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


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10:00 A.M. SDT TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2007

For information contact:
Nick Orsini
(301) 763-6959
Vanessa Ware
(301) 763-2311

CB07-58, FT-900A (03-07)

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

The U.S. Census Bureau announced today that preliminary March steel imports 
were $2.5 billion (2.7 million metric tons). This was an increase of $0.3 
billion (0.3 million metric tons) from the preliminary February totals of 
$2.2 billion (2.4 million metric tons).   
	
The February to March change in steel imports, based on metric tonnage, 
reflected increases primarily in plates cut lengths, hot rolled sheets, and 
standard pipe. Monthly changes in steel imports reflected increases primarily 
with Canada and Brazil. 
 	
The year to date final statistics through February 2007 showed steel imports of 
5.1 million metric tons compared to 6.5 million metric tons through February 
2006.  The largest commodity decreases were in blooms, billets, and slabs; wire 
rods; and hot rolled sheets.  The largest country decreases were with Russia 
and Turkey.  The largest country increase was with China.   

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 30, 2007.