U.S. steel imports rose 7.4% in July

The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) released the country’s July 2026 steel import data based on preliminary figures from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Total steel imports rose to 2.26 million net metric tons

According to AISI data, the U.S. imported a total of 2,260,147 net metric tons of steel in July. Total steel imports increased by 7.4% compared to June.

During the same period, finished steel imports totaled 1,561,961 net metric tons, marking a 6.3% monthly increase.

In contrast, total steel imports for the first seven months of 2026 decreased by 33.0% compared to the same period last year, while finished steel imports fell by 34.6%.

In the most recent 12-month period covering August 2025 through July 2026, total steel imports fell by 21.6% and finished steel imports by 25.3% compared to the previous 12-month period.

Finished steel’s market share stood at 17%

Finished steel imports’ share of the U.S. market was estimated at 17% in July. The market share for the first seven months of 2026 was calculated at 16%.

By product category, the most significant increase in imports in July compared to June was seen in wire rod, at 53%. Imports of hot-rolled bars increased by 52%, oil and natural gas tubing (OCTG) by 45%, and standard pipe by 36%.

Among the products that saw a significant increase in imports during the August 2025–July 2026 period compared to the previous 12-month period, heavy structural profiles stood out. Imports of this product group rose by 44%.

Imports from South Korea rose by 32%

In July, South Korea was the U.S.’s largest steel supplier. Imports from South Korea rose by 32% compared to June, reaching 556,000 net metric tons.

Imports from Canada fell by 5% to 280,000 net metric tons, while imports from Brazil rose by 3% to 253,000 net metric tons. Imports from Mexico rose by 0.3% to 192,000 net metric tons, while imports from Vietnam fell by 0.4% to 150,000 net metric tons.

During the period from August 2025 to July 2026, South Korea was the U.S.’s largest steel supplier with 3.43 million net metric tons, and imports from that country increased by 20% compared to the previous 12-month period.

During the same period, imports from Canada fell by 42% to 3.27 million net metric tons, imports from Brazil fell by 33% to 3 million net metric tons, and imports from Mexico fell by 39% to 2.10 million net metric tons. Imports from Vietnam, however, rose by 9% to 1.24 million net metric tons.