Steel Products Prices North America
Steel Imports Not Affected by Government Shutdown
Written by John Packard
October 13, 2013
Steel Market Update (SMU) asked David Phelps, president of the American Institute for International Steel if there were any issues involving steel imports which our readers needed to be aware. He sent us an email with the following:
“…the Customs officials employed at the ports to process imports and exports are considered essential. The licensing program is not operating, but importers have been notified to send emails to a specific location during the interim. Not having a license is not a prohibition at this point to importing — but of course, the licenses are not due until the final paperwork is due, 10 days later. If folks have disputes as to classification, penalties, etc. those Customs officials are not working and so that part of the CBP is not operating. Line people, all working…On balance, nothing at the docks appears to be affected by the shutdown.”
John Packard
Read more from John PackardLatest in Steel Products Prices North America
Thin demand keeps plate prices hovering at lowest levels since February
Participants in the domestic plate market say spot prices appear to have hit the floor, and they continue to linger there. They say demand for steel remains thin, with plate products no exception.
SMU Price Ranges: HR crawls back to $800/ton
SMU’s HR price stands at $800/st on average, up $5/st from last week. The modest gain came as the low end of our range firmed, and despite the high end of our range declining slightly.
SMU successfully completes IOSCO review
SMU has successfully completed an external review of all our prices. The review has concluded that they algin with principles set by the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO).
Domestic plate prices could heat up despite so-so demand, market sources say
Some sources also speculated that plate could see further price increases thanks to modest but steady demand, lower imports, mill maintenance outages, and end markets less immediately affected by tariff-related disruptions.
SMU Price Ranges: HR holds, galv slips amid competing market narratives
SMU’s sheet and plate prices see-sawed this week as hot-rolled (HR) coil prices held their ground while prices for galvanized product slipped.