Steel Imports Up 18% In January 2023 vs. December 2022

Finished Import Market Share at 24%

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 2,607,000 net tons (NT) of steel in January 2023, including 2,000,000 NT of finished steel (up 18.3% and 7.3%, respectively, vs. December 2022). Total and finished steel imports are down 14.4% and 12.2%, respectively, vs. January 2022.  Over the 12-month period February 2022 to January 2023, total and finished steel imports are down 5.2% and up 5.0%, respectively, vs. the prior 12-month period. Finished steel import market share was an estimated 24% in January 2023.

Key finished steel products with a significant import increase in January compared to December are heavy structural shapes (up 99%), cut lengths plates (up 83%), ingots and billets and slabs (up 79%), sheets and strip  all other metallic coatings (up 55%) and mechanical tubing (up 36%). Products with a significant increase in imports over the 12-month period February 2022 to January 2023 compared to the previous 12-month period include line pipe (up 47%), oil country goods (up 44%), standard pipe (up 39%), heavy structural shapes (up 39%) and wire rods (up 14%).

In January, the largest suppliers were Canada (593,000 NT, up 14% vs. December), Mexico (456,000 NT, up 10%), Brazil (395,000 NT, up 711%), South Korea (139,000 NT, down 40%) and Japan (136,000 NT, up 14%). Over the 12-month period February 2022 to January 2023, the largest suppliers were Canada (6,875,000 NT, down 1% vs. compared to the previous 12-months), Mexico (5,187,000 NT, up 5%), South Korea (2,796,000 NT, up 1%), Brazil (2,587,000 NT, down 34%) and Japan (1,275,000 NT, up 10%). Below are charts on steel imports by country and estimated finished steel import market share in recent months.

Click here for the full statistical report. 

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Contact: Lisa Harrison

202.452.7115 / lharrison@steel.org

AISI serves as the voice of the American steel industry in the public policy arena and advances the case for steel in the marketplace as the preferred material of choice. AISI’s membership is comprised of integrated and electric arc furnace steelmakers, and associate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry. For more news about steel and its applications, view AISI’s website at www.steel.org. Follow AISI on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter (@AISISteel) or Instagram.