U.S. Census Bureau News

U.S. Department of Commerce 
Washington, DC 20230


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10:00 A.M. EDT TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2008

For information contact:
CB08-169, FT-900A (10-08)
Nick Orsini
(301) 763-6959


Maria Iseman
(301) 763-2311

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

     The U.S. Census Bureau announced today 
that preliminary October steel imports were 
$3.9 billion (2.7 million metric tons) 
compared to the preliminary September totals 
of $3.7 billion (2.7 million metric tons).       
	
     The October change in steel imports 
based on metric tonnage reflected increases 
primarily in blooms, billets, and slabs, and 
hot rolled bars.  A decrease occurred primarily 
with hot rolled sheets.  Monthly changes in 
steel imports reflected increases primarily 
with China, Mexico, and Ukraine.  A decrease 
occurred primarily with India. 

     The year to date final statistics through 
September 2008 showed steel imports of 22.1 
million metric tons compared to 23.7 million 
metric tons through September 2008. 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, line pipe greater than 16 inches in 
diameter, and hot rolled sheets.  The largest 
country decreases were with China, Brazil, and 
Taiwan.  The largest country increases were with 
Canada and India. 

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 December 23, 2008.