US Preliminary Steel Imports Tumbled in February

Published: Mar 25, 2016 08:50
Based on preliminary Census Bureau data, the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) reported today that the U.S. imported a total of 2,212,000 net tons (NT) of steel in February 2016.

By Paul Ploumis (ScrapMonster Author)

March 24, 2016 04:45:41 AM

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Based on preliminary Census Bureau data, the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) reported today that the U.S. imported a total of 2,212,000 net tons (NT) of steel in February 2016, including 2,079,000net tons (NT) of finished steel (down 16.5% and 6.7%, respectively, vs. January final data).

Year-to-date total and finished steel imports are 4,860,000 and 4,307,000 net tons (NT), respectively, down 40% and 34% respectively, vs. the same period in 2015. Finished steel import market share was estimated at 26% in February.

Key finished steel products with a significant import increase in February this year when compared to January are reinforcing bars (up 32%), tin plate (up 53%), structural pipe and tubing (up 12%), and sheets and strip all other metallic coatings (up 11%).

ALSO SEE Scrap Steel Price List

In February, the largest volumes of finished steel imports from offshore were from South Korea (374,000 NT, up 55% from January Final), Turkey (207,000 NT, down 16%), Japan (114,000 NT, down 40%), Germany (80,000 NT, down 33%) and China (80,000 NT, down 12%).

For two months of 2016, the largest offshore suppliers were South Korea (615,000 NT, down 53%), Turkey (450,000 NT, down 23%), Japan (299,000 NT, down 34%), Germany (200,000 NT, down 32%) and China (172,000 NT, down 63%).

Courtesy: American Iron and Steel Institute


Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM‘s internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or to learn more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn
For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn
Related News
Copper Scrap Market Sees Wild Price Swings, Affecting Industry Behavior and Trading Patterns
13 hours ago
Copper Scrap Market Sees Wild Price Swings, Affecting Industry Behavior and Trading Patterns
Read More
Copper Scrap Market Sees Wild Price Swings, Affecting Industry Behavior and Trading Patterns
Copper Scrap Market Sees Wild Price Swings, Affecting Industry Behavior and Trading Patterns
Driven by wild swings in copper prices, the copper scrap market this week operated under their dominance; the sharp fluctuations in futures and spot prices profoundly affected the mentality and behavior of all links in the industry chain, and the market exhibited typical “price-driven, tug-of-war between sellers and buyers, and pulse-like transactions” characteristics.
13 hours ago
Copper's Strategic Role in AI Era Sparks Debate on US Import Tariffs Ahead of Key Report Deadline
Jun 6, 2026 12:17
Copper's Strategic Role in AI Era Sparks Debate on US Import Tariffs Ahead of Key Report Deadline
Read More
Copper's Strategic Role in AI Era Sparks Debate on US Import Tariffs Ahead of Key Report Deadline
Copper's Strategic Role in AI Era Sparks Debate on US Import Tariffs Ahead of Key Report Deadline
Copper is an irreplaceable material for power generation and has become a strategic resource in the AI era. A critical period is now approaching: the US Department of Commerce must submit a latest copper market assessment report by June 30, recommending whether the US should impose import tariffs on copper cathode.
Jun 6, 2026 12:17
Shipping Prices Surge Due to Geopolitical Disruptions and Increased Global Demand
Jun 6, 2026 12:16
Shipping Prices Surge Due to Geopolitical Disruptions and Increased Global Demand
Read More
Shipping Prices Surge Due to Geopolitical Disruptions and Increased Global Demand
Shipping Prices Surge Due to Geopolitical Disruptions and Increased Global Demand
The current surge in shipping prices is mainly driven by rising shipping costs due to Middle East geopolitical disruptions, sustained restocking demand fueled by finer global division of labor and geopolitical risk aversion, and the concentrated release of stockpiling demand outside China, as Europe and the US kick off their H2 stock-up-in-advance cycle for the peak consumption season. The sharp increase in cargo volume has rapidly tightened the supply-demand balance for shipping capacity. However, the trend of shipping prices in H2 remains unclear.
Jun 6, 2026 12:16