The United States imported approximately 1.92 mln metric tons (2.117 mln net tons) of steel in May 2026, including 1.41 mln metric tons (1.554 mln net tons) of finished steel, according to preliminary data from the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).
Total and finished steel imports increased by 11.2pct compared with April. However, during the January-May period, total steel imports declined by 26.3pct YoY, while finished steel imports fell by 26.8pct.
Finished steel accounted for an estimated 17pct of the U.S. market in May and 16pct during the first five months of 2026.
The strongest month-on-month increases in May were recorded in hot rolled sheet imports, up 128pct, followed by plates in coils (+78pct), oil country tubular goods (+45pct), hot rolled bars (+29pct) and rebars (+21pct).
South Korea was the largest steel supplier to the U.S. in May with 362,000 metric tons (399,000 net tons), up 37pct from April, followed by Brazil with 300,000 metric tons (331,000 net tons, +54pct), Canada with 255,000 metric tons (281,000 net tons, +5pct), Mexico with 168,000 metric tons (185,000 net tons, -1pct) and Japan with 129,000 metric tons (142,000 net tons, +91pct).
The United States imported approximately 1.92 mln metric tons (2.117 mln net tons) of steel in May 2026, including 1.41 mln metric tons (1.554 mln net tons) of finished steel, according to preliminary data from the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).
Total and finished steel imports increased by 11.2pct compared with April. However, during the January-May period, total steel imports declined by 26.3pct YoY, while finished steel imports fell by 26.8pct.
Finished steel accounted for an estimated 17pct of the U.S. market in May and 16pct during the first five months of 2026.
The strongest month-on-month increases in May were recorded in hot rolled sheet imports, up 128pct, followed by plates in coils (+78pct), oil country tubular goods (+45pct), hot rolled bars (+29pct) and rebars (+21pct).
South Korea was the largest steel supplier to the U.S. in May with 362,000 metric tons (399,000 net tons), up 37pct from April, followed by Brazil with 300,000 metric tons (331,000 net tons, +54pct), Canada with 255,000 metric tons (281,000 net tons, +5pct), Mexico with 168,000 metric tons (185,000 net tons, -1pct) and Japan with 129,000 metric tons (142,000 net tons, +91pct).