Form DS-2021 Instructions
Instructions for Completing the DS-2021-Retail Price Schedule (Part 4)
Related Forms
- Form DS-2021 - Retail Price Schedule (Part 4-Embassy or Consulate Store Survey)
DS-2021I, Part 4
INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING THE
EMBASSY OR CONSULATE STORE REPORT
This form, combined with the DS-2020, Part 1-3, constitutes a completed Retail Price Schedule.
The Office of Allowances uses this report to determine the Post (cost-of-living) Allowance. If your
post or location does not have an embassy store, submit only DS-2020, Part 1-3.
a. If there has been a previous survey, use it as a guide in preparing this report.
b. Report the prices of goods and services available at the embassy, consulate, or employee
association store.
c. Follow item specifications listed below and on the form..
d. Report prices in U.S. Dollars; prices should be inclusive of transportation costs.
e. Use the comment of space provided to describe brand, quality, origin or other pertinent
details and for clarification of any issues relating to the item or service.
f. Substitute items are items bought if the typical item is not available. Report both.
g. Leave blank items not carried in the store. However, if previously reported, annotate in
comments why there is no price.
h. The majority of the subcategory items are by weight, volume, or as specified.
SPECIFICATIONS
Name of Embassy or
Consulate Facility
Name of the store.
Survey Date
Date prices were collected.
SUBCATEGORY
ITEM
SPECIFICATIONS
BEEF
The specified meat cuts are those common to most parts of the world.
These meat cuts may be either fresh or uncooked frozen.
Report by weight - not
pieces or package
It is important that the same types of meat cuts be priced in
subsequent reports.
PORK
The comments on beef apply to pork.
Report by weight - not
pieces or package
Exclude smoked, cured, cooked, or canned products.
LAMB
Identify and report prices for fresh or uncooked frozen cuts of lamb
as specified.
Report by weight - not
pieces or package
DS-2021I
12-2007
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CHICKEN
Report fresh or uncooked frozen parts (dressed) from broilers,
Report by weight - not
pieces or package
fryers, roasters, or hens.
Identify and report prices for the types of fresh filet or frozen fish filet,
describe type, and report brand, if applicable.
FISH, Fresh
Report by weight - not
pieces or packages
Exclude lobster, shrimp, prawns, clams, and other shellfish.
Identify and report prices of types and sizes such as tuna and salmon.
FISH, Canned
Exclude sardines, shrimp, prawns, clams, and other shellfish.
EGGS
Report dozen
Specify size (i.e., jumbo, large, medium, small) and price eggs per
dozen (about 24 oz.).
ICE CREAM
CHEESE
Price ice cream most frequently purchased by volume. Price by liter or
quart (or nearest equivalent) and specify size.
Report only natural, firm-to-hard cheese (i.e., Cheddar, Edam,
Gouda, Mozzarella, Provolone, Romano, Swiss).
MILK, Fresh
Identify and price types and sizes by volume. When fresh milk is
unavailable, report price of UHT or long-life milk. Explain need for this
product in the comments section.
Carefully identify any necessary substitutes.
Report weight of sliced white loaf bread.
BREAD, White
Exclude hot dog, hamburger, and dinner rolls.
Report package sizes of general purpose flour.
FLOUR, General
purpose
Exclude small packages and special types.
CEREAL, Breakfast
ready to eat
Identify and report type and size of dry, ready-to-eat breakfast cereals
most frequently purchased.
Identify and report type and volume of regular rice.
Exclude pre-cooked types (i.e., instant or minute).
RICE, Regular
PASTA, Uncooked
Identify and price type and volume of processed but uncooked pasta
commonly purchased (i.e., spaghetti, macaroni, linguini, etc.).
Exclude macaroni/cheese and Hamburger Helper, etc.
Report and identify brands, package sizes, and common types
TEA, Bags
(regular or decaffeinated). Report by bag.
Exclude loose tea, special blends, herb teas, and instant tea
mixes.
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Report and identify brands, package or can sizes, and common types
(regular or decaffeinated) of coffee.
COFFEE, Ground
and Instant
Exclude specialty, flavored, or spiced coffees
Report sizes and types of soft drink (i.e. liter, milliliter, quart, fluid
ounces, etc.). The quantity reported should correspond to the price
listed.
SOFT DRINKS,
Carbonated
BOTTLED
DRINKING WATER
Report non-carbonated bottled water.
CANDY, Chocolate
Bar (plain)
Report only plain chocolate candy bar without nuts or other fillers. If
not imported to store, report regular baker's chocolate used for
cooking.
Report and identify package sizes of granulated sugar only.
SUGAR,
Granulated
Exclude brown, powered, cube, lump, and single-packet types.
Report only strained vegetables or fruit in the sizes commonly
purchased.
BABY FOOD,
Non meats
Exclude pure meats, dry cereals, and specialty items.
