016
May
2016
Annual Monthly
May
2015
to
May
2016
Jan.
2016
to
Feb.
2016
Feb.
2016
to
Mar.
2016
Mar.
2016
to
Apr.
2016
Apr.
2016
to
May
2016

All commodities

  100.000 118.5 120.2 -5.0 -0.5 0.4 0.7 1.4

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

  86.775 98.0 98.4 -1.7 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.4

All imports excluding petroleum

  93.494 110.4 110.8 -1.9 -0.2 -0.1 0.0 0.4

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)

  92.982 114.7 115.1 -1.7 -0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.3

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

6.207 172.7 173.2 -1.9 -1.6 -0.4 1.4 0.3

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

4.790 188.6 188.4 -3.9 -2.0 -0.8 1.3 -0.1

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

1.417 137.0 139.1 4.9 -0.3 1.0 1.5 1.5

Industrial supplies & materials

1

20.477 144.6 154.2 -16.6 -2.3 3.0 3.4 6.6

Industrial supplies & materials excluding petroleum

  13.971 137.1 139.3 -6.4 -0.3 0.0 0.2 1.6

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

  13.459 157.2 159.8 -5.4 -0.1 0.6 0.4 1.7

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  8.133 145.6 149.2 -4.4 0.4 1.4 0.8 2.5

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable excluding petroleum

  5.327 126.4 126.9 -9.1 -1.1 -1.8 -0.7 0.4

Fuels & lubricants

10

7.017 126.6 147.1 -28.8 -6.8 8.4 9.4 16.2

Petroleum & petroleum products

100

6.505 136.6 160.4 -29.1 -7.2 10.7 11.0 17.4

Crude

10000

4.732 139.2 167.0 -27.4 -7.1 14.7 12.4 20.0

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

101

0.327 63.7 64.9 -32.3 -5.3 -15.7 -8.6 1.9

Gas-natural

10110

0.235 47.2 48.4 -38.4 -6.6 -20.0 -11.8 2.5

Paper & paper base stocks

11

0.585 107.0 106.6 -4.0 -0.2 -0.1 -0.5 -0.4

Materials associated with nondurable supplies & materials

12

4.809 148.5 149.2 -7.3 -0.9 -0.6 0.0 0.5

Selected building materials

13

1.314 136.1 137.6 1.5 -0.6 0.7 1.3 1.1

Unfinished metals related to durable goods

14

3.293 183.2 193.3 -8.0 0.5 3.2 1.7 5.5

Finished metals related to durable goods

15

1.710 144.7 145.0 -5.4 0.0 0.3 -0.2 0.2

Nonmetals related to durable goods

16

1.748 108.6 108.8 -1.1 1.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.2

Capital goods

2

29.089 89.3 89.3 -1.9 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

Electric generating equipment

20

3.520 115.9 116.0 -1.9 -0.3 -0.1 -0.4 0.1

Nonelectrical machinery

21

22.802 81.8 81.8 -2.0 0.0 -0.2 0.0 0.0

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

22

2.768 137.4 137.4 0.4 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

16.385 110.3 110.5 -0.6 -0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

27.842 107.0 107.1 -0.3 0.3 -0.4 -0.2 0.1

Nondurables, manufactured

40

13.300 119.8 120.0 0.8 0.8 -0.5 -0.1 0.2

Durables, manufactured

41

13.028 94.3 94.4 -1.4 -0.2 -0.2 -0.3 0.1

Nonmanufactured consumer goods

42

1.514 118.5 119.6 1.1 0.3 -1.1 -0.3 0.9

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2014 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.
Dash = Not available


Table 2. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: May 2015 to May 2016 [2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description End
Use
Relative
import-
ance
Apr.
2016(1)
Index Percent change
Apr.
2016
May
2016
Annual Monthly
May
2015
to
May
2016
Jan.
2016
to
Feb.
2016
Feb.
2016
to
Mar.
2016
Mar.
2016
to
Apr.
2016
Apr.
2016
to
May
2016

