The American Iron and Steel Institute announced that the US imported a total of 3,586,000 net tonnes of steel in June, including 2,706,000 net tonnes of finished steel (down 11.1% and 8.0%, respectively, vs. May final data). Year to date total and finished steel imports are 21,082,000 and 15,552,000 net tonnes respectively, up 34% and 26% respectively, vs.

2013. Annualized total and finished steel imports in 2014 would be 42.2 and 31.1 million NT, up 31% and 25% respectively vs. 2013. Finished steel import market share was an estimated 27% in June and is estimated at 27% YTD.

Key finished steel products with a significant import increase in June compared to May are cold rolled sheets (up 26%), cut lengths plates (up 26%) and tin plate (up 14%). Major products with significant YTD import increases vs. the same period last year include wire rods (up 100%), plates in coils (up 69%), cold rolled sheets (up 67%), sheets and strip galvanized hot dipped (up 51%), sheets and strip all other metallic coatings (up 48%), hot rolled sheets (42%), cut lengths plates (up 37%), mechanical tubing (34%), oil country goods (up 28%), heavy structural shapes (up 25%), reinforcing bars (up 15%) and tin plate (up 15%).