US Steel Imports by Country: Trends, Data, and Top Importers in 2024-25

In this blog, we will explore comprehensive USA steel import data for 2024–25, including import volume, value, leading exporter countries, top steel importers, and tariff implications.

Jun 19, 2025 - 15:26

US Steel Imports by Country: Trends, Data, and Top Importers in 2024-25

The United States remains one of the world's largest consumers of steel. Despite its robust domestic production capabilities, demand often exceeds supply—especially in sectors such as automotive, energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing. As a result, steel imports play a vital role in meeting U.S. market requirements. In this blog, we will explore comprehensive USA steel import data for 2024–25, including import volume, value, leading exporter countries, top steel importers, and tariff implications.

USA Steel Imports Overview (2024-25)

In the fiscal year 2024–25, the United States imported around 28.86 million net tons of steel, including 22.5 million tons of finished steel. According to trade data, total steel imports were valued at $26.2 billion, a significant indicator of the country’s growing reliance on foreign steel.

Quick Stats:

Total steel imports: 26.2 million metric tons
Steel imports (value): $26.2 billion
Percentage increase since 2014: 26%
Finished steel share (2024): 22.5 million tons

US Steel Imports by Country

The U.S. sources steel from a diverse group of nations. Here are the top contributors in 2024:

Rank	Country	Import Value (US$ Billion)	Quantity (Million Metric Tons)
1	Canada	8.36	6.39
2	Brazil	4.56	3.49
3	Mexico	3.73	2.85
4	South Korea	2.00	1.53
5	Germany	1.54	1.18
6	Japan	1.23	0.94
7	Taiwan	0.78	0.60
8	Netherlands	0.76	0.59
9	Sweden	0.73	0.56
10	Italy	0.71	0.55

Why These Countries?

Canada: Strong trade ties via USMCA, close logistics.
Mexico: Integrated automotive supply chains.
South Korea & Japan: High-quality and specialty steel.
Brazil: Competitive pricing for semi-finished products.

Leading Steel Importers in the USA

The U.S. has over 5,600 active steel buyers, but a few companies dominate the market:

Company	Import Value ($ Billion)	Imported Quantity (Tons)
ArcelorMittal USA	4.5	5 million
Nucor Corporation	3.8	4.5 million
United States Steel Corp.	3.2	4 million
Steel Dynamics, Inc.	2.9	3.5 million
AK Steel Holding Corp.	2.5	3 million
Gerdau Ameristeel Corp.	2.2	2.8 million
Commercial Metals	1.9	2.5 million
Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.	1.7	2.2 million
ThyssenKrupp Steel USA	1.5	2 million
SSAB Americas	1.2	1.8 million

USA Steel Imports by Year

Below is a breakdown of monthly steel imports for the year 2024:

Month	Import Value ($ Billion)	Quantity (Million Metric Tons)
January	2.96	4.5
February	2.72	4.0
March	2.82	5.0
April	3.10	4.3
May	3.12	4.7
June	2.57	4.5
July	2.75	4.2
August	2.78	5.3
September	2.52	3.5
Total	26.2	40 million metric tons

Steel HS Codes

Understanding HS Codes is crucial for importers and exporters. Top steel-related HS Codes include:

7326: Articles of iron or steel
73261100: Grinding balls and similar articles for mills
732620: Articles of iron or steel wire
73269010: Forged or stamped articles for machinery

US Steel Tariffs and Trade Regulations

Section 232 Tariffs: A 25% duty was imposed in 2018 to protect domestic producers.
Exemptions: Canada and Mexico (USMCA) are largely exempt.
Anti-dumping & CVDs: Additional duties are levied on unfair trade practices.

U.S. Steel Imports vs Domestic Production

Though the U.S. has a powerful steel industry, it cannot fulfill all local demand:

Imports supplement specialized steel grades
Imported steel supports mega infrastructure and military projects
25% of the finished steel market share is now met via imports

How to Find USA Steel Importers?

Use trade data platforms like Seair Exim Solutions to access:

Verified U.S. steel buyers list
USA steel import data by country
Steel HS codes
Volume and value statistics
Port-wise import trends

Global Steel Exporters: Top Contributors

Rank	Country	Export Value (US$ Billion)
1	China	70.84
2	Germany	30.93
3	Japan	27.41
4	Indonesia	25.8
5	South Korea	24.8

India, Russia, and the U.S. also remain strong players in the global export market.

USA-Imported Top Steel Product Categories

Flat-Rolled Steel: 33% of all imports
Tubular Products (Pipes, OCTG): 27%
Long Products (Bars, Rods): 17%
Stainless and Alloy Steel: 3%

Future Outlook of U.S. Steel Imports

With infrastructure growth plans, steel demand in the U.S. is expected to rise. However, the future will be shaped by:

Rising demand for green/low-emission steel
Reshoring of domestic production
Supply chain diversification post-global disruptions

Conclusion

Steel remains a critical component of America’s industrial base. Despite protective tariffs and a robust domestic sector, U.S. steel imports are integral to meeting diverse industry needs. As we move into 2025, stakeholders must watch evolving trade policies, green steel demand, and global supply shifts to remain competitive.

For real-time data on US steel imports by country, United States steel importers, or steel HS codes, connect with Seair Exim Solutions today.