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    February 3, 2026

    Steel imports declined to historic lows in November and December

    Written by Brett Linton

    Following the rebound seen from September to October, steel imports fell back down in November, according to recently released final US Commerce Department data. The latest license figures suggest imports held relatively steady through December but declined further in January, possibly surpassing the near-five-year low rate set last September.

    Trade is down in November and December across most import categories, and many of the sheet and plate products we follow slipped to multi-year lows.

    Brett Linton

    Brett Linton is a digital operations 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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