Steel imports recovered further in May and June

Recall that late last year through February of this year, imports fell to some of the lowest levels recorded since 2020.

Imports by country

In May, two-thirds of the steel that entered the country came from just six countries: South Korea (18%), Brazil (15%), Canada (13%), Mexico (8%), Vietnam (6%), and Japan (6%). Other major suppliers included Taiwan, Germany, China, India, Indonesia, and Turkey, each representing 3-4% of total trade. Combined, these 12 countries accounted for 87% of all May imports.

To further explore steel import data by country, category, or specific product, visit the International Trade Administration’s Steel Import Monitor.

Import trends

To better highlight trends, import data can be viewed on a three-month moving average (3MMA) basis to smooth out monthly variations (Figure 1, right). From this perspective, imports trended lower across 2025, bottomed out in early 2026, and have trended back upward since.

The 3MMA rose to a nine-month high of 1.96 million st in May and is up to 2.05 million st through June licenses, a potential 10-month high. Despite the recent increases, 3MMA measures for most of the last year are weak in comparison to previous years.

Table 1 highlights high-volume steel product imports (click to expand). Note that the 3MMA and 12MMA columns are calculated through final May data and do not include June licenses. For deeper analysis, visit our Steel Imports page.

Finished vs. semi-finished imports

Imports of finished steel products vs. semi-finished material (mostly slabs to be further processed by a mill) trended similarly in May and June (Figure 2).

• Semi-finished trade rose 24% from April to May to a one-year high of 603,000 st, while June licenses show a 5% reduction.
• Finished imports saw a less dramatic increase in May, rising 12% from April to a 10-month high of 1.59 million st. June finished import licenses are back down 6%.

Imports by category

Figure 3 shows monthly imports of popular steel product categories. Most categories saw similar movements from April to May, though June movements were mixed. Notable shifts include:

• Flat-rolled imports rose 10% in May to a seven-month high, 4% higher than the 12MMA. June licenses are up another 3% to a potential 10-month high.
• Long product imports jumped 21% m/m in May to a 16-month high, nearly double the average monthly import level of the past year. Trade slipped 30% in June to a three-month low.
• Pipe and tube imports rose 5% in May to a three-month high and increased another 18% in June to a potential 11-month high. May trade was 1% below the 12MMA.
• Stainless imports slipped 1% m/m in May, previously at a nine-month high. May volumes were 6% above the 12MMA. June licenses are down another 11% to a potential four-month low.

Flat-rolled imports

Figure 4 tracks flat-rolled imports for six popular products. Many products moved in opposite directions from April to May to June, with hot rolled being the only product with increasing trade in both May and June. Key highlights:

• Hot-rolled coil imports jumped 129% from April to May and are up another 39% in June, potentially a 13-month high. May trade was 18% above the 12MMA.
• Cold-rolled coil imports fell 10% m/m in May, then rebounded 19% in June to an 11-month high. May figures were 10% higher than the 12MMA.
• Galvanized imports rose 7% m/m in May to a four-month high, then slipped 6% in June. May volumes were 13% below the 12MMA.
• Other-metallic coated (mostly Galvalume) imports fell 4% m/m in May, then rebounded 5% in June to a potential 11-month high. May figures were 30% greater than the 12MMA.
• Coiled plate imports jumped 79% m/m in May to the third-highest monthly volume seen in the past year. June licenses show a potential 11% reduction. May trade was 19% higher than the 12MMA.
• Cut-to-length (CTL) plate imports slipped 52% m/m in May to the third-lowest rate recorded in the past six years. June licenses show a partial recovery of 36%. May figures were 38% less than the 12MMA.