Steel Imports Down 13.5% In February vs. January

March 24, 2023

Finished Import Market Share YTD at 23%

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 2,255,000 net tons (NT) of steel in February 2023, including 1,716,000 net tons (NT) of finished steel (down 13.5% and 14.3%, respectively, vs. January 2023). Total and finished steel imports are down 9.8% and 9.7%, respectively, year-to-date vs. 2022. Over the 12-month period March 2022 to February 2023, total and finished steel imports are down 6.8% and up 2.7%, respectively, vs. the prior 12-month period. Finished steel import market share was an estimated 22% in February and is estimated at 23% over the first two months of 2023.

A key steel product with a significant import increase in February compared to January was line pipe (up 35%). Products with a significant increase in imports over the 12-month period March 2022 to February 2023 compared to the previous 12-month period include line pipe (up 49%), oil country goods (up 43%), standard pipe (up 39%), heavy structural shapes (up 34%) and tin plate (up 11%).

In February, the largest suppliers were Canada (538,000 NT, down 9% vs. January), Mexico (382,000 NT, down 16%), Brazil (353,000 NT, down 11%), South Korea (225,000 NT, up 63%) and Germany (79,000 NT, down 21%). Over the 12-month period March 2022 to February 2023, the largest suppliers were Canada (6,943,000 NT, no change compared to the previous 12-months), Mexico (5,123,000 NT, down 1%), South Korea (2,804,000 NT, up 2%), Brazil (2,676,000 NT, down 32%) and Japan (1,264,000 NT, up 11%). 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.