AISI: U.S. Steel Import Permits Rise 10% in July; Finished Share at 18%
Steel News | 2026-08-10 03:05:29
During the first seven months of 2026, total steel imports stood at 13.585 million NT, down significantly by 19.4% year over year. Meanwhile, finished steel imports fell 21.8% to 9.766 million NT.
By Paul Ploumis
SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): U.S. steel imports gained momentum in July, according to the latest Steel Import Monitoring and Analysis (SIMA) data released by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Import permits reached 2.294 million net tons (NT) during the month, up 10.1% from June permit volumes and 9.1% above June’s final import figure of 2.103 million NT.
Finished steel imports also increased in July. The monthly permits for finished products totaled 1.594 million NT, compared with 1.468 million NT in June final imports, recording an increase of 8.6%. Despite the monthly increase, imports remained below last year’s levels.
During the first seven months of 2026, total steel imports stood at 13.585 million NT, down significantly by 19.4% year over year. Meanwhile, finished steel imports fell 21.8% to 9.766 million NT.
Finished steel accounted for an estimated 18% of the U.S. market in July, while the year-to-date share stood at 16%.
Among products, oil country goods, wire rod and standard pipe recorded the strongest monthly gains. South Korea continued to remain as the leading supplier. Mexico posted a notable 71% increase in July permits, AISI data said.
During the seven-month period from January to July, South Korea supplied 2.508 million NT, followed by Canada at 1.850 million NT and Brazil at 1.686 million NT.
