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

CB-06-113, FT900A (06-06)
                                 
Preliminary: U.S. Imports for Consumption of Steel Products
June 2006

The U.S. Census Bureau, announced today that preliminary June steel imports were 
$2.3 billion (3.1 million metric tons) compared to the preliminary May totals of 
$2.5 billion (3.5 million metric tons).  

The May to June change in steel imports, based on metric tonnage, reflected 
decreases primarily in hot rolled sheets and oil country goods.  Monthly changes 
in steel imports reflected decreases primarily with Russia and Mexico. 

The year to date final statistics through May 2006 showed steel imports of 17.1 
million metric tons, an increase of 4.4 million metric tons from the 12.8 million 
metric tons through May 2005.  The largest commodity increases were in blooms, 
billets, and slabs; and hot rolled sheets.  The largest country increases were 
with Russia, Turkey, 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 August 29, 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   
June 2006 (CB-06-113)