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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-11-1746
8:30 a.m. (EST) Wednesday, December 14, 2011

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 - NOVEMBER 2011

Following declines in each of the previous three months, U.S. import prices rose 0.7 percent in November, 
the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today; an upturn in fuel prices more than offset decreasing 
prices for nonfuel imports. Export prices ticked up 0.1 percent in November, after a 2.1 percent drop in 
October.


Imports
 	
All Imports: Import prices rose 0.7 percent in November following declines of 0.5 percent, 0.1 percent, and 
0.4 percent the three previous months. The November advance is the largest monthly increase since a 2.6 
percent rise in April. Overall import prices increased 9.9 percent for the year ended in November, due 
primarily to higher prices for the first half of the period.   

Fuel Imports: A 3.6 percent rise in import fuel prices drove the November increase in overall import prices. 
The November increase followed declines in five of the six previous months. Fuel prices rose 31.6 percent 
over the past 12 months despite declining 7.2 percent between April and October. Both petroleum and 
natural gas prices, up 3.6 percent and 5.3 percent, respectively, in November contributed to the increase in 
overall fuel prices. Petroleum prices increased 33.4 percent over the past year, while natural gas prices 
advanced 5.8 percent for the same period.    

All Imports Excluding Fuel: The price index for nonfuel imports declined 0.2 percent for the second 
consecutive month, the first monthly decreases since a 0.3 percent drop in July 2010. The November 
decrease was led by lower prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials imports as well as for imported 
foods, feeds, and beverages. In contrast, prices for each of the major finished goods categories edged up in 
November. Despite the recent declines, nonfuel prices advanced 3.8 percent for the year ended in 
November, led by an 8.1 percent increase in nonfuel industrial supplies and materials prices.          

Table A. Percent changes

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

2010

November

1.7 4.8 0.8 1.5 7.6 0.8

December

1.4 5.6 0.3 0.7 2.0 0.6

2011

January

1.5 4.1 0.7 1.3 3.1 1.0

February

1.7 5.6 0.5 1.3 4.6 1.0

March

3.0 9.7 0.8 1.5 2.2 1.4

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 (r)0.4 1.6 (r)0.3

September

(r)-0.1 (r)-1.0 0.2 (r)0.5 1.9 (r)0.3

October

(r)-0.5 (r)-1.5 -0.2 -2.1 -6.5 -1.5

November

0.7 3.6 -0.2 0.1 1.5 -0.1

Nov. 2009 to 2010

4.1 8.0 3.0 6.5 20.3 5.1

Nov. 2010 to 2011

9.9 31.6 3.8 4.7 5.3 4.8

Footnotes
(r) Revised


Exports

All Exports: Export prices advanced 0.1 percent in November after a 2.1 percent drop the previous month. 
In November, a rise in agricultural prices more than offset falling nonagricultural prices. Overall export prices 
rose 4.7 percent for the November 2010-11 period, the smallest year-over-year advance since a 4.1 percent 
increase between August 2009 and August 2010. 

Agricultural Exports: Agricultural prices increased 1.5 percent in November after declining 6.5 percent the 
previous month. An upturn in corn and soybeans prices which rose 9.0 percent and 4.7 percent, respectively, 
primarily drove the November advance. The price index for agricultural exports increased 5.3 percent for the 
year ended in November.       

All Exports Excluding Agriculture: Prices for nonagricultural exports edged down 0.1 percent in 
November following a 1.5 percent decrease in October. Falling prices for both nonagricultural industrial 
supplies and materials and consumer goods contributed to the November decline. Nonagricultural prices 
increased 4.8 percent over the past year, led by a 10.2 percent advance in the price index for nonagricultural 
industrial supplies and materials.   
 				

                                        SELECTED NOVEMBER HIGHLIGHTS

Import Prices

Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: The price index for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials  
fell 1.8 percent in November after a 1.4 percent decline the previous month. Both decreases were driven by 
falling unfinished metals prices which fell 5.0 percent in November and 4.1 percent in October. Despite 
those recent drops, prices for unfinished metals rose 5.7 percent for the November 2010-11 period.          

Finished Goods: Each of the major finished goods categories recorded increases in November. The price 
indexes for consumer goods and capital goods each ticked up 0.1 percent for the month. Automotive vehicle 
prices rose 0.2 percent in November driven by a 0.3 percent advance in the price index for parts, engines, 
bodies, and chassis.         
 
Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Foods, feeds, and beverages prices edged down 0.1 percent in November, 
following a 0.7 percent decrease the previous month. The November drop was led in part by falling prices 
for fish and shellfish.   

Imports by Locality of Origin: The price index for imports from China increased 0.3 percent in November 
after rising 0.4 percent the previous month. Import prices from China advanced 3.9 percent for the year 
ended in November. Import prices from Canada also rose in November, up 0.3 percent following declines in 
each of the previous three months. The price indexes for imports from the European Union, Mexico, and 
Japan all ticked up 0.1 percent in November.   

