U.S. Census Bureau News
U.S. Department of Commerce
Washington, D.C. 20230
                                
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10:00 A.M. EST Tuesday, April 25, 2006
                                
For information contact:
Nick Orsini      (301) 763-6959
Vanessa Ware	 (301) 763-2311

CB-06-61, FT900A (06-03)
                                 
Preliminary: U.S. Imports for Consumption of Steel Products
March 2006
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The U.S. Census Bureau, announced today that preliminary March steel imports 
were $2.4 billion (3.5 million metric tons) compared to the preliminary February
totals of $2.2 billion (3.2 million metric tons).                            

The February to March change in steel imports, based on metric tonnage, 
reflected increases primarily in hot rolled sheets and blooms, billets, and 
slabs.  A decrease occurred primarily in wire rods.  Monthly changes in steel imports reflected increases primarily with Brazil and Australia. 

The year to date final statistics through February 2006 showed steel imports of 6.5 million metric tons, an increase of 1.4 million metric tons from the 5.1 million metric tons through February 2005.  The largest commodity increases 
were in blooms, billets, and slabs and reinforcing bars.  The largest country increases were with Russia, China, and Australia.  The largest country 
decrease was with Mexico. 

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 May 31, 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   
March 2006 (CB-06-61)