U.S. Census Bureau News

U.S. Department of Commerce ? Washington, DC 20230


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10:00 A.M. EDT TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2008

For information contact:
CB08-127, FT-900A (07-08)
Nick Orsini
(301) 763-6959


Maria Iseman
(301) 763-2311

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

     The U.S. Census Bureau announced today 
that preliminary July steel imports were $3.4 
billion (2.6 million metric tons) compared to 
the preliminary June totals of $3.0 billion 
(2.4 million metric tons).       
	
     The June to July change in steel imports, 
based on metric tonnage, reflected increases 
primarily in blooms, billets, and slabs; and 
oil country goods.  Monthly changes in steel 
imports reflected increases primarily with 
Korea, Russia, and Japan.  A decrease occurred 
primarily with Brazil. 
   
     The year to date final statistics through 
June 2008 showed steel imports of 14.5 million 
metric tons compared to 16.2 million metric 
tons through June 2007. The largest commodity 
decreases were in reinforcing bars, wire rods, 
cold rolled sheets, and galvanized hot dipped 
sheets and strip.  The largest commodity 
increases were in line pipe greater than 16 
inches in diameter and oil country goods. The 
largest country decreases were with China and 
Brazil.  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 September 23, 2008.