All commodities

  100.000 118.7 120.0 -4.5 -0.4 -0.1 0.5 1.1

Agricultural commodities

  9.017 172.2 177.2 -5.4 0.7 -2.2 0.8 2.9

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

  85.748 98.2 98.5 -2.1 -0.1 0.2 0.2 0.3

Nonagricultural commodities

  90.982 114.6 115.7 -4.4 -0.6 0.2 0.4 1.0

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

8.452 174.0 179.1 -5.2 0.9 -2.2 0.9 2.9

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

7.769 173.9 179.5 -5.0 0.8 -2.3 0.9 3.2

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

0.683 184.0 182.1 -7.9 2.2 -0.7 0.6 -1.0

Industrial supplies & materials

1

27.899 134.0 137.9 -11.8 -2.0 0.6 1.1 2.9

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  10.635 150.8 153.7 -4.0 0.1 1.9 0.5 1.9

Industrial supplies & materials, nondurable

  17.263 125.9 130.3 -16.0 -3.3 -0.2 1.5 3.5

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials

10

1.248 167.4 168.0 -8.4 0.0 -1.2 -0.1 0.4

Nonagricultural industrial supplies & materials

  26.651 132.9 136.9 -12.0 -2.1 0.7 1.2 3.0

Fuels & lubricants

11

5.799 121.5 134.0 -28.3 -7.3 -0.1 3.8 10.3

Nonagricultural supplies & materials excluding fuels & building materials

12

19.811 147.2 148.7 -5.9 -0.5 1.0 0.5 1.0

Selected building materials

13

1.041 114.3 114.5 -2.8 -0.8 -0.4 0.8 0.2

Capital goods

2

39.685 107.2 107.3 -0.2 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1

Electrical generating equipment

20

4.043 112.7 112.5 -1.7 0.1 0.2 0.3 -0.2

Nonelectrical machinery

21

26.806 94.5 94.5 -0.6 -0.1 0.1 0.2 0.0

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

22

8.836 163.9 164.1 1.8 0.8 0.1 0.2 0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

10.883 113.1 113.0 -0.9 -0.2 -0.2 0.0 -0.1

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

13.080 110.3 110.5 -1.9 -0.2 0.0 -0.1 0.2

Nondurables, manufactured

40

5.917 105.7 106.1 -2.2 -0.4 0.1 0.3 0.4

Durables, manufactured

41

5.506 108.4 108.4 -1.9 0.0 -0.2 -0.4 0.0

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2014 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.
Dash = Not available


Table 3. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: May 2015 to May 2016 [December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
Apr.
2016(1)
Index Percent change
Apr.
2016
May
2016
Annual Monthly
May
2015
to
May
2016
Jan.
2016
to
Feb.
2016
Feb.
2016
to
Mar.
2016
Mar.
2016
to
Apr.
2016
Apr.
2016
to
May
2016

Nonmanufactured articles

  7.246 73.6 83.1 -23.5 -6.2 7.2 7.6 12.9

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

1.979 168.3 166.7 -6.3 -5.2 -2.1 1.0 -1.0

Crop production

111

1.581 178.5 177.2 -6.0 -6.3 -2.7 0.7 -0.7

Animal production (Dec. 2014=100)

112

0.224 84.4 80.8 -11.9 1.0 1.7 1.1 -4.3

Mining

21

5.267 61.9 73.1 -27.3 -6.7 11.3 10.5 18.1

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

212

0.245 95.7 95.0 -7.6 0.1 -0.1 2.8 -0.7

Manufactured articles

  92.440 108.3 108.9 -2.8 -0.1 -0.1 0.2 0.6

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

12.367 123.3 123.9 -0.5 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.5

Food manufacturing

311

3.501 150.5 153.0 -0.1 0.3 0.1 1.6 1.7

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

1.116 118.7 118.9 1.2 0.1 0.5 0.0 0.2

Textile mills (Dec. 2011=100)

313

0.412 98.6 98.6 -2.6 -0.3 -0.4 -0.1 0.0

Textile product mills

314

0.916 109.3 109.1 -3.0 -0.4 -0.2 -0.2 -0.2

Apparel manufacturing

315

4.458 111.5 111.5 -0.6 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Leather and allied product manufacturing

316

1.963 123.6 123.6 -0.5 -0.2 0.0 -0.1 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

