Handout

Producer Price Index
Reporting Your Data By Mail
Retail Trade
www.bls.gov/ppi

October 2016

Thank you for participating in the Producer Price Index (PPI) program. The PPI is a measure of the average change in selling
prices received by domestic producers of goods and services. The data you provide will be used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics
(BLS) to construct the PPI.
This handout is intended to assist in completing the PPI forms you will use to provide data. An example of how to fill out a form
is included on the back of this page, and the following are things to keep in mind about providing data.
Receiving the forms:


Expect to receive the forms on or before the 15th of the month.

Completing the forms:


Follow the steps in the instructions sheet sent with the forms to provide monthly updates.



If the price has changed, provide updated retail, vendor, and margin prices in section 2 of the form.



If at any point someone will be completing the forms in your place, enter the information for the person who will take your
place in section 5. You may also call or email the PPI Analyst listed in section 1 of the forms and provide him or her with the
name and phone number of the new person who will complete the forms.



If a product is no longer offered, select a substitute that is as similar as possible to the original product. Choose one that you
expect to be available for some time. Update the description, adjustments to price, and terms of transaction to reflect the
substitution, and explain in section 5. You may also contact the PPI Analyst listed in section 1 to discuss choosing a
replacement.



Enter your updates as clearly as possible in black or blue ink, as your completed forms are scanned electronically when
received by BLS.

Returning the forms:


Complete and return all forms, even if the price has not changed.



Please return the forms within five business days.



You may return the forms either by mail or fax. The fax number and return address are provided in section 1 of the forms.



If you wish to submit prices via web, please call the PPI Analyst listed in section 1 of the form or indicate your request and
provide your email address in section 5 of the completed form.

Example form:


The example on the next page is an illustration of a completed form. The information that appears in the example is
different from what will appear on your forms.



The example illustrates how one should complete the form in a case in which the item description and contact
information have changed, there is a correction to a previously reported price, and there is a new price change.
If you have any questions, contact the PPI analyst using the phone number or email address provided on
each form. A full list of Producer Price Index contacts can be found at www.bls.gov/ppi/ppicon.htm.