U.S. Census Bureau News
U.S. Department of Commerce
Washington, D.C. 20230
                                
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10:00 A.M. EST Tuesday, August 29, 2006
                                
For information contact:
Nick Orsini      (301) 763-6959
Vanessa Ware	 (301) 763-2311

CB-06-130, FT900A (06-07)
                                 
Preliminary: U.S. Imports for Consumption of Steel Products
July 2006

The U.S. Census Bureau, announced today that preliminary July steel imports were 
$2.9 billion (3.8 million metric tons) compared to the preliminary June totals of 
$2.3 billion (3.1 million metric tons).   

The June to July change in steel imports, based on metric tonnage, reflected 
increases primarily in hot rolled sheets and cold rolled strip.  Monthly changes 
in steel imports reflected increases primarily with Russia and China.  

The year to date final statistics through June 2006 showed steel imports of 20.5 
million metric tons, an increase of 5.3 million metric tons from the 15.2 million 
metric tons through June 2005.  The largest commodity increases were in blooms, 
billets, and slabs; and hot rolled sheets.  The largest country increases were 
with Russia,  China, and Turkey.  The largest country decrease was with Mexico.   

Notes:
        
The data in this report are preliminary and subject to revisions.

Analysis of recent months for steel product imports indicates the value of 
preliminary data should equal about 96 percent of the final value reported in 
the regular monthly trade statistics report.  Preliminary data reported for 
individual steel categories and at the individual country of origin level have 
been less consistently predictive of the final data reported in the regular 
monthly trade statistics. For further details visit the Foreign Trade Division 
web site at: www.census.gov/foreign-trade/www/.  On the web site you can access 
product by country and country by product tables.

The next release is September 26, 2006

CONTACT:  For more information, contact Nick Orsini (301-763-6959) or Vanessa Ware 
(301-763-2311), Foreign Trade Division, U.S. Census Bureau.

SOURCE:  U.S. Imports for Consumption of Steel Products: Preliminary   
Jlye 2006 (CB-06-130)