Steel imports up 11.2 percent

Based on preliminary Census Bureau data, the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) reported that the U.S. imported a total of 2,117,000 net tons (NT) of steel in May 2026, including 1,554,000 NT of finished steel (up 11.2 percent each, respectively, vs. April 2026). Total and finished steel imports are down 26.3 percent and 26.8 percent, respectively, year-to-date vs. 2025. Over the 12-month period June 2025 to May 2026, total and finished steel imports are down 21.6 percent and 25.2 percent, respectively, vs. the prior 12-month period. Finished steel import market share was an estimated 17 percent in May and is estimated at 16 percent over the first five months of 2026.

Key steel products with a significant import increase in May compared to April are hot rolled sheets (up 128 percent), plates in coils (up 78 percent), oil country goods (up 45 percent), hot rolled bars (up 29 percent) and reinforcing bars (up 21 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 21 percent).

In May, the largest suppliers were South Korea (399,000 NT, up 37 percent vs. April), Brazil (331,000 NT, up 54 percent), Canada (281,000 NT, up 5 percent), Mexico (185,000 NT, down 1 percent) and Japan (142,000 NT, up 91 percent). Over the 12-month period June 2025 to May 2026, the largest suppliers were Canada (3,340,000 NT, down 45 percent compared to the previous 12-months), Brazil (3,227,000 NT, down 28 percent), South Korea (2,964,000 NT, up 7 percent), Mexico (2,152,000 NT, down 36 percent) and Japan (1,083,000 NT, down 5 percent).

Published August 2026