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Technical Information:
Jim Thomas
(202) 606-7155
Bill Alterman (202) 606-7108
Media contact:
Kathryn Hoyle
(202) 606-5902
Internet Address:http://stats.bls.gov/ipphome.htm

USDL-98-493
Transmission of This
Material is Embargoed
Until: 10:00 A.M. E.S.T.
Wednesday, December 16, 1998

U.S. IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICE INDEXES
-NOVEMBER 1998The U.S. Import Price Index decreased 0.3 percent in November, the Bureau
of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. The
decline, attributable to a sharp drop in petroleum prices, followed
increases of 0.2 percent in each of the previous two months. Prices for
nonpetroleum imports increased slightly in November for the second
consecutive month. Export prices edged up 0.1 percent in November, after
decreasing for five consecutive months.
Percent changes in import and export price indexes
by End Use category
- not seasonally adjusted IMPORTS

EXPORTS

Month

1997
November
December
1998
January

Nonpetroleum
All
Imports
Exports

All
Imports

Petroleum
Imports

-0.4
-1.0

-3.5
-6.8

-0.2
-0.4

-1.3

-10.0

-0.6

Agricultural
Exports

Nonagricultural
Exports

0.0
-0.4

0.7
-0.8

-0.1
-0.4

-0.7

-2.7

-0.4

February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November

-0.9
-0.8
-0.3
-0.1
-0.6
-0.9
-0.4
0.2 r
0.2
-0.3

November 1996-97
November 1997-98

-3.9
-6.3

-6.5
-9.0
0.4
0.5
-4.4
-5.4
-0.6 r
6.4 r
3.0 r
-7.7
-18.5
-34.4

-0.4
-0.3
-0.3
-0.2
-0.4
-0.4
-0.4
-0.2
0.1 r
0.1

-0.3
-0.3
-0.4
0.1
-0.5
-0.3
-0.5
-0.5
-0.1
0.1

-2.3
-3.5

-0.7
-3.9

-1.5
-0.5
-1.6
1.0
0.0
0.3
-4.1
-2.9 r
0.1 r
2.0
-3.0
-10.4

-0.2
-0.3
-0.2
-0.1
-0.5
-0.4
-0.1
-0.3 r
0.0 r
-0.1
-0.5
-3.0

r = revised to reflect late imports and corrections by respondents.

Import Goods
The 0.3 percent decrease in import prices was attributable to a 7.7
percent drop in petroleum prices that more than offset an increase in
nonpetroleum import prices. The decline for the petroleum index was the
largest drop since March and followed gains of 3.0 percent and 6.4 percent
for October and September, respectively. Over the past 12 months, petroleum
prices declined 34.4 percent, after falling 18.5 percent over the November
1996-97 period. In contrast, the index for nonpetroleum import prices rose
0.1 percent for the second consecutive month, the first time since 1995 that
this component advanced two months in a row. Despite the recent modest gains,
the index for nonpetroleum imports fell 3.5 percent for the year ended in
November.
Prices for each of the major finished goods areas, as well as nonpetroleum
industrial supplies materials, rose in November, but were down over the past
12 months. The gains posted this month paralleled the recent weakening of
the U.S. dollar. The indexes for consumer goods and automotive vehicles,
parts, and engines rose for the second consecutive month, up 0.2 percent and
0.3 percent, respectively, in November. Both indexes, however, were down
slightly for the year. Prices for capital goods edged up 0.1 percent, marking
only the second monthly increase in two years; for the year ended in November,
the index fell 5.5 percent. Prices for nonpetroleum industrial supplies and
materials also rose 0.1 percent in November, after recording declines in the
previous five months. Over the past 12 months, the index decreased 7.6
percent.
In contrast, due in part to a turnaround in vegetable prices, the index

for food, feeds, and beverages declined 1.2 percent in November, after
recording gains in the previous two months. Over the past 12 months, the
index for food, feeds, and beverages dropped 2.8 percent.

Export Goods
Prices for overall U.S. exports, up 0.1 percent, rose for the first time
since May, as an increase in the index for agricultural prices offset a dip
in nonagricultural prices. For the year ended in November, the index for
export prices fell 3.9 percent. Led by rising prices for grains and oilseeds,
agricultural export prices rose 2.0 percent in November, the largest increase
recorded for this index since February 1997. Over the past 12 months,
agricultural prices fell 10.4 percent. In contrast, after recording no
change in October, the index for nonagricultural export prices resumed a
downward trend, falling 0.1 percent in November. During each of the last 17
months, prices for nonagricultural exports have either decreased or posted no
change, on average. Prices for nonagricultural exports were down 3.0 percent
for the year ended in November.
Prices for capital goods dipped 0.1 percent in November, after recording
no change in October. The index for exported capital goods has either
decreased or been unchanged for 15 consecutive months and was down 2.3 percent
for the year. Prices for nonagricultural industrial supplies and materials
also fell 0.1 percent in November, the 16th consecutive monthly decrease.
Over the November 1997-98 period, the index was down 7.3 percent.
In contrast, prices for both automotive vehicles and consumer goods,
excluding autos, edged up 0.1 percent in November. Over the past 12 months,
prices for automotive vehicles, parts, and engines rose 0.6 percent and
consumer goods, excluding autos, were down 0.5 percent.

Imports by Locality of Origin
The price index for imports from Japan rose 1.5 percent in
the largest increase in the index since May 1995. The increase,
since March of this year, was attributable in part to the recent
the U.S. dollar against the Japanese yen. For the year ended in
the index for imports from Japan fell 3.5 percent.

November,
the first
weakening of
November,

Prices of imports from the European Union also rose in November, up 0.3
percent after gaining 1.0 percent in October. An increase in most European
currencies versus the U.S. dollar contributed to the advances. For the
November 1997-98 period, the index registered no change.

In contrast, the index for imports from the Asian Newly Industrialized
Countries continued to decline in November. However, the 0.1 percent decline
was smaller than the average monthly decline of 0.8 percent over the previous
14 months. For the year ended in November, the index was down 8.5 percent,
compared with a 4.7 percent drop during the prior 12-month period.
Import prices from Canada also were down 0.1 percent in November, after
gaining 0.4 percent in October. Over the last 12 months, the index fell 3.6
percent.
The index for imports from Latin America also posted a turnaround in
November, declining 0.9 percent after gaining 0.8 percent and 1.1 percent in
October and September, respectively. The November decrease primarily
reflected the downturn in prices for petroleum and petroleum products.

