Coated duties crush HDG imports in 2026

After a big decline last year, galvanized imports have fallen even further in 2026.

A major trade case finalized late last year, along with higher Section 232 tariffs, account for the reduced imports.

Imports of galvanized sheet and strip averaged 91,423 short tons (st) per month in the first four months of 2026, according to Department of Commerce import data. That’s down 36.9% from last year’s monthly average of 144,974 st and down 63.4% from 2024’s monthly average of 249,490 st.

Trade case impact

Since the coated steel trade case, galvanized imports from the impacted countries have slowed considerably. The case targeted 10 countries and the top suppliers of foreign galvanized sheet.

Before the case reshaped import dynamics, Canada was the top supplier of foreign hot-dipped galvanized (HDG) sheet. It maintains that position now, but with significantly reduced shipments. In 2024, monthly HDG imports from Canada averaged 85,181 st. The monthly average fell 18.9% in 2025 to 69,050 st. From January through April this year, imports have slowed by another 32.9% to a YTD monthly average of 46,309 st.

Galvanized imports from Mexico have plunged precipitously. YTD imports have averaged just 440 st per month. That compares to monthly averages of 5,439 st in 2025 and 25,688 st in 2024.

Vietnam has fallen off as an HDG supplier, with only 11 st supplied last year and none supplied year to date 2026. In 2024, the country was the number two supplier of offshore HDG, with average monthly shipments of 40,523 st. In the coated case, the country was hit by duties exceeding 100%.

Shipments from Brazil have also fallen off completely, with no HDG sent so far this year. Last year, monthly imports averaged 9,752 st, compared with 2024’s monthly average of 19,757 st. Brazil was also hit by coated duties, in some cases nearing 200%.

Average monthly galvanized imports from the United Arab Emirates fell 51% from 2024 to 4,953 st in 2025. YTD, imports have dropped another 64.7% to an average of 1,747 st per month.

South Africa and Australia were slapped with 19% duties in the trade case, and neither country has sent any HDG to the US so far this year. That compares with monthly averages of 9,230 st and 5,136 st in 2025, respectively. In 2024, average monthly shipments were comparable to 2025.

Galvanized imports from Taiwan increased slightly from 2024 to 2025. But so far this year, monthly imports are down 71% from last year to a monthly average of 1,633 st. Taiwan was hit with duties ranging from 11% to 68%.

Imports from the Netherlands and Turkey, both part of the coated trade case, are also down notably. YTD, galvanized from the Netherlands has averaged 1,650 st per month, down 65.3% from 2024 levels. From Turkey, imports are down 96.1% from 2024’s monthly average to just 196 st on average from January to April 2026.

Gently rising

Total galvanized imports remain down considerably, with no country in the data standing out as filling the gap.

However, galvanized imports from South Korea are creeping higher. The YTD monthly average of 15,790 st is up from 14,365 st per month last year and 15,374 st the year prior. May’s license count totals 22,368 st.

While they remain low, galvanized imports from Pakistan are also up this year. The YTD monthly average of 3,813 st is up 32.5% from 2025’s monthly average of 2,878 st and 169% from 1,419 st per month in 2024.

Laura Miller

Laura Miller is a reporter and editor for Steel Market Update. She has held various editorial positions with steel industry publications, associations, and mills since 2007. She joined the SMU team in 2022. She is a member of the Association of Women in the Metal Industries and a past-president of the AWMI Pittsburgh Chapter. She holds a BA in Latin American Studies from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.