Steel imports decrease 4.3 percent

Based on preliminary Census Bureau data, the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) reported that the U.S. imported a total of 2,092,000 net tons (NT) of steel in June 2026, including 1,457,000 NT of finished steel (down 4.3 and 6.9, respectively, vs. May 2026). Total and finished steel imports are down 22.9 percent and 24.5 percent, respectively, year-to-date vs. 2025. Over the 12-month period July 2025 to June 2026, total and finished steel imports are down 22.0 percent and 25.9 percent, respectively, vs. the prior 12-month period. Finished steel import market share was an estimated 17 percent in June and is estimated at 16 percent over the first six months of 2026.

Key steel products with a significant import increase in June compared to May are line pipe (up 94 percent), hot rolled sheets (up 28 percent), sheet and strip all other metallic coated (up 19 percent) and structural pipe and tubing (up 18 percent). Products with a significant increase in imports over the 12-month period June 2025 to May 2026 compared to the previous 12-month period include heavy structural shapes (up 28 percent).

In June, the largest suppliers were South Korea (422,000 NT, up 6 percent vs. May), Canada (294,000 NT, up 4 percent), Brazil (245,000 NT, down 26 percent), Mexico (191,000 NT, up 4 percent) and Vietnam (151,000 NT, up 6 percent). Over the 12-month period July 2025 to June 2026, the largest suppliers were Canada (3,288,000 NT, down 44 percent compared to the previous 12-months), South Korea (3,205,000 NT, up 17 percent), Brazil (3,049,000 NT, down 33 percent), Mexico (2,165,000 NT, down 35 percent) and Vietnam (1,139,000 NT, down 2 percent).

Published September 2026