US steel imports increased slightly in February 2026, while finished steel imports declined compared with the previous month, according to data from the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).
Total steel imports reached 1.663 mln net tons (1.51 mln metric tons) in February, up 0.8pct month on month. Finished steel imports declined by 6.2pct to 1.171 mln net tons (1.06 mln metric tons).
On a year-to-date basis, total and finished steel imports were down 37.6pct and 38.5pct, respectively, compared with the same period in 2025.
Finished steel import market share was estimated at 15pct in February and remained at a similar level over the first two months of 2026.
Among products, import volumes increased significantly for line pipe (up 51pct), hot rolled bars (up 30pct), blooms, billets and slabs (up 23pct), and oil country tubular goods (up 21pct) compared with January.
South Korea was the largest supplier in February with 305,000 net tons, followed by Brazil with 247,000 net tons, Canada with 225,000 net tons, Mexico with 175,000 net tons, and Japan with 141,000 net tons.