CONTENTS OF RELEASE
This news release includes the following tables:
Table 1
Import Price Indexes, by End Use.....page 4
Table 2
Export Price Indexes, by End Use.....page 5
Table 3
Import Price Indexes, by SITC.....pages 6-7
Table 4
Export Price Indexes, by SITC.....pages 8-9
Table 5
Import Price Indexes, by Harmonized System.....pages 10-11
Table 6
Export Price Indexes, by Harmonized System.....pages 12-13
Table 7
Import Price Indexes, by Locality of Origin.....page 14
Table 8
U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes for Services.....page 15
Table 9
U.S. International Price Indexes for Services.....page 16
------------------------------------------------------------------Import and Export Price Index data for December are scheduled for
release on January 15, 1999 at 10:00 a.m. (EST).

Table 1

END
USE

U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, November 1997-November 1998
1995=100, unless otherwise noted
Index
Percent Change
Relative
ImportAnnual
Monthly
ance
Nov.
July
Aug.
Sept.
Description
1997
1998
1998
1998
October October
November
to
to
to
to
1998
1998
1998
Nov.
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
1/
2/
1998
1998
1998
1998

Oct.
1998
to
Nov.
1998

ALL COMMODITIES..............................
ALL IMPORTS EXCLUDING PETROLEUM..............

100.000
93.497

91.8
92.8

91.5
92.9

-6.3
-3.5

-0.4
-0.4

0.2
-0.2

0.2
0.1

-0.3
0.1

0

FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES...................

4.916

96.4

95.2

-2.8

-2.4

1.5

1.0

-1.2

00

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,
excluding distilled beverages..........

3.455

93.0

91.9

-3.5

-3.0

2.1

1.4

-1.2

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled
beverages).............................

1.461

105.2

103.8

-1.3

-0.9

-0.1

0.4

-1.3

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

24.885

87.1

85.4

-16.1

-0.7

1.3

0.2

-2.0

18.382

90.9

91.0

-7.6

-0.8

-0.4

-0.7

0.1

9.688

91.7

91.4

-7.0

0.0

-0.8

-1.0

-0.3

8.694

90.0

90.6

-8.1

-1.5

-0.3

-0.1

0.7

10

Fuels & lubricants.........................

7.649

80.0

75.1

-32.6

-1.2

5.4

2.3

-6.1

100

Petroleum & petroleum products............

6.504

76.5

70.6

-34.4

-0.6

6.4

3.0

-7.7

Crude...................................

5.087

75.4

68.1

-36.6

-0.4

9.1

3.4

-9.7

11

Paper & paper base stocks..................

1.851

79.9

79.0

-6.4

-1.2

-0.2

-0.1

-1.1

12

Materials associated with nondurable
supplies & materials...................

5.912

88.6

89.2

-5.4

-1.1

-0.3

0.1

0.7

13

Selected building materials................

2.100

101.0

101.8

-6.0

1.4

0.2

-3.3

0.8

14

Unfinished metals associated with
durable goods..........................

4.429

88.6

87.5

-9.2

-0.6

-1.3

-0.3

-1.2

Finished metals associated with durable
goods..................................

1.481

92.9

92.8

-3.5

0.1

0.3

-0.3

-0.1

16

Nonmetals associated with durable goods....

1.463

88.5

88.8

-5.7

-0.6

-0.8

-0.6

0.3

2

CAPITAL GOODS...............................

28.181

84.4

84.5

-5.5

-0.1

-0.5

-0.1

0.1

20

Electric & electrical generating
equipment..............................

3.411

92.9

93.5

-3.2

0.0

-1.6

0.3

0.6

Nonelectrical machinery....................

22.956

81.5

81.5

-6.3

-0.1

-0.4

-0.1

0.0

01

1

1000

15

21

3

AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES........

18.843

100.8

101.1

-0.3

-0.2

-0.1

0.2

0.3

4

CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING
AUTOMOTIVES............................

23.175

98.1

98.3

-0.8

-0.2

-0.1

0.3

0.2

40

Nondurables, manufactured..................

11.605

101.2

101.3

0.5

0.0

0.0

0.4

0.1

41

Durables, manufactured.....................

10.440

95.0

95.3

-1.9

-0.2

-0.2

0.3

0.3

42

Nonmanufactured consumer goods.............

1.129

97.7

96.7

-3.4

-1.6

0.5

0.1

-1.0

1
2

Relative importance figures are based on
1995 trade values.
Data for August, September and October 1998
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

n.a.

Not available

Published categories may include price data not shown separately.

U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, November 1997-November 1998
1995=100, unless otherwise noted
Index
Percent Change
Relative
ImportAnnual
Monthly
ance
Nov.
July
Aug.
Sept.
Description
1997
1998
1998
1998
October October November
to
to
to
to
1998
1998
1998
Nov.
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
1/
2/
1998
1998
1998
1998

Oct.
1998
to
Nov.
1998

ALL COMMODITIES..............................
AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES.....................
NONAGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES..................

100.000
9.561
90.438

94.7
87.1
95.6

94.8
88.8
95.5

-3.9
-10.4
-3.0

-0.5
-4.1
-0.1

-0.5
-2.9
-0.3

-0.1
0.1
0.0

0.1
2.0
-0.1

FOODS, FEEDS, & BEVERAGES...................

8.665

88.6

90.8

-9.4

-3.7

-3.1

0.6

2.5

00

Agricultural foods, feeds & beverages,
excluding distilled beverages..........

7.872

88.0

90.5

-10.1

-4.5

-3.2

0.5

2.8

Nonagricultural foods (fish, distilled
beverages).............................

0.793

96.1

95.4

-0.3

6.0

-2.2

1.3

-0.7

24.372

87.5

87.4

-7.5

-0.4

-1.0

-0.6

-0.1

9.542

88.9

88.9

-5.7

-0.2

-1.0

-0.3

0.0

14.829

86.7

86.4

-8.8

-0.6

-1.0

-0.7

-0.3

Agricultural industrial supplies &
materials..............................

1.689

84.6

82.9

-11.8

-1.5

-1.8

-1.6

-2.0

NONAGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES &
MATERIALS..............................

22.682

87.8

87.7

-7.3

-0.2

-1.0

-0.5

-0.1

11

Fuels & lubricants.........................

2.164

94.0

93.5

-15.5

-1.8

-1.2

1.2

-0.5

12

Nonagricultural supplies & materials
excluding fuels & building materials...

19.019

86.2

86.3

-6.5

-0.2

-1.0

-0.7

0.1

13

Selected building materials................

1.499

86.7

86.3

-3.4

0.9

-0.2

-0.1

-0.5

2

CAPITAL GOODS...............................

44.582

97.1

97.0

-2.3

-0.2

-0.1

0.0

-0.1

20

Electric & electrical generating
Equipment..............................

4.522

100.0

99.7

-2.4

-0.3

-0.1

-0.1

-0.3

21

Nonelectrical machinery....................

34.408

93.8

93.7

-2.8

-0.2

-0.1

0.0

-0.1

3

AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, PARTS & ENGINES........

10.119

102.8

102.9

0.6

0.0

0.0

0.4

0.1

4

CONSUMER GOODS, EXCLUDING
AUTOMOTIVES............................

