Steel Imports Down 4.0% In August vs. July

September 26, 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 2,277,000 net tons (NT) of steel in August 2023, including 1,858,000 net tons (NT) of finished steel (down 4.0% and up 1.4%, respectively, vs. July 2023). Total and finished steel imports are down 10.6% and 15.0%, respectively, year-to-date vs. 2022. Over the 12-month period from September 2022 to August 2023, total and finished steel imports are down 14.2% and 15.4%, respectively, vs. the prior 12-month period. Finished steel import market share was an estimated 21% in August and is estimated at 22% over the first eight months of 2023.

Key steel products with a significant import increase in August compared to July are sheets and strip all other metallic coatings (up 60%), standard pipe (up 30%), wire rods (25%), cut lengths plates (up 24%) and hot rolled sheets (up 17%). Products with a significant increase in imports over the 12-month period from September 2022 to August 2023 compared to the previous 12-month period include line pipe (up 26%), oil country goods (up 18%) and cut lengths plates (up 13%).

In August, the largest suppliers were Canada (547,000 NT, up 3% vs. July), Mexico (365,000 NT, up 26%), South Korea (254,000 NT, up 61%), Brazil (209,000 NT, down 46%) and Japan (95,000 NT, down 23%). Over the 12-month period September 2022 to August 2023, the largest suppliers were Canada (6,868,000 NT, down 2% compared to the previous 12-months), Mexico (4,383,000 NT, down 24%), Brazil (3,255,000 NT, up 9%), South Korea (2,607,000 NT, down 10%) and Japan (1,230,000 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.