Based on preliminary U.S. Census Bureau data, AISI reported that the U.S. imported a total of 3,059,000 tons of steel in October, including 2,233,000 tons of finished steel (up 8.5% and 2.7%, respectively, vs. September final data). Year-to-date (YTD) total and finished steel imports are 27,010,000 and 20,986,000 net tons (tons), respectively, down 5% each, respectively, vs. 2012.
 
Annualized total and finished steel imports in 2013 would be 32.4 and 25.2 million tons, down 3% each, respectively vs. 2012. Finished steel import market share was an estimated 24% in October and is estimated at 23% YTD.
 
Key finished steel products with a significant import increase in October 2013 compared to September are sheets and strip all other metallic coatings (up 89%), oil country goods (up 53%), cold rolled sheets (up 34%) and sheets and strip galvanized hot dipped (up 31%).
 
Major products with significant YTD import increases vs. the same period last year include reinforcing bars (up 25%), hot rolled bars (up 16%) and sheets and strip all other metallic coatings (up 12%).