Transportation Services: Import air passenger fares decreased 0.7 percent in November following a 1.9 
percent increase the previous month. The November decline was driven by a 3.5 percent drop in European 
fares which more than offset a 2.5 percent advance in Asian fares. Import air freight prices declined 1.7 
percent in November after a 2.3 percent drop the previous month.    

Export Prices
 
Nonagricultural Industrial Supplies and Materials: Nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials 
prices edged down 0.2 percent in November following a 3.5 percent decline the previous month. Falling 
prices for gold, steelmaking materials, paper, and plastics all contributed to the November decline. The 
November decrease for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials prices was partially mitigated by a 
3.5 percent rise in fuel prices.       
  
Finished Goods: Export finished goods prices recorded little movement overall in November. Consumer 
goods prices fell 0.2 percent, led by a 1.3 percent drop in home entertainment products. The price indexes 
for capital goods and automotive vehicles were each unchanged in November.             

Transportation Services: Export air passenger fares fell for the third consecutive month, declining 3.3 
percent in November following decreases of 2.5 percent in October and 13.4 percent in September. The 
November drop was led by a 7.9 percent seasonal decline in European fares. Export air freight prices also 
decreased in November, falling 0.9 percent.
		
Import and Export Price Index data for December 2011 are scheduled for release on Friday, January 
13, 2012 at 8:30 a.m. (EST).

Table 1. U.S. import price indexes and percent changes for selected categories of goods: November 2010 to November 2011
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description End
Use
Relative
import-
ance
Oct.
2011(1)
Index Percent change
Oct.
2011
Nov.
2011
Annual Monthly
Nov.
2010
to
Nov.
2011
July
2011
to
Aug.
2011
Aug.
2011
to
Sept.
2011
Sept.
2011
to
Oct.
2011
Oct.
2011
to
Nov.
2011

All commodities

  100.000 141.0 142.0 9.9 -0.4 -0.1 -0.5 0.7

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

  68.066 103.5 103.2 - 0.3 0.2 -0.1 -0.3

All imports excluding petroleum

  75.086 116.6 116.4 3.7 0.3 0.2 -0.3 -0.2

All imports excluding fuels (Dec. 2001=100)

  73.769 120.7 120.4 3.8 0.2 0.2 -0.2 -0.2

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

5.703 173.5 173.4 8.0 -0.8 0.2 -0.7 -0.1

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

4.428 194.6 195.0 8.2 -0.8 0.2 -1.0 0.2

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

1.275 125.9 124.5 7.3 -0.7 0.0 0.5 -1.1

Industrial supplies & materials

1

39.501 258.7 263.3 22.8 -1.1 -0.5 -1.4 1.8

Industrial supplies & materials excluding petroleum

  14.587 171.0 168.9 7.6 1.0 0.2 -2.1 -1.2

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

  13.270 193.8 190.4 8.1 0.9 0.6 -1.4 -1.8

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  8.044 184.7 180.0 5.9 1.5 0.7 -2.5 -2.5