12.262

102.0

102.1

-0.5

0.0

0.1

0.0

0.1

40

Nondurables, manufactured..................

6.484

102.0

102.1

0.1

-0.2

0.2

0.0

0.1

41

Durables, manufactured.....................

5.194

100.9

100.9

-1.2

0.4

0.0

0.0

0.0

01

1

INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS.............
INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
DURABLE.............................
INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & MATERIALS,
NONDURABLE..........................

10

1
2

Relative importance figures are based on
1995 trade values.
Data for August, September and October 1998

n.a.

Not available

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

Published categories may include price data not shown separately.

U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, November 1997-November 1998
1995=100, unless otherwise noted
Index
Percent Change
Relative
ImportAnnual
Monthly
ance
Nov.
July
Aug.
Sept.
Description
1997
1998
1998
1998
October October November
to
to
to
to
1998
1998
1998
Nov.
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
1/
2/
1998
1998
1998
1998

Oct.
1998
to
Nov.
1998

ALL COMMODITIES..............................

100.000

91.8

91.5

-6.3

-0.4

0.2

0.2

-0.3

FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS.......................
Meat and meat preparations.................
Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates
and preparations thereof................
Vegetables, fruit and nuts,
fresh or dried..........................
Coffee, tea, cocoa, spices and
manufactures thereof....................
3/ Other food and live animals (9612=100).......

4.186
0.348

97.0
95.5

96.0
94.8

-3.4
-7.7

-3.6
0.1

1.7
-0.6

1.6
-1.7

-1.0
-0.7

1.091

104.2

102.4

-4.6

-2.1

-0.2

0.5

-1.7

1.274

114.1

110.0

6.0

-12.2

8.8

6.9

-3.6

0.549
0.923

73.9
92.4

75.0
94.1

-13.0
-5.0

7.9
-2.1

-2.5
-1.1

-4.5
1.2

1.5
1.8

1
11

BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO.......................
Beverages..................................

0.913
0.769

109.9
106.6

109.7
106.4

1.2
1.2

-0.1
-0.2

0.0
0.1

0.2
0.2

-0.2
-0.2

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.........
Crude animal and vegetable materials,
n.e.s. (9612=100).......................

2.751

83.8

83.0

-11.7

-1.8

0.0

-2.2

-1.0

0.194
0.993
0.343
0.606

54.8
102.5
58.1
93.2

54.6
103.1
56.8
93.2

-23.3
-9.6
-17.9
-9.1

-2.0
1.0
-3.3
-1.9

0.0
0.7
-2.7
-1.4

1.9
-4.5
-4.4
0.3

-0.4
0.6
-2.2
0.0

0.285

103.8

96.9

-7.5

-11.0

4.3

-1.3

-6.6

0
01
03
05
07

24
25
28
29

3/ Other crude materials, inedible, except
fuels (9612=100)..........................
3
33
34
5
51
52
53
54
55
57
58
59
6
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
7
71
72
73
74
75
76

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.....
Medicinal and pharmaceutical products......
Essential oils; polishing and cleansing
preps...................................
Plastics in primary forms..................
Plastics in nonprimary forms...............
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...............................
Paper, paperboard, and articles of
paper pulp, paper or paper board........
Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up
articles, n.e.s., and related prod......
Nonmetallic mineral manufactures,
n.e.s...................................
Iron and steel.............................
Nonferrous metals..........................
Manufactures of metals, n.e.s..............
MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT...........
Power generating machinery and
equipment (9612=100)....................
Machinery specialized for particular
industries..............................
Metalworking machinery.....................
General industrial machinery,
equipment, & machine parts, n.e.s.......
Computer equipment and office machines.....
Telecommunications & sound recording
& reproducing apparatus & equipment.....

0.331

86.7

85.5

-11.1

-0.7

-0.1

-0.3

-1.4

7.328

79.3

74.3

-33.5

-1.2

5.6

2.3

-6.3

6.173
1.025

76.2
104.4

70.1
108.1

-35.0
-27.8

-0.3
-5.2

6.8
-0.4

3.0
-1.9

-8.0
3.5

5.658
1.593
0.686
0.304
0.958

91.9
90.6
94.6
96.3
95.6

92.5
91.7
95.0
97.7
96.8

-2.8
-3.8
-4.0
1.5
0.6

-0.9
-0.7
-1.6
0.2
-0.1

-0.2
-0.1
-0.7
0.0
-0.3

0.0
-0.9
0.7
1.6
1.1

0.7
1.2
0.4
1.5
1.3

0.332
0.384
0.499
0.668

95.0
90.8
74.1
99.1

95.3
90.9
74.2
99.3

-1.3
-0.8
-10.5
-3.4

-1.0
-2.0
-2.1
-0.1

0.4
0.4
-1.7
0.2

1.3
-0.9
-0.1
-1.4

0.3
0.1
0.1
0.2

12.817
0.752

92.7
94.2

92.3
94.6

-4.5
-0.8

-0.1
-0.5

-0.4
0.1

0.0
-0.1

-0.4
0.4

0.567

94.8

97.2

-3.7

2.0

-1.2

-1.0

2.5

1.685

87.4

86.5

-3.6

-0.6

0.1

0.5

-1.0

1.451

96.5

96.8

-3.4

0.0

-0.1

-0.2

0.3

2.228
2.013
1.886
2.062

100.5
89.5
85.9
96.9

100.6
88.7
83.8
97.1

-1.6
-7.9
-10.3
-1.2

0.2
-0.7
-0.1
0.0

-0.3
-0.8
-1.8
0.4

0.4
-0.7
-0.5
0.3

0.1
-0.9
-2.4
0.2

47.653

91.0

91.2

-3.3

-0.2

-0.3

0.1

0.2

3.113

97.4

98.1

-1.3

-0.2

-0.1

0.2

0.7

2.819
0.868

97.8
97.4

98.7
97.9

-0.3
-0.4

-0.2
0.2

-0.4
0.1

1.1
0.8

0.9
0.5

3.630
6.439

97.6
67.2

98.3
66.7

1.0
-13.0

0.2
-0.7

0.1
-0.9

1.0
-2.2

0.7
-0.7

4.611

88.4

88.4

-3.8

0.1

-0.2

-0.5

0.0

77
78

Electrical machinery and equipment.........
Road vehicles..............................

9.570
15.499

83.7
101.0

84.2
101.4

-4.0
-0.2

0.0
-0.2

-0.7
-0.1

0.6
0.3

0.6
0.4

8
81

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...................................

