November Steel Imports Down from Prior Month

Washington, DC - Newly released preliminary government figures covering steel imports for the month of November 2002 show that steel imports decreased 14 percent from October 2002 levels.

Total Steel Mill Products

The preliminary data released shows that overall steel imports in November 2002 decreased 14 percent compared to October 2002. The decrease in November's total amount of steel imports was due primarily to a decrease in imports of semi-finished steel products, hot-rolled bars, wire rod, and oil country goods. November 2002 imports of finished steel products decreased 8 percent compared to October 2002, while imports of semi-finished steel decreased 28 percent.

November 2002 imports of steel mill products decreased 8 percent compared to November 2001. November 2002 imports of finished steel decreased 9 percent compared to November 2001, while semi-finished steel products decreased 7 percent compared to November 2001. January to November 2002 imports of steel mill products increased 6 percent compared to the same period in 2001. January to November 2002 imports of finished steel decreased 2 percent compared to the same period last year, while imports of semi-finished steel increased 35 percent.

Hot-Rolled Steel

November 2002 imports of hot-rolled steel decreased 7 percent from their October 2002 levels and increased 72 percent compared to November 2001 levels. January to November 2002 imports of hot-rolled steel increased 45 percent compared to the same period last year. These products are the subject of current antidumping and countervailing duty investigations.

Cold-Rolled Steel

November 2002 imports of cold-rolled steel increased 25 percent compared to October 2002 levels and decreased 20 percent compared to November 2001 levels. January to November 2002 imports of cold-rolled steel decreased 35 percent compared to the same period last year. These products are the subject of current antidumping and countervailing duty investigations.

Cut-to-Length Plate

November 2002 imports of cut-to-length plate decreased 5 percent compared to October 2002. November 2002 imports decreased 41 percent compared to November 2001. January to November 2002 imports of cut-to-length plate decreased 11 percent compared to the same period last year.

Corrosion-Resistant Steel

November 2002 imports of corrosion-resistant steel increased 6 percent compared to October 2002. November 2002 imports of these products increased 67 percent compared to November 2001. January to November 2002 imports of corrosion-resistant steel increased 35 percent compared to the same period last year.

Wire Rod

November 2002 imports of wire rod decreased 41 percent compared to October 2002 levels and decreased 52 percent compared to November 2001 levels. January to November 2002 imports of wire rod increased 10 percent compared to the same period last year. These products are the subject of current antidumping and countervailing duty investigations.

Heavy Structurals

November 2002 imports of heavy structurals decreased 11 percent from their October 2002 level and decreased 47 percent compared to November 2001 levels. January to November 2002 imports of heavy structurals decreased 25 percent compared to the same period last year.

Rebar

November 2002 imports of rebar increased 17 percent compared to October 2002. November 2002 imports of these products decreased 70 percent compared to November 2001. January to November 2002 imports of rebar decreased 28 percent compared to the same period last year. These products are the subject of current antidumping and countervailing duty investigations.

Hot-Rolled Bar

November 2002 imports of hot-rolled bar decreased 22 percent compared to October 2002 and decreased 5 percent compared to November 2001 levels. January to November 2002 imports of hot-rolled bar increased 11 percent compared to the same period last year.

Standard Pipe

November 2002 imports of standard pipe decreased 32 percent compared to October 2002. November 2002 imports of these products decreased 17 percent compared to November 2001. January to November 2002 imports of standard pipe decreased 5 percent compared to the same period last year.

Semi-Finished Steel

November 2002 imports of semi-finished steel decreased 28 percent compared to October 2002 and decreased 7 percent compared to November 2001 levels. January to November 2002 imports of semi-finished steel increased 35 percent compared to the same period last year. Imports of these products are used by U.S. steel companies to produce finished products.