Steel Imports Down 15.2% In July vs. June

August 25, 2023

Finished Import Market Share YTD at 22%

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 2,370,000 net tons (NT) of steel in July 2023, including 1,832,000 net tons (NT) of finished steel (down 15.2% and 8.1%, respectively, vs. June 2023). Total and finished steel imports are down 10.7% and 15.5%, respectively, year-to-date vs. 2022. Over the 12-month period August 2022 to July 2023, total and finished steel imports are down 13.7% and 14.0%, respectively, vs. the prior 12-month period. Finished steel import market share was an estimated 21% in July and is estimated at 22% over the first seven months of 2023.

Key steel products with a significant import increase in July compared to June are tin plate (up 26%), mechanical tubing (up 21%), heavy structural shapes (17%) and oil country goods (up 14%). Products with a significant increase in imports over the 12-month period August 2022 to July 2023 compared to the previous 12-month period include line pipe (up 28%), oil country goods (up 24%) and cut lengths plates (up 10%).

In July, the largest suppliers were Canada (531,000 NT, down 16% vs. June), Brazil (384,000 NT, down 8%), Mexico (291,000 NT, down 30%), South Korea (158,000 NT, down 58%) and Japan (122,000 NT, up 50%). Over the 12-month period August 2022 to July 2023, the largest suppliers were Canada (6,909,000 NT, down 1% compared to the previous 12-months), Mexico (4,503,000 NT, down 21%), Brazil (3,222,000 NT, up 3%), South Korea (2,530,000 NT, down 12%) and Japan (1,227,000 NT, down 1%). 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.