18.247

98.5

98.6

-1.1

-0.2

0.0

0.2

0.1

0.402
1.304

94.7
100.0

95.1
100.2

-1.0
-2.8

0.0
-0.2

0.1
-0.2

-0.8
-0.1

0.4
0.2

0.533

100.7

100.4

-0.3

-1.1

0.1

0.6

-0.3

6.205
1.887

102.9
101.4

102.8
101.5

0.0
0.5

0.1
0.1

0.2
0.0

0.0
0.5

-0.1
0.1

1.657

95.0

95.2

-1.2

0.0

-0.2

0.5

0.2

1.376

90.7

91.4

-1.3

-0.3

-0.6

0.7

0.8

4.884

95.4

95.7

-2.5

-0.3

-0.3

0.2

0.3

82
83
84
85
87
88
89

1
2

Relative importance figures are based on
1995 trade values.
Data for August, September and October 1998
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.

3

NOTE:

Table 4

SITC

n.a.

Not available.

Published categories may include price data not shown separately

U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, November 1997-November 1998
1995=100, unless otherwise noted
Index
Percent Change
Relative
ImportAnnual
Monthly
ance
Nov.
July
Aug.
Sept.
Description
1997
1998
1998
1998

Oct.
1998

Rev. 3

October
1998
1/

October
1998
2/

November
1998

to
Nov.
1998

to
Aug.
1998

to
Sept.
1998

to
Oct.
1998

to
Nov.
1998

ALL COMMODITIES..............................

100.000

94.7

94.8

-3.9

-0.5

-0.5

-0.1

0.1

FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS.......................
Meat and meat preparations.................
Fish, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates
and preparations thereof................
Cereals and cereal preparations............
Vegetables, fruit and nuts,
fresh or dried..........................
Feeding stuff for animals (not
including unmilled cereals).............
Miscellaneous edible products and
preparations............................
3/ Other food and live animals (9612=100).......

7.084
1.163

87.7
93.8

89.3
91.1

-8.5
-5.2

-2.9
0.5

-3.2
-2.1

1.2
-2.6

1.8
-2.9

0.612
2.257

97.0
73.4

96.2
78.1

0.7
-17.7

8.0
-9.0

-1.2
-6.3

1.1
4.6

-0.8
6.4

1.466

99.4

99.9

7.0

0.6

-2.9

0.2

0.5

0.627

86.2

89.2

-22.2

-6.0

-2.3

-2.5

3.5

0.412
0.547

106.7
99.2

106.7
98.4

2.0
-2.1

0.0
-1.0

1.2
0.5

0.4
3.0

0.0
-0.8

1
12

BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO.......................
Tobacco and tobacco manufactures...........

1.547
1.273

100.0
99.8

100.5
100.4

-0.4
-0.4

0.1
0.0

-0.1
-0.1

0.3
0.4

0.5
0.6

2
21
22
24
25
26
27
28

CRUDE MATERIALS, INEDIBLE, EXCEPT FUELS.....
Hides, skins and furskins, raw.............
Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits............
Cork and wood..............................
Pulp and waste paper.......................
Textile fibers and their waste.............
Crude fertilizers and crude minerals.......
Metalliferous ores and metal scrap.........
3/ Other crude materials, inedible, except
fuels (9612=100)..........................

5.082
0.274
0.992
0.891
0.708
0.759
0.337
0.724

75.6
80.9
87.9
82.5
59.1
73.7
95.1
67.5

75.8
80.1
93.3
81.3
57.6
71.4
95.1
68.1

-14.7
-22.7
-21.1
-5.2
-15.7
-12.1
-2.8
-20.7

-2.6
2.6
-10.6
0.0
0.0
-2.0
-0.2
-0.5

-2.5
-0.5
-3.7
-0.2
-2.8
-0.8
0.0
-4.0

-3.0
-3.1
-4.2
0.4
-5.7
-3.4
-1.9
-3.2

0.3
-1.0
6.1
-1.5
-2.5
-3.1
0.0
0.9

0.397

90.8

91.6

-10.0

0.2

-7.1

-1.5

0.9

1.892
0.701

94.4
99.4

94.2
99.3

-15.9
-2.5

-1.7
-0.4

-1.4
-0.1

1.1
0.0

-0.2
-0.1

1.060

93.7

93.4

-22.2

-2.4

-2.3

3.2

-0.3

ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE OILS, FATS AND
WAXES....................................

0.501

102.8

102.9

-3.7

-1.0

-0.7

0.1

0.1

CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS, N.E.S.......
Organic chemicals..........................
Inorganic chemicals........................
Dyeing, tanning and coloring materials.....

10.733
2.327
0.895
0.500

91.5
74.2
102.7
99.8

91.4
74.0
102.7
100.0

-4.0
-11.5
3.5
-2.6

-0.1
-0.5
0.0
-1.3

-0.3
-1.1
-0.2
0.3

-0.3
-1.2
-0.5
0.2

-0.1
-0.3
0.0
0.2

0
01
03
04
05
08
09

3
32
33

4

5
51
52
53

MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED
MATERIALS................................
Coal, coke and briquettes..................
Petroleum, petroleum products and
related materials.......................

54
55
56
57
58
59
6
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
7
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
8
82
84
87
88
89

Medicinal and pharmaceutical products......
Essential oils; polishing and cleansing
preps...................................
Fertilizers (9612=100).....................
Plastics in primary forms..................
Plastics in nonprimary forms...............
Chemical materials and products, n.e.s.....

1.266

101.0

101.0

0.1

0.0

0.0

-0.6

0.0

0.782
0.596
1.764
0.840
1.763

102.8
97.8
87.2
97.1
100.5

101.5
97.0
87.4
96.3
101.1

-0.6
3.2
-6.6
-2.2
-1.8

0.0
2.7
-1.0
0.4
0.0

1.3
-0.1
-0.3
-0.3
-0.4

0.1
-0.1
-0.5
-0.2
0.5

-1.3
-0.8
0.2
-0.8
0.6

9.872
0.702

96.5
104.1

96.6
105.9

-2.3
3.7

-0.2
0.5

-0.5
-0.5

-0.3
1.9

0.1
1.7

0.301

91.5

93.1

2.2

3.5

-0.2

-1.3

1.7

1.515

81.1

81.7

-4.1

-0.6

-1.1

-0.2

0.7

1.419

100.3

100.3

-2.5

-1.1

-0.6

-1.0

0.0

1.377
1.088
1.233
2.086

107.1
97.9
85.7
106.6

107.1
97.5
85.4
106.5

0.8
-5.9
-8.6
1.6

0.2
-0.2
-0.8
-0.1

0.0
-0.4
-1.4
-0.1

0.3
-1.8
0.2
-0.1

0.0
-0.4
-0.4
-0.1

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

51.083

98.2

98.2

-1.9

-0.1

-0.1

0.0

0.0

4.429

106.9

107.9

1.5

0.0

0.2

-0.1

0.9

4.870
1.026

105.5
108.7

105.5
108.7

1.0
3.1

0.0
0.0

0.2
-0.2

0.0
0.3

0.0
0.0

5.232
6.057

106.5
74.5

106.4
74.6

0.9
-9.8

0.2
-0.8

-0.1
-0.9

0.1
-0.3

-0.1
0.1

3.866
11.584
9.395

98.1
91.1
102.2

97.9
90.6
102.3

-1.5
-4.5
0.4

0.1
-0.2
0.0

0.0
0.0
0.0

-0.1
0.0
0.2

-0.2
-0.5
0.1

MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.........
Furniture and parts thereof................
Articles of apparel and clothing
accessories.............................
Professional, scientific and controlling
instruments and apparatus, n.e.s........
Photographic apparatus, equipment and
supplies and optical goods, n.e.s.......
Miscellaneous manufactured articles,

