United States Department of COMMERCE NEWS  
Washington, D.C. 20230             

ECONOMICS AND STATISTICS ADMINISTRATION
U.S. Census Bureau
                                
This release contains sensitive economic 
data not to be released before 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, 
October 26, 2004
                                
CB-04-184     Press Copy 
FT-900A (04-09) 

For information contact:
Nick Orsini      (301) 763-2311                                
                                
                                 
Preliminary: U.S. Imports for Consumption of Steel Products
September 2004

The U.S. Census Bureau, through the Department of Commerce, announced today 
that preliminary September steel imports were $2.2 billion (3.1 million 
metric tons).  This was virtually the same value and metric tonnage as the 
preliminary August totals of $2.2 billion (3.1 million metric tons).   

The August to September change in steel imports, based on metric tonnage, 
reflected increases primarily in blooms, billets and slabs;  and wire rods.  
Decreases occurred primarily in reinforcing bars and standard pipe. Monthly 
changes in steel imports reflected increases primarily with Brazil and Australia.  
Decreases  occurred primarily with Taiwan, Korea, and Canada.  

The year to date final statistics through August 2004 showed steel imports of 
20.2 million metric tons, compared with 14.3 million metric tons through August 
2003.  The largest commodity increases were in blooms, billets, and slabs; wire 
rods; hot rolled sheets; and reinforcing bars.  The largest country increases 
were with Russia, Mexico, Turkey, and Brazil.

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 November 30, 2004                            

CONTACT:  For more information, contact Nick Orsini (301-763-2311), Foreign Trade
Division, U.S. Census Bureau.

SOURCE:  U.S. Imports for Consumption of Steel Products: Preliminary
September 2004 (CB-04-184)