U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the U.S. import and export prices each rose 0.1% in April. Import prices were lifted by nonfuel goods, offsetting a 2.6% drop in fuel prices. Over the year, import prices rose 0.1%, with nonfuel imports up 1.2%. Export prices also increased 0.1% in April and are up 2.0% annually, supported by higher agricultural and finished goods prices. Regionally, export prices to Japan and China saw notable gains, while import prices from China and Japan continued to decline. Air passenger fares showed mixed trends, while air freight prices rose for both imports and exports. The BLS writes:
U.S. import prices increased 0.1 percent in April following a 0.4-percent decrease in March, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Higher prices for nonfuel imports more than offset lower prices for fuel imports in April. Prices for U.S. exports advanced 0.1 percent in April, after rising 0.1 percent the previous month.
Imports
Import prices rose 0.1 percent in April following a decrease of 0.4 percent in March and an advance of 0.2 percent in February. Prices for U.S. imports rose 0.1 percent from April 2024 to April 2025.
Fuel Imports: Prices for import fuel declined 2.6 percent in April following a decrease of 3.4 percent in March and an increase of 1.6 percent in February. Lower prices for petroleum and natural gas drove the overall decline in import fuel prices. In April, prices for import petroleum and natural gas declined 2.0 percent and 17.5 percent, respectively. Import fuel prices decreased 12.0 percent over the past 12 months, the largest over-the-year decline since the index fell 15.4 percent for the 12 months ended October 2024. The price index for petroleum imports decreased 13.3 percent over the past 12 months. Prices for import natural gas increased 59.9 percent over the same period.
All Imports Excluding Fuel: Prices for nonfuel imports increased 0.4 percent in April following a decrease of 0.1 percent in March. Higher prices for capital goods, nonfuel industrial supplies and materials, consumer goods, and automotive vehicles drove the advance. The price index for nonfuel imports increased 1.2 percent over the past 12 months, led by higher prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials, automotive vehicles, and capital goods.
Foods, Feeds, and Beverages: Foods, feeds, and beverages prices were unchanged in April following a decrease of 0.1 percent in March. Higher prices for green coffee offset lower prices for cocoa beans and vegetables in April.
Nonfuel Industrial Supplies and Materials: Import prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials increased 0.8 percent in April, after ticking up 0.1 percent in March. Higher prices for major nonferrous metals, finished nonmetals, and finished metals shapes and advanced manufacturing more than offset lower prices for chemicals in April.
Finished Goods: Prices for the major finished goods import categories were up in April. Import prices for capital goods increased 0.6 percent, the largest monthly advance since the index rose 0.9 percent in January 2022. The April advance was led by higher prices for computers, peripherals, and semiconductors and for scientific and medical machinery. The price index for automotive vehicles rose 0.2 percent in April, the largest 1-month advance since October 2024. Import prices for consumer goods increased 0.3 percent in April, the first monthly advance since October 2024. Higher prices for coins, gems, jewelry, and collectibles contributed to the increase in April.
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