Industrial supplies & materials nondurable excluding petroleum

  5.226 155.0 155.5 9.7 0.5 -0.4 -1.6 0.3

Fuels & lubricants

10

26.231 343.2 355.4 31.6 -2.1 -1.0 -1.5 3.6

Petroleum & petroleum products

100

24.914 382.1 395.8 33.4 -2.3 -0.9 -1.1 3.6

Crude

10000

18.446 388.8 404.8 33.9 -3.9 -0.1 -0.3 4.1

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

101

0.990 117.0 122.1 4.1 2.6 -3.8 -8.7 4.4

Gas-natural

10110

0.867 101.8 107.2 5.8 3.0 -4.2 -9.8 5.3

Paper & paper base stocks

11

0.631 117.3 116.2 -1.1 -1.7 -1.0 0.1 -0.9

Materials associated with nondurable supplies & materials

12

4.679 176.3 175.7 14.0 0.3 0.6 0.2 -0.3

Selected building materials

13

1.050 130.3 129.8 2.5 0.2 0.3 -0.7 -0.4

Unfinished metals related to durable goods

14

3.896 292.6 277.9 5.7 2.2 0.7 -4.1 -5.0

Finished metals related to durable goods

15

1.582 162.3 162.5 6.9 1.4 1.0 -2.1 0.1

Nonmetals related to durable goods

16

1.432 116.3 115.7 6.6 0.4 0.7 0.0 -0.5

Capital goods

2

20.884 92.6 92.7 0.9 0.1 0.0 -0.3 0.1

Electric generating equipment

20

2.699 119.0 119.0 4.8 0.3 0.0 0.3 0.0

Nonelectrical machinery

21

16.358 86.0 86.1 -0.1 0.1 0.0 -0.5 0.1

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

22

1.827 126.4 126.4 3.8 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

9.284 113.2 113.4 3.5 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.2

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

24.628 107.4 107.5 3.3 0.3 0.3 0.7 0.1

Nondurables, manufactured

40

12.183 114.5 114.6 4.2 0.4 0.2 1.5 0.1

Durables, manufactured

41

11.399 100.0 100.1 1.6 0.2 0.4 -0.2 0.1

Nonmanufactured consumer goods

42

1.047 115.1 114.6 10.6 -0.3 0.7 0.3 -0.4

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2009 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: November 2010 to November 2011
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description End
Use
Relative
import-
ance
Oct.
2011(1)
Index Percent change
Oct.
2011
Nov.
2011
Annual Monthly
Nov.
2010
to
Nov.
2011
July
2011
to
Aug.
2011
Aug.
2011
to
Sept.
2011
Sept.
2011
to
Oct.
2011
Oct.
2011
to
Nov.
2011

All commodities

  100.000 132.5 132.6 4.7 0.4 0.5 -2.1 0.1

Agricultural commodities

  11.206 201.9 205.0 5.3 1.6 1.9 -6.5 1.5

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

  81.184 102.9 102.3 - 0.3 0.2 -0.9 -0.6

Nonagricultural commodities

  88.794 127.6 127.5 4.8 0.3 0.3 -1.5 -0.1

Foods, feeds, & beverages

0

10.160 199.0 202.8 7.1 2.8 2.4 -7.0 1.9

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages, excluding distilled beverages

00

9.408 201.2 205.5 6.3 3.0 2.5 -7.5 2.1

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled beverages)

01

0.752 184.0 181.9 18.7 0.6 -0.2 -0.3 -1.1

Industrial supplies & materials

1

34.667 186.2 185.8 9.6 0.2 0.6 -3.4 -0.2

Industrial supplies & materials, durable

  12.558 190.0 187.0 8.5 1.5 2.3 -3.4 -1.6

Industrial supplies & materials, nondurable

  22.107 185.0 186.0 10.3 -0.5 -0.3 -3.5 0.5

Agricultural industrial supplies & materials

10

1.798 209.4 206.4 0.0 -4.9 -1.5 -1.4 -1.4

Nonagricultural industrial supplies & materials

  32.868 185.5 185.2 10.2 0.5 0.7 -3.5 -0.2

Fuels & lubricants

11

8.656 269.1 278.6 22.5 -0.6 0.2 -5.5 3.5

Nonagricultural supplies & materials excluding fuels & building materials

12

23.344 175.9 173.2 6.6 1.0 0.9 -2.9 -1.5

Selected building materials

13

0.868 116.1 116.3 -0.8 -0.3 0.4 0.3 0.2

Capital goods

2

34.776 104.6 104.6 0.9 0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.0

Electrical generating equipment

20

3.405 113.7 113.1 3.0 0.0 0.0 -0.4 -0.5

Nonelectrical machinery

21

24.266 94.3 94.2 -0.1 0.1 -0.1 0.1 -0.1

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

22

7.105 145.1 145.2 3.2 0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.1

Automotive vehicles, parts & engines

3

6.818 111.6 111.6 2.3 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.0

Consumer goods, excluding automotives

4

13.580 116.8 116.6 3.3 0.3 0.2 -0.5 -0.2

Nondurables, manufactured

40

6.738 113.7 113.4 -0.7 0.2 -0.2 -0.9 -0.3

Durables, manufactured

41

5.438 113.3 113.3 2.0 0.2 0.5 -0.3 0.0

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2009 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: November 2010 to November 2011
[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
Oct.
2011(1)
Index Percent change
Oct.
2011
Nov.
2011
Annual Monthly
Nov.
2010
to
Nov.
2011
July
2011
to
Aug.
2011
Aug.
2011
to
Sept.
2011
Sept.
2011
to
Oct.
2011
Oct.
2011
to
Nov.
2011

Nonmanufactured articles

  22.599 168.3 174.0 29.1 -3.2 -0.1 -0.8 3.4

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

2.119 178.7 175.3 8.8 -2.5 1.5 -0.3 -1.9

Crop production

111

1.529 183.8 180.9 8.1 -3.3 2.0 -0.9 -1.6

Mining

21

20.480 167.0 173.5 31.4 -3.4 -0.2 -0.8 3.9

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

212

0.383 157.6 156.6 11.6 1.5 -0.3 0.2 -0.6

Manufactured articles

  76.914 117.9 117.9 5.4 0.5 -0.1 -0.4 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

