AISI: U.S. Steel Imports Rise in April, with Sharp Gains in Tin Plate and Coated Sheet Products

The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) reported that U.S. steel import permit applications increased in April 2026, driven by stronger inflows of finished steel products, according to the latest Steel Import Monitoring and Analysis (SIMA) data from the Commerce Department.

Total steel import permits reached 1.945 million net tons in April, up 8.1% from March final import levels. Finished steel imports rose 8.5% month-on-month to 1.417 million net tons. The estimated finished steel import market share stood at 17% for April, while the year-to-date share remained at 15%.

For the first four months of 2026, total steel imports declined 28.8% year-on-year, with finished steel imports down 30%. Despite the monthly rebound, import volumes remain well below the same period in 2025.

Within product categories, AISI noted particularly sharp increases in April permit applications for tin plate, which more than doubled compared with March final imports, along with strong gains in coated sheet products and cold rolled sheets. Hot rolled bars and reinforcing bars also recorded double-digit increases.

On a year-to-date basis, heavy structural shapes were among the few product categories showing growth compared with 2025 levels.

South Korea remained the largest supplier of steel to the U.S. market in April, followed by Mexico, Canada, Brazil and Vietnam. South Korean shipments rose 17% month-on-month, while imports from Mexico more than doubled from March levels. Canada and Brazil both saw declines in April volumes.

AISI data shows South Korea, Canada and Brazil as the top suppliers for the January–April period, though imports from Canada and Brazil declined sharply compared with the same period last year.

The latest figures come as U.S. steel trade flows continue to adjust following shifting demand patterns across construction, manufacturing and energy-related sectors, with import levels remaining below 2025 benchmarks despite monthly volatility.

Source: AISI

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