U.S. Steel Import Permits Climb 5.2% in February: AISI
Steel News | 2026-03-16 05:13:49
The estimated finished steel import market share stood at 15% for February and 15% year-to-date.
By Paul Ploumis
SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) reported that steel import permit applications in the United States rose modestly in February, according to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Commerce Steel Import Monitoring and Analysis (SIMA) system.
Steel import permit applications totaled 1.651 million net tons (NT) in February, marking a 5.2% increase from 1.569 million NT in January and remaining nearly unchanged from the final January import total of 1.65 million NT. However, finished steel import permits declined to 1.189 million NT, down 4.8% from 1.249 million NT recorded in January.
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For the first two months of 2026, combined steel import volumes reached 3.3 million NT, while finished steel imports totalled 2.438 million NT, both significantly lower than the same period last year. The estimated finished steel import market share stood at 15% for February and 15% year-to-date.
Several steel product categories recorded strong month-over-month gains in February permits, including structural pipe and tubing, hot rolled bars, line pipe, blooms, billets and slabs, and wire rods.
Among suppliers, South Korea, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, and Japan accounted for the largest steel import permit volumes during the month.
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What will most influence U.S. steel import levels in the coming months?
Frequently Asked Questions
- How did U.S. steel import permits perform in February 2026?
Steel import permit applications rose 5.2% month-on-month to 1.651 million net tons.
- What was the finished steel import market share?
The finished steel import market share remained at 15% for both February and year-to-date 2026.
- Which countries were the largest steel suppliers to the U.S.?
The leading suppliers included South Korea, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, and Japan.
