According to the American Iron and Steel Institute, September finished-steel permit tonnage rose 2.1% from August final imports of 1.636 million net tons. Through September, total steel imports were 18.567 million net tons, down 8.5% year over year, while finished-steel imports were 13.042 million net tons, down 13.5%.
MetalMate summary of the linked evidenceCommercial context
The data suggest that overall import competition remained lower year to date, despite a monthly increase in finished-steel permit tonnage and sharp gains in selected products. The 19% estimated September finished-steel import share, versus 16% year to date, points to relatively stronger import presence during the month.
MetalMate analysis- AISI put September steel import permit applications at 2.492 million net tons.
- Finished-steel permits totaled 1.671 million net tons, up 2.1% from August final imports.
- September permit volumes increased 244% for standard rails, 114% for railroad accessories and 103% for tool steel compared with August final imports.
- South Korea supplied 3.4 million net tons through the first nine months of 2026, up 54% from the same period in 2025.
- Permit figures represent requested import-license tonnages, not realized imports, and may differ from final September volumes.
Watch final September import volumes to determine whether the permit applications translated into actual shipments, particularly for finished steel and the product categories showing triple-digit permit increases.
Source & methodology +
MetalMate separates original-source evidence from summary and analysis. Verify the original source before procurement, legal or engineering decisions.
- Article status
- Published · Version 1
- Source date
- 8 October 2026
- MetalMate publication
- 13 October 2026
- Verification
- Automated evidence checks; not human reviewed
AISI Releases September SIMA Imports Data — American Iron and Steel Institute
MetalMate provides an English summary; consult the original wording.