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The BLS Handbook of Methods presents detailed explanations of how the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) obtains and prepares the economic data it publishes. BLS statistics are used for many purposes, and sometimes data well suited to one purpose may have limitations for another. This publication aims to provide users of BLS data with the most current information necessary to evaluate the suitability of the statistics for their needs. Information, a program overview, concepts, data sources, design, calculation, presentation, and history are located in the BLS Handbook of Methods.
Additional information is available in the Addendum and Technical Note.
The series codes for the following classification systems are shown below.
Classification System | Series Code |
---|---|
BEA End Use |
|
Import |
R |
Export |
Q |
NAICS |
|
Import |
Z |
Export |
Y |
Harmonized |
|
Import |
P |
Export |
D |
This table describes the main characteristics of the price and spending measures produced by BLS: the Consumer Price Index (CPI), Producer Price Index (PPI), Import and Export Price Indexes(MXP), and the Consumer Expenditure Survey (CE). This table is intended to provide users a basic understanding of what the surveys measure and the primary uses of the measures.
In order to help users assess the precision of the U.S. import and export price index series, BLS provides variance estimates for these figures. Previously, the data were only calculated for the all-import and all-export series. Beginning in 2019, the published variance estimates became available at a more detailed level.
Last Modified Date: October 27, 2020