U.S. Census Bureau News
U.S. Department of Commerce
Washington, D.C. 20230
                                
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10:00 A.M. EST TUESDAY, August 30, 2005
                                
For information contact:
Nick Orsini      (301) 763-6959
Vanessa Ware	 (301) 763-2311

CB-05-123, FT900A (05-07)
                                 
Preliminary: U.S. Imports for Consumption of Steel Products
July 2005

The U.S. Census Bureau announced today that preliminary July steel imports were 
$1.8 billion (2.2 million metric tons).  This was a decrease of $0.2 billion 
(0.1 million metric  tons) from the preliminary June totals of $2.0 billion (2.3 
million metric tons).                       

The June to July change in steel imports, based on metric tonnage reflected 
decreases primarily in hot dipped galvanized sheets and strip and line pipe 
greater than 16 inches in diameter.  A monthly increase occurred primarily in 
blooms, billets, and slabs.  Monthly changes in steel imports reflected 
decreases primarily with Russia and Korea.  An increase occurred primarily with 
Brazil. 

The year to date statistics through June 2005 showed steel imports of 15.2 
million metric tons, compared with 14.1 million metric tons through June 2004.  
The largest commodity increases were in oil country goods, hot dipped galvanized 
sheets and strip, plates cut lengths, and plates in coils.  Decreases occurred 
primarily in wire rods and reinforcing bars.  The largest country increases were 
with China, Korea, Mexico, Russia, and Taiwan.  The largest country decreases 
were with Australia and Turkey.

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 September 27, 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   
July 2005 (CB-05-123)