16.690 113.0 114.6 -7.7 -0.3 -0.5 0.6 1.4

Wood product manufacturing

321

0.792 113.8 115.4 2.4 -0.4 1.0 2.0 1.4

Paper manufacturing

322

1.094 105.3 105.1 -3.7 0.0 0.3 -0.4 -0.2

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

1.654 61.0 67.8 -34.8 -7.3 1.1 7.6 11.1

Chemical manufacturing

325

9.584 130.2 130.6 -2.8 0.6 -1.1 -0.2 0.3

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

2.308 116.8 117.1 -2.2 0.3 -0.3 -0.3 0.3

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

1.055 129.9 130.3 0.0 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.3

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

63.384 103.2 103.6 -1.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4

Primary metal manufacturing

331

4.051 122.8 128.4 -8.4 0.2 2.8 1.2 4.6

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

3.172 122.6 122.4 -3.0 -0.2 -0.2 -0.1 -0.2

Machinery manufacturing

333

7.859 116.6 116.8 -1.8 -0.2 -0.3 0.0 0.2

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

18.424 76.8 76.8 -1.7 0.0 -0.3 -0.1 0.0

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

4.927 114.8 115.2 -2.0 -0.4 -0.2 -0.9 0.3

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

17.627 109.6 109.8 -0.5 -0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2

Furniture and related product manufacturing

337

1.695 115.1 115.2 -0.7 -0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

5.628 119.6 119.9 -0.2 0.5 0.2 -0.3 0.3

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2014 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.
Dash = Not available


Table 4. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: May 2015 to May 2016 [December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
Apr.
2016(1)
Index Percent change
Apr.
2016
May
2016
Annual Monthly
May
2015
to
May
2016
Jan.
2016
to
Feb.
2016
Feb.
2016
to
Mar.
2016
Mar.
2016
to
Apr.
2016
Apr.
2016
to
May
2016

Nonmanufactured articles

  6.636 115.2 119.1 -11.4 -1.7 -5.5 2.7 3.4

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

4.561 149.0 154.6 -6.7 1.3 -4.5 1.1 3.8

Crop production

111

4.192 154.6 161.9 -5.4 1.1 -4.1 1.1 4.7

Mining

21

2.075 58.2 59.7 -20.3 -7.8 -7.6 6.2 2.6

Mining (except oil and gas)

212

1.121 75.9 78.8 -13.0 -2.2 2.2 0.5 3.8

Manufactured articles

  92.058 109.9 110.8 -3.9 -0.4 0.2 0.3 0.8

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

6.761 132.7 134.3 -4.9 0.2 -0.1 0.2 1.2

Food manufacturing

311

4.514 148.3 150.5 -5.6 0.0 0.0 0.3 1.5

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

0.624 107.0 108.2 -6.1 1.2 0.6 0.1 1.1

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

22.517 101.0 103.4 -11.4 -1.8 0.2 0.9 2.4

Paper manufacturing

322

1.771 121.7 121.9 -1.5 0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.2

Printing and related support activities (Dec. 2015=100)

323

0.273 100.0 100.0 - 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

3.661 68.7 77.6 -31.1 -7.1 1.9 4.4 13.0

Chemical manufacturing

325

12.998 112.6 113.0 -6.9 -0.9 -0.2 0.4 0.4

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

2.416 114.9 115.0 -3.0 -0.1 0.0 -0.3 0.1

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

0.876 112.2 112.7 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.4

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

62.780 111.2 111.4 -0.8 0.0 0.3 0.1 0.2

Primary metal manufacturing

331

4.231 131.4 134.6 -4.1 -0.4 4.4 -0.2 2.4

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

3.325 129.3 129.9 0.5 -0.1 -0.2 -0.4 0.5

Machinery manufacturing

333

11.836 126.4 126.4 0.9 0.0 0.2 0.6 0.0

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

14.717 83.8 83.9 -2.2 -0.2 -0.1 -0.2 0.1

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

3.904 112.6 112.6 -2.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.0

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

18.613 122.0 122.0 0.4 0.2 -0.1 0.2 0.0

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

337

0.409 113.5 113.7 3.6 2.3 -0.1 0.4 0.2

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

5.746 121.0 121.0 -1.5 -0.1 -0.2 -0.5 0.0

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2014 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.
Dash = Not available


Table 5. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: May 2015 to May 2016 [2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
Apr.
2016(1)
Index Percent change
Apr.
2016
May
2016
Annual Monthly
May
2015
to
May
2016
Jan.
2016
to
Feb.
2016
Feb.
2016
to
Mar.
2016
Mar.
2016
to
Apr.
2016
Apr.
2016
to
May
2016

Live animals; animal products

I

1.487 187.2 190.8 2.3 1.1 0.1 2.6 1.9

Meat and edible meat offal

02

0.379 228.7 242.5 1.2 4.5 -3.1 4.6 6.0

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.781 138.6 141.2 9.0 -0.5 1.9 3.0 1.9

