Steel Imports Down 12.6% in 2025
According to final data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) reports that total U.S. steel imports reached 1.58 million net tons in December 2025, including 1.16 million net tons of finished steel. Compared to November 2025, total imports decreased by 3.8%, while finished steel imports increased 6.9%.
For the full year, U.S. steel imports totaled 25.24 million net tons, with finished steel imports reaching 18.67 million net tons. Overall imports declined 12.6% year-over-year, while finished steel imports dropped 17.1% compared to 2024, signaling continued stabilization in domestic steel demand.
Finished steel imports represented approximately 14% of market share in December and an estimated 18% for full-year 2025.
Product Categories Showing Import Growth
Several steel product categories experienced notable import increases in December compared to November, including:
- Reinforcing bars — up 135%
- Cut-length plates — up 68%
- Plates in coils — up 45%
- Hot rolled bars — up 39%
- Heavy structural shapes — up 37%
Year-over-year growth in 2025 was also seen in select products such as:
- Tin plate — up 24%
- Line pipe — up 19%
- Wire rods — up 13%
- Oil country tubular goods — up 13%
Top Steel Import Suppliers
The leading steel suppliers to the United States in December 2025 included:
- Brazil — 257,000 NT (+4%)
- Canada — 234,000 NT (−9%)
- South Korea — 167,000 NT (+1%)
- Mexico — 137,000 NT (−17%)
- Japan — 109,000 NT (+53%)
For full-year 2025, the largest suppliers were:
- Canada — 4.52 million NT (−31%)
- Brazil — 4.13 million NT (−8%)
- Mexico — 2.82 million NT (−20%)
- South Korea — 2.66 million NT (−5%)
- Germany — 1.13 million NT (+5%)
Source: steel.org