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Technical Information
David Mead
(202) 606-7154
USDL-97-20
Jim Thomas
(202) 606-7155
For release: 10:00 A.M. E.S.T.
Media contact:
Thursday, January 23, 1997
Kathryn Hoyle (202) 606-5902
Internet Address:
http://stats.bls.gov/ipphome.htm
-------------------------------------------------------------------Note: Beginning with next month’s release, there will be several
changes in the construction of the import and export price indexes.
See page 4 for more details.
-------------------------------------------------------------------U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES
-DECEMBER 1996The U.S. Import Price Index increased 0.1 percent in December,
the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor
reported today. The advance followed a decline of 0.2 percent in
November. The U.S. Export Price Index was unchanged in December
after declining in each of the six preceding months.
Percent changes in import and export price indexes
by End Use category
- not seasonally adjusted IMPORTS
Month
All
Imports
1995
December
1996
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November

Petroleum
Imports

EXPORTS
Nonpetroleum All
Imports
Exports

AgriNonagri
cultural cultural
Exports Exports

0.4

4.5

0.0

0.0

0.8

0.2
-0.2
0.7
0.8
-0.7
-1.0
-0.1
0.1
1.1
0.6
-0.2 r

4.8
-1.3
8.5
8.5
-3.8
-5.9
2.0
2.1
7.6 r
7.0 r
-0.8 r

-0.3
0.0
-0.3
0.0
-0.4
-0.5
-0.4
-0.1
0.4
-0.3
-0.1 r

0.5
-0.2
-0.2
0.6
0.4
-0.2
-0.5
-0.2
-0.7 r
-0.3 r
-0.4 r

1.7
-0.2
1.4
4.8
3.1
-2.2
-1.9
-0.2
-7.2
-2.6 r
-2.3 r

-0.2
0.3
-0.3
-0.3
0.0
-0.1
0.1
-0.2
-0.2
0.2 r
0.0 r
0.0 r

December

0.1

0.3

0.1

0.0

-0.9

0.1

Dec. 1994-95
Dec. 1995-96

2.6
1.3

5.9
31.7

2.3
-1.7

3.4
-1.2

17.3
-6.9

1.7
-0.4

r = revised to reflect late reports and corrections by respondents.
Import Goods
The small December increase in the import price index was
attributable to price increases for both petroleum and nonpetroleum
imports, up 0.3 and 0.1 percent, respectively. Import prices had
declined 0.2 percent in November after rising in the three prior
months, due primarily to a decline in petroleum prices in November
after increases in the prior months. The December rise in
nonpetroleum prices followed declines of 0.1 and 0.3 percent in
November and October, respectively, and was only the second monthly
increase in the past 12 months.
Prices of U.S imports were up 1.3 percent in the 12 months ended
in December 1996. This compared with a 2.6 percent increase in 1995
and a 5.3 percent rise in 1994. The advance in overall import prices
in 1996 was due to petroleum prices which rose 31.7 percent compared
with a more modest 5.9 percent increase in 1995. The 12-month rise
in petroleum prices was the largest yearly increase since 1990. In
contrast, nonpetroleum imports fell over the past 12 months, down 1.7
percent compared with a 2.3 percent increase in 1995 and a 3.8
percent rise in 1994.
Nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials led the December
increase in prices for nonpetroleum imports, rising 0.6 percent.
Over the past year, nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials
prices fell 2.6 percent. The import price indexes for automotive
vehicles and consumer goods also rose in December, up 0.3 and 0.1
percent, respectively. Over the past 12 months, automotive vehicle
prices were unchanged, while consumer goods prices were down 0.6
percent.
The index for imported capital goods fell in December--down 0.3
percent--and declined 4.0 percent over the year. The import price
index for foods, feeds, and beverages was down 1.2 percent in
December and 0.7 percent over the past 12 months.
Export Goods
The price index for U.S. export prices was unchanged in December

as a continuing decline in the price index for agricultural exports
offset a rise in prices for nonagricultural exports which continued
to record little movement.
Over the 12 months ended in December 1996, export prices
decreased 1.2 percent, the first time the index has declined on an
annual basis in five years. The index of agricultural export prices
was down 6.9 percent over the year after rising 17.3 percent in 1995;
price declines in June-December 1996 offset sharp rises in prices in
the spring.
Nonagricultural export prices were down 0.4 percent in
1996 after rising 1.7 percent in 1995 and 4.3 percent in 1994.
The December advance in the index for nonagricultural exports
was led by a 0.3 percent increase in nonagricultural industrial
supplies and material prices. Prices for nonagricultural industrial
supplies and materials, however, were down 2.2 percent in 1996. The
index of exported consumer goods was also up in December, rising 0.2
percent. Exported automotive vehicle prices, however, were unchanged
in December. Over the past 12 months, the price indexes for consumer
goods and automotive vehicles rose 1.5 and 0.5 percent, respectively.
In contrast, the indexes for exported capital goods and foods,
feeds, and beverages both decreased in December, falling 0.1 and 1.2
percent, respectively. Capital goods export prices were unchanged in
1996 while foods, feeds, and beverages prices were down 6.5 percent over
the same period.
Summary of December to December percent changes
1988
All merchandise imports
4.4
Excluding petroleum
6.7
Petroleum
-16.9
All merchandise exports
6.4
Excluding agricultural
5.1
Agricultural
14.7

1989
2.5
-0.2
32.6
0.5
1.3
-3.7

1990 1991
7.4 -4.2
3.0
0.2
48.8 -33.0
2.1 -0.6
3.4 -1.0
-4.8
1.7

1992 1993
0.2 -1.0
0.8
1.5
-6.0 -21.7
0.6
1.0
0.8
0.2
-0.4
8.3

1994
5.3
3.8
20.3
3.8
4.3
-0.2

1995
2.6
2.3
5.9
3.4
1.7
17.3

Imports by Locality of Origin
Prices of goods imported from Japan fell 0.4 percent for the
second consecutive month. (See table 7.) The index fell 4.1 percent
in 1996 after rising 0.5 percent in 1995.
The price index for imports from the Asian Newly Industrialized
Countries also fell, decreasing 0.5 percent in December and 2.9
percent over the past 12 months.

1996
1.3
-1.7
31.7
-1.2
-0.4
-6.9

In contrast, prices of imports from Canada and the European
Union were up 0.3 and 0.2 percent in December, respectively. Over
the past year, imports from Canada were down 0.2 percent, while
imports from the European Union rose 1.5 percent.
Import and Export Services
The Import Air Freight Index continued to edge down for the
fourth consecutive quarter with a 1.6 percent decline in December.
Both the Atlantic and Pacific regions contributed to this price
decrease by falling 0.3 percent and 2.4 percent, respectively. For
the year, the Import Air Freight Index posted a 4.3 percent decline
led by decreases in the Atlantic and Pacific regions.
The Import Air Passenger Fares Index decreased 2.9 percent this
quarter due to a 7.0 percent drop in the price index for the Atlantic
region. Gains of 7.6 percent in the Pacific region and 0.1 percent
in the Latin American/Caribbean region moderated this decline. For
the year, the Import Air Passenger Fares Index rose 2.1 percent with
increases in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Latin American/Caribbean
regions.
After increasing in three consecutive quarters, the Export Air
Passenger Fares Index fell 3.1 percent in December due to price
declines of 7.8 and 4.6 percent, respectively, in the Atlantic and
Pacific regions. These declines were partially offset by a 26.3
percent surge in the Canadian region and a slight increase of 0.8
percent in the Latin American/Caribbean region. For the year, the
Export Air Passenger Fares Index rose 3.3 percent.
The Import Crude Oil Tanker Freight Index gained 8.0 percent
this quarter, mainly due to a 13.0 percent price jump in the Gulf
region. Despite this quarterly increase, the Import Crude Oil Tanker
Freight Index decreased 14.4 percent over the year, reflecting a 21.5
percent decline in the Gulf region.
The Import Ocean Liner Freight Index decreased 0.3 percent this
quarter, reflecting a decline in the U.S. West Coast Index of 0.7
percent. A slight price increase of 0.1 percent in the U.S. East
Coast Index moderated the decrease. The Import Ocean Liner Freight
Index posted a 2.6 percent annual decrease due to a 5.3 percent
decline in the U.S. West Coast Index.

