WASHINGTON, October 16 (ANI) — Prices of goods imported into the United States rose 8.1% in the 12 months through September 2026, marking the largest annual increase since July 2022, according to data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
U.S. import prices increased 1.1% in September, following a 0.5% rise in August. Higher prices for both fuel and nonfuel imports contributed to the monthly increase, the BLS said.
The 8.1% annual rise was the largest 12-month increase since import prices climbed 8.8% in the year ended July 2022.
Fuel import prices rose 4.8% in September after declining 0.2% in August and 6.8% in July. Within the fuel category, prices of petroleum and petroleum products increased 4.6% during September, while natural gas import prices rose 1.6%.
On an annual basis, fuel import prices increased 34.5% between September 2025 and September 2026. Prices of imported petroleum and petroleum products rose 35.4% over the same period.
Natural gas recorded a sharper increase, with import prices rising 96.5% in the 12 months through September. This was the largest annual increase in natural gas import prices since the index climbed 149.5% in the year ended June 2022.
Higher nonfuel import prices also contributed to the overall increase. Prices of nonfuel imports rose 0.7% in September and were up 6.0% compared with September 2025.
According to the BLS, nonfuel import prices have not declined on a monthly basis since August 2025.
Meanwhile, prices of goods exported by the United States increased 2.2% in September, following a 1.2% rise in August.
The data also showed higher prices for goods imported from China. Import prices from China rose 0.7% in September, the largest monthly increase since December 2021. Over the 12 months through September 2026, prices of imports from China increased 3.1%.
Prices of imports from Japan rose 0.6% in September and increased 1.1% year over year. Import prices from the European Union rose 0.3% during September, while prices of imports from Mexico and Canada increased 0.6% and 1.3%, respectively.
The BLS data showed that rising U.S. import prices affected both fuel and nonfuel categories, while export prices also recorded significant gains. (ANI)
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