U.S. Census Bureau News
U.S. Department of Commerce ( Washington, DC 20230

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10:00 A.M. EDT TUESDAY, MARCH 27, 2007

For information contact:

CB07-43, FT-900A (02-07)

Nick Orsini
(301) 763-6959

Vanessa Ware
(301) 763-2311

Preliminary: U.S. Imports for Consumption of Steel Products
February 2007

The U.S. Census Bureau announced today that preliminary February steel imports 
were $2.2 billion (2.4 million metric tons) compared to the preliminary January 
totals of $2.1 billion (2.4 million metric tons).    
	
The January to February change in steel imports, based on metric tonnage, reflected 
decreases primarily in wire rods, hot rolled sheets, and structural shapes heavy. 
Increases occurred primarily in line pipe greater than 16 inches diameter and plates 
cut lengths.  Monthly changes in steel imports reflected decreases primarily with China 
and Mexico.  An increase occurred primarily with Russia. 
 	
The year to date final statistics through January 2007 showed steel imports of 
2.7 million metric tons compared to 3.2 million metric tons through January 2006.  
The largest commodity decreases were in blooms, billets, and slabs; wire rods, and 
hot rolled sheets.  The largest country decreases were with Russia, Korea, and Australia.  
The largest country increases were with China and Ukraine.  

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 24, 2007.           	

NOTE:   See the cover report specifically explaining the current month's preliminary 
steel imports trade data or
www.census.gov/foreign-trade/Press-Release/steel_index.html.

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 2007 (CB-07-43)