CONTENTS OF RELEASE
This news release includes the following tables:
Table 1
Import Price Indexes, by End Use.....page 5
Table 2
Export Price Indexes, by End Use.....page 6
Table 3
Import Price Indexes, by SITC.....pages 7-8
Table 4
Export Price Indexes, by SITC.....page 9-10
Table 5
Import Price Indexes, by Harmonized System.....pages 11-12
Table 6
Export Price Indexes, by Harmonized System.....pages 13-14
Table 7
Import Price Indexes, by Locality of Origin.....page 15
Table 8
U.S. International Price Indexes for Services.....page 16
Table 9
U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes for Services.....page 17
------------------------------------------------------------------Import and Export Price Index data for January are scheduled for
release on February 25 at 10:00 a.m. (EST).

********************************************************************
Announcement of Changes in the U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes
********************************************************************
Beginning with the release of January 1997 data on Feb. 25, the
Bureau of Labor Statistics will make several changes to the U.S.
Import and Export Price Indexes. First, all price indexes will be reweighted to 1995 trade weights. Second, these indexes will be
rebased from 1990=100 to 1995=100. Third, the aggregation structure
below the published level will be modified to incorporate the use of
sampling weights in the estimator.
The current practice is to update the weights in these price indexes
every five years. The new weights will be based on U.S. export and
import shipment values for calendar 1995 (as reported by the Bureau
of the Census) and will be used in the calculation of indexes from
January 1997 forward. In addition, as a result of shifts in trade
patterns, there also will be minor changes in the publication
structure.
In keeping with the policy of using a reference base that is the same
as the weight base, all indexes will be rebased to 1995=100. This
impacts the level of the indexes prior to January 1997; however, it
should not (except for rounding) cause any adjustments to the percent
changes between different time periods.

Beginning with the release of January 1997 data, the index estimation
methodology will be modified to incorporate the use of sampling
weights at the item level. Currently, price relatives for individual
items are averaged together using equal weights in the construction
of what is referred to as the elementary aggregation.
Under the new
structure, items will be averaged together using sampling weights.
These weights are primarily based on the value of exports (or
imports) for a given company in a specific product category. As a
result, item weights will more properly represent their true share of
the market. More detailed information will be available in a
forthcoming article in the Monthly Labor Review.
For further information, please contact Jim Thomas at (202) 606-7155.

TECHNICAL NOTE
Import and Export Merchandise and Services Price Indexes -- All indexes
use a modified Laspeyres formula and are weighted with 1990 trade
weights. The merchandise price indexes are published using three
classifications: the Harmonized System (HS), the Bureau of Economic
Analysis End-Use System, and the Standard International Trade
Classification (SITC) system, Rev. 3. Price indexes for internationally
traded services are presented using two definitions: Balance of Payments
(which represents transactions between U.S. and foreign residents) and
International (which represents all transactions with U.S. importers or
exporters, regardless of nationality). Published series use a base year
of 1990=100 where possible. Exceptions are for the recently instituted
HS indexes, which use a base of December 1992=100. Net transaction
price data are collected every month for over 20,000 products from over
6,000 companies and secondary sources. Indexes are not seasonally
adjusted. Historical index series and additional information may be
obtained from the Division of International Prices, Bureau of Labor
Statistics, 2 Massachusetts Avenue NE, PSB 3955, Washington, D.C. 20212,
(202) 606-7155.
Import Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the 1990
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 1990
Harmonized Schedule B classification system of the U.S. Bureau of the
Census. The prices used are generally either "free on board" (f.o.b.)
factory or "free alongside ship" (f.a.s.) 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.
Import Indexes by Locality of Origin -- Prices used in these indexes are
a subset of the data collected for the Import Price Indexes. Prior to
January 1993, nonmanufactured goods were defined as SITC 0-4 and
manufactured goods were defined as SITC 5-8. Beginning with January
1993, the indexes are weighted by country or region of origin using a
nomenclature based upon the Standard Industrial Classification (SICBased). Nonmanufactured goods are defined as SIC 0-1, and manufactured
goods are defined as SIC 2-3. The indexes use a base of December
1990=100.
Import, Export, and International Services Indexes -- Indexes are
updated on a quarterly basis. The figures for services indexes will not
sum up to the aggregate dollar value because not all categories are
shown in the tables. Revenue figures for air passenger indexes exclude
frequent flyer tickets and those sold by consolidators. Indexes for
crude oil tanker freight are calculated from data collected by the U. S.
Department of Energy and represent the second month of the quarter.
Revision policy -- Data are revised for the previous three months to
reflect the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents.
Uses of the Data -- The primary use of the indexes is to deflate trade
statistics. For merchandise trade, the End-Use classification system is
the structure used by the Department of Commerce in the construction of
the foreign trade sector of the National Income and Product Accounts.
Indexes published using the Harmonized System and the Standard
International Trade Classification, Rev. 3, both international
structures, are useful for general market analysis. For trade in
international services, Balance of Payments indexes are used for
deflating National Accounts data, while International indexes are more
appropriate for market analysis. Merchandise and services indexes can
also be used to study U.S. competitiveness and price elasticities, and
the merchandise import indexes by country or region of origin are useful
for terms of trade analysis.

The import and export news release contains monthly price indexes at
the two-digit level of detail. If you would like to be added to the
mailing list for more detailed index and percent change tables,
please fill out the form below and mail or fax it to the following
address:

Division of International Prices
Bureau of Labor Statistics
PSB Building, Rm. 3955
2 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E.
Washington, DC 20212

Phone Number: (202) 606-7155
Fax Number: (202) 606-7179
--------------------------------------------------------------------IPP Order Form
Please add my name to the mailing list for the following
publications.
1. Monthly News Release

______

2. Harmonized System Indexes

______

3. SITC Indexes

______

4. BEA End-Use Indexes

______

Name________________________________________________________
Address_____________________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
Phone Number

(

) ______________________________________
TECHNICAL NOTE

Import and Export Merchandise and Services Price Indexes -- All indexes
use a modified Laspeyres formula and are weighted with 1990 trade

weights. The merchandise price indexes are published using three
classifications: the Harmonized System (HS), the Bureau of Economic
Analysis End-Use System, and the Standard International Trade
Classification (SITC) system, Rev. 3. Price indexes for internationally
traded services are presented using two definitions: Balance of Payments
(which represents transactions between U.S. and foreign residents) and
International (which represents all transactions with U.S. importers or
exporters, regardless of nationality). Published series use a base year
of 1990=100 where possible. Exceptions are for the recently instituted
HS indexes, which use a base of December 1992=100. Net transaction
price data are collected every month for over 20,000 products from over
6,000 companies and secondary sources. Indexes are not seasonally
adjusted. Historical index series and additional information may be
obtained from the Division of International Prices, Bureau of Labor
Statistics, 2 Massachusetts Avenue NE, PSB 3955, Washington, D.C. 20212,
(202) 606-7155.
Import Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the 1990
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 1990
Harmonized Schedule B classification system of the U.S. Bureau of the
Census. The prices used are generally either "free on board" (f.o.b.)
factory or "free alongside ship" (f.a.s.) 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.
Import Indexes by Locality of Origin -- Prices used in these indexes are
a subset of the data collected for the Import Price Indexes. Prior to
January 1993, nonmanufactured goods were defined as SITC 0-4 and
manufactured goods were defined as SITC 5-8. Beginning with January
1993, the indexes are weighted by country or region of origin using a
nomenclature based upon the Standard Industrial Classification (SICBased). Nonmanufactured goods are defined as SIC 0-1, and manufactured
goods are defined as SIC 2-3. The indexes use a base of December
1990=100.
Import, Export, and International Services Indexes -- Indexes are
updated on a quarterly basis. The figures for services indexes will not

sum up to the aggregate dollar value because not all categories are
shown in the tables. Revenue figures for air passenger indexes exclude
frequent flyer tickets and those sold by consolidators. Indexes for
crude oil tanker freight are calculated from data collected by the U. S.
Department of Energy and represent the second month of the quarter.
Revision policy -- Data are revised for the previous three months to
reflect the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents.
Uses of the Data -- The primary use of the indexes is to deflate trade
statistics. For merchandise trade, the End-Use classification system is
the structure used by the Department of Commerce in the construction of
the foreign trade sector of the National Income and Product Accounts.
Indexes published using the Harmonized System and the Standard
International Trade Classification, Rev. 3, both international
structures, are useful for general market analysis. For trade in
international services, Balance of Payments indexes are used for
deflating National Accounts data, while International indexes are more
appropriate for market analysis. Merchandise and services indexes can
also be used to study U.S. competitiveness and price elasticities, and
the merchandise import indexes by country or region of origin are useful
for terms of trade analysis.

