Based on preliminary Census Bureau data, the American Iron and Steel Institute reported that the US imported a total of 2,761,000 net tons of steel in September, including 2,117,000 net tons of finished steel (each down 4.1% vs. August final data).Year to date total and finished steel imports are 23,892,000 and 18,694,000 net tons, respectively, down 7% and 6% vs. 2012.
steel pipe
Annualized total and finished steel imports in 2013 would be 31.9 and 24.9 million NT, down 5% and 4% respectively vs. 2012. Finished steel import market share was an estimated 23% in September and is estimated at 23% YTD.

Key finished steel products with a significant import increase in September 2013 compared to August are cut lengths plates (up 60%), hot rolled bars (up 47%), tin plate (up 35%) and plates in coils (up 16%). Major products with significant YTD import increases vs. the same period last year include reinforcing bars (up 22%) and hot rolled bars (up 12%).

In September, the largest volumes of finished steel imports from offshore were all from Asia and Europe. They were from
South Korea (317,000 NT, down 15% vs. August final)
China (194,000 NT, up 77%)
Japan (191,000 NT, up 4%)
Turkey (115,000 NT, up 24%)
The Netherlands (108,000 NT, up 38%)

For nine months of 2013, the largest offshore suppliers were
South Korea (2,752,000 NT, down 2%)
Japan (1,481,000 NT, down 3%)
China (1,378,000 NT, up 16%)
Turkey (1,006,000 NT, down 10%)
Germany (806,000 NT, down 14%)

Source - Strategic Research Institute