11.003 123.4 123.9 9.4 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.4

Food manufacturing

311

3.286 155.4 156.9 12.2 0.4 -0.4 -0.8 1.0

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

0.894 111.9 111.9 1.5 -0.4 0.1 0.2 0.0

Textile product mills

314

0.877 118.9 118.8 13.1 0.3 0.7 0.2 -0.1

Apparel manufacturing

315

4.088 111.6 111.8 9.0 1.0 0.1 0.4 0.2

Leather and allied product manufacturing

316

1.480 115.3 115.7 6.6 0.2 0.0 0.7 0.3

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

19.026 139.9 140.4 11.8 0.9 -0.9 -0.2 0.4

Wood product manufacturing

321

0.641 107.8 107.1 2.7 0.3 0.7 -1.4 -0.6

Paper manufacturing

322

1.165 112.7 112.5 1.6 -0.9 -0.5 0.4 -0.2

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

5.316 175.4 179.8 33.6 2.7 -3.7 -3.5 2.5

Chemical manufacturing

325

9.281 135.8 135.1 5.2 0.2 0.3 1.6 -0.5

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

1.758 125.9 126.1 8.6 0.1 0.2 0.6 0.2

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

0.772 127.1 127.1 3.1 0.2 0.1 -0.7 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

46.884 110.0 109.6 2.0 0.3 0.3 -0.6 -0.4

Primary metal manufacturing

331

4.620 189.3 181.5 5.7 2.0 0.9 -3.7 -4.1

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

2.513 128.3 128.8 6.9 0.8 1.2 -0.7 0.4

Machinery manufacturing

333

5.367 119.2 119.3 4.0 0.5 0.1 -0.2 0.1

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

14.297 82.6 82.5 -3.5 -0.1 -0.1 -0.6 -0.1

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

3.493 117.2 117.3 3.5 0.2 0.1 0.7 0.1

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

10.358 109.7 109.8 3.1 0.2 0.0 -0.1 0.1

Furniture and related product manufacturing

337

1.218 113.0 113.2 6.1 0.3 0.5 0.6 0.2

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

5.018 122.3 122.7 7.6 0.2 0.5 -0.3 0.3

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2009 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: November 2010 to November 2011
[December 2005=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description NAICS Relative
import-
ance
Oct.
2011(1)
Index Percent change
Oct.
2011
Nov.
2011
Annual Monthly
Nov.
2010
to
Nov.
2011
July
2011
to
Aug.
2011
Aug.
2011
to
Sept.
2011
Sept.
2011
to
Oct.
2011
Oct.
2011
to
Nov.
2011

Nonmanufactured articles

  8.711 166.2 169.9 4.0 1.9 1.3 -8.9 2.2

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

11

6.296 186.5 192.1 4.2 2.6 2.0 -10.6 3.0

Crop production

111

5.825 191.2 198.7 3.3 2.5 2.2 -11.6 3.9

Mining

21

2.415 120.4 120.4 3.5 0.2 -0.6 -4.1 0.0

Mining (except oil and gas)

212

1.653 144.5 143.7 4.9 1.4 -0.9 -2.3 -0.6

Manufactured articles

  87.699 120.2 120.1 4.9 0.2 0.2 -0.9 -0.1

Manufactured goods, part 1

31

7.441 145.1 144.5 8.3 0.5 1.0 -0.7 -0.4

Food manufacturing

311

5.232 165.4 164.7 9.9 0.7 1.5 -0.1 -0.4

Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing

312

0.541 114.1 116.2 0.9 -0.8 1.0 -1.4 1.8

Apparel manufacturing

315

0.412 114.2 114.2 8.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Manufactured goods, part 2

32

26.532 132.8 133.6 8.3 0.1 0.0 -2.4 0.6

Wood product manufacturing

321

0.384 114.2 114.2 -4.1 -0.4 0.9 -0.5 0.0

Paper manufacturing

322

1.954 123.7 121.6 -1.5 0.6 -0.8 -0.8 -1.7

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing

324

5.801 162.9 169.9 27.1 -1.3 0.6 -6.6 4.3

Chemical manufacturing

325

15.652 131.0 130.5 4.6 0.5 -0.2 -1.5 -0.4

Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

326

2.045 116.3 116.2 8.1 0.7 0.2 1.0 -0.1

Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing

327

0.696 111.3 111.2 -1.6 -0.1 0.7 0.3 -0.1

Manufactured goods, part 3

33

53.726 112.8 112.6 3.0 0.3 0.4 -0.4 -0.2

Primary metal manufacturing

331

5.306 182.8 178.0 13.2 1.6 3.1 -2.7 -2.6

Fabricated metal product manufacturing

332

2.499 128.2 128.8 5.7 0.1 -0.2 0.5 0.5

Machinery manufacturing

333

10.487 117.6 117.8 2.2 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.2

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

334

13.775 89.6 89.5 -1.9 0.0 -0.1 0.1 -0.1

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

335

3.065 111.9 111.6 1.7 0.2 0.1 -1.3 -0.3

Transportation equipment manufacturing

336

13.062 114.7 114.8 2.8 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1

Miscellaneous manufacturing

339

5.236 124.4 124.3 10.2 0.5 0.3 -0.2 -0.1

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2009 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: November 2010 to November 2011
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
Oct.
2011(1)
Index Percent change
Oct.
2011
Nov.
2011
Annual Monthly
Nov.
2010
to
Nov.
2011
July
2011
to
Aug.
2011
Aug.
2011
to
Sept.
2011
Sept.
2011
to
Oct.
2011
Oct.
2011
to
Nov.
2011

