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MONTREAL (Scrap Monster): U.S. steel imports increased in August 2026, led by stronger arrivals of hot-rolled sheet, plate in coils and galvanized products, although overall import volumes remained well below year-earlier levels.
Based on preliminary U.S. Census Bureau data, the United States imported 2,345,954 net tons (NT) of steel during August, including 1,599,537 NT of finished steel, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute.
Total steel imports increased 3.4% from July, while finished steel imports rose 2.2%.
SCRAPMONSTER EDGE
August's increase amounted to roughly 85,800 additional tons of steel compared with July. Finished products accounted for about 68% of total imports, leaving approximately 746,000 NT of semi-finished and other steel entering the country during the month.
U.S. Steel Imports Rise 3.4% From July
August total imports increased from approximately 2.26 million NT in July to 2.35 million NT.
Finished steel imports increased by roughly 37,600 NT from July's 1.562 million NT total.
The monthly increase follows a 7.4% rise in total imports from June to July, meaning U.S. steel imports have now increased for two consecutive months.
2026 Steel Imports Remain Well Below Last Year
The recent monthly gains have not reversed the broader decline in steel imports during 2026.
Through the first eight months of the year, total U.S. steel imports were 15.1% below the corresponding 2025 period.
Finished steel imports were down even more sharply, falling 18.5% year over year during January-August.
Over the latest 12-month period from September 2025 through August 2026, total imports were down 18.4%, while finished steel imports declined 22.8% compared with the previous 12-month period.
Finished Imports Capture 17.5% of U.S. Steel Market
Finished imported steel accounted for an estimated 17.5% of the U.S. market in August.
For the first eight months of 2026, finished import market share averaged approximately 16%.
The figure was slightly higher than July's estimated 17% monthly share but remains below levels seen during periods of stronger import penetration.
Hot-Rolled Sheet Imports Jump 64%
Several key steel product categories recorded substantial month-over-month increases in August.
| Steel Product | August vs. July |
|---|---|
| Hot-Rolled Sheet | ▲ 64% |
| Plate in Coils | ▲ 31% |
| Hot-Dipped Galvanized Sheet & Strip | ▲ 21% |
The sharp rise in hot-rolled sheet was particularly notable because the product is widely used across manufacturing, fabrication, construction and downstream steel processing.
South Korea Remains Largest U.S. Steel Supplier
South Korea remained the largest source of imported steel in August, shipping approximately 407,000 NT to the United States despite a 27% decline from July.
Brazil ranked second by monthly volume at 351,000 NT, up 39% from the previous month.
Canada supplied 296,000 NT, followed by Mexico at 254,000 NT and Vietnam at 159,000 NT.
| Supplier | August Imports | Change vs. July |
|---|---|---|
| South Korea | 407,000 NT | ▼ 27% |
| Brazil | 351,000 NT | ▲ 39% |
| Canada | 296,000 NT | ▲ 6% |
| Mexico | 254,000 NT | ▲ 32% |
| Vietnam | 159,000 NT | ▲ 4% |
IMPORT CONCENTRATION
The five largest suppliers shipped approximately 1.47 million NT of steel to the U.S. in August. That represents roughly 63% of all steel imports for the month, showing how heavily U.S. import flows remain concentrated among a relatively small group of trading partners.
South Korea Leads 12-Month Import Volumes
South Korea also remained the largest steel supplier over the 12 months from September 2025 through August 2026, shipping approximately 3.66 million NT, up 32% from the prior 12-month period.
| Supplier | Sept. 2025-Aug. 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| South Korea | 3.660 million NT | ▲ 32% |
| Canada | 3.229 million NT | ▼ 41% |
| Brazil | 3.084 million NT | ▼ 28% |
| Mexico | 2.164 million NT | ▼ 37% |
| Vietnam | 1.313 million NT | ▲ 22% |
The figures show a pronounced shift in the supplier mix. South Korean and Vietnamese shipments increased over the period, while imports from Canada, Brazil and Mexico remained substantially below the previous 12-month period.
Heavy Structural Shape Imports Rise 55%
Heavy structural shapes recorded one of the largest longer-term increases among finished steel products.
Imports of the category rose 55% during the September 2025-August 2026 period compared with the preceding 12 months.
The increase is notable because heavy structural shapes are widely used in non-residential construction, infrastructure and industrial applications.
Market Read
The August data point to a modest near-term recovery in U.S. steel import volumes, but not a reversal of the broader 2026 contraction.
Total imports have risen for two consecutive months, and several flat-rolled categories posted substantial gains in August. Yet year-to-date total and finished imports remain well below 2025 levels.
The supplier data also show that trade flows are changing unevenly. South Korea continues to expand its share over the longer 12-month period, while Canadian, Brazilian and Mexican volumes remain sharply lower compared with the previous year.
For U.S. steel mills, service centers and scrap suppliers, import volumes matter because imported finished steel competes directly with domestic production. Lower import penetration can support domestic mill utilization and, in turn, influence demand for ferrous scrap and other metallic inputs.
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SOURCES & METHODOLOGY
Import figures are based on preliminary U.S. Census Bureau data reported by the American Iron and Steel Institute on September 24, 2026. August figures represent actual preliminary import volumes rather than Steel Import Monitoring and Analysis permit applications.
