Based on reported import licenses, US flat products imports fell 12% from 614,000 short tons in November to 539,000 tons in December. In comparison, December flat products imports in 2010 were 547,000 tons, in 2009 they were 405,000 tons, and in 2008 474,000 tons.
Like in November, imports of all flat products categories declined. However, cut plate imports declined by the highest percentage at 25% or 26,000 tons, due to lower imports from a number of countries including Russia and Germany and despite significant increases from the Ukraine and Turkey. Hot roll imports dropped by 31,000 tons.
I will update the spreadsheet below when the next licenses are reported in order to show mid-January license data.