The import and export news release contains monthly price indexes at
the two-digit level of detail. If you would like to be added to the
mailing list for more detailed index and percent change tables,
please fill out the form below and mail or fax it to the following
address:

Division of International Prices
Bureau of Labor Statistics
PSB Building, Rm. 3955
2 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E.
Washington, DC 20212

Phone Number: (202) 606-7155
Fax Number: (202) 606-7179
--------------------------------------------------------------------IPP Order Form

Please add my name to the mailing list for the following
publications.
1. Monthly News Release

______

2. Harmonized System Indexes

______

3. SITC Indexes

______

4. BEA End-Use Indexes

______

Name________________________________________________________
Address_____________________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
Phone Number
Table 1

END
USE

(

) ______________________________________

U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, December 1995-December
1990=100, unless otherwise noted
Index
Percent Change
Relative
ImportAnnual
Monthly
ance
Dec.
Aug.
Sept.
Description
1995
1996
1996
November
November
December to
to
to
1996
1996
1996
Dec.
Sept.
Oct.
1/
2/
1996
1996
1996
ALL COMMODITIES
ALL IMPORTS EXCLUDING PETROLEUM

0
00

01

1

1996

Oct.
1996
to
Nov.
1996

Nov.
1996
to
Dec.
1996

100.000
87.759

108.1
108.5

108.2
108.6

1.3
-1.7

1.1
0.4

0.6
-0.3

-0.2
-0.1

0.1
0.1

5.912

117.6

116.2

-0.7

1.9

0.2

0.3

-1.2

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,
excluding distilled beverages

4.193

115.5

113.2

-2.2

2.5

0.3

0.3

-2.0

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled
beverages)

1.719

122.6

123.6

3.3

0.3

0.2

0.2

0.8

30.304

107.3

107.6

8.2

2.9

2.4

-0.1

0.3

FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES

INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS
INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS

10
100

EXCLUDING PETROLEUM
INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
DURABLE
INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
NONDURABLE EXCLUDING PETROLEUM

18.063

108.7

109.4

-2.6

0.4

-0.6

0.5

0.6

9.251

106.6

106.5

-1.8

1.2

-1.0

0.0

-0.1

8.813

111.3

112.9

-3.3

-0.5

-0.1

0.9

1.4

Fuels & lubricants

13.548

105.1

106.3

32.0

6.8

6.7

-0.1

1.1

12.241

103.2

103.5

31.7

7.6

7.0

-0.8

0.3

8.849

100.5

99.8

31.7

8.5

6.4

-1.9

-0.7

Petroleum & petroleum products

10000

Crude

11

Paper & paper base stocks

2.103

101.3

99.5

-26.0

-2.0

-2.9

-1.7

-1.8

12

Materials associated with nondurable
supplies & materials

5.640

110.3

110.2

-2.0

-0.2

0.1

0.1

-0.1

13

Selected building materials

1.996

138.5

136.2

12.7

3.8

-3.6

2.1

-1.7

14

Unfinished metals associated with
durable goods

4.261

98.0

98.5

-6.3

0.8

-0.6

-0.7

0.5

Finished metals associated with durable
goods

1.442

103.9

103.4

-2.5

-0.3

0.3

-0.5

-0.5

Nonmetals associated with durable goods

1.314

104.1

104.6

-5.1

0.3

0.0

0.0

0.5

22.992

102.1

101.8

-4.0

0.2

-0.3

-0.5

-0.3

3.004

110.4

110.6

-1.7

0.0

0.3

-0.4

0.2

17.439

99.2

98.9

-5.1

0.3

-0.5

-0.7

-0.3

15

16
2

CAPITAL GOODS

20

Electric & electrical generating
equipment

21

Nonelectrical machinery

3

AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES

19.624

115.3

115.6

0.0

0.3

-0.2

-0.2

0.3

4

CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING AUTOMOTIVES

21.168

107.6

107.7

-0.6

0.2

-0.2

-0.1

0.1

10.208

108.1

108.0

-0.1

0.2

-0.2

0.0

-0.1

40

Nondurables, manufactured

41

Durables, manufactured

9.809

106.5

106.5

-1.0

0.1

-0.2

-0.2

0.0

42

Nonmanufactured consumer goods

1.151

113.2

115.0

-0.3

1.3

0.4

-0.4

1.6

1

Relative importance figures are based on

n.a.

Not available

2

1990 trade values.
Data for September, October and November 1996
have been revised to reflect the availability
of late reports and corrections by respondents.
All data are subject to revision in each of
the three months after original publication.

NOTE:

Table 2

END
USE

0
00

01

1

10

Published categories may include price data not shown separately

U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, December 1995-December
1990=100, unless otherwise noted
Index
Percent Change
Relative
ImportAnnual
Monthly
ance
Dec.
Aug.
Sept.
Description
1995
1996
1996
November
November
December to
to
to
1996
1996
1996
Dec.
Sept.
Oct.
1/
2/
1996
1996
1996

Oct.
1996
to
Nov.
1996

Nov.
1996
to
Dec.
1996

ALL COMMODITIES
AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES
NONAGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES

100.000
11.709
88.292

108.1
116.4
107.3

108.1
115.4
107.4

-1.2
-6.9
-0.4

-0.7
-7.2
0.2

-0.3
-2.6
0.0

-0.4
-2.3
0.0

0.0
-0.9
0.1

FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES

10.412

118.7

117.3

-6.5

-8.4

-3.0

-1.8

-1.2

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,
excluding distilled beverages

9.373

118.6

117.1

-7.5

-9.1

-3.4

-2.3

-1.3

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled
beverages)

1.039

116.4

116.3

3.4

-1.5

0.9

2.5

-0.1

28.494

108.6

109.0

-2.3

0.6

0.3

-0.6

0.4

11.002

112.4

113.2

-2.7

0.6

-0.1

-0.4

0.7

17.492

107.6

107.7

-2.0

0.7

0.6

-0.6

0.1

2.336

108.9

109.6

-4.6

1.7

0.6

-2.6

0.6

26.158

108.6

108.9

-2.2

0.6

0.2

-0.4

0.3

3.710

106.6

107.5

12.9

2.1

2.6

0.1

0.8

INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS
INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
DURABLE
INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
NONDURABLE
Agricultural industrial supplies &
materials
NONAGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES &
MATERIALS

11

1996

Fuels & lubricants

12

Nonagricultural supplies & materials
excluding fuels & building materials

13

Selected building materials

2

CAPITAL GOODS

20

Electric & electrical generating
equipment

21

Nonelectrical machinery

19.689

105.7

105.9

-4.8

0.2

-0.2

-0.6

0.2

2.759

145.1

145.5

0.6

1.2

0.3

0.6

0.3

40.090

105.4

105.3

0.0

0.0

-0.1

0.0

-0.1

3.649

108.7

108.8

-0.3

-0.1

-0.1

-0.1

0.1

25.859

100.2

100.1

-1.3

-0.2

-0.1

-0.1

-0.1

3

AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES

10.147

109.5

109.5

0.5

-0.1

0.2

0.2

0.0

4

CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING AUTOMOTIVES

10.858

111.2

111.4

1.5

0.2

0.0

0.0

0.2

40

Nondurables, manufactured

5.861

113.3

113.6

1.2

0.2

-0.1

-0.1

0.3

41

Durables, manufactured

4.465

108.7

108.7

1.1

0.3

-0.2

0.0

0.0

1
2

Relative importance figures are based on
1990 trade values.
Data for September, October and November 1996
have been revised to reflect the availability
of late reports and corrections by respondents.
All data are subject to revision in each of the
three months after original publication.