Vegetable products

II

1.993 194.2 192.7 -5.3 -6.2 -3.4 1.0 -0.8

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers

07

0.499 445.1 411.0 -11.8 -24.0 -5.2 4.8 -7.7

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.573 92.5 90.7 -7.9 3.9 -2.8 -1.7 -1.9

Coffee, tea, mate and spices

09

0.365 226.5 228.1 -5.3 0.3 -0.5 0.8 0.7

Oilseeds & misc grains, seeds, plants, straw & fodder (Dec. 2015=100)

12

0.171 103.4 107.0 - -0.8 -0.7 1.9 3.5

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

III

0.291 109.1 106.7 1.2 1.9 2.9 6.3 -2.2

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and tobacco

IV

2.816 159.7 160.4 -0.3 -0.1 0.7 0.3 0.4

Sugars and sugar confectionary (Dec. 2012=100)

17

0.194 86.0 85.7 -5.7 0.2 1.3 -0.1 -0.3

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec. 2009=100)

18

0.244 111.6 114.7 3.7 -2.7 4.2 0.8 2.8

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

19

0.291 133.1 133.2 0.9 -0.2 0.2 0.5 0.1

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

20

0.331 155.7 155.0 -2.0 -0.4 0.9 0.3 -0.4

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar

22

1.052 128.6 128.7 1.0 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1

Mineral products

V

7.073 126.6 147.0 -29.1 -6.7 8.5 9.3 16.1

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

27

6.809 123.5 144.2 -29.5 -6.9 8.9 9.7 16.8

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

9.012 146.6 147.0 -1.2 0.7 -1.1 -0.1 0.3

Inorganic chemicals

28

0.574 262.8 262.4 -13.1 -1.2 -1.0 -1.1 -0.2

Organic chemicals

29

2.415 120.1 120.4 -3.1 -0.6 -2.4 0.4 0.2

Pharmaceutical products

30

3.922 142.0 142.8 4.5 2.4 0.1 -0.1 0.6

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)

31

0.287 76.6 76.1 -33.0 0.2 -7.7 -0.5 -0.7

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

32

0.191 97.3 97.6 -0.7 0.6 1.0 0.1 0.3

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

0.678 101.3 101.3 12.6 0.2 0.0 -1.3 0.0

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

3.548 136.1 136.4 -4.1 -0.1 -0.3 0.2 0.2

Plastics and articles thereof

39

2.279 139.7 139.9 -4.6 -0.5 0.0 0.0 0.1

Rubber and articles thereof

40

1.269 131.1 131.7 -3.1 0.5 -0.8 0.6 0.5

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

VIII

0.725 124.6 124.6 -2.7 -0.8 -0.4 -0.2 0.0

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

42

0.690 129.2 129.2 -1.1 -0.2 -0.2 -0.2 0.0

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

IX

0.828 138.5 140.4 2.4 -0.4 0.9 1.8 1.4

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

44

0.788 95.1 96.5 2.7 -0.5 1.0 1.9 1.5

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

1.173 109.7 109.6 -2.1 -0.1 0.4 -0.5 -0.1

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

48

0.795 104.4 104.3 -1.8 0.2 0.4 -0.1 -0.1

Printed matter (Dec. 2015=100)

49

0.215 100.4 100.3 - -0.1 0.4 0.0 -0.1

Textile and textile articles

XI

5.597 113.4 113.4 -1.0 -0.1 -0.2 0.0 0.0

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted

61

2.310 103.7 103.5 -0.8 0.0 -0.2 0.0 -0.2

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted

62

1.937 120.0 120.1 -0.2 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1

Made-up or worn textile articles

63

0.645 103.1 102.9 -3.5 -0.5 -0.4 -0.1 -0.2

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.

