U.S. steel imports increased by 5.4% in March

According to data published by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) based on preliminary U.S. Census Bureau data, U.S. steel imports in March 2026 increased on a monthly basis while continuing to decline year-on-year.

Accordingly, total U.S. steel imports in March amounted to 1,769,000 net tons, while finished steel imports totaled 1,306,000 net tons. These figures indicate a 5.4% increase in total imports and a 10.2% rise in finished steel imports compared to February.

However, when considering the first three months of the year, total steel imports declined by 34.7% and finished steel imports by 35.0% compared to the same period in 2025. Over the last 12-month period covering April 2025–March 2026, total imports decreased by 22.7%, while finished steel imports fell by 26.3%.

The share of finished steel in total imports was calculated at 16% in March, while this ratio stood at 15% for the first three months of 2026.

Among the products with the highest increases in imports compared to February were sheet and strip in coils (165%), cut-to-length plate (143%), hot-rolled sheet (70%), heavy structural shapes (48%), and drawn wire (40%).

During this period, the largest suppliers of steel to the United States were South Korea (292,000 tons, down 4% month-on-month), Brazil (291,000 tons, up 18%), Canada (285,000 tons, up 27%), Vietnam (177,000 tons, up 160%), and Mexico (141,000 tons, down 20%).

Over the past 12 months, the largest suppliers were Canada (3,628,000 tons, down 44%), Brazil (3,381,000 tons, down 26%), South Korea (2,771,000 tons, down 3%), Mexico (2,235,000 tons, down 39%), and Japan (1,034,000 tons, down 13%).