NOTE:

Table 3

SITC
Rev. 3

n.a.

Not available

Published categories may include price data not shown separately

U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, December 1995-December 1996
1990=100, unless otherwise noted
Index
Percent Change
Relative
ImportAnnual
Monthly
ance
Dec.
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Description
1995
1996
1996
1996
November
November
December to
to
to
to
1996
1996
1996
Dec.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
1/
2/
1996
1996
1996
1996
ALL COMMODITIES

100.000

108.1

108.2

1.3

1.1

0.6

-0.2

Nov.
1996
to
Dec.
1996
0.1

0
01
03

FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS
Meat and meat preparations
Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates
and preparations thereof
Cereals and cereal preparations
Vegetables and fruit, prepared
fresh or dried
Sugars, sugar preparations and honey
Coffee, tea, cocoa, spices and
manufactures thereof

4.848
0.511

113.5
87.9

111.0
85.3

-1.1
1.3

2.9
0.6

0.9
1.8

0.3
-0.3

-2.2
-3.0

1.235
0.181

120.9
103.7

122.0
105.0

3.4
-3.0

0.5
-1.6

0.2
-2.1

0.2
-1.6

0.9
1.3

1.453
0.262

127.5
100.8

120.4
100.2

-0.6
-2.0

8.3
-0.2

3.1
0.9

1.4
0.3

-5.6
-0.6

0.827

125.3

121.6

-9.1

2.4

-1.8

-0.3

-3.0

1
11

BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO
Beverages

1.086
0.874

121.0
118.0

121.2
118.3

3.1
2.2

0.5
0.4

0.0
0.2

0.1
0.1

0.2
0.3

2
23

CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS
Crude rubber (including synthetic and
reclaimed)
Cork and wood
Pulp and waste paper
Metalliferous ores and metal scrap

3.363

119.4

119.0

-5.0

3.5

-1.6

1.1

-0.3

0.320
1.125
0.444
0.843

132.4
177.6
76.3
102.4

136.6
170.3
74.5
103.5

-11.9
25.4
-39.0
-4.4

0.1
4.5
3.3
2.5

-2.5
-5.7
1.6
-0.2

2.4
5.8
0.3
-1.1

3.2
-4.1
-2.4
1.1

13.058

103.8

104.9

32.4

7.2

6.9

0.0

1.1

11.894
1.098

103.4
109.2

103.2
125.0

30.5
56.3

7.5
3.6

7.0
6.9

-1.0
11.3

-0.2
14.5

4.815
1.375
0.701

110.7
100.6
114.9

110.5
100.2
116.3

-1.3
0.3
2.6

0.3
0.1
0.1

0.0
-0.9
2.9

0.2
1.5
-1.2

-0.2
-0.4
1.2

0.290
0.693

108.6
126.3

108.3
126.0

-1.3
-2.7

0.4
1.3

-1.3
-1.2

-0.6
-0.2

-0.3
-0.2

0.318
0.258
0.491
0.476

122.9
104.5
98.0
114.9

122.1
103.6
98.7
112.5

-2.5
-7.1
-7.7
0.4

-1.1
1.4
-1.5
1.7

1.1
-0.2
0.8
-0.3

-0.6
2.6
-1.2
-0.3

-0.7
-0.9
0.7
-2.1

12.456
0.713

106.8
103.4

107.0
103.3

-5.8
-3.1

-0.4
0.2

-1.0
-0.4

-0.7
-0.7

0.2
-0.1

1.820

109.8

108.2

-20.8

-3.5

-3.8

-2.4

-1.5

04
05
06
07

24
25
28
3
33
34
5
51
52
53
54
55
57
58
59
6
62
64
65

MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED
MATERIALS
Petroleum, petroleum products and
related materials
Gas, natural and manufactured
CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.
Organic chemicals
Inorganic chemicals
Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials
(9212=100)
Medicinal and pharmaceutical products
Essential oils; polishing and cleansing
preps
Plastics in primary forms (9212=100)
Plastics in nonprimary forms (9212=100)
Chemical materials and products, n.e.s.
MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY
BY MATERIAL
Rubber manufactures, n.e.s.
Paper, paperboard, and articles of
paper pulp, paper or paper board
Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up

66
67
68
69
7
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
8
81
82
83
84
85
87
88
89

971

articles, n.e.s., and related product
Nonmetallic mineral manufactures,
n.e.s.
Iron and steel
Nonferrous metals
Manufactures of metals, n.e.s.

1.420

114.0

114.5

-0.2

-0.3

0.0

0.0

0.4

2.203
2.039
1.687
1.929

114.3
106.0
88.2
111.0

114.8
105.6
89.4
111.4

2.4
-3.7
-12.5
-0.1

0.5
0.6
-0.3
-0.2

-0.1
0.1
-2.0
-0.2

0.4
-0.5
-1.3
-0.2

0.4
-0.4
1.4
0.4

MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT
Machinery specialized for particular
industries
Metalworking machinery
General industrial machinery and equipment, n.e.s. and machine parts, n.e.s
Computer equipment and office machines
Telecommunications & sound recording
& reproducing apparatus & equipment
Electrical machinery and equipment
Road vehicles

43.260

107.3

107.3

-2.2

0.3

-0.3

-0.3

0.0

2.959
0.877

116.9
121.5

117.5
121.5

-0.4
-0.7

0.2
0.2

0.0
-0.2

-0.3
-0.1

0.5
0.0

3.323
3.919

116.6
74.3

116.6
73.9

-0.9
-10.1

0.7
-0.9

-0.2
-0.5

-0.5
-0.8

0.0
-0.5

4.112
6.593
16.680

94.2
100.1
117.6

94.0
99.4
117.7

-3.8
-6.3
0.0

-0.1
0.9
0.3

-0.2
-0.7
-0.2

-0.3
-1.0
-0.1

-0.2
-0.7
0.1

MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES
Prefabricated buildings; plumbing, heat
lighting fixtures, n.e.s.
Furniture and parts thereof
Travel goods, handbags and similar
containers
Articles of apparel and clothing
accessories
Footwear
Professional, scientific and controlling
instruments and apparatus, n.e.s.
Photographic apparatus, equipment and
supplies and optical goods, n.e.s.;
Miscellaneous manufactured articles,
n.e.s.

16.612

107.9

107.8

-0.5

0.1

-0.1

-0.1

-0.1

0.314
1.050

104.5
107.5

104.6
107.5

-1.2
0.6

0.4
0.1

-0.6
-0.1

0.2
0.8

0.1
0.0

0.480

110.7

110.5

-0.1

-0.3

0.0

-0.4

-0.2

5.196
1.915

104.4
102.6

104.1
102.8

0.5
0.0

0.1
0.2

-0.2
-0.2

0.4
-0.1

-0.3
0.2

1.409

116.3

116.2

-0.8

0.1

-0.3

-0.3

-0.1

1.418

110.5

110.3

-3.8

0.4

-0.2

-0.5

-0.2

4.831

110.9

110.6

-0.7

0.1

0.0

-0.4

-0.3

0.202

110.1

108.8

-3.6

0.5

-1.3

-0.5

-1.2

Gold, nonmonetary (excluding gold ores
and concentrates) (9212=100)

1
2

Relative importance figures are based on
1990 trade values.
Data for September, October and November 1996
have been revised to reflect the availability
of late reports and corrections by respondents.

n.a.

Not available.

