In August, the number of steel import permit applications to the United States totaled 2.18 million short tons, reflecting a 5.1% decrease from July's 2.30 million tons and a 10% drop from the final imports total of 2.42 million tons in July. The import permit tonnage for finished steel was 1.76 million short tons, down 12.9% from July's final total of 2.02 million tons.

Despite the decline in August, total steel imports for the first eight months of 2024 increased slightly, with total imports at 19.94 million tons, up 1.4% from the same period in 2023. The estimated finished steel import market share for August was 21%, with year-to-date figures at 23%.

Notably, certain categories saw increases in import permits compared to July, including sheets and strip electrolytic galvanized (up 58%) and structural pipe and tubing (up 25%). The largest sources of steel import permits in August were Canada, Brazil, and South Korea, with Canada leading at 476,000 tons, down 12% from July.