This release contains sensitive economic data not to be released 
before 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 22, 2000

CB-00-200      Press Copy 
FT-900A (00-10)

For information contact:
Haydn Mearkle       (301) 457-2246
Nick Orsini         (301) 457-2311 


      Preliminary: U.S. Imports for Consumption of Steel Products
                           October 2000

     The Bureau of the Census, through the Department of Commerce, announced 
today that preliminary October steel imports were $1.1 billion (2.5 million 
metric tons).  This was a decrease of $0.1 billion (0.2 million metric tons) 
from the preliminary September totals of $1.2 billion (2.7 million metric 
tons).

     The September to October change in steel imports, based on metric 
tonnage, reflected decreases primarily in blooms billets and slabs and 
reinforcing bars.  Increases occurred primarily in hot rolled sheets and 
standard pipe.  Monthly changes in steel imports reflected decreases 
primarily with Ukraine and Brazil.  Increases occurred primarily with
Korea and Germany.
     
     The year to date final statistics through September of 2000 showed 
steel imports of 27.6 million metric tons, an increase of 3.6 million 
metric tons from the 24.0 million metric tons through September of 1999.  
The largest commodity increases were in hot rolled sheets and blooms, 
billets, and slabs.  The largest country increases were with Ukraine,
China, and India.

Notes:
        
The data in this report are preliminary and subject to revisions.

Analysis of recent months for steel product imports indicates the value of 
preliminary data should equal about 96 percent of the final value reported 
in the regular monthly trade statistics report.  Preliminary data
reported for individual steel categories and at the individual country of 
origin level have been less consistently predictive of the final data 
reported in the regular monthly trade statistics. For further details visit 
the Foreign Trade Division web site at: www.census.gov/foreign-trade/www/.  
On the web site you can access product by country and country by product 
tables.

The next release is December 21, 2000                                  

Source:  FT-900A, Preliminary:  U.S. Imports for Consumption of Steel
         Products October 2000, CB-00-200
         For information contact:  Haydn Mearkle (301) 457-2246
                                   Nick Orsini   (301) 457-2311
         November 22, 2000