3

All data are subject to revision in each of the
three months after original publication.
Product categories included in this group
have been modified due to concordance
or coverage limitations.

NOTE:

Table 4

SITC
Rev. 3

Published categories may include price data not shown separetely

U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, December 1995-December 1996
1990=100, unless otherwise noted
Index
Percent Change
Relative
ImportAnnual
Monthly
ance
Dec.
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Description
1995
1996
1996
1996
November
November
December to
to
to
to
1996
1996
1996
Dec.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
1/
2/
1996
1996
1996
1996
ALL COMMODITIES

Nov.
1996
to
Dec.
1996

100.000

108.1

108.1

-1.2

-0.7

-0.3

-0.4

0.0

FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS
Meat and meat preparations
Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates
and preparations
Cereals and cereal preparations
Vegetables, fruit and nuts,
fresh or dried
feeding stuff for animals (not
including unmilled cereals)

9.171
0.924

120.9
114.0

119.3
113.4

-7.4
-7.6

-9.7
-2.4

-1.5
0.4

-2.3
-0.5

-1.3
-0.5

0.835
3.874

114.0
121.8

114.0
120.6

4.4
-16.4

-1.4
-20.1

0.5
-4.3

3.2
-2.9

0.0
-1.0

1.807

129.6

123.2

1.3

1.1

2.1

-2.5

-4.9

0.910

123.3

125.6

4.6

4.7

-2.4

-5.0

1.9

1

BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO

2.091

115.3

115.5

0.3

-0.2

-0.1

-0.2

0.2

2
21
22
23

7.702
0.515
1.135

110.9
116.5
115.7

111.0
113.9
115.0

-7.9
24.9
1.1

1.2
4.1
-0.5

-1.5
7.4
-13.5

-0.9
-0.9
1.4

0.1
-2.2
-0.6

24
25
26
27
28

CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS
Hides, skins and furskins, raw
Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits
Crude rubber (including synthetic and
reclaimed)
Cork and wood
Pulp and waste paper
Textile fibers and their waste
Crude fertilizers and crude minerals
Metalliferous ores and metal scrap

0.247
1.957
0.913
1.011
0.369
1.282

106.3
149.1
89.7
103.5
95.5
100.4

108.2
150.0
86.6
104.4
95.5
102.4

-3.6
0.3
-35.1
-15.5
-2.6
-6.7

-0.6
1.8
1.1
2.2
-0.1
1.4

-1.2
0.4
1.3
-1.3
0.3
1.0

-0.7
0.4
-1.5
-3.5
0.2
-3.0

1.8
0.6
-3.5
0.9
0.0
2.0

3

MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED

0
01
03
04
05
08

32
33

4

5
51
52
53
54
55
57
58
59
6
62
63
64
66
68
69
7
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78

MATERIALS
Coal, coke and briquettes
Petroleum, petroleum products and
related materials
ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE OILS, FATS AND
WAXES
CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.
Organic chemicals
Inorganic chemicals (9212=100)
Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials
(9312=100)
Medicinal and pharmaceutical products
Essential oils; polishing and cleansing
preps
Plastics in primary forms (9212=100)
Plastics in nonprimary forms (9212=100)
Chemical materials and products, n.e.s.
MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY
BY MATERIAL
Rubber manufactures, n.e.s.
Cork and wood manufactures other than
furniture (9212=100)
Paper, paperboard, and articles of
paper pulp, paper or paperboard
Nonmetallic mineral manufactures,
n.e.s.
Nonferrous metals
Manufactures of metals, n.e.s.
MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT
Power generating machinery and
equipment
Machinery specialized for particular
industries
Metalworking machinery
General industrial machinery and equipment, n.e.s. and machine parts, n.e.s
Computer equipment and office machines
Telecommunications & sound recording
& reproducing apparatus & equipment
Electrical machinery and equipment
Road vehicles

3.280
1.215

105.3
98.7

106.8
98.7

15.1
0.1

3.1
-0.2

3.5
0.1

-0.7
0.2

1.4
0.0

1.906

106.2

108.5

25.6

5.6

5.9

-1.3

2.2

0.323

107.1

110.6

-5.8

5.6

-4.3

-7.5

3.3

10.796
2.619
1.079

109.3
99.1
117.2

109.4
98.8
117.6

-0.5
-7.6
1.1

-0.2
-0.1
-0.5

0.0
0.3
-0.1

-0.4
0.1
-0.2

0.1
-0.3
0.3

0.457
1.156

104.4
110.6

104.5
110.6

1.7
1.7

0.0
0.1

1.4
-0.2

-0.2
0.1

0.1
0.0

0.577
1.901
0.698
1.628

112.6
124.6
105.6
118.5

112.6
125.7
105.5
118.6

0.5
4.9
-3.2
2.5

0.7
-0.4
-1.3
-0.1

0.0
-0.5
-0.3
0.2

-0.2
-2.6
-0.5
0.1

0.0
0.9
-0.1
0.1

9.425
0.636

111.0
119.9

111.4
120.0

-2.5
0.4

0.4
0.3

-0.4
0.1

-0.1
0.1

0.4
0.1

0.385

97.1

97.2

-6.7

-0.1

0.2

0.4

0.1

1.335

105.0

104.6

-12.5

0.8

-1.9

-0.4

-0.4

1.307
1.284
1.740

114.0
96.5
114.8

113.7
100.1
115.3

2.9
-7.2
0.6

-0.4
1.2
0.8

1.0
-1.8
0.1

1.0
-2.3
-0.3

-0.3
3.7
0.4

46.630

105.2

105.2

0.0

0.0

-0.1

0.0

0.0

4.512

120.5

120.9

3.2

0.1

-0.2

0.2

0.3

4.504
0.814

116.0
114.5

116.1
114.5

1.6
1.6

0.2
0.3

-0.1
-0.3

-0.3
0.0

0.1
0.0

4.668
4.694

115.5
67.9

115.3
67.1

2.7
-9.6

0.1
-1.3

0.3
-0.4

0.2
-0.7

-0.2
-1.2

2.628
7.907
8.052

106.8
100.6
109.6

106.9
100.8
109.6

1.5
-2.7
0.5

0.0
-0.1
0.0

0.1
-0.4
0.3

0.1
0.0
0.1

0.1
0.2
0.0

8
82
87

MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES
Furniture and parts thereof
Professional, scientific and controlling
instruments and apparatus, n.e.s.
Miscellaneous manufactured articles,
n.e.s.

89

971

Gold, nonmonetary (excluding gold ores
and concentrates) (9212=100)

1
2

Harmonized
System

I
02
03

II
07
08

109.2
103.0

109.5
103.0

1.1
1.4

0.0
0.4

0.0
0.4

0.2
-0.3

0.3
0.0

3.647

116.1

116.7

2.5

0.0

-0.1

0.3

0.5

3.647

103.4

103.5

0.0

-0.1

0.0

0.1

0.1

0.721

111.2

110.1

-2.6

1.5

-1.2

-0.4

-1.0

Relative importance figures are based on
1990 trade values.
Data for September, October and November 1996
have been revised to reflect the availability
of late reports and corrections by respondents.
All data are subject to revision in each of the
three months after original publication.

NOTE:

able 5

9.862
0.425

n.a.

Not available.

Published categories may include price data not shown separately

U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, December 1995-December
December 1992=100, unless otherwise noted
Index
Percent Change
Relative
ImportAnnual
Monthly
ance
Dec.
Aug.
Sept.
Description
1995
1996
1996
November
November
December to
to
to
1996
1996
1996
Dec.
Sept.
Oct.
1/
2/
1996
1996
1996

1996

Oct.
1996
to
Nov.
1996

Nov.
1996
to
Dec.
1996

LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS
Meat and edible meat offal
Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and
other aquatic invertebrates

1.677
0.372

100.6
83.7

101.0
83.0

0.7
-7.2

0.8
2.2

0.8
1.7

0.5
0.2

0.4
-0.8

0.973

113.9

115.0

4.5

0.1

0.1

0.9

1.0

VEGETABLE PRODUCTS
Edible vegetables and certain roots and
tubers
Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus

1.856

128.1

124.0

-6.1

5.3

1.2

1.7

-3.2

0.344

131.7

117.4

-7.6

n.a.

