Based on preliminary U.S. Census Bureau data, the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) reported that total U.S. steel imports reached 2.17 mln net tons (around 2 mln metric tons) in January 2026, while finished steel imports totaled 1.69 mln net tons (about 1.53 mln metric tons).
These figures represent month-on-month declines of 6.5pct for total imports and 9.4pct for finished steel imports compared with December 2025.
Finished steel imports accounted for an estimated 20pct of U.S. steel consumption in January 2026.
In January, the largest suppliers were South Korea (285,000 net tons, up 71pct month on month), Mexico (235,000 net tons, up 72pct), Canada (218,000 v, down 7pct), Brazil (177,000 net tons, down 31pct) and Taiwan (73,000 net tons, up 87pct).
Steel products recording notable import increases compared with December included reinforcing bars (up 76pct), sheet and strip – other metallic coated (up 52pct), cold-rolled sheets (up 47pct), hot-rolled sheets (up 28pct) and oil country tubular goods (up 25pct).