XII

1.564 123.0 123.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.1 0.0

Footwear and parts of such articles

64

1.358 122.1 122.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.0

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

XIII

0.983 131.9 132.5 0.0 -0.1 0.1 0.2 0.5

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or mica (Dec. 2015=100)

68

0.341 99.8 100.6 - -0.4 0.4 0.4 0.8

Ceramic products

69

0.288 137.5 137.5 -0.9 -0.1 -0.7 0.0 0.0

Glass and glassware

70

0.354 129.8 130.3 0.5 0.1 0.4 0.2 0.4

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

XIV

3.081 167.7 172.5 0.8 1.4 3.3 -0.2 2.9

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

5.452 152.9 155.9 -8.1 -0.5 0.3 0.9 2.0

Iron and steel

72

1.248 155.9 166.8 -8.7 -0.7 0.1 4.0 7.0

Articles of iron or steel

73

1.759 138.9 139.0 -6.9 -0.7 -0.3 0.0 0.1

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.376 248.4 246.3 -15.9 -2.1 2.9 -0.2 -0.8

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.736 120.7 122.3 -10.2 -0.4 0.4 0.1 1.3

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

82

0.465 125.4 125.4 -2.6 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.537 136.6 136.9 -1.0 -0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.2

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

XVI

31.251 81.0 81.1 -1.8 -0.2 -0.1 -0.2 0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

15.880 86.0 86.2 -1.8 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2 0.2

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

85

15.371 76.1 76.1 -2.1 -0.4 -0.1 -0.4 0.0

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

14.664 114.1 114.3 -0.3 -0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

13.130 112.7 112.9 -0.3 -0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2

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

88

1.461 120.2 120.2 0.3 0.0 0.0 -0.1 0.0

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

XVIII

4.090 103.2 103.2 -0.5 0.9 -0.2 -0.3 0.0

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical instruments

90

3.752 99.9 100.0 -0.5 1.0 -0.3 -0.4 0.1

Clocks and watches and parts thereof

91

0.272 141.8 142.0 0.1 0.6 0.2 0.2 0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

4.283 112.2 112.2 -0.7 -0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.0

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

94

2.620 116.7 116.9 -0.6 0.0 -0.2 0.1 0.2

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

1.378 103.6 103.5 -1.2 -0.2 0.0 0.0 -0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

96

0.285 135.3 135.2 0.7 -0.1 0.0 0.0 -0.1

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2014 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.
Dash = Not available


Table 6. U.S. export price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: May 2015 to May 2016 [2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
Apr.
2016(1)
Index Percent change
Apr.
2016
May
2016
Annual Monthly
May
2015
to
May
2016
Jan.
2016
to
Feb.
2016
Feb.
2016
to
Mar.
2016
Mar.
2016
to
Apr.
2016
Apr.
2016
to
May
2016

Live animals; animal products

I

1.727 183.0 184.2 -8.4 1.7 0.4 -0.1 0.7

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

02

1.027 145.2 148.0 -4.6 5.2 2.5 -0.6 1.9

Vegetable products

II

4.300 190.6 199.3 -5.2 1.4 -4.5 1.2 4.6

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.929 153.7 155.2 -14.3 -0.1 -8.7 -2.2 1.0

Cereals

10

1.255 177.7 184.7 -4.1 3.2 -4.3 0.6 3.9

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

12

1.521 187.4 204.8 -3.5 1.1 -3.4 3.3 9.3

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and tobacco

IV

2.968 146.7 149.0 -4.0 -1.0 -0.1 1.0 1.6

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

20

0.384 119.0 119.0 0.5 -0.3 0.0 0.1 0.0

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

22

0.542 108.0 111.6 0.8 -0.2 1.2 2.4 3.3

Residues and waste from the food industries; prepared animal feed

23

0.647 192.7 199.8 -10.4 -0.6 -1.3 0.7 3.7

Mineral products

V

5.802 140.4 153.1 -28.5 -6.2 -0.9 3.5 9.0

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

26

0.475 73.8 77.0 -15.1 0.7 3.3 3.2 4.3

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

27

5.126 131.7 144.6 -30.1 -7.0 -1.2 3.6 9.8

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

10.819 134.8 135.1 -6.2 -1.5 -0.1 0.3 0.2

Inorganic chemicals

28

0.915 171.8 171.8 -7.5 -6.2 -0.3 -0.3 0.0

Organic chemicals

29

2.470 131.2 131.1 -11.0 -0.9 -0.2 1.1 -0.1

Pharmaceutical products

30

2.945 106.4 107.4 -3.3 -0.9 0.3 0.4 0.9

Tanning or dyeing extracts, dyes, paints varnish, putty, & inks (Dec. 2015=100)

32

0.556 99.2 99.4 - -0.7 0.0 0.3 0.2

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery cosmetic or toilet preparations

