U.S. Census Bureau News

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


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10:00 A.M. EDT TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2008

For information contact:
CB08-186, FT-900A (11-08)
Nick Orsini
(301) 763-6959


Maria Iseman
(301) 763-2311

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

     The U.S. Census Bureau announced today 
that preliminary November steel imports were 
$3.1 billion (2.0 million metric tons) compared 
to the preliminary October totals of $3.9 
billion (2.7 million metric tons).           
	
     The November change in steel imports based 
on metric tonnage reflected decreases primarily 
in blooms, billets, and slabs; hot rolled bars; 
and galvanized hot dipped sheets and strip.  An 
increase occurred primarily with oil country 
goods.  Monthly changes in steel imports 
reflected decreases primarily with Mexico, 
Canada, and Ukraine.  
   
     The year to date final statistics through 
October 2008 showed steel imports of 24.9 
million metric tons compared to 26.2 million 
metric tons through October 2007. The largest 
commodity decreases were in reinforcing bars; 
wire rods; blooms, billets, and slabs; cold 
rolled sheets; standard pipe; and galvanized 
hot dipped sheets and strip.  The largest 
commodity increases were in oil country goods 
and hot rolled sheets.  The largest country 
decreases were with Brazil, Taiwan, and China.  
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 January 27, 2008.