11.475
0.656

100.7
104.1

100.9
104.1

-0.9
0.3

-0.2
-0.1

0.0
-0.1

0.1
0.0

0.2
0.0

1.305

102.5

102.5

-0.8

-1.1

0.1

0.0

0.0

3.838

103.9

104.1

0.8

-0.1

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.924

93.4

94.6

-3.7

-0.1

-0.3

1.0

1.3

MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY
BY MATERIAL..............................
Rubber manufactures, n.e.s.................
Cork and wood manufactures other than
furniture...............................
Paper, paperboard, and articles of
paper pulp, paper or paperboard.........
Textile yarn, fabrics, and
made-up articles, n.e.s.................
Nonmetallic mineral manufactures,
n.e.s...................................
Iron and steel.............................
Nonferrous metals..........................
Manufactures of metals, n.e.s..............

n.e.s...................................
3/ Other miscellaneous manufactured
articles (9612=100).......................

1

3

NOTE:

Table 5

Harmonized
System

II
07

98.2

98.2

-2.1

0.1

0.0

-0.1

0.0

0.476

102.1

102.1

0.8

0.0

-0.3

-0.2

0.0

Relative importance figures are based on
1995 trade values.
Data for August, September and October 1998
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.

2

I
02
03

4.276

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, November 1997-November 1998
1995=100, unless otherwise noted
Index
Percent Change
Relative
ImportAnnual
Monthly
ance
Nov.
July
Aug.
Sept.
Description
1997
1998
1998
1998
October October November
to
to
to
to
1998
1998
1998
Nov.
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
1/
2/
1998
1998
1998
1998

Oct.
1998
to
Nov.
1998

LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS...............
Meat and edible meat offal...................
Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and...........
other aquatic invertebrates...............
3/ Other live animals and animal................
products (9612=100).......................

1.625
0.279

99.7
94.3

99.1
95.3

-5.2
-5.1

-2.1
-0.1

0.3
0.4

0.3
-1.8

-0.6
1.1

0.966

105.7

103.0

-5.0

-2.1

0.4

0.9

-2.6

0.379

92.6

95.5

-5.5

-3.6

0.2

0.4

3.1

VEGETABLE PRODUCTS..........................
Edible vegetables and certain roots and......
tubers....................................

1.703

93.5

89.5

-3.6

-7.2

5.2

3.4

-4.3

0.463

161.7

132.0

2.2

-25.4

23.8

20.5

-18.4

08
09

IV
20
22

V
26
27

VI
28
29
30
32
37
38

VII
39
40
VIII
42

IX

X
47

Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus........
fruit or melons...........................
Coffee, tea, mate and spices.................
3/ Other vegetable products.....................
PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND.........
TOBACCO...................................
Preparations of vegetables, fruit,...........
nuts, or other parts of plants............
Beverages, spirits, and vinegar..............
3/ Other prepared foodstuffs (9612=100).........
MINERAL PRODUCTS............................
Ores, slag and ash...........................
Mineral fuels, oils and residuals,...........
bituminous substances and mineral wax.....
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........
Miscellaneous chemical products..............
(9612=100)................................
3/ Other products of the chemical or............
allied industries (9612=100)..............
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.................
WOOD, WOOD CHARCOAL, CORK, STRAW, BASKET....
AND WICKER................................
WOOD PULP, WASTE AND SCRAP PAPER, PAPER.....
AND ARTICLES THEREOF......................
Pulp wood or other fibrous cellulosic........

0.471
0.368
0.402

99.0
71.6
87.5

103.6
72.9
84.2

7.6
-13.3
-10.3

-2.6
6.1
-6.4

2.0
-3.1
2.7

-1.4
-3.9
-0.1

4.6
1.8
-3.8

2.163

100.2

100.0

-1.9

-0.2

0.2

-0.4

-0.2

0.281
0.791
1.091

88.6
104.1
98.3

89.3
105.3
97.0

1.9
1.2
-4.8

-0.9
0.4
-0.5

-1.0
0.4
0.4

0.9
-0.8
-0.6

0.8
1.2
-1.3

7.976
0.309

80.7
101.5

76.1
101.5

-31.8
-0.9

-1.1
-0.2

4.9
-0.1

2.2
-0.1

-5.7
0.0

7.433

79.5

74.7

-33.3

-1.2

5.4

2.3

-6.0

5.345
0.855
2.027
0.589

95.3
97.4
91.5
102.4

95.8
97.5
92.1
104.0

-2.6
-5.9
-3.5
1.6

-0.6
-1.8
-0.4
-0.1

-0.4
-0.9
-0.7
-0.4

0.3
0.9
0.1
1.8

0.5
0.1
0.7
1.6

0.301
0.364

94.5
95.1

95.9
95.1

1.1
-3.2

0.1
0.0

0.0
-0.3

1.6
-0.6

1.5
0.0

0.411

91.6

91.9

-6.0

-0.3

-0.3

-2.8

0.3

0.798

96.3

95.9

0.7

-0.6

-0.3

1.5

-0.4

2.764
1.728
1.036

85.8
88.8
81.2

86.0
89.0
81.5

-5.1
-4.8
-5.6

-0.9
-1.0
-0.7

-0.3
-0.7
0.2

0.0
-0.2
0.0

0.2
0.2
0.4

1.058

102.5

102.8

-0.2

-0.6

-0.1

0.6

0.3

0.890

100.7

100.7

-0.3

-0.8

-0.2

0.6

0.0

1.603

98.1

99.0

-7.6

1.6

0.2

-4.0

0.9

2.415

82.2

81.5

-5.3

-1.0

-0.1

-0.4

-0.9

48
49
XI
61
62
63

XII
64

XIII
69
70
XIV

XV
72
73
74
76
83

XVI
84
85

material; waste paper/paperboard..........
Paper and paperboard; articles of paper......
pulp, paper or paperboard.................
Printed matter...............................

0.344

58.7

57.1

-18.2

-3.1

-2.7

-4.6

-2.7

1.701
0.370

88.1
98.9

87.4
99.4

-3.4
-0.7

-0.5
-0.6

0.3
0.5

0.1
0.8

-0.8
0.5

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..........
3/ Other textile & textile......................
articles (9612=100).......................

