U.S. Census Bureau News
U.S. Department of Commerce
Washington, D.C. 20230
                                
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10:00 A.M. EST Tuesday, June 27, 2006
                                
For information contact:
Nick Orsini      (301) 763-6959
Vanessa Ware	 (301) 763-2311

CB-06-100, FT900A (06-05)
                                 
Preliminary: U.S. Imports for Consumption of Steel Products
May 2006

The U.S. Census Bureau, announced today that preliminary May steel imports were 
$2.5 billion (3.5 million metric tons) compared to the preliminary April totals 
of $2.3 billion (3.2 million metric tons). 

The April to May change in steel imports, based on metric tonnage, reflected 
increases primarily in sheets hot rolled and blooms, billets, and slabs.  
Monthly changes in steel imports reflected increases primarily with Mexico, 
Egypt, and Japan.

The year to date final statistics through April 2006 showed steel imports of 
13.6 million metric tons, an increase of 3.2 million metric tons from the 10.4 
million metric tons through April 2005.  The largest commodity increases were in 
blooms, billets, and slabs; and reinforcing bars.  The largest country increases 
were with Turkey, Russia, and China.  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 July 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   
May 2006 (CB-06-100)