Steel Imports Down 9.4% In April vs. March

May 25, 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 2,369,000 net tons (NT) of steel in April 2023, including 1,933,000 net tons (NT) of finished steel (down 9.4% and up 1.4%, respectively, vs. March 2023). Total and finished steel imports are down 11.9% and 14.5%, respectively, year-to-date vs. 2022. Over the 12-month period May 2022 to April 2023, total and finished steel imports are down 11.7% and 6.1%, respectively, vs. the prior 12-month period. Finished steel import market share was an estimated 23% in April and is estimated at 23% over the first four months of 2023.

Key steel products with a significant import increase in April compared to March are reinforcing bars (up 106%), heavy structural shapes (up 76%), wire drawn (up 13%) and wire rods (up 12%). Products with a significant increase in imports over the 12-month period May 2022 to April 2023 compared to the previous 12-month period include line pipe (up 42%), oil country goods (up 41%), standard pipe (up 25%) and heavy structural shapes (up 18%).

In April, the largest suppliers were Canada (594,000 NT, down 10% vs. March), Mexico (345,000 NT, down 21%), Brazil (213,000 NT, down 53%), South Korea (168,000 NT, down 10%) and Japan (130,000 NT, up 11%). Over the 12-month period May 2022 to April 2023, the largest suppliers were Canada (6,933,000 NT, no change compared to the previous 12-months), Mexico (4,970,000 NT, down 7%), Brazil (2,759,000 NT, down 25%), South Korea (2,588,000 NT, down 9%) and Japan (1,309,000 NT, up 12%). Below are charts on steel imports by country and estimated finished steel import market share in recent months.

Read the full statistical report here. 

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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.