7.264

100.8

100.7

-1.1

0.1

0.1

0.0

-0.1

2.155

101.2

101.2

-0.3

0.0

0.0

-0.2

0.0

3.541

104.1

103.9

0.2

0.2

0.3

0.0

-0.2

0.347

93.3

94.0

-4.6

0.0

-0.4

0.2

0.8

1.220

95.9

95.8

-5.0

-0.1

0.0

0.0

-0.1

2.209

101.7

101.8

0.5

-0.1

0.1

0.5

0.1

1.898

101.1

101.3

0.4

-0.1

0.0

0.6

0.2

0.311

103.4

103.2

1.0

0.0

0.0

0.3

-0.2

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

1.196
0.452
0.459

100.9
97.8
99.8

101.2
97.9
100.5

-0.9
-1.0
-1.7

0.2
0.0
0.4

-0.2
-0.1
-0.5

0.5
0.3
0.5

0.3
0.1
0.7

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

2.322

98.2

98.5

0.4

0.3

-0.8

0.1

0.3

5.714
1.716
1.322
0.410
0.920
0.431

87.1
87.9
94.0
71.6
82.9
100.1

86.1
86.9
93.6
70.7
82.1
101.2

-8.6
-8.8
-3.3
-10.7
-12.2
-0.5

-0.6
-0.6
0.1
0.7
-1.1
-0.1

-0.8
-1.3
0.2
-0.3
-0.7
0.7

-0.2
-0.9
0.0
0.3
0.7
-0.1

-1.1
-1.1
-0.4
-1.3
-1.0
1.1

0.439

82.7

77.2

-26.8

-3.1

-5.7

-2.0

-6.7

30.060

84.0

84.1

-5.6

-0.1

-0.5

-0.1

0.1

15.586

83.9

83.9

-6.6

-0.4

-0.4

-0.6

0.0

14.474

84.0

84.2

-4.5

0.1

-0.5

0.2

0.2

FOOTWEAR, HEADGEAR, UMBRELLAS, WHIPS,.......
ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS, ETC...................
Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts........
of such articles..........................
3/ Other footwear, headgear, umbrellas,.........
whips, art. flowers, etc. (9612=100)......

BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METAL......
Iron and steel...............................
Articles of iron or steel....................
Copper and articles thereof..................
Aluminum and articles thereof................
Miscellaneous articles of base metal.........
3/ Miscellaneous nonferrous metals and..........
articles, including scrap (9612=100)......
MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, TV.........
IMAGE & SOUND RECORDERS, PARTS, ETC.......
Specialized machinery & computer.............
equipment.................................
Electrical machinery and equip, sound........
and TV recorders & reproducers, parts.....

XVII

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

87
XVII

OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &........
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES.........
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

101.1
100.8

101.5
101.2

-0.2
-0.2

-0.1
-0.2

-0.1
0.0

0.3
0.3

0.4
0.4

3.683

92.0

92.1

-1.3

-0.3

-0.2

0.5

0.1

3.136
0.400

91.6
94.7

91.7
95.0

-1.8
3.7

-0.2
-0.2

-0.2
-1.0

0.4
1.5

0.1
0.3

3.848

97.5

98.0

-1.8

-0.2

-0.2

0.2

0.5

1.657

97.9

98.6

-1.7

-0.2

-0.1

0.2

0.7

1.889
0.302

97.7
93.7

97.9
95.6

-2.4
2.0

-0.2
0.0

-0.4
0.0

0.1
0.4

0.2
2.0

Relative importance figures are based on
1995 trade values.
Data for August, September and October 1998
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.

2

3

NOTE:

Table 6

Harmonized
System

16.789
15.854

n.a.

Not available

Published categories may include price data not shown separately

U.S. Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Goods, November 1997-November 1998
1995=100, unless otherwise noted
Index
Percent Change
Relative
ImportAnnual
Monthly
ance
Nov.
July
Aug.
Sept.
Description
1997
1998
1998
1998
October October November
to
to
to
to
1998
1998
1998
Nov.
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
1/
2/
1998
1998
1998
1998

Oct.
1998
to
Nov.
1998

I
02
03

II
07
08
10
12

III
IV
20
21
22
23
24

V
27

VI
28
29
30
31
32
33

LIVE ANIMALS; ANIMAL PRODUCTS...............
Meat & edible meat offal.....................
Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and...........
other aquatic invertebrates...............
3/ Other live animals and animal................
products (9612=100).......................

1.954
1.069

93.9
90.4

92.2
87.8

-4.3
-6.1

2.8
1.5

-3.5
-2.3

0.2
-3.0

-1.8
-2.9

0.526

91.3

90.8

-2.2

6.9

-3.9

1.9

-0.5

0.359

94.5

94.3

-1.6

0.4

-6.9

8.6

-0.2

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..........

4.554

81.8

85.6

-14.1

-7.2

-4.6

1.4

4.6

0.327

99.4

98.1

-6.5

0.8

-7.5

1.6

-1.3

0.774
2.031

101.5
70.9

100.6
75.9

13.3
-19.3

0.5
-10.0

-0.3
-6.9

1.0
5.2

-0.9
7.1

1.177

90.4

96.0

-19.5

-9.7

-3.5

-4.2

6.2

ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE FATS AND OILS...........

0.544

103.7

104.0

-3.3

-0.9

-0.5

-0.1

0.3

3.452

96.9

97.4

-4.1

-0.9

-0.5

0.2

0.5

0.356
0.382
0.342

96.0
107.3
99.1

96.3
107.3
98.9

7.7
1.6
-0.9

0.3
-0.3
0.6

-0.8
1.1
0.0

0.8
0.5
0.0

0.3
0.0
-0.2

0.569

84.3

85.9

-21.8

-5.3

-3.5

-0.1

1.9

1.285
0.517

99.8
100.1

100.5
99.7

-0.3
-2.4

0.0
0.0

-0.1
0.2

0.4
-0.2

0.7
-0.4

2.440

92.3

92.4

-15.0

-1.4

-1.7

0.1

0.1

1.942

95.1

94.9

-16.2

-1.9

-1.5

1.3

-0.2

8.745
0.957
2.626
0.940
0.664

92.2
100.9
77.4
103.2
97.8

92.3
100.8
77.2
103.2
97.0

-4.2
-1.5
-11.2
2.8
3.2

0.0
0.0
-0.4
0.0
2.7

-0.3
-0.4
-0.9
0.1
-0.1

-0.3
-1.0
-1.3
-0.9
-0.1

0.1
-0.1
-0.3
0.0
-0.8

0.514

100.0

100.4

-2.0

-1.2

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.555

104.0

103.7

0.4

0.0

0.7

0.1

-0.3

PREPARED FOODSTUFFS, BEVERAGES, AND.........
TOBACCO...................................
Preparations of vegetables, fruit,...........
nuts, or other parts of plants............
Miscellaneous edible preparations............
Beverages, spirits, and vinegar..............
Residues and waste from the food.............
industries; prepared animal feed..........
Tobacco and manufactured tobacco.............
substitutes...............................
3/ Other prepared foods.........................
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......................
Fertilizers (9612=100).......................
Tanning or dyeing extracts; dyes and.........
pigments; paints & varnish; putty;ink.....
Essential oils and resinoids;................
perfumery, cosmetic or toilet.............

