Based on reported import licenses, flat products imports into the US declined 18% from 488,000 short tons in March to 402,000 tons in April. Cut plate imports dropped 19% to 30,000 tons, hot rolled imports declined 30% to 160,000 tons, and hot dip galvanized imports fell 16% to 102,000 tons. Only cold rolled imports increased, rising 9% to 109,000 tons, with Russia a major contributor to the rise.
Cut plate licenses declined significantly from Canada and Japan, while they climbed from Sweden and Germany. Hot roll import licenses dropped significantly from Canada, but also from Mexico and Finland. And finally, Australia, Canada and China were important contributors to the decline in hot dip galvanized imports.