Market Data

Paper PPI: Choosing the Right Benchmark for a Purchase

Paper, up about 10.0% from a year ago. Paper is the source's product category. It is not a paperboard, corrugated container or finished packaging index. Earlier descriptions on these URLs overstated that scope.

The BLS Paper Producer Price Index (WPU0913) reads 282.27 index (1982=100) for Aug 2026, up about 10.0% from a year ago. The reference period identifies the observation; a later website refresh does not turn it into a daily price. This is a producer price index, not a delivered quote in dollars per unit.

Paper is the source's product category. It is not a paperboard, corrugated container or finished packaging index. Earlier descriptions on these URLs overstated that scope.

Correct the benchmark before doing the math

For paper procurement, check grade, basis weight, finish, recycled content and contract terms. For boxes or cartons, obtain the appropriate paperboard or container benchmark and supplier specification. Converting, printing, adhesives and delivery require separate cost evidence.

Changes in paper producer prices do not establish a change in shipping volumes, factory orders or packaging demand. Those questions require quantity or activity observations over matching periods.

Build an estimate from the actual purchase

Start with the quantity and specification of the paper actually being purchased. Use a dated quote or invoice for its unit price, then add the relevant delivery, handling and process costs. If the purchase is outside this series' scope, leave this PPI out of the calculation.

For any assumed future price change, label it as a scenario and show the assumed pass-through. Keep the original quote, source reference month and calculation inputs so another person can reproduce the result.

Source and update notes

The source is BLS series WPU0913, also published by FRED at https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/WPU0913. The linked data page provides the current observation and available history. A successful refresh changes readings only when the source returns changed data. Missing or failed observations must retain their original periods and be reported as unavailable or delayed.

Published 2026-08-06.