Live animals; animal products

I

1.331 167.6 167.2 9.4 -0.9 -0.7 0.7 -0.2

Meat and edible meat offal

02

0.309 208.3 217.4 16.8 2.3 -2.4 -0.6 4.4

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.708 126.0 123.1 4.7 -1.8 -0.6 0.7 -2.3

Vegetable products

II

1.830 210.2 207.5 11.3 -1.6 1.5 -1.5 -1.3

Edible vegetables, roots, and tubers

07

0.323 318.2 316.9 3.0 5.6 -0.2 1.4 -0.4

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.491 114.4 113.6 -0.1 0.4 -4.5 -7.4 -0.7

Coffee, tea, mate and spices

09

0.495 290.1 287.2 31.7 -9.8 9.8 -1.4 -1.0

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

III

0.278 126.6 131.5 4.5 -0.7 -3.5 -8.7 3.9

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, and tobacco

IV

2.597 157.8 158.2 6.3 -0.1 -0.2 0.1 0.3

Cocoa and cocoa preparations (Dec. 2009=100)

18

0.205 94.3 96.3 0.6 0.6 -0.7 -4.4 2.1

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

19

0.256 125.7 125.4 -9.1 -0.3 -0.6 -0.9 -0.2

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

20

0.378 163.3 170.2 17.0 0.7 -1.5 2.1 4.2

Beverages, spirits, and vinegar

22

0.869 122.4 122.5 1.8 -0.7 0.2 0.3 0.1

Mineral products

V

25.836 345.0 357.3 31.7 -2.0 -1.0 -1.4 3.6

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

27

25.475 340.9 353.2 31.8 -2.1 -1.0 -1.4 3.6

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

8.895 150.1 150.2 5.4 0.2 0.3 1.6 0.1

Inorganic chemicals

28

1.130 381.3 391.8 21.5 -0.3 1.2 1.0 2.8

Organic chemicals

29

2.799 137.0 135.9 0.5 0.7 0.1 -0.9 -0.8

Pharmaceutical products

30

3.240 117.4 117.4 1.8 0.0 0.3 4.9 0.0

Fertilizers (Dec. 2009=100)

31

0.305 150.2 151.0 40.3 0.9 1.1 -0.3 0.5

Essential oils and resinoids (Dec. 2001=100)

33

0.426 127.4 127.4 2.7 -0.3 0.2 0.6 0.0

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

0.487 106.0 104.5 5.7 -1.0 -0.8 -0.7 -1.4

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

2.955 153.6 152.9 9.1 0.1 0.5 0.3 -0.5

Plastics and articles thereof

39

1.815 142.5 142.1 6.8 0.1 0.6 0.1 -0.3

Rubber and articles thereof

40

1.140 174.9 173.7 13.2 0.0 0.2 0.6 -0.7

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

VIII

0.536 122.5 123.4 7.1 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.7

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

42

0.491 122.9 123.9 7.5 0.0 0.1 0.4 0.8

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

IX

0.674 130.2 129.6 3.0 0.2 0.5 -1.2 -0.5

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

1.269 115.1 115.0 0.6 -1.0 -0.5 0.3 -0.1

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

48

0.853 109.4 109.9 3.0 -0.2 -0.4 0.6 0.5

Textile and textile articles

XI

5.263 115.8 115.9 10.3 1.1 0.3 0.3 0.1

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted

61

2.014 106.9 107.1 6.9 -0.5 0.0 0.2 0.2

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted

62

1.969 116.9 117.1 12.7 3.5 0.3 0.6 0.2

Made-up or worn textile articles

63

0.657 113.2 113.2 15.4 0.1 1.3 0.0 0.0

Headgear, umbrellas, artifical flowers, etc.

