Steel Imports Up 4.6% In January 2026 vs. December 2025

Finished Import Market Share YTD at 15%

Washington, D.C. – Based on Final Census Bureau data, the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) reported today that the U.S. imported a total of 1,650,000 net tons (NT) of steel in January 2026, including 1,249,000 net tons (NT) of finished steel (up 4.6% and 7.7%, respectively, vs. December 2025). Total and finished steel imports are down 46.3% and 45.9%, respectively, vs. January 2025. Over the 12-month period February 2025 to January 2026, total and finished steel imports are down 19.0% and 23.1%, respectively, vs. the prior 12-month period. Finished steel import market share was an estimated 15% in January 2026.

Key steel products with a significant import increase in January compared to December are reinforcing bars (up 76%), sheet and strip all other metallic coated (up 52%), cold rolled sheets (up 47%), hot rolled sheets (up 28%) and oil country goods (up 25%). A product with a significant increase in imports over the 12-month period February 2025 to January 2026 compared to the previous 12-month period was tin plate (up 13%).

In January, the largest suppliers were South Korea (285,000 NT, up 71% vs. December), Mexico (235,000 NT, up 72%), Canada (218,000 NT, down 7%), Brazil (177,000 NT, down 31%) and Taiwan (73,000 NT, up 87%). Over the 12-month period February 2025 to January 2026, the largest suppliers were Canada (4,094,000 NT, down 38% vs, compared to the previous 12-months), Brazil (3,717,000 NT, down 20%), South Korea (2,621,000 NT, down 11%), Mexico (2,586,000 NT, down 28%) and Taiwan (1,081,000 NT, up 4%). 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.