Based on reported import licenses, US flat products imports increased 1% from 434,000 short tons in September to 438,000 tons in October. This shows a slowing of flat imports growth after strong 10-25% growth per month since July.
Driving the small rise were hot dip galvanized imports which rose 8% to 91,000 tons, with imports from So. Korea rising considerably. Hot rolled imports climbed only 1% while cut plate and cold rolled imports both declined 6%.
Import licenses for November reported up to November 10th were 202,000 tons which is likely to mean that full-month imports will be higher than October’s.