12.7

-6.7

-10.9

09
3/

fruit or melons
Coffee, tea, mate and spices
Other vegetable products

0.496
0.619
0.397

116.4
147.3
116.5

113.4
140.3
122.1

7.8
-14.0
-7.0

-2.2
1.5
2.3

-0.2
-2.6
-0.2

18.1
-0.4
-4.4

-2.6
-4.8
4.8

0.243

144.3

146.7

5.9

-0.8

-0.8

0.0

1.7

2.596

111.4

110.7

0.7

1.0

-0.5

-0.7

-0.6

0.271

112.5

113.1

1.8

1.5

1.2

-1.4

0.5

0.431
1.024
0.421

116.7
105.8
116.6

112.3
105.6
116.6

-5.8
2.2
5.0

-0.2
0.6
4.3

-3.7
-0.1
-0.4

-3.8
0.5
-0.3

-3.8
-0.2
0.0

16.814
0.342

128.4
92.6

129.4
91.6

30.6
-1.7

7.1
1.4

6.6
0.2

-0.1
0.5

0.8
-1.1

16.222

129.9

130.9

32.4

7.2

6.8

-0.1

0.8

4.658
1.026
1.697
0.360

111.6
119.6
109.3
119.4

111.8
121.8
109.3
119.3

0.4
1.8
1.1
0.0

0.4
0.8
0.3
2.5

0.1
2.0
-0.9
0.1

-0.2
-2.2
1.2
-0.7

0.2
1.8
0.0
-0.1

0.271
0.357

108.5
103.9

108.2
103.7

-1.9
-1.9

0.5
0.4

-1.3
-0.3

-0.7
-0.3

-0.3
-0.2

0.489

109.2

107.2

-2.7

-0.5

0.6

-0.3

-1.8

2.456
1.409
1.047

106.3
103.9
109.7

106.8
104.0
110.7

-5.7
-4.9
-6.8

0.1
-0.1
0.4

-0.4
0.2
-1.2

-0.1
-0.1
-0.2

0.5
0.1
0.9

1.116

110.0

109.8

2.6

-1.8

-0.2

1.7

-0.2

0.933

104.4

104.1

0.0

-0.1

-0.1

-0.1

-0.3

WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW, BASKET
AND WICKER

1.363

129.1

127.0

13.7

3.9

-4.2

2.1

-1.6

WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER
AND ARTICLES THEREOF

2.835

112.5

110.9

-22.3

-1.6

-1.9

-1.7

-1.4

III

ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE FATS AND OILS

IV

PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND
TOBACCO
Edible preps of meat, fish, and other
aquatic invertebrates
Preparations of vegetables, fruit,
nuts, or other parts of plants
Beverages, spirits, and vinegar
Other prepared foodstuffs

16
20
22
3/
V
26
27

MINERAL PRODUCTS
Ores, slag and ash
Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,
bituminous substances and mineral wax

VI
28
29
30
32
37
3/

VII
39
40
VIII
42

IX

X

PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED
INDUSTRIES
Inorganic chemicals
Organic chemicals
Pharmaceutical products
Tanning & dyeing extracts; dye &
pigments; varnish & paints; putty
Photographic or cinematographic goods
Essential oils & perfumes; cleaning
preps; glues & starches; & explosives
PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER
AND ARTICLES THEREOF
Plastics and articles thereof
Rubber and articles thereof
RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,
TRAVEL GOODS, ETC
Articles of leather; travel goods, bags,
etc. of various materials

47

Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic
material; waste paper/paperboard
Paper and paperboard; articles of paper
pulp, paper or paperboard
Printed matter

0.581

104.7

102.1

-38.3

3.1

1.9

0.1

-2.5

1.919
0.335

116.1
107.2

114.5
107.3

-19.4
0.4

-3.1
-0.2

-3.5
1.1

-2.1
-2.3

-1.4
0.1

5.973

103.5

103.4

0.0

0.1

-0.3

0.2

-0.1

1.582

103.7

103.5

0.6

0.6

0.1

-0.1

-0.2

2.934

102.1

101.8

0.3

0.2

-0.4

0.2

-0.3

0.294

109.7

109.8

-0.3

-0.4

-0.1

-0.1

0.1

2.089

101.6

101.7

0.0

0.2

-0.1

-0.1

0.1

1.873

101.2

101.4

0.0

0.1

-0.2

-0.1

0.2

STONE, PLASTER, CEMENT, ASBESTOS,CERAMIC
GLASS ETC.
Glass and glassware

1.033
0.379

108.1
110.6

109.1
111.3

2.5
3.5

0.1
0.2

-0.2
-0.4

-0.1
0.7

0.9
0.6

PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,
IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS

2.337

104.2

103.7

-1.3

0.0

-0.7

-0.2

-0.5

XV
72
73
74
75
76
79
83

BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METAL
Iron and steel
Articles of iron or steel
Copper and articles thereof
Nickel and articles thereof
Aluminum and articles thereof
Zinc and articles thereof
Miscellaneous articles of base metal

5.796
1.699
1.377
0.475
0.255
0.843
0.196
0.362

109.6
111.1
107.8
103.1
112.0
119.4
94.2
108.6

110.2
110.9
107.2
108.4
110.8
120.9
96.5
109.2

-5.8
-4.2
-2.3
-18.1
-18.4
-9.0
3.3
1.6

0.2
0.5
-0.2
1.2
-0.4
0.0
0.7
-0.1

-0.6
-0.1
-0.1
-1.7
1.5
-3.4
0.0
0.4

-0.5
-0.3
-0.5
1.2
-3.9
-1.3
2.1
0.0

0.5
-0.2
-0.6
5.1
-1.1
1.3
2.4
0.6

XVI

MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV
IMAGE & SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC.
Specialized machinery & computer
equipment
Electrical machinery and equip, sound
and TV recorders & reproducers, parts

23.555

97.8

97.6

-4.1

0.2

-0.4

-0.3

-0.2

12.574

97.8

97.9

-2.9

0.1

-0.4

0.0

0.1

10.981

97.8

97.3

-5.4

0.5

-0.5

-0.7

-0.5

17.077
15.873

109.9
110.2

110.0
110.3

0.0
0.0

0.4
0.4

-0.2
-0.2

-0.2
-0.1

0.1
0.1

48
49
XI
61
62
63

XII
64

XIII
70
XIV

84
85

XVII
87

TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES
Articles of apparel and clothing
accessories, knitted or crocheted
Articles of apparel and clothing
accessories, not knitted or crocheted
Made-up or worn textile articles and
clothing; needlecraft sets; rags
FOOTWEAR, HEADGEAR, UMBRELLAS, WHIPS,
ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS, ETC.
Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts
of such articles

VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND
ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT
Motor vehicles and their parts

XVIII

OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; CLOCKS & WATCHES
Optical, photographic, measuring and
medical instruments
Clocks and watches and parts thereof

90
91
XX
94

MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES
Furniture; stuffed furnishings; lamps
and lighting fittings nes;
Toys, games and sports equipment; parts
and accessories thereof
Miscellaneous manufactured articles

95
96

1
2

3

Harmonized
System

I
02
03
03R

107.7

107.4

-2.9

0.1

-0.3

-0.5

-0.3

2.752
0.377

107.3
110.3

107.0
109.5

-2.9
-2.8

0.0
1.4

-0.5
0.1

-0.2
-0.9

-0.3
-0.7

3.182

101.1

101.0

-0.5

0.1

-0.2

0.2

-0.1

1.252

101.0

101.0

-0.4

0.1

-0.2

0.8

0.0

1.653
0.277

100.8
104.0

100.4
104.3

-0.1
-3.2

0.1
0.7

-0.3
-0.7

0.0
0.0

-0.4
0.3

Relative importance figures are based on
1990 trade values.
Data for September, October and November 1996
have been revised to reflect the availability
of late reports and corrections by respondents.
All data are subject to revision in each of
the three months after original publication.
Product categories included in this group
have been modified due to concordance
or coverage limitations.

