U.S. import permit filings dropped 11.3% over the January–November period

The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) released updated data on November steel import permit applications compiled through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Steel Import Monitoring and Analysis (SIMA) system. According to the data, permit applications for total steel imports reached 1.679 million net tons in November. This figure represents a 4.5% increase compared with permit applications of 1.607 million NT recorded in October, while indicating a 3% decline relative to October’s final import volume of 1.73 million NT.

In November, import permit applications for finished steel totaled 1.13 million NT, marking a 15.4% decrease compared with October’s final finished steel import level. For the January–November 2025 period, total steel imports were reported at 23.704 million NT, while finished steel imports amounted to 17.55 million NT. These figures reflect year-on-year declines of 11.3% in total steel imports and 15.1% in finished steel imports compared with the same period in 2024. According to AISI, finished steel’s estimated share of total imports stood at 14% in November, while the year-to-date average market share was calculated at 19%.

The data also highlighted notable product-specific increases in November permit applications compared with October’s final import volumes. Imports of heavy structural sections rose by 79%, tin-free steel by 46%, blooms, billets and slabs by 39%, line pipe by 16%, and cut-length plate by 14%. On a cumulative January–November basis, products showing significant y-o-y growth versus 2024 included stainless steel pipes and tubes, up by 38%, tinplate up by 31%, line pipe up by 19%, oil country tubular goods (OCTG) up by 17%, and wire rod up by 16%.

In November, Brazil ranked as the largest supplier by permit applications, although its volumes declined by 14% to 254,000 NT. Canada followed, with applications falling 19% to 252,000 NT. South Korea recorded a sharp increase of 44%, with permit applications rising to 185,000 NT. Mexico’s applications increased by 6% to 163,000 NT, while Japan’s volumes climbed 29% to 99,000 NT.

On a year-to-date basis through the first 11 months, Canada’s steel import volumes declined by 29% to 4.285 million NT, Brazil’s total imports fell by 12% to 3.875 million NT, and Mexico’s shipments decreased by 16% to 2.684 million NT.