Steel Imports Down 23% in January 2021 Compared to January 2020

February 25, 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 2,422,000 net tons (NT) of steel in January 2021, including 1,239,000 net tons (NT) of finished steel (down 23.1% and 24.8%, respectively, vs. January 2020).  Total and finished steel imports are up 62.2% and down 7.5%, respectively, vs. the prior month, December 2020.  Finished steel import market share was an estimated 15% in January 2021.

Key finished steel products with a significant import increase in January compared to December are reinforcing bars (up 121%), heavy structural shapes (up 115%), sheets and strip all other metallic coatings (up 20%), structural pipe and tubing (up 29%) and mechanical tubing (up 12%).

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