NOTE:

Table 6

3.283

Published categories may include price data not shown separately

U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, December 1995-December 1996
December 1992=100, unless otherwise noted
Index
Percent Change
Relative
ImportAnnual
Monthly
ance
Dec.
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Description
1995
1996
1996
1996
November
November
December to
to
to
to
1996
1996
1996
Dec.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
1/
2/
1996
1996
1996
1996

LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS
Meat & edible meat offal
Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and
other aquatic invertebrates
Other fish, crustaceans & aquatic

Nov.
1996
to
Dec.
1996

2.068
0.807

118.5
104.2

117.9
103.8

-0.4
-9.3

-2.2
-3.2

0.5
0.1

1.3
-0.4

-0.5
-0.4

0.887

133.6

133.3

4.1

-1.7

0.9

3.6

-0.2

invertebrates

0.489

148.1

148.6

-3.7

-3.3

-0.6

5.0

0.3

VEGETABLE PRODUCTS
Edible vegetables and certain roots and
tubers
Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus
fruit or melons
Cereals
Oilseeds and misc. grains, seeds,
fruits, plants, straw and fodder

6.876

124.3

122.1

-10.5

-13.5

-5.0

-2.1

-1.8

0.411

115.9

107.6

16.3

-1.2

4.2

4.5

-7.2

0.956
3.806

129.1
124.9

121.8
123.6

-6.4
-17.3

3.9
-22.2

1.5
-4.9

-5.7
-3.3

-5.7
-1.0

1.421

124.2

123.5

1.3

-0.4

-12.5

1.5

-0.6

III

ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE FATS AND OILS

0.360

109.0

112.0

-5.4

4.1

-4.0

-6.0

2.8

IV

PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND
TOBACCO
Preparations of vegetables, fruit,
nuts, or other parts of plants
Miscellaneous edible preparations
Residues and waste from the food
industries; prepared animal feed

3.820

107.0

107.6

1.3

1.1

-0.5

-1.7

0.6

0.341
0.228

113.2
101.8

113.7
102.6

1.2
2.2

-1.2
0.5

0.4
0.1

0.4
0.1

0.4
0.8

0.811

114.7

116.5

3.4

4.9

-2.5

-5.2

1.6

4.648

121.2

123.1

12.2

3.1

3.1

-0.3

1.6

3.921

124.2

126.1

16.7

3.1

3.4

-0.2

1.5

9.451
1.316
3.328
0.742

113.4
120.1
111.5
106.9

113.5
120.7
111.3
106.9

-0.7
1.5
-4.7
0.7

0.0
-0.4
0.0
0.1

0.2
-0.2
0.4
-0.2

0.2
-0.1
0.0
0.2

0.1
0.5
-0.2
0.0

0.428

103.3

103.4

1.4

0.0

1.0

-0.1

0.1

0.391

108.1

108.2

-0.1

0.6

0.0

-0.2

0.1

0.252
0.517
1.408

112.8
98.5
113.9

113.2
99.3
113.9

1.7
-0.1
2.6

0.4
0.1
0.1

-0.1
-0.1
0.2

0.1
0.2
0.0

0.4
0.8
0.0

PLASTICS AND ARTICLES THEREOF; RUBBER
AND ARTICLES THEREOF
Plastics and articles thereof
Rubber and articles thereof

4.133
3.261
0.872

113.6
114.8
109.5

114.1
115.2
110.1

1.4
2.0
-0.6

-0.4
-0.5
0.1

-0.4
-0.5
-0.2

-1.0
-1.2
-0.2

0.4
0.3
0.5

RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,
TRAVEL GOODS, ETC.

0.911

120.3

118.3

13.4

2.7

4.4

0.2

-1.7

II
07
08
10
12

20
21
23

V
27

VI
28
29
30
32
33
34
37
38
VII
39
40
VIII

MINERAL PRODUCTS
Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,
bituminous substances and mineral wax
PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED
INDUSTRIES
Inorganic chemicals
Organic chemicals
Pharmaceutical products
Tanning or dyeing extracts; dyes and
pigments; paints & varnish; putty;ink
Essential oils and resinoids;
perfumery, cosmetic or toilet
Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or
scouring products; candles, pastes
Photographic or cinematographic goods
Miscellaneous chemical products

41

Raw hides and skins (other than
furskins) and leather

0.705

115.3

112.7

11.3

3.4

5.8

0.2

-2.3

1.936

116.1

116.5

-1.0

1.4

0.3

0.5

0.3

3.484

109.9

108.4

-18.4

0.5

-0.4

-0.7

-1.4

1.165

112.1

108.5

-34.6

1.1

1.2

-1.5

-3.2

1.429
0.890

108.9
108.8

108.0
108.9

-13.2
4.4

0.7
-0.4

-2.1
-0.1

-0.5
0.0

-0.8
0.1

3.149

113.0

113.6

-6.6

1.0

-0.8

-1.3

0.5

1.116

128.9

131.8

-15.0

2.8

-1.4

-3.5

2.2

PEARLS, STONES, PRECIOUS METALS,
IMITATION JEWELRY, AND COINS

1.880

110.2

109.5

0.4

1.4

-0.3

0.1

-0.6

XV
72
73
74
76
83

BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METALS
Iron and steel
Articles of iron or steel
Copper and articles thereof
Aluminum and articles thereof
Miscellaneous articles of base metal

5.010
1.194
1.006
0.481
1.170
0.334

112.9
116.5
111.1
98.6
114.6
108.4

114.9
117.1
111.1
104.2
119.3
108.9

-4.1
-6.8
1.5
-15.5
-5.8
0.3

0.4
-0.7
0.1
0.9
0.3
0.3

-0.9
-0.9
0.1
-0.5
-2.6
-0.6

-1.2
-2.3
0.8
0.9
-2.1
0.4

1.8
0.5
0.0
5.7
4.1
0.5

XVI

MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV
IMAGE AND SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC
Specialized machinery & computer
equipment
Electrical machinery and equip, sound
& tv recorders & reproducers, parts

29.113

96.0

95.9

-1.5

-0.2

-0.2

-0.1

-0.1

17.975

95.3

95.1

-1.3

-0.2

-0.1

-0.2

-0.2

11.139

97.1

97.3

-1.8

-0.1

-0.3

0.0

0.2

16.004
8.184

108.2
105.0

108.2
105.0

1.7
0.7

0.3
0.0

0.3
0.2

0.1
0.2

0.0
0.0

4.816

104.9

105.3

1.7

0.1

-0.2

0.2

0.4

1.283

103.2

103.2

0.8

0.0

0.2

-0.1

0.0

0.606

104.9

104.8

1.3

0.3

0.2

-0.1

-0.1

IX

X
47
48
49
XI
52

XIV

84
85

XVII
87
XVIII

XX
94
95

WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW, BASKET
AND WICKER
WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER
AND ARTICLES THEREOF
Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic
material; waste paper/paperboard
Paper and paperboard; articles of paper
pulp, paper or paperboard
Printed material
TEXTILE AND TEXTILE ARTICLES
Cotton, including yarns and woven
fabrics thereof

VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, VESSELS AND
ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT
Motor vehicles and their parts
OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; CLOCKS & WATCHES
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES
Furniture; stuffed furnishings;
lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;
Toys, games and sports equipment; parts

and accessories thereof

1
2

3

0.501

99.8

99.9

0.1

-0.3

0.0

0.0

0.1

Relative importance figures are based on
1990 trade values.
Data for September, October and November 1996
have been revised to reflect the availability
of late reports and corrections by respondents.
All data are subject to revision in each of
the three months after original publication.
Product categories included in this group
have been modified due to concordance
or coverage limitations.