33

0.845 134.5 134.6 -1.8 -0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1

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

34

0.526 116.6 116.6 1.9 0.2 0.0 0.3 0.0

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

1.834 143.3 143.3 -6.6 -2.2 -0.4 -0.3 0.0

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

5.158 136.0 136.3 -5.1 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.2

Plastics and articles thereof

39

4.165 131.4 131.6 -5.6 0.5 -0.2 0.2 0.2

Rubber and articles thereof

40

0.993 155.2 156.4 -3.2 -0.3 0.4 -0.3 0.8

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

VIII

0.331 118.5 118.4 -16.5 0.8 -2.6 0.7 -0.1

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

41

0.183 69.2 69.2 -23.1 -0.1 0.6 1.3 0.0

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

IX

0.658 95.0 94.5 -3.2 -1.4 -0.9 1.2 -0.5

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

2.157 121.3 121.6 -1.5 -0.4 0.6 0.3 0.2

Woodpulp and recovered paper

47

0.618 122.5 123.5 -0.1 -1.4 2.0 1.9 0.8

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

48

1.152 119.9 119.8 -3.1 -0.1 0.1 -0.3 -0.1

Printed material (Dec. 2014=100)

49

0.387 100.4 100.4 1.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Textile and textile articles

XI

1.734 119.3 119.5 -2.0 -0.4 -0.9 0.5 0.2

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics thereof

52

0.384 112.6 115.2 -2.0 -1.1 -3.1 2.5 2.3

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

XIII

0.883 122.8 122.9 0.6 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.1

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, or mica (Dec. 2015=100)

68

0.298 100.5 100.5 - 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Glass and glassware

70

0.445 99.4 99.5 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1

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

XIV

4.455 231.0 234.8 0.0 1.7 3.4 0.0 1.6

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

4.994 141.7 145.5 -4.6 -0.9 0.8 0.4 2.7

Iron and steel

72

1.001 139.3 152.2 -3.0 -1.1 -0.2 3.6 9.3

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.430 152.1 152.6 -23.4 -0.1 5.2 0.1 0.3

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.775 102.8 105.7 -10.7 -4.4 2.9 0.3 2.8

Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks, of base metal (Dec. 2015=100)

82

0.397 99.7 100.1 - -0.4 0.0 -0.1 0.4

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.361 148.2 148.2 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

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

XVI

30.323 96.0 96.0 -1.1 0.2 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

18.131 112.9 112.9 -0.6 0.4 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts and accessories thereof

85

12.192 77.6 77.7 -2.0 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

15.419 131.5 131.7 0.7 -0.1 0.1 0.4 0.2

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

9.399 115.1 115.2 0.2 -0.2 -0.1 0.5 0.1

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

XVIII

6.344 106.9 107.0 0.2 -0.3 -0.1 0.0 0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

1.574 111.6 110.7 -0.8 0.4 0.0 0.1 -0.8

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;

94

0.932 125.4 124.9 0.5 0.5 0.0 0.3 -0.4

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

0.481 89.5 89.2 -0.3 -0.2 -0.1 -0.3 -0.3

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2014 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 months after original publication.
Dash = Not available


Table 7. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes by locality of origin: May 2015 to May 2016 [2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Relative
import-
ance
Apr.
2016(1)
Index Percent change
Apr.
2016
May
2016
Annual Monthly
May
2015
to
May
2016
Jan.
2016
to
Feb.
2016
Feb.
2016
to
Mar.
2016
Mar.
2016
to
Apr.
2016
Apr.
2016
to
May
2016

Industrialized Countries(2)

100.000 115.1 117.2 -4.0 -0.3 0.6 0.8 1.8

Nonmanufactured articles

6.877 109.6 125.0 -18.7 -5.8 10.2 11.0 14.1

Manufactured articles

92.700 115.1 116.1 -2.6 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.9

Other Countries(3)

100.000 115.9 117.6 -5.5 -0.7 0.3 0.5 1.5

Nonmanufactured articles

7.554 148.3 167.9 -24.9 -6.6 5.5 6.5 13.2

Manufactured articles

92.201 102.3 102.8 -2.7 -0.3 -0.1 0.1 0.5

Canada

100.000 114.4 119.2 -7.7 -1.4 1.6 3.7 4.2

Nonmanufactured articles

20.037 104.0 119.1 -19.4 -6.3 10.7 11.8 14.5

Manufactured articles

79.204 121.2 123.0 -4.1 -0.3 -0.3 1.8 1.5

European Union(4)

