Total September exports were $189.2 billion and imports were $225.6 billion, according to the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, through the Department of Commerce. This resulted in a goods and services deficit of $36.4 billion, down $4 billion from August. September exports were up $1 billion from August, and September imports were down $3 billion.

The September decrease in the goods and services deficit reflected a decrease in the goods deficit of $2.6 billion to $57.5 billion and an increase in the services surplus of $1.4 billion to $21.1 billion.

Year-to-date, the goods and services deficit decreased $9.2 billion, or 2.5 percent, from the same period in 2015. Exports decreased $60.5 billion or 3.5 percent. Imports decreased $69.7 billion or 3.3 percent.

Exports of goods increased $0.6 billion and exports of services increased $0.4 billion. The increase in exports of goods mostly reflected increases in capital goods ($1.6 billion), civilian aircraft ($1.4 billion), consumer goods ($0.7 billion) and artwork, antiques, stamps, and other collectibles ($1 billion), offsetting a decrease in food, feeds, and beverages ($1.7 billion).

The increase in exports of services mainly reflected increases in travel ($0.4 billion).

Imports of goods decreased $2 billion and imports of services decreased $1 billion. The decrease in imports of goods mostly reflected a decrease in capital goods ($1.7 billion), civilian aircraft ($0.5 billion), consumer goods ($0.8 billion), pharmaceutical preparations ($0.7 billion), offsetting increases in automotive vehicles, parts, and engines ($1.2 billion) and passenger cars ($1.1 billion)

The increase in imports of services mainly reflected an increase in charges for the use of intellectual property ($1.2 billion).