/Agencia Reuters
U.S. import prices rose 1.9% in April 2026, following an upwardly revised increase of 0.9% in March, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) of the Department of Labor.
Economists polled by Reuters had forecast that the costs of imported goods, which exclude tariffs, would grow 1.0%, after the previously reported advance of 0.8% for March.
In the 12 months through April, import prices surged 4.2%. That reading represented the largest year-over-year increase since October 2022 and followed a 2.3% rise in March.
The U.S. government recently reported another solid increase in consumer prices in April, resulting in the annual inflation rate advancing to its fastest pace in three years. Producer prices recorded their biggest increase in four years in April.
The war in the Middle East has disrupted navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, raising prices for energy and other raw materials, including fertilizers and aluminum.
The escalation in inflation solidified expectations that the Federal Reserve will keep its benchmark overnight interest rate in the 3.50%-3.75% range until 2027.
Imported fuel prices jumped 16.3% last month, the largest advance since March 2022, after having risen 10% in March. Imported food prices increased 0.9%.
Excluding food and energy, import prices surged 0.7% after rising 0.2% in March. Costs of imported capital goods rose 1.1%, while those of consumer goods, excluding the automotive industry, increased 0.4%. However, prices of imported motor vehicles, parts, and engines fell 0.1%.
The values of imports from China rose 0.8%, the largest increase since July 2008. There were also strong increases in prices of goods imported from Japan, the European Union, and Mexico.
Costs of goods imported from Canada jumped 5.6%, the largest increase in four years.
