U.S. Census Bureau News U.S. Department of Commerce ? Washington, DC 20230 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 10:00 A.M. EDT TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2008 For information contact: CB08-158, FT-900A (09-08) Nick Orsini (301) 763-6959 Maria Iseman (301) 763-2311 Preliminary: U.S. Imports for Consumption of Steel Products September 2008 The U.S. Census Bureau announced today that preliminary September steel imports were $3.7 billion (2.7 million metric tons) compared to the preliminary August totals of $3.0 billion (2.1 million metric tons). The September change in steel imports, based on metric tonnage, reflected increases primarily in oil country goods; blooms, billets, and slabs; and line pipe greater than 16 inches in diameter. Monthly changes in steel imports reflected increases primarily with India and Turkey. The year to date final statistics through August 2008 showed steel imports of 19.4 million metric tons compared to 21.6 million metric tons through August 2007. The largest commodity decreases were in reinforcing bars, wire rods, cold rolled sheets, standard pipe, and galvanized hot dipped sheets and strip. The largest commodity increases were in oil country goods and line pipe greater than 16 inches in diameter. 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 November 25, 2008.