July steel imports decreased by 9 percent

Newly released preliminary government figures covering steel imports for the month of July 2005 show that steel imports decreased 9 percent from June 2005 levels.

Total Steel Mill Products
The preliminary data show that overall steel imports in July 2005 decreased 9 percent compared to June 2005. The change in July’s total amount of steel imports was due primarily to decreases in hot dipped galvanized sheets and strip and line pipe greater than 16 inches in diameter. July 2005 imports of finished steel products decreased 15 percent compared to June 2005, while imports of semi-finished steel increased 20 percent.

July 2005 imports of steel mill products were down 21 percent compared to July 2004. July 2005 imports of finished steel were down 29 percent compared to July 2004, while semi-finished steel products increased 16 percent compared to July 2004.

Hot-Rolled Steel
July 2005 imports of hot-rolled steel decreased 18 percent from their June 2005 levels and were down 48 percent compared to July 2004 levels.

Cold-Rolled Steel
July 2005 imports of cold-rolled steel decreased 5 percent compared to June 2005 levels and were down 44 percent compared to July 2004 levels.

Cut-to-Length Plate
July 2005 imports of cut-to-length plate decreased 15 percent compared to June 2005. July 2005 imports were down 33 percent compared to July 2004.

Corrosion-Resistant Steel
July 2005 imports of corrosion-resistant steel decreased 32 percent compared to June 2005. July 2005 imports of these products were down 56 percent compared to July 2004.

Wire Rod
July 2005 imports of wire rod increased 9 percent compared to June 2005 levels and were down 26 percent compared to July 2004 levels.

Heavy Structurals
July 2005 imports of heavy structurals decreased 14 percent from their June 2005 level and were up less than 1 percent compared to July 2004 levels.

Rebar
July 2005 imports of rebar decreased 3 percent compared to June 2005. July 2005 imports of these products were down 19 percent.

Hot-Rolled Bar
July 2005 imports of hot-rolled bar decreased 16 percent compared to June 2005 and were down 20 percent.

Standard Pipe
July 2005 imports of standard pipe decreased 24 percent compared to June 2005. July 2005 imports of these products were down 21 percent.

Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG)
July 2005 imports of OCTG decreased 20 percent compared to June 2005. July 2005 imports of these products were up 28 percent compared to July 2004.

Semi-Finished Steel
July 2005 imports of semi-finished steel increased 20 percent compared to June 2005 and were up 16 percent compared to July 2004 levels. Imports of these products are used by U.S. steel companies to produce finished products.