Based on preliminary Census Bureau data, the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) reported that US steel imports totalled 1.769 mln net tons (1.604 mln metric tons) in March 2026, including 1.306 mln net tons (1.185 mln metric tons) of finished steel, up 5.4pct and 10.2pct, respectively, compared with February.
In the first quarter of 2026, total and finished steel imports declined by 34.7pct and 35.0pct YoY, respectively. Finished steel import market share was estimated at 16pct in March and 15pct over the January-March period.
Key products recording notable month-on-month increases in March included plates in coils (up 165pct), cut-length plates (up 143pct), hot-rolled sheets (up 70pct), heavy structural shapes (up 48pct) and wire-drawn products (up 40pct).
The largest suppliers in March were South Korea at 292,000 net tons (265,000 metric tons, down 4pct month-on-month), Brazil at 291,000 net tons (264,000 metric tons, up 18pct), Canada at 285,000 net tons (259,000 metric tons, up 27pct), Vietnam at 177,000 net tons (161,000 metric tons, up 160pct) and Mexico at 141,000 net tons (128,000 metric tons, down 20pct).