The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) released preliminary US steel import data for May 2025. According to preliminary data from the Census Bureau, total US steel imports increased by 19.5% in May compared to April to 2 million 481 thousand net tons (NT). During the same period, finished steel imports increased by 10.4% to 1 million 778 thousand NT.
Imports Decline in the First Five Months of the Year
In the first five months of 2025, total steel imports and finished steel imports decreased by 6.2% and 8.4%, respectively, compared to the same period last year. In the 12-month period between June 2024 and May 2025, total imports decreased by 3.7% and finished steel imports by 2.5%. AISI estimated the market share of finished steel imports in May at 20% and the average market share in the first five months of 2025 at 21%.
Some Products Experienced Sharp Increases
Significant import increases were observed in some steel product groups in May. The highest increase was seen in plates in coils with 70%, followed by 66% in other metallic coated sheets and strips, 51% in blooms, billets and slabs, 51% in hot rolled sheets and 48% in line pipe.
The products with the highest y/y increases in the June 2024-May 2025 period were tin plate with 79% and line pipe with 11%.
Imports from Brazil and Mexico on the Rise
In May, Canada was the largest steel supplier to the US with 405 thousand NT, followed by Brazil with 401 thousand NT, South Korea with 313 thousand NT, Mexico with 299 thousand NT and Taiwan with 108 thousand NT. Imports from Brazil, South Korea and Mexico increased by 34%, 69% and 92%, respectively, compared to the previous month.
The countries with the highest steel imports in the last 12 months were Canada (6 million 97 thousand NT, decrease by 10%), Brazil (4 million 454 thousand NT, decrease by 1%), Mexico (3 million 369 thousand NT, decrease by 16%), South Korea (2 million 772 thousand NT, decrease by 8%) and Germany (1 million 219 thousand NT, increase by 29%).
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