Steel Products Prices North America

Update on U.S. Steel Imports

Written by Brett Linton

January 12, 2021

November steel import figures were finalized at 1.37 million net tons, down 9 percent from one month prior, but up 9 percent over September’s 11-year low of 1.26 million tons. December import licenses are now at 2.10 million tons, the highest monthly level seen since July. January import licenses are currently at 1.03 million tons, and will continue to fluctuate over the next few weeks as data is processed. Therefore, the analysis below will only focus on imports through December license data.

Due to large month-to-month swings in semifinished imports, the chart below shows total monthly imports on a three-month moving average (3MMA) basis in an attempt to more accurately display the U.S. steel import trend. The 3MMA for December is now 1.66 million tons, up from 1.38 million tons in November. The average monthly import level for 2020 is now 1.88 million tons through December license data, down 19 percent over the 2019 montly average of 2.32 million tons.

Total finished imports in December are up 15 percent from the prior month, at 1.43 million tons. Imports of semifinished products (mostly slabs) are at 677,000 tons, up from 135,000 tons in November.

The two charts below show monthly imports grouped by product category–flat rolled imports and pipe and tube imports. We have limited data here, but hope to expand in the future.

Brett Linton

Brett Linton is a senior analyst for Steel Market Update, where he began his career. Linton has been in the steel industry since 2010. He has held roles as a category manager and strategic insights director at Reibus before returning to SMU in 2024. He is a graduate of The University of North Georgia with a degree in Finance and Accounting. Brett can be reached at brett@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-314-0179.

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