U.S. Census Bureau News

U.S. Department of Commerce
Washington, DC 20230


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10:00 A.M. EDT WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2008

For information contact:
CB08-81, FT-900A (04-08)

Nick Orsini
(301) 763-6959

Maria Iseman
(301) 763-2311







Preliminary: U.S. Imports for Consumption of Steel Products
April 2008



     
     The U.S. Census Bureau announced today 
that preliminary April steel imports were $2.8
 billion (2.7 million metric tons) compared to 
the preliminary March totals of $2.5 billion 
(2.3 million metric tons).        
	
     The March to April change in steel 
imports, based on metric tonnage, reflected 
increases primarily in blooms, billets, and 
slabs; hot rolled sheets; and wire rods.  
Monthly changes in steel imports reflected 
increases primarily with Brazil and Turkey.  
   
 
    
     The year to date final statistics through 
March 2008 showed steel imports of 7.0 
million metric tons compared to 7.9 million 
metric tons through March 2007.  The largest 
commodity decreases were in wire rods, 
reinforcing bars, and cold rolled sheets.  The 
largest commodity increase was in line pipe 
greater than 16 inches in diameter. The largest 
country decreases were with China, Brazil, 
and Russia.  The largest country increase was 
with Canada. 

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 24, 2008.