Steel Imports Up 19.5% In May vs. April

Finished Import Market Share YTD at 21%

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 2,481,000 net tons (NT) of steel in May 2025, including 1,778,000 net tons (NT) of finished steel (up 19.5% and 10.4%, respectively, vs. April 2025). Total and finished steel imports are down 6.2% and 8.4%, respectively, year-to-date vs. 2024. Over the 12-month period June 2024 to May 2025, total and finished steel imports are down 3.7% and 2.5%, respectively, vs. the prior 12-month period. Finished steel import market share was an estimated 20% in May and is estimated at 21% over the first five months of 2025.

Key steel products with a significant import increase in May compared to April are plates in coils (up 70%), sheets and strip all other metallic coating (up 66%), blooms, billets and slabs (up 51%), hot rolled sheets (up 51%) and line pipe (up 48%). Products with a significant increase in imports over the 12-month period June 2024 to May 2025 compared to the previous 12-month period include tin plate (up 79%) and line pipe (up 11%).

In May, the largest suppliers were Canada (405,000 NT, down 6% vs. April), Brazil (401,000 NT, up 34%), South Korea (313,000 NT, up 69%), Mexico (299,000 NT, up 92%) and Taiwan (108,000 NT, up 5%). Over the 12-month period June 2024 to May 2025, the largest suppliers were Canada (6,097,000 NT, down 10% vs, compared to the previous 12-months), Brazil (4,454,000 NT, down 1%), Mexico (3,369,000 NT, down 16%), South Korea (2,772,000 NT, down 8%) and Germany (1,219,000 NT, up 29%). 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. These steels are critical to America’s national and economic security, including roads and bridges, buildings, the electrical grid, cars and trucks and all clean energy technologies. 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.