US steel imports ramp up in March

Steel import licenses through March have now reached a nine-month high, according to the latest data from the US Commerce Department. March import licenses total 2.69 million short tons (st) as of this week, the highest rate since June 2023, and one of the higher levels seen over the past two years.

Examining March licenses, two notable flat rolled products stand out above the rest: cold rolled and galvanized imports are now both up to two-year highs. (Note that license data is still being collected, so March levels will fluctuate from here).