U.S. Census Bureau News
U.S. Department of Commerce
Washington, D.C. 20230
                                
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10:00 A.M. EST TUESDAY, July 26, 2005
                                
For information contact:
Nick Orsini      (301) 763-6959
Vanessa Ware	 (301) 763-2311

CB-05-103, FT900A (05-06)
                                 
Preliminary: U.S. Imports for Consumption of Steel Products
June 2005

The U.S. Census Bureau announced today that preliminary June steel imports were 
$2.0 billion (2.3 million metric tons) compared to the preliminary May totals of 
$2.0 billion (2.4 million metric tons).                    

The May to June change in steel imports, based on metric tonnage reflected 
decreases primarily in wire rods, plates cut lengths, and hot dipped galvanized 
sheets and strip. Monthly increases occurred primarily in blooms, billets, and 
slabs; plates in coils; and hot rolled sheets. Monthly changes in steel imports 
reflected decreases primarily with Brazil and China.  Increases occurred 
primarily with Russia and Korea. 

The year to date statistics through May 2005 showed steel imports of 12.8 million 
metric tons, compared with 11.1 million metric tons through May 2004.  The largest 
commodity increases were in hot dipped galvanized sheets and strip; blooms, 
billets, and slabs; and cold rolled sheets.  Decreases occurred primarily in wire 
rods and reinforcing bars.  The largest country increases were with China, Russia, 
Korea, and Taiwan. The largest country decrease was with Australia.

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 August 30, 2005

CONTACT:  For more information, contact Nick Orsini (301-763-6959) or Vanessa Ware 
(301-763-2311), Foreign Trade Division, U.S. Census Bureau.

SOURCE:  U.S. Imports for Consumption of Steel Products: Preliminary   
June 2005 (CB-05-103)