NOTE:

Published categories may include price data not shown separately

Table

7
U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes by Locality of Origin,December 1995-December 1996
December 1990=100, unless otherwise noted
Index
Percent Change
Percentage
of
Annual
Monthly
US Imports
Dec.
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Description 1/
1995
1996
1996
1996
1990
Nov.
Dec.
to
to
to
to
1996
1996
Dec.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
2/
1996
1996
1996
1996

Nov.
1996
to
Dec.
1996

3/

Developed Countries
Manufactured Goods
Nonmanufactured Goods

59.3
55.5
3.5

110.3
111.7
117.2

110.4
111.6
120.5

-0.8
-2.1
25.4

0.5
0.4
3.0

-0.2
-0.4
2.9

-0.1
-0.2
2.9

0.1
-0.1
2.8

3/

Developing Countries
Manufactured Goods
Nonmanufactured Goods

40.7
30.2
10.4

95.9
103.4
94.8

95.8
103.1
95.4

5.2
0.1
25.0

2.2
0.3
8.4

1.7
0.5
5.3

-0.2
0.4
-1.9

-0.1
-0.3
0.6

Canada
Manufactured Goods
Nonmanufactured Goods

18.1
15.7
2.2

104.6
105.0
118.4

104.9
104.9
122.1

-0.2
-3.2
25.7

0.7
0.6
2.0

0.2
-0.3
3.3

0.4
0.0
2.9

0.3
-0.1
3.1

European Union
Manufactured Goods
Nonmanufactured Goods

17.8
17.3
0.5

108.4
109.0
124.2

108.6
109.1
125.2

1.5
0.7
28.3

0.5
0.3
3.9

0.3
0.1
5.3

-0.3
-0.3
3.0

0.2
0.1
0.8

4/

Japan

18.5

114.0

113.6

-4.1

0.0

-0.5

-0.4

-0.4

5/

Asian Newly Industrialized Countries

12.5

97.1

96.6

-2.9

-0.3

0.1

-0.3

-0.5

D
1

Regions are not mutually exclusive.

2

Data for September, October and November 1996
have been revised to reflect the availability
of late reports and corrections by respondents.

DA S O
11 1 1

3

Defined according to the Standard Census Definition.

4

Includes EU

5

Includes Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan.

N D
1 1DS O N
11 1 1

15 countries

Table

8
U.S. International Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services.
December 1995-December 1996 1990 = 100, unless otherwise noted
Index
Percent Change

Dec.
1995
to
March
1996

Quarterly
March
1996
to
June
1996

June
1996
to
Sept.
1996

Sept.
1996
to
Dec.
1996

109.0
98.1
115.6

-3.8
-3.3
-4.5

-2.8
-5.0
-1.7

-0.8
-1.9
-0.5

0.5
1.8
-0.7

-0.7
1.9
-1.7

97.4
103.8
96.7

97.7
104.1
97.1

-0.4
-1.0
-0.2

-0.5
-1.9
0.3

0.3
0.9
0.0

-0.5
-0.2
-0.9

0.3
0.3
0.4

24233
10075
7271
4492
1264

131.1
133.5
125.5
130.1
165.6

124.1
115.5
121.0
130.1
205.7

5.7
5.3
0.5
2.7
47.9

2.2
1.3
4.2
2.5
0.1

6.2
13.3
1.8
-0.1
2.7

2.9
6.0
-1.7
0.2
15.8

-5.3
-13.5
-3.6
0.0
24.2

22669
13156
5663
2890

125.5
125.8
118.9
131.8

119.7
114.6
118.8
132.0

3.8
2.7
1.4
3.1

-0.7
-1.6
-0.3
1.7

7.0
10.3
4.5
-0.1

2.4
3.9
-2.7
1.3

-4.6
-8.9
-0.1
0.2

Sept.
1996

Dec.
1996

Air Freight (Inbound) (9/90 = 100)
Atlantic (9/90 = 100)
Pacific (9/90 = 100)

3308
1025
2028

109.8
96.3
117.6

Air Freight (Outbound) (9/92 = 100)
Atlantic (9/92 = 100)
Pacific (9/92 = 100)

2694
920
1224

Air Passenger Fares (U.S. Carrier)
Atlantic
Pacific
Latin American / Caribbean
Canadian
Air Passenger Fares (Foreign Carrier)
Atlantic
Pacific
Latin American / Caribbean

Description

1/
1/
1/

Annual
Dec.
1995
to
Dec.
1996

Trade
(Mil.
of
Dollars)

Crude Oil Tanker Freight (Inbound)
Atlantic
Gulf

2153
572
1455

112.9
117.3
103.4

122.2
116.1
116.6

-8.5
7.0
-14.4

-3.2
13.2
-9.0

-1.9
-2.5
-4.8

-11.0
-2.0
-12.4

8.2
-1.0
12.8

Ocean Liner Freight (Inbound)
U.S. East Coast
from Atlantic
from Pacific
U.S. West Coast
from Pacific

8065
3769
1889
1154
4296
3943

109.5
115.9
121.9
108.2
104.0
105.2

110.0
117.0
122.3
108.4
103.9
105.0

-2.7
0.4
1.9
-4.7
-5.6
-6.3

0.4
1.1
4.7
-4.1
-0.3
-0.5

-1.9
-0.9
-1.6
-0.6
-2.9
-3.1

-1.6
-0.7
-1.4
-0.2
-2.4
-2.5

0.5
0.9
0.3
0.2
-0.1
-0.2

1

Detailed data available upon request.

Table

9
U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services.
December 1995-December 1996 1990 = 100, unless otherwise noted
Index
Percent Change
Annual
Dec.
1995
to
Dec.
1996

Dec.
1995
to
March
1996

Quarterly
March
1996
to
June
1996

June
1996
to
Sept.
1996

Sept.
1996
to
Dec.
1996

114.3
98.1
128.9

-4.3
-3.1
-5.4

-1.2
-2.3
-0.7

-1.4
-2.5
-0.9

-0.3
2.1
-1.4

-1.6
-0.3
-2.4

122.1
122.0
111.1
134.1

118.6
113.5
119.5
134.2

2.1
0.9
2.2
3.7

-0.8
-1.6
-1.0
2.2

7.5
10.5
5.8
0.1

-1.5
-0.2
-9.2
1.4

-2.9
-7.0
7.6
0.1

1985
534
1328

114.7
120.5
104.8

123.9
118.7
118.4

-14.4
5.0
-21.5

-9.4
13.3
-17.3

-1.4
-0.5
-5.1

-11.3
-5.3
-11.5

8.0
-1.5
13.0

6017
2832

110.1
117.8

109.8
117.9

-2.6
0.2

0.9
1.2

-1.9
-1.0

-1.3
-0.1

-0.3
0.1

Trade
(Mil.
of
Dollars)

Sept.
1996

Dec.
1996

Air Freight (9/90 = 100)
Atlantic (9/90 = 100)
Pacific (9/90 = 100)

2001
738
1102

116.1
98.4
132.1

Air Passenger Fares
Atlantic
Pacific
Latin American / Caribbean

10450
6577
2051
1678

Crude Oil Tanker Freight
Atlantic
Gulf
Ocean Liner Freight
U.S. East Coast

Description

IMPORT

from Atlantic
from Pacific
U.S. West Coast
from Pacific

1336
1094
3185
2840

126.4
112.4
103.4
104.9

126.3
112.6
102.7
104.0

3.0
-3.5
-5.3
-6.1

5.2
-3.3
0.6
0.3

-2.2
-0.2
-2.8
-3.1

0.2
-0.2
-2.5
-2.5

-0.1
0.2
-0.7
-0.9

11867
4159
4679
1775
619

127.9
136.5
120.5
125.3
149.3

123.9
125.8
114.9
126.3
188.6

3.3
7.6
-4.6
-0.2
46.9

1.6
2.0
2.3
-0.8
4.0

1.4
5.8
-2.4
-1.1
4.3

3.6
8.2
0.2
0.9
7.2

-3.1
-7.8
-4.6
0.8
26.3

EXPORT

1/
1/

Air Passenger Fares
Atlantic
Pacific
Latin American / Caribbean
Canadian

1

Detailed data available upon request.