U.S. Finished Steel Import Share Holds at 16% Despite Monthly Rebound in May

Steel News  |  2026-06-29 03:44:37   |   By

The estimated finished steel import market share reached 17% in May, bringing the year-to-date average to 16%.

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): According to the latest preliminary trade data, the U.S. steel import market recorded a notable month-on-month recovery in May 2026. However, the year-to-date volumes continued to remain lower from last year's levels.

The U.S. imported approximately 2.12 million net tons (NT) of steel during May, including 1.55 million NT of finished steel, with imports of both categories registering a 11.2% increase from April. Despite the monthly jump, total steel imports during the first five months of 2026 remained 26.3% lower than the corresponding period in 2025. Also, finished steel imports declined 26.8% year over year.

The estimated finished steel import market share reached 17% in May, bringing the year-to-date average to 16%.

Among individual product categories, hot-rolled sheet imports posted the strongest monthly gain, surging 128% from April. Other products recording significant increases included plates in coils (78%), oil country tubular goods (45%), and hot-rolled bars (29%). Over the past twelve months, heavy structural shapes registered a notable jump in imports.

By country, South Korea remained the leading steel supplier to the U.S. in May with 399,000 NT, followed by Brazil (331,000 NT), Canada (281,000 NT), Mexico (185,000 NT), and Japan (142,000 NT).

Over the 12-month period, South Korea recorded 7% jump in shipments to the U.S., while most major exporting nations recorded decline in delivery volumes compared to the previous 12-month period.