AISI: U.S. Steel Import Permits Ease in January as Finished Products Gain Share

U.S. steel import permit volumes declined in January, while finished steel shipments edged higher and captured an estimated 15 percent of the domestic market, the American Iron and Steel Institute reported, citing the latest Steel Import Monitoring and Analysis data from the Commerce Department.

Preliminary permit applications totaled 1.568 million net tons in January, down 6.4 percent from December’s permit level and slightly below the prior month’s final import volume. By contrast, finished steel permits reached 1.216 million net tons, a 4.8 percent increase from December’s finalized figure, indicating firmer demand for higher-value products at the start of the year.

The SIMA system, administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce, provides advance data based on import license applications and is closely watched by producers and traders as an early signal of trade flows. Analysts say the data often reflect shifting buying patterns tied to pricing spreads, seasonal restocking and expectations around trade enforcement.

While overall volumes softened, several finished product categories posted sharp month-on-month gains. Permit applications surged for other metallic-coated sheet and strip, reinforcing bars, cold-rolled sheet, hot-rolled sheet and standard pipe. Observers note that rising construction activity and selective inventory rebuilding may have supported demand for flat-rolled and long products, even as total tonnage moderated.

Country-level data show diverging trends among key suppliers. South Korea recorded the largest volume of permit applications in January at 241,000 net tons, up 45 percent from December’s final import level. Mexico followed with 220,000 net tons, a 61 percent increase, while Canada registered 221,000 net tons, down modestly from the prior month. Brazil’s volumes fell 28 percent to 185,000 net tons. Turkey posted 81,000 net tons, up 17 percent.

Industry groups have long argued that import trends must be assessed against domestic capacity utilization and pricing conditions. U.S. producers continue to operate under Section 232 trade measures first imposed in 2018, though product exclusions and quota arrangements for certain trading partners have evolved over time. Analysts say the 15 percent finished import market share estimate for January remains within the range seen in recent years but bears watching if monthly gains in specific product lines persist.

Market participants are also monitoring broader macroeconomic signals, including infrastructure spending flows and manufacturing output, which could influence steel demand through the first quarter. Seasonal factors typically weigh on shipments early in the year, making January data an important baseline for assessing momentum.

Looking ahead, traders and producers will focus on whether finished steel imports continue to outpace overall volumes, a dynamic that could pressure domestic pricing in selected segments if sustained.

Source: AISI

SUNSHINE Spotlight: January data show softer total steel import permits but a firmer presence for finished products, signaling shifting demand patterns at the start of the year.