Based on reported import licenses, US flat products imports rose 30% from 353,000 short tons in August to 458,000 tons in September. This compares to flat products imports of 816,000 tons in September when we started collecting flat products license data. Flat rolled imports have been rising continuously since a June 2009 low of 252,000 tons.
Cut plate imports increased in September by 56%, due to a steep rise in Canadian imports. Hot dip galvanized imports increased 36%, in this case due to a large increase from India. Hot roll imports increased 28%, with imports climbing from Canada, the Netherlands, and France. And finally, cold rolled imports increased 19%, again due to increases from Canada.
Licenses reported up to 14 October indicate that full month October results will be marginally lower than September’s.