100.000 131.2 132.0 -1.9 -0.5 -0.2 0.2 0.6

Manufactured articles

99.529 127.9 128.6 -1.8 -0.5 -0.2 0.2 0.5

France (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 122.6 122.8 1.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.2

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 113.1 113.2 -2.8 0.3 -0.1 -0.3 0.1

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 118.5 119.1 -2.1 -0.3 -2.6 0.2 0.5

Latin America(5)

100.000 135.7 138.5 -8.3 -1.3 0.8 0.8 2.1

Nonmanufactured articles

14.696 170.0 189.0 -23.7 -5.4 5.6 5.3 11.2

Manufactured articles

84.823 118.8 119.3 -4.4 -0.6 0.1 0.1 0.4

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 124.4 125.5 -4.8 -1.0 0.2 0.3 0.9

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100)

7.266 90.7 100.0 -25.9 -11.1 3.4 5.1 10.3

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100)

92.267 88.7 88.9 -2.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.2

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

100.000 98.6 98.7 -1.8 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2 0.1

China (Dec. 2003=100)

100.000 101.2 101.2 -1.7 -0.2 -0.2 -0.2 0.0

Japan

100.000 95.3 95.4 -1.0 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.1

Asian NICs(7)

100.000 84.6 84.6 -2.6 0.7 -0.6 -0.1 0.0

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)(8)

100.000 96.7 96.8 -2.1 -0.7 0.0 0.4 0.1

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

100.000 129.9 142.6 -21.6 -5.0 3.8 6.2 9.8

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2014 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 3 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: May 2015 to May 2016 [2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Relative
import-
ance
Apr.
2016(1)
Index Percent change
Apr.
2016
May
2016
Annual Monthly
May
2015
to
May
2016
Jan.
2016
to
Feb.
2016
Feb.
2016
to
Mar.
2016
Mar.
2016
to
Apr.
2016
Apr.
2016
to
May
2016

Air Freight

Import Air Freight

100.000 152.4 151.1 -11.9 -2.1 -0.1 0.9 -0.9

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

23.361 135.8 137.7 -5.4 -1.5 1.2 -3.3 1.4

Asia

62.817 136.2 133.2 -15.9 -3.3 -0.5 3.0 -2.2

Export Air Freight

100.000 153.7 153.7 -2.4 -0.1 -3.4 0.3 0.0

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)

37.783 145.5 145.5 -3.3 0.1 -3.6 -0.5 0.0

Inbound Air Freight

100.000 146.2 144.4 -9.0 -1.3 -1.6 1.2 -1.2

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

28.147 134.4 135.8 -1.2 -1.3 0.7 -0.1 1.0

Asia

57.480 129.8 126.1 -14.5 -2.0 -2.7 2.5 -2.9

Outbound Air Freight

100.000 137.5 137.6 -7.7 1.0 -3.9 -2.0 0.1

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

32.834 142.4 142.4 -9.9 0.2 -4.2 -6.1 0.0

Asia

43.385 130.2 130.2 -8.2 2.5 -5.3 0.0 0.0

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares

100.000 185.5 188.3 -0.5 -1.5 -5.4 3.5 1.5

Europe

45.480 220.5 221.5 -2.6 3.6 -11.3 5.1 0.5

Asia

23.026 135.4 139.5 -4.1 -6.7 -2.8 3.8 3.0

Latin America/Caribbean

8.704 145.1 144.1 -9.5 2.9 1.2 -2.2 -0.7

Export Air Passenger Fares

100.000 147.2 145.8 -10.6 -13.5 7.5 -6.0 -1.0

Europe

31.423 197.8 191.1 -9.0 -1.7 14.7 -11.4 -3.4

Asia

27.340 123.8 133.4 -6.1 -16.4 1.2 -3.7 7.8

Latin America/Caribbean

22.715 149.6 148.5 -10.2 -15.1 4.3 -4.3 -0.7

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2014 trade values.

NOTES: Data may be revised in each of the 3 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 2-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 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 Producer Price Index (PPI) 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 indexes and excluded from 
the export air passenger fares 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 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 3 months after original publication. After 3 months, no further data 
revisions take place. For example, data first published 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 (NIPA) 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 NIPA, 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.

Email Subscription - The U.S. import and export price indexes news release is available through an 
email subscription service at www.bls.gov/bls/list.htm. 
 
Additional Information - More detailed data are available on the Import/Export Price Indexes home 
page at www.bls.gov/mxp. For import and export price indexes data requests, send an email 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: July 13, 2016