XII

1.227 114.6 114.8 5.5 0.3 0.1 0.6 0.2

Footwear and parts of such articles

64

1.049 113.9 114.1 5.7 0.3 0.1 0.7 0.2

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

XIII

0.710 130.3 130.3 3.3 0.3 0.1 0.5 0.0

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

68

0.245 123.7 123.7 4.4 0.3 -0.2 1.4 0.0

Ceramic products

69

0.204 141.1 141.1 2.0 -0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Glass and glassware

70

0.261 124.6 124.6 3.3 0.6 0.5 -0.2 0.0

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

XIV

3.200 206.6 202.4 17.5 3.1 5.2 -4.0 -2.0

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

5.002 194.4 190.3 1.5 0.6 -1.5 -2.2 -2.1

Iron and steel

72

0.941 256.1 248.7 8.4 -0.8 -0.2 -2.1 -2.9

Articles of iron or steel

73

1.559 161.7 161.8 6.0 0.2 0.4 0.3 0.1

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.526 358.2 338.4 -9.2 3.5 -5.7 -9.5 -5.5

Nickel and articles thereof (Dec. 2009=100)

75

0.147 118.0 109.3 -18.3 5.2 -4.8 -6.7 -7.4

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.860 147.4 143.6 -0.5 -0.8 -2.5 -2.2 -2.6

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

82

0.316 123.7 123.6 3.6 0.0 0.6 -0.4 -0.1

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.363 131.9 132.0 3.4 0.5 -0.1 0.2 0.1

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

XVI

23.013 85.5 85.5 -0.6 0.0 0.0 -0.3 0.0

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

11.434 88.4 88.5 0.0 0.1 0.1 -0.3 0.1

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

85

11.579 82.7 82.6 -1.2 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2 -0.1

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

8.660 114.6 114.7 3.6 0.2 0.2 -0.2 0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

7.700 113.8 113.9 3.7 0.2 0.2 -0.2 0.1

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

88

0.872 115.8 115.8 1.8 0.2 0.0 -0.1 0.0

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

XVIII

3.120 105.1 105.1 3.4 0.0 0.2 -0.4 0.0

Optical, photographic, measuring and medical instruments

90

2.880 102.8 102.7 3.5 0.0 0.2 -0.3 -0.1

Clocks and watches and parts thereof

91

0.178 127.7 127.4 2.7 0.2 0.6 -1.2 -0.2

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

3.522 111.6 111.7 4.4 0.2 0.3 0.6 0.1

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

94

1.735 115.4 115.5 5.0 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.1

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

1.582 104.4 104.5 3.5 0.1 0.2 0.9 0.1

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

96

0.205 133.2 133.2 7.0 -0.1 0.3 -0.1 0.0

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2009 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: November 2010 to November 2011
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Harmo-
nized
system
Relative
import-
ance
Oct.
2011(1)
Index Percent change
Oct.
2011
Nov.
2011
Annual Monthly
Nov.
2010
to
Nov.
2011
July
2011
to
Aug.
2011
Aug.
2011
to
Sept.
2011
Sept.
2011
to
Oct.
2011
Oct.
2011
to
Nov.
2011

Live animals; animal products

I

2.084 208.6 208.7 17.2 2.6 0.4 1.6 0.0

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

02

1.281 170.6 171.2 17.7 1.5 2.4 1.7 0.4

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

03

0.431 197.3 195.5 20.7 0.5 -0.7 -0.7 -0.9

Vegetable products

II

5.559 226.9 236.8 6.2 3.7 3.4 -11.6 4.4

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

08

0.910 123.6 127.8 1.1 2.2 -7.5 0.7 3.4

Cereals

10

2.193 274.3 291.7 12.5 8.0 8.0 -15.7 6.3

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

12

1.886 229.6 239.1 -0.9 2.1 3.1 -15.6 4.1

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

III

0.511 149.9 147.9 18.5 0.0 0.6 -7.0 -1.3

Prepared foodstuffs, beverages,and tobacco

IV

2.701 152.8 150.8 3.1 0.1 1.3 0.1 -1.3

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

20

0.352 110.6 110.9 7.3 0.7 -0.1 1.3 0.3

Miscellaneous edible preparations

21

0.437 117.4 117.8 -1.2 0.2 -0.2 -0.3 0.3

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

22

0.334 105.4 104.6 -0.8 0.3 0.0 -0.3 -0.8

Residues and waste from the food industries; prepared animal feed

23

0.707 220.7 210.3 -3.1 -2.1 3.2 -2.3 -4.7

Mineral products

V

8.576 318.1 327.5 20.4 -0.7 0.1 -5.7 3.0

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

27

7.981 314.2 324.5 23.2 -0.8 0.2 -6.0 3.3

Products of the chemical or allied industries

VI

12.953 154.2 154.8 4.7 0.4 -0.1 -0.8 0.4

Inorganic chemicals

28

1.012 195.2 196.0 2.1 -0.1 -1.0 0.2 0.4

Organic chemicals

29

3.306 164.7 165.9 7.9 0.6 -0.7 -2.3 0.7

Pharmaceutical products

30

3.871 124.4 124.1 -1.8 0.0 -0.2 -1.2 -0.2

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

32

0.653 145.3 151.7 24.0 4.8 4.4 4.6 4.4

Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery cosmetic or toilet preparations

