Steel Imports Declined 21.2% in 2020

January 27, 2021

Washington, D.C. – Based on preliminary Census Bureau data, the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) reported today that the U.S. imported a total of 1,494,000 net tons (NT) of steel in December 2020, including 1,340,000 net tons (NT) of finished steel (up 9.0% and 13.5%, respectively, vs. November final data).  Full year 2020 total and finished steel imports were 22,019,000 and 16,139,000 net tons (NT), down 21.2% and 23.3%, respectively, vs. 2019.  Finished steel import market share was an estimated 18% in December and is estimated at 18% for full year 2020.

Key finished steel products with a significant increase in imports in December compared to November are line pipe (up 223%), oil country goods (up 148%), plates in coils (up 84%), hot rolled sheets (up 36%), hot rolled bars (up 15%), cold rolled sheets (up 14%) and tin plate (up 10%).

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