U.S. import prices fell 1.1% on a year earlier in September, according to official figures, compared to 1.0% expected by economists. Auto price rises added to increased shipments shown by Panjiva data, while consumer prices and apparel imports fell. Overall though the fall in prices offset the 1.3% increase in shipments by sea. The overall direction of U.S. imports in September, and hence the deficit, will be set by land- and airfreight volumes.