COOKING OIL
Price and identify brands and sizes of cooking oil.
Report smooth peanut butter by weight. Use standard packing of
18oz or nearest equivalent.
PEANUT BUTTER
Exclude brands with nuts (crunchy style).
Report and identify brands and bottle sizes (i.e., liter, milliliter,
quart, fluid ounces, etc.) of reasonably priced imported table wines.
WINE, Table
Report and identify non-premium brands and bottle sizes (e.g., liter,
milliliter, quart, fluid ounces, etc.) of bourbon, scotch, rye, and
blends.
WHISKEY,
Bourbon, Scotch,
Rye and blends
Exclude all premium whiskeys (i.e., 12 year-old types) and products
whose price is affected by a special or unusual container.
BEER
Report brand and size of container for each price level. If the item is
sold by case, then indicate the size of the containers in the description
column (e.g., 12-oz. cans).
Report any bottle deposit separately.
Report and identify, by brands, cartons of cigarettes (10 packs/20
cigarettes)
CIGARETTES
Specify if size is other than 200 cigarettes and if the brand is a local
manufacture or import.
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FRUITS, Fresh
Report the price of imported fruits by weight. Identify them in the
"brand and description" column.
VEGETABLES,
Fresh
Include vegetables available at time of survey. Report by weight.
When vegetables are sold by "each", "bunch", etc., weigh the item or
carefully estimate the weight. In addition, describe the approximate
size of the item or bunch.
Report prices for smaller size cans only when the 1304 g (46 oz.) cans
are not available.
FRUITS, Canned
If canned juice is not imported but boxes juice is, report one liter or
larger containers.
Use 822-879 g (29-31 oz.) size or the nearest equivalent. Prices
reported must correspond to the reported weights.
FRUIT JUICES,
Canned
Substitute and identify local varieties only when types specified are not
available.
VEGETABLES,
Canned
Use 425-482 g (15-17 oz.) size or the nearest equivalent. Prices
reported must correspond to the reported weights.
Substitute and identify local varieties only when types specified are
not available.
VEGETABLES,
Frozen
Use 284 g (10 oz.) package or the nearest equivalent. Prices reported
must correspond to the reported weights.
Substitute and identify local varieties only when types specified are not
available.
TOOTHPASTE
Report types most often purchased for normal tooth care. Use 198 gr.
(7 oz.) size or the nearest equivalent size. If the weight is not listed
on the tube, estimate and report the length and diameter of a tube.
Exclude special sensitive types and denture cleaners.
RAZOR BLADES
Include twin blades, disposable razors, and/or cartridges. Identify the
type and number of blades in each package size reported.
Use package of 5-10 stainless steel twin blades or the nearest
equivalent.
Price and identify the brands and types most commonly purchased.
Use box of 24 or the nearest equivalent.
SANITARY NAPKINS
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SHAMPOO
Price and identify types and brands most frequently used by U.S.
Nationals.
Use 450 g (16 oz.) size or the nearest equivalent.
Use package of 48 or price and specify the package count of the
nearest equivalent.
DIAPERS,
Disposable
Exclude diapers for children over age 2.
Report brands and identify weights and sizes of liquid and/or powdered
laundry detergent purchased for household laundry only.
LAUNDRY
DETERGENT,
Liquid and/or
Powdered
Exclude fabric softeners, liquid hand wash cleaners, and special
purpose products.
List the cost of a typical pain releliver, 100 tabs, 325 mg strength.
PAIN RELIEVER
COMPOUND
MUSIC CD
Report the cost of a typical American music CD (single, no sets)
DVD MOVIE
Report the cost of an America movie (single, no sets) on DVD (non
High-Definition).
FILM PROCESSING
CAMERA FILM
Price processing for 24 exposures, 35mm color prints. If film "mailers"
require postage, report this extra cost separately. Specify if rolls are
other than 24 exposures.
Price film for 24 exposures, 35mm color prints. Specify if rolls are
other than 24 exposures.
Report prices for paperback books of approximately 4x7 inches,
300-500 pages. List representative titles and approximate number of
pages of books priced.
PAPERBACK
BOOK
Exclude special editions and those not really pocket size. If possible,
report cost of English language paperbacks.
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NEWSPAPER,
Daily
Report "newsstand" prices for single copies of the most popular
weekday papers available locally. Specify newspaper titles and
languages.
Exclude weekend editions.
Report "newsstand" prices for single copies of the most frequently
purchased weekly news magazines. Report titles and languages of
magazines.
NEWS MAGAZINE,
Weekly
Exclude magazines which are not general news types.
List the cost of food sold in the employee or post restaurant
FOOD AWAY
Breakfast: list the typical breakfast priced.
Lunch: list the side order costs if not included with the entree.
Dinner: list side order costs if not included with the entree.
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