Steel Imports Up 14.2% In March vs. February

April 25, 2023

Finished Import Market Share YTD at 23%

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 2,614,000 net tons (NT) of steel in March 2023, including 1,906,000 net tons (NT) of finished steel (up 14.2% and 9.0%, respectively, vs. February 2023). Total and finished steel imports are down 11.5% and 14.5%, respectively, year-to-date vs. 2022. Over the 12-month period April 2022 to March 2023, total and finished steel imports are down 10.3% and 2.5%, respectively, vs. the prior 12-month period. Finished steel import market share was an estimated 22% in March and is estimated at 23% over the first three months of 2023.

Key steel products with a significant import increase in March compared to February are cut lengths plates (up 53%), tin plate (up 44%), hot rolled sheets (up 41%), ingots and billets and slabs (up 31%) and oil country goods (up 29%). Products with a significant increase in imports over the 12-month period April 2022 to March 2023 compared to the previous 12-month period include line pipe (up 46%), oil country goods (up 42%), standard pipe (up 29%), heavy structural shapes (up 20%) and tin plate (up 11%).

In March, the largest suppliers were Canada (660,000 NT, up 23% vs. February), Brazil (457,000 NT, up 30%), Mexico (437,000 NT, up 14%), South Korea (187,000 NT, down 17%) and Japan (117,000 NT, up 117%). Over the 12-month period April 2022 to March 2023, the largest suppliers were Canada (6,950,000 NT, no change compared to the previous 12-months), Mexico (5,018,000 NT, down 6%), Brazil (2,787,000 NT, down 32%), South Korea (2,670,000 NT, down 6%) and Japan (1,278,000 NT, up 11%). 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.