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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10:00 A.M. EST WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2007

For information contact:
CB07-72, FT-900A (04-07)
Nick Orsini
(301) 763-6959

Vanessa Ware
(301) 763-2311


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


     
The U.S. Census Bureau announced today that preliminary April 
steel imports were $2.4 billion (2.5 million metric tons) 
compared to the preliminary March totals of $2.5 billion 
(2.7 million metric tons).    
	
The March to April change in steel imports, based on metric 
tonnage, reflected decreases primarily in reinforcing bars, 
cold rolled sheets, and wire rods. Increases occurred primarily 
in line pipe greater than 16 inches in diameter.  Monthly 
changes in steel imports reflected decreases primarily with 
China and Russia.  An increase occurred primarily with Mexico.  
    
The year to date final statistics through March 2007 showed 
steel imports of 7.9 million metric tons compared to 10.2 million 
metric tons through March 2006.  The largest commodity decreases 
were in blooms, billets, and slabs; hot rolled sheets; and 
wire rods.  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 June 26, 2007.