34
37
38
VII
39
40
VIII
41

IX

X
47
48
49
XI
52

XIII
70
XIV

XV
72
73
74
76
82
83

Soap; lubricants; waxes, polishing or........
scouring products; candles, pastes........
Photographic or cinematographic goods........
Miscellaneous chemical products..............

0.333
0.396
1.532

105.1
84.8
99.4

103.3
87.3
100.3

0.2
-8.3
-2.1

0.1
-0.2
0.2

2.0
-1.0
-0.6

0.3
2.5
0.7

-1.7
2.9
0.9

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

4.246
3.319
0.927

91.4
89.6
98.5

91.7
89.6
100.2

-4.9
-6.6
1.9

-1.9
-2.6
0.5

-0.3
-0.3
-0.5

0.0
-0.2
0.9

0.3
0.0
1.7

0.507

83.7

82.7

-15.9

1.4

0.0

-2.4

-1.2

0.351

78.0

76.6

-21.4

2.1

0.0

-3.5

-1.8

1.217

85.0

84.4

-3.7

0.7

-0.1

-0.1

-0.7

2.974

75.5

75.6

-5.4

-0.5

-1.2

-1.3

0.1

0.655

56.7

55.7

-16.1

-0.5

-3.4

-5.3

-1.8

1.482
0.837

81.4
108.5

82.4
108.5

-3.7
1.7

-0.7
-0.2

-1.0
0.3

-0.2
-0.1

1.2
0.0

3.230

89.7

89.1

-4.6

-1.2

-0.3

-1.2

-0.7

0.674

75.5

73.0

-9.7

-2.2

-1.3

-3.6

-3.3

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

0.885
0.513

103.7
102.9

103.7
102.8

1.0
1.6

0.0
0.0

-0.2
0.1

0.5
1.0

0.0
-0.1

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

1.851

92.0

93.2

-4.8

-0.5

-2.9

0.5

1.3

4.495
0.854
1.322
0.360
0.837

90.2
79.2
109.4
66.5
81.4

90.0
79.3
109.3
66.4
80.7

-6.3
-14.6
0.8
-14.3
-10.9

-0.4
-0.8
-0.2
-1.5
-0.2

-0.7
-2.7
-0.1
-1.6
-0.1

-0.7
-1.7
-1.2
0.3
0.7

-0.2
0.1
-0.1
-0.2
-0.9

0.423
0.389

102.3
100.8

102.3
100.8

-0.9
-0.7

-1.2
0.5

0.0
0.0

-0.4
0.0

0.0
0.0

RAW HIDES, SKINS, LEATHER, FURSKINS,........
TRAVEL GOODS, ETC.........................
Raw hides and skins (other than..............
furskins) and leather.....................
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...........................

BASE METALS AND ARTICLES OF BASE METALS.....
Iron and steel...............................
Articles of iron or steel....................
Copper and articles thereof..................
Aluminum and articles thereof................
Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and.......
forks, of base metal; parts thereof.......
Miscellaneous articles of base metal.........

XVI

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

84
85

XVII
87

36.986

93.4

93.3

-3.3

-0.2

-0.1

-0.1

-0.1

20.615

94.5

94.7

-2.6

-0.2

-0.2

-0.1

0.2

16.371

92.1

91.7

-4.2

-0.1

0.0

-0.1

-0.4

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

14.276
9.867

105.4
102.4

105.4
102.4

0.5
0.4

0.0
0.0

0.0
0.0

0.2
0.3

0.0
0.0

OPTICAL, PHOTO, MEASURING, MEDICAL &........
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; & TIMEPIECES.........

5.575

102.2

102.2

0.2

-0.1

0.2

0.0

0.0

1.841

102.4

102.2

-0.2

0.0

-0.1

0.0

-0.2

0.906

104.2

104.1

0.2

-0.1

-0.1

-0.1

-0.1

0.758

100.9

100.5

-0.5

0.0

0.0

0.0

-0.4

XVII

XX
94

MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.........
Furniture; stuffed furnishings;..............
lamps and lighting fittings nesoi;........
Toys, games and sports equipment; parts......
and accessories thereof...................

95

1
2

3

Relative importance figures are based on
1995 trade values.
Data for August, September and October 1998
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:

n.a.

Not available

Published categories may include price data not shown separately

Table

7
U.S. Import Price Indexes and Percent Changes by Locality of Origin, November 1997-November 1998
1995=100, unless otherwise noted
Index
Percent Change
Percentage
of
Annual
Monthly

US Imports
Description 1/
1995

Oct.
1998
2/

Nov.
1998

Nov.
1997
to
Nov.
1998

July
1998
to
Aug.
1998

Aug.
1998
to
Sept.
1998

Sept.
1998
to
Oct.
1998

Oct.
1998
to
Nov.
1998

3/ Developed Countries..........................
Manufactured Goods.........................
Nonmanufactured Goods......................

55.6
52.2
3.1

94.6
95.2
89.8

95.1
95.9
87.5

-2.4
-1.0
-20.3

-0.3
-0.2
-1.5

-0.1
-0.2
2.1

0.4
0.3
3.1

0.5
0.7
-2.6

3/ Developing Countries.........................
Manufactured Goods.........................
Nonmanufactured Goods......................

42.7
35.4
7.1

91.9
92.8
82.9

91.0
92.7
78.0

-9.6
-5.4
-28.0

-0.7
-0.3
-2.7

0.4
-0.4
6.2

0.2
-0.3
3.2

-1.0
-0.1
-5.9

Canada.......................................
Manufactured Goods.........................
Nonmanufactured Goods......................

18.9
16.5
2.2

96.0
97.0
93.1

95.9
97.1
91.0

-3.6
-1.1
-19.7

-0.1
0.0
-2.3

-0.3
-0.4
1.4

0.4
0.0
4.0

-0.1
0.1
-2.3

4/ European Union...............................
Manufactured Goods.........................
Nonmanufactured Goods......................

17.0
16.4
0.5

100.7
101.4
83.6

101.0
101.9
78.2

0.0
1.1
-28.1

0.0
-0.1
3.4

0.0
0.1
-0.7

1.0
0.9
2.6

0.3
0.5
-6.5

5/ Latin America (9712=100)....................
Manufactured Goods (9712=100).............
Nonmanufactured Goods (9712=100)...........

