Steel Imports Down 27.2% In February vs. January

Finished Import Market Share YTD 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 2,235,000 net tons (NT) of steel in February 2025, including 1,623,000 net tons (NT) of finished steel (down 27.2% and 29.6%, respectively, vs. January 2025). Total and finished steel imports are up 5.7% and 7.4%, respectively, year-to-date vs. 2024. Over the 12-month period March 2024 to February 2025, total and finished steel imports are up 3.1% and 5.4%, respectively, vs. the prior 12-month period. Finished steel import market share was an estimated 22% in February and is estimated at 24% over the first two months of 2025.

A key steel product with a significant import increase in February compared to January is cut length plates (up 19%). Products with a significant increase in imports over the 12-month period March 2024 to February 2025 compared to the previous 12-month period include tin plate (up 55%), sheets and strip all other metallic coated (up 33%), sheets and strip hot dipped galvanized (up 28%), wire rods (up 24%) and cold rolled sheets (22%).

In February, the largest suppliers were Canada (481,000 NT, down 26% vs. January), Brazil (445,000 NT, down 24%), Mexico (279,000 NT, down 41%), South Korea (194,000 NT, down 41%) and Japan (114,000 NT, up 18%). Over the 12-month period March 2024 to February 2025, the largest suppliers were Canada (6,523,000 NT, down 6% vs, compared to the previous 12-months), Brazil (4,555,000 NT, up 9%), Mexico (3,545,000 NT, down 13%), South Korea (2,948,000 NT, up 11%) and Vietnam (1,298,000 NT, up 103%). Below are charts on steel imports by country and estimated finished steel import market share in recent months.

View 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 (EAF) steelmakers, steel pipe and tube manufacturers, and steel processors and fabricators reflecting the production and distribution of both carbon and stainless steels which are critical to the everyday lives of all Americans — including national security, roads and bridges, buildings, the electrical grid, clean energy technologies and the automotive market. AISI also represents 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.