The United States imported a total of 2,192,000 net tons of steel in October, a decline of 3 percent vs. the previous month. October imports of finished steel totaled 1,754,000 net tons, a 4 percent increase compared to September, reports the American Iron and Steel Institute, Washington, D.C.

Annualized, total steel imports in 2011 would hit 29.0 million tons, a 21 percent increase compared to last year. Finished steel imports would total 22.2 million tons on an annualized basis, up 18 percent vs. 2010. Finished steel imports account for a 22 percent share of the U.S. market year to date, according to AISI, based on preliminary Census Bureau data.

Key finished steel products with significant import increases in October, vs. the previous month, include: hot-rolled sheets, up 49 percent; sheet and strip all other metallic coated, up 33 percent; and mechanical tubing, up 23 percent.

Major products with significant year-to-date import increases vs. the same period last year include: cut length plates, up 56 percent; plates in coils, up 33 percent; hot-rolled bar, up 27 percent; line pipe, up 26 percent; and oil country goods, up 22 percent.