14.1
10.4
3.5

93.9
96.8
85.8

93.1
96.7
82.9

n.a.
n.a.
n.a.

-1.7
-0.3
-6.2

1.1
-0.5
6.9

0.8
0.3
2.1

-0.9
-0.1
-3.4

Japan........................................

16.6

87.1

88.4

-3.5

-0.3

-0.5

-0.1

1.5

6/ Asian Newly Industrialized Countries.........

10.9

84.9

84.8

-8.5

-0.2

-0.7

-0.4

-0.1

1

Regions are not mutually exclusive.

2

Data for August, September and October 1998
have been revised to reflect the availability
of late reports and corrections by respondents.

3

Defined according to the Standard Census Definition.

4

Includes EU

5

Includes Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.

6

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

15 countries.

Table

8
U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services.
September 1997-September 1998 1995 = 100, unless otherwise noted
Index
Percent Change

Description

Trade
(Mil.
of
Dollars)

June
1998

Sept.
1998

Annual
Sept.
1997
to
Sept.
1998

Sept.
1997
to
Dec.
1997

Quarterly
Dec.
March
1997
1998
to
to
March
June
1998
1998

June
1998
to
Sept.
1998

IMPORT
Air Freight
Atlantic
Pacific

3188
1278
1674

81.5
87.8
76.7

80.3
87.4
74.9

-9.4
1.2
-18.1

-2.3
4.4
-7.4

-7.0
-4.9
-9.9

1.2
2.3
0.5

-1.5
-0.5
-2.3

11127
4922
2340
3021

112.6
117.3
105.9
106.3

112.8
119.2
99.0
109.3

1.2
-2.4
-1.5
3.2

-6.5
-17.8
5.7
-0.7

-1.0
-1.5
-7.4
1.6

9.0
18.6
7.7
-0.6

0.2
1.6
-6.5
2.8

3.9

-0.1

-14.6

1/
1/
1/

Air Passenger Fares
Atlantic
Pacific
Latin American / Caribbean

1/

Crude Oil Tanker Freight

1346

81.6

n.a.

1/

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

9868
4271
1952
1774
5596

100.8
99.2
96.7
101.2
101.5

101.2
100.3
97.4
103.1
101.3

6.2
2.0
-0.9
6.3
9.6

-1.9
-1.6
-1.6
-2.3
-1.9

-0.1
-0.2
0.5
0.0
-0.1

7.9
2.8
-0.5
6.8
12.2

0.4
1.1
0.7
1.9
-0.2

2562

94.5

95.6

-1.0

-3.4

1.7

-0.4

1.2

17272
4120
10700
1392
1006

95.1
110.7
77.7
109.0
160.2

95.4
115.2
76.4
113.2
154.9

-4.6
5.2
-11.6
5.3
-1.7

-7.9
-7.4
-9.6
-0.9
-6.7

2.4
0.3
1.9
0.8
13.0

0.8
8.8
-2.4
1.6
-3.6

0.3
4.1
-1.7
3.9
-3.3

n.a.

n.a.

EXPORT
Air Freight (9612 = 100)

1/
1/

Air Passenger Fares
Atlantic
Pacific
Latin American / Caribbean
Canadian

1

Detailed data available upon request.

Table

n.a.

Not available.

9
U.S. International Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Selected Categories of Services.
September 1997-September 1998
1995 = 100
Index
Percent Change

Description

Trade
(Mil.
of
Dollars)

June
1998

Sept.
1998

Annual
Sept.
1997
to
Sept.
1998

Sept.
1997
to
Dec.
1997

Quarterly
Dec.
March
1997
1998
to
to
March
June
1998
1998

June
1998
to
Sept.
1998

Air Freight (Inbound)
Atlantic
Pacific

5495
1880
3151

83.4
88.4
80.3

81.8
88.0
77.9

-7.6
2.8
-14.4

-2.3
4.7
-6.7

-4.2
-4.7
-4.2

0.6
3.5
-1.2

-1.9
-0.5
-3.0

Air Freight (Outbound)
Atlantic
Pacific

5835
2080
3222

96.0
102.2
92.4

95.8
103.3
91.4

-3.8
2.2
-8.3

-1.9
0.0
-3.4

-0.5
-0.1
-0.8

-1.2
1.2
-3.2

-0.2
1.1
-1.1

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

30673
8811
15900
4542
1367

107.8
116.8
93.6
111.6
167.9

107.3
120.4
89.5
117.2
162.6

-1.7
1.2
-6.7
6.1
0.2

-8.9
-17.8
-5.9
-1.2
-5.0

-0.2
-3.7
-0.3
1.5
12.7

8.6
24.0
4.1
0.7
-3.3

-0.5
3.1
-4.4
5.0
-3.2

1/
1/
1/

Air Passenger Fares (Foreign Carrier)
Atlantic
Pacific
Latin American / Caribbean

31694
13572
12570
4224

102.4
111.9
82.8
105.1

104.2
118.3
79.7
107.7

-0.4
6.0
-12.4
3.2

-4.7
-9.9
-2.0
0.4

-2.1
-1.7
-5.0
0.5

4.9
13.3
-2.2
-0.2

1.8
5.7
-3.7
2.5

1/

Crude Oil Tanker Freight (Inbound)

1949

87.4

n.a.

n.a.

5.5

0.3

-15.6

1/

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

12253
5410
2647
1874
6844

103.2
97.5
94.8
98.8
107.3

105.0
98.4
95.4
100.6
109.7

-2.1
-1.3
-1.3
-2.2
-2.8

0.1
-0.3
0.4
0.0
0.4

11.0
2.2
-0.4
6.1
18.4

1/
1/
1/

10.6
1.4
-0.6
5.7
18.2

n.a.
1.7
0.9
0.6
1.8
2.2

1

Detailed data available upon request.

TECHNICAL NOTE
Import and Export Merchandise and Services Price Indexes -- All indexes use
a modified Laspeyres formula and are weighted with 1995 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 1995=100 where possible. 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. More
detailed index series and additional information may be obtained from the
Division of International Prices, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2 Massachusetts
Avenue N.E., PSB 3955, Washington, DC 20212 or (202) 606-7155.
Import Price Indexes -- Products have been classified by the 1995 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 1995 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.
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
defined by locality of origin using a nomenclature based upon the Standard
Industrial Classification (SIC-based). Nonmanufactured goods are defined as
SIC 0-1, and manufactured goods are defined as SIC 2-3. The indexes use 1995
weights and a base of 1995=100.

n.a.

Not available.

Import, Export, and International Services Indexes -- Indexes are calculated
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 the
publication of these indexes is lagged one 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 U.S. 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 also can 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
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1. Monthly News Release

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2. Harmonized System Indexes

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3. SITC Indexes

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4. BEA End-Use Indexes

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5. Locality of Origin Indexes

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