U.S. Census Bureau News
U.S. Department of Commerce
Washington, D.C. 20230
                                
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10:00 A.M. EST Tuesday, March 28, 2006
                                
For information contact:
Nick Orsini      (301) 763-6959
Vanessa Ware	 (301) 763-2311

CB-06-44, FT900A (06-01)
                                 
Preliminary: U.S. Imports for Consumption of Steel Products
February 2006

The U.S. Census Bureau, announced today that preliminary February steel imports 
were $2.2 billion (3.2 million metric tons) compared to the preliminary January 
totals of $2.0 billion (2.9 million metric tons).                           

The January to February change in steel imports, based on metric tonnage, 
reflected increases primarily in reinforcing bars and cold rolled sheets.  A 
decrease occurred primarily in wire rods.  Monthly changes in steel imports 
reflected increases primarily with Turkey, Brazil, Germany, and Ukraine.  A 
decrease occurred primarily with Australia.

The year to date final statistics through January 2006 showed steel imports of 
3.2 million metric tons, an increase of 0.6 million metric tons from the 2.6 
million metric tons through January 2005.  The largest commodity increases were 
in blooms, billets, and slabs; and wire rods.  The largest country increases 
were with Russia, Australia, and China. The largest country decrease was with 
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 April 25, 2006

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   
February 2006 (CB-06-44)