33

0.770 133.7 133.3 5.5 0.5 0.3 -0.4 -0.3

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

34

0.473 123.2 125.4 3.7 0.9 0.1 0.2 1.8

Miscellaneous chemical products

38

1.842 150.2 149.8 4.5 -0.9 0.1 -0.5 -0.3

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

VII

5.296 150.9 147.6 5.8 0.6 -0.1 -1.6 -2.2

Plastics and articles thereof

39

4.203 140.6 138.1 3.8 0.4 0.0 -2.0 -1.8

Rubber and articles thereof

40

1.093 200.6 192.6 14.4 1.3 -0.4 -0.2 -4.0

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

VIII

0.415 130.3 122.4 0.3 0.2 -1.9 -2.3 -6.1

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

IX

0.506 109.2 109.5 -1.0 0.0 0.7 -0.2 0.3

Woodpulp, recovered paper, and paper products

X

2.664 124.7 119.7 -3.3 0.3 -0.9 -1.7 -4.0

Woodpulp and recovered paper

47

0.903 145.7 130.2 -10.8 0.5 -2.3 -4.1 -10.6

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

48

1.271 119.0 118.1 0.3 0.4 -0.3 -0.7 -0.8

Printed material

49

0.490 119.3 119.3 1.7 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0

Textile and textile articles

XI

2.108 135.4 134.1 -2.4 -3.4 -1.5 -1.7 -1.0

Cotton, including yarns and woven fabrics thereof

52

0.817 182.5 177.8 -13.0 -8.5 -3.3 -4.2 -2.6

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

XIII

0.687 116.9 116.8 0.3 -0.1 0.6 0.3 -0.1

Glass and glassware

70

0.383 99.5 99.4 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.5 -0.1

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

XIV

5.760 295.9 291.4 25.8 3.0 5.8 -3.0 -1.5

Base metals and articles of base metals

XV

5.629 176.0 173.9 5.1 0.2 -0.4 -4.1 -1.2

Iron and steel

72

1.827 223.7 211.2 10.7 0.5 1.0 -3.9 -5.6

Articles of iron or steel

73

1.279 171.3 172.8 8.2 -0.1 0.1 0.5 0.9

Copper and articles thereof

74

0.618 233.6 247.5 -2.0 0.4 -3.3 -17.1 6.0

Aluminum and articles thereof

76

0.906 129.5 128.2 -1.1 0.0 -1.8 -4.4 -1.0

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

82

0.341 128.4 128.4 2.4 0.0 -0.1 0.9 0.0

Miscellaneous articles of base metal

83

0.309 135.7 135.7 9.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

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

XVI

26.464 96.3 96.2 0.7 0.1 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1

Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

84

15.533 108.4 108.4 1.4 0.1 0.0 -0.2 0.0

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts and accessories thereof

85

10.931 83.2 82.9 -0.2 0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.4

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

XVII

10.751 124.3 124.4 2.0 0.2 0.0 0.3 0.1

Motor vehicles and their parts

87

6.051 111.1 111.2 2.1 0.2 0.2 0.5 0.1

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

XVIII

5.809 105.7 105.7 -1.4 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.0

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

XX

1.378 108.4 108.3 0.7 0.6 0.0 -0.6 -0.1

Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;

94

0.656 119.0 118.8 0.3 0.8 -0.2 -1.1 -0.2

Toys, games and sports equipment; parts and accessories thereof

95

0.595 90.0 90.0 -2.4 0.6 0.1 0.0 0.0

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2009 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: November 2010 to November 2011
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Percent
of
U.S.
imports(1)
Index Percent change
Oct.
2011
Nov.
2011
Annual Monthly
Nov.
2010
to
Nov.
2011
July
2011
to
Aug.
2011
Aug.
2011
to
Sept.
2011
Sept.
2011
to
Oct.
2011
Oct.
2011
to
Nov.
2011

Industrialized Countries(2)

39.494 132.4 132.9 4.9 -0.5 -0.3 -0.5 0.4

Nonmanufactured articles

4.457 231.0 238.8 17.6 -5.7 -1.1 -0.9 3.4

Manufactured articles

34.670 124.4 124.3 3.2 0.4 -0.2 -0.4 -0.1

Other Countries(3)

60.506 140.7 142.3 11.9 -0.5 0.1 -0.4 1.1

Nonmanufactured articles

12.079 354.6 366.6 33.0 -2.6 0.2 -0.4 3.4

Manufactured articles

48.226 111.6 111.8 5.1 0.4 0.1 -0.4 0.2

Canada

14.271 153.8 154.3 6.9 -1.4 -0.8 -1.3 0.3

Nonmanufactured articles

3.991 221.2 229.1 16.8 -6.0 -0.5 -0.9 3.6

Manufactured articles

10.005 140.3 138.6 2.9 1.0 -0.9 -1.3 -1.2

European Union(4)

