Steel Products Prices North America
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/media/k2/items/src/d5d43a8a4bfaf452921f9246cb90a0df.jpg)
Final July Steel Imports Near 2.7 Million Tons
Written by Brett Linton
September 8, 2020
Recently released Census data shows final July steel imports totaled 2.70 million net tons, up 93 percent from June due to the quarterly reset on semifinished import quotas. This final July figure is just 5,995 tons higher than the preliminary import figures SMU reported one week ago.
Finished imports in July totaled 1.43 million tons, up 7 percent from June, but down 5 percent from May figures. Imports of semifinished products (mostly slabs) were 1.27 million tons in July, up from just 69,000 tons the month prior.
August import licenses are currently at 1.39 million tons, with 108,000 tons being semifinished and 1.29 million tons being finished products.
Note: The January, June, July and October import figures are unusually high as a result of buyers seeking to max out quarterly quota limits on semifinished products. For the remainder of each quarter, final semifinished imports are significantly lower. Due to these month-to-month swings, SMU has ceased monthly import “trending” projections and now only shows unadjusted figures as reported by the Commerce Department. As shown in the figure below, finished steel import levels are much less volitile and more accurately display the U.S. steel import trend month-to-month.
The three graphics below show total steel imports through August license data. To provide the most clarity, we are only showing a limited time line in each graphic. To see a greater data history and utilize our interactive graphing features, you can visit our website. Contact us at info@SteelMarketUpdate.com if you have any questions.
Note: OCTG imports are at the lowest level seen since December 2015, cold rolled imports have not been this low since July 2013, and imports of plates in coils are at their lowest since February 2011.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/SMU_BL_headshot-V4-150x150.png)
Brett Linton
Read more from Brett LintonLatest in Steel Products Prices North America
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/images/Featured_News_Icons/Nucor.png)
Nucor inches HR price up, aims for $695/ton
Nucor increased its consumer spot price (CSP) for hot-rolled (HR) coil to $695 per short ton (st), up $5/st from last week.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/images/Featured_News_Icons/Nucor.png)
Nucor maintains $690/ton HR base price
Nucor’s weekly consumer spot price (CSP) for hot-rolled (HR) coil is unchanged from last week at $690/ton.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/CRU-Logo-2023-07-21-at-4.35.41-PM.png)
CRU: US prices find a bottom as other markets fall
The US sheet market appears to have reached a bottom following consistent weekly declines since April. However, other markets remain weak due to limited demand. Trading in Europe has been slow due to summer holidays. While European mills are also undergoing maintenance outages, these have not been enough to offset ongoing price falls, with weak […]
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/images/Featured_News_Icons/Cliffs_logo2.2.png)
Cliffs seeks $700/ton for HR, up $30/ton from last week
Cleveland-Cliffs said on Wednesday that it would seek at least $700 per short ton (st) for hot-rolled (HR) coil. The Cleveland-based steelmaker said it made the move "due to ongoing market developments." The company said the increase was effective immediately for HR orders for September.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/images/Featured_News_Icons/Nucor.png)
Nucor aims for $675/ton for HR
Nucor has raised its consumer spot price (CSP) for hot-rolled (HR) coil to $675 per short ton (st), up $25/st from last week.