Steel Imports Down 8.7% in 2023

Finished Import Market Share 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 2,082,000 net tons (NT) of steel in December 2023, including 1,614,000 net tons (NT) of finished steel (up 2.6% and 7.7%, respectively, vs. November 2023). Full year 2023 total and finished steel imports were 28,156,000 and 21,694,000 net tons (NT), down 8.7% and 14.1%, respectively, vs 2022. Finished steel import market share was an estimated 20% in December and is estimated at 21% for full year 2023.

Key steel products with a significant import increase in December compared to November are oil country goods (up 52%), hot rolled sheets (up 38%), plates in coils (up 28%), line pipe (up 27%) and cut lengths plates (up 21%). Products with a significant increase in imports for the full year of 2023 vs. 2022 include cut lengths plates (up 20%) and ingots, billets and slabs (up 16%).

In December, the largest suppliers were Canada (539,000 NT, up 1% vs. November), Brazil (335,000 NT, down 12%), Mexico (291,000 NT, up 18%), South Korea (269,000 NT, up 91%) and Germany (106,000 NT, up 103%). For full year 2023, the largest suppliers were Canada (6,885,000 NT, unchanged vs. 2022), Mexico (4,184,000 NT, down 21%), Brazil (3,942,000 NT, up 54%), South Korea (2,637,000 NT, down 6%) and Japan (1,189,000 NT, down 6%). 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 (EAF) steelmakers reflecting the production of both carbon and stainless steels which are critical to the everyday lives of all Americans — including national security, roads and bridges, the electrical grid, clean energy technologies and the automotive market. AISI also represents nearly 80 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.