The U.S. Import Price Index rose 7.0% year-over-year in August 2026, signaling a further acceleration in imported inflationary pressures. The latest reading, updated on 16 September 2026, compares the price level in August 2026 with that of August 2025.
This marks an increase from July 2026, when the Import Price Index was up 5.9% compared with a year earlier. Both the current and previous figures are based on year-over-year comparisons, with July’s rate reflecting the change relative to July 2025.
The continued pickup from 5.9% to 7.0% suggests that import costs are rising more quickly than earlier in the summer, a development that could feed into broader price pressures across the U.S. economy if sustained. Policymakers and markets are likely to watch upcoming releases closely for signs of whether this momentum in import price growth persists.