17.186 136.8 137.0 6.1 -0.1 0.0 0.2 0.1

Nonmanufactured articles

0.256 322.7 332.9 26.9 -3.0 -4.7 -7.9 3.2

Manufactured articles

16.854 133.5 133.6 5.6 -0.1 0.1 0.4 0.1

France (Dec. 2003=100)

1.995 120.6 120.8 -0.8 -0.2 -0.1 0.3 0.2

Germany (Dec. 2003=100)

4.510 115.6 115.4 2.4 -0.1 0.0 -0.3 -0.2

United Kingdom (Dec. 2003=100)

2.795 130.7 131.0 2.9 -0.2 -0.4 -2.2 0.2

Latin America(5)

18.406 177.4 178.9 11.0 -1.2 0.2 -1.3 0.8

Nonmanufactured articles

5.479 372.6 384.1 27.9 -3.7 1.2 -1.7 3.1

Manufactured articles

12.844 135.2 134.5 2.1 0.4 -0.6 -1.1 -0.5

Mexico (Dec. 2003=100)

11.380 146.0 146.1 5.3 -1.1 0.0 -0.7 0.1

Nonmanufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100)

1.900 200.2 205.9 29.6 -4.7 0.5 -1.2 2.8

Manufactured articles (Dec. 2008=100)

9.437 95.9 95.2 -1.0 0.1 -0.2 -0.6 -0.7

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

34.852 104.5 104.8 3.4 0.0 0.1 -0.2 0.3

China (Dec. 2003=100)

19.595 104.7 105.0 3.9 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.3

Japan

6.198 101.9 102.0 2.5 0.3 0.0 0.2 0.1

Asian NICs(7)

5.555 91.2 91.1 4.1 0.0 -0.1 -0.7 -0.1

ASEAN (Dec. 2003=100)(8)

5.987 104.9 105.3 6.9 0.7 0.2 -0.9 0.4

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

3.795 280.3 289.4 35.4 -0.8 1.9 1.0 3.2

Footnotes
(1) Percentage of trade figures are based on 2009 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: November 2010 to November 2011
[2000=100, unless otherwise noted]
Description Relative
import-
ance
Oct.
2011(1)
Index Percent change
Oct.
2011
Nov.
2011
Annual Monthly
Nov.
2010
to
Nov.
2011
July
2011
to
Aug.
2011
Aug.
2011
to
Sept.
2011
Sept.
2011
to
Oct.
2011
Oct.
2011
to
Nov.
2011

Air Freight

Import Air Freight

100.000 181.3 178.3 5.1 1.1 -0.3 -2.3 -1.7

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

25.868 174.6 168.8 18.8 6.7 -0.4 -2.9 -3.3

Asia

72.127 159.4 157.6 1.0 -0.7 -0.3 -2.1 -1.1

Export Air Freight

100.000 145.3 144.0 13.2 -0.4 0.3 -0.8 -0.9

Europe (Dec. 2006=100)

38.871 131.8 130.4 13.2 -0.5 0.3 -0.3 -1.1

Inbound Air Freight

100.000 163.5 162.1 6.1 0.4 0.0 -0.4 -0.9

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

24.835 153.1 149.4 13.2 2.7 0.2 -2.9 -2.4

Asia

64.946 147.1 146.8 4.3 -0.5 -0.1 0.5 -0.2

Outbound Air Freight

100.000 144.5 143.5 15.1 1.3 0.2 0.4 -0.7

Europe (Dec. 2003=100)

36.630 163.8 163.3 13.2 1.8 -0.5 2.1 -0.3

Asia

44.784 135.0 133.4 17.7 1.4 0.9 -1.6 -1.2

Air Passenger Fares

Import Air Passenger Fares

100.000 177.9 176.7 6.2 -3.0 -2.1 1.9 -0.7

Europe

38.258 186.5 180.0 -0.7 -6.6 0.0 2.0 -3.5

Asia

25.639 151.4 155.2 8.7 -2.2 -3.4 -0.3 2.5

Latin America/Caribbean

14.423 171.0 173.1 10.5 2.3 -7.9 2.0 1.2

Export Air Passenger Fares

100.000 187.7 181.5 11.4 8.5 -13.4 -2.5 -3.3

Europe

31.405 229.4 211.2 14.0 -1.8 -12.1 -0.6 -7.9

Asia

30.109 170.9 173.6 9.0 23.4 -17.1 -5.5 1.6

Latin America/Caribbean

19.050 184.5 183.9 6.9 -1.1 -3.1 -3.6 -0.3

Footnotes
(1) Relative importance figures are based on 2009 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: December 14, 2011