U.S. steel imports rise 3.4% in August but remain sharply lower year to date

AISI reported August imports of 2.346 million net tons of steel, including 1.600 million net tons of finished steel. Total imports rose 3.4% from July, while finished-steel imports increased 2.2%. Compared with the same period of 2025, year-to-date total imports were down 15.1% and finished-steel imports were down 18.5%.

• The largest monthly product increases were hot-rolled sheet at 64%, plate in coils at 31%, and hot-dipped galvanized sheet and strip at 21%, AISI said.
• South Korea was the largest listed August supplier at 407,000 net tons, down 27% from July. Brazil supplied 351,000 net tons, up 39%; Canada 296,000, up 6%; Mexico 254,000, up 32%; and Vietnam 159,000, up 4%.
• During September 2025-August 2026, South Korea was the largest supplier at 3.660 million net tons, up 32% from the preceding 12 months. Vietnam rose 22% to 1.313 million net tons.
• Over the same 12-month period, Canadian supply fell 41% to 3.229 million net tons, Brazilian supply declined 28% to 3.084 million, and Mexican supply dropped 37% to 2.164 million.
• Heavy structural shape imports increased 55% during September 2025-August 2026 compared with the previous 12-month period.

Watch whether the August rebound extends into subsequent months, particularly for hot-rolled, coiled plate and galvanized products. Supplier shifts also merit attention: South Korean and Vietnamese volumes increased over the latest 12 months, while shipments from Canada, Brazil and Mexico declined. Preliminary figures may be revised, and AISI’s market-share figures are estimates.