The US import hot dipped galvanized (HDG) market continues to be largely quiet as concerns over the sustainability of rising US domestic coated flat steel spot prices are keeping interest in imports low, especially with lead times out until late Q2. One HDG trader in the south told SteelOrbis that "calling May/June deliveries in today's market a ‘hard sell' would be an understatement."
That's not to say that import activity is completely silent. Mexican mills continue to sell substantial amounts of both HDG and Galvalume products into Gulf regions and a few orders of HDG 0.012"x40.875" G30 and HDG 0.019" x 48" G90 are also being placed with Chinese mills. However, when mills in China and Taiwan come back from the Spring Festival holiday next week, current offer prices (see below chart) are expected to be no longer valid and new--higher--prices are anticipated.
| Import HDG offers to the US | Cwt. | Metric ton (mt) | Net ton (nt) | Change from last week |
| 0.012"x40.875" G30 | ||||
| India* | $47-$48 | $1,036-$1,058 | $940-$960 | neutral |
| China* | $46.50-$47.50 | $1,025-$1,047 | $930-$950 | neutral |
| Mexico** | $46-$47 | $1,014-$1,036 | $920-$940 | neutral |
| 0.019" x 48" G90 | ||||
| China* | $47.50-$48.50 | $1,047-$1,069 | $950-$970 | neutral |
| India* | $47-$48 | $1,036-$1,058 | $940-$960 | neutral |
| Taiwan* | 49.50-$50.50 | $1,091-$1,113 | $990-$1,010 | newly offered |
| Import Galvalume offers to the US | ||||
| 0.019x41.5625 Gr80/AZ55 | ||||
| Taiwan* | $48.75-$49.75 | $1,075-$1,097 | $975-$995 | neutral |
| Mexico** | $49-$50 | $1,080-$1,102 | $980-$1,000 | neutral |
| China* | $48-$49 | $1,058-$1,080 | $960-$980 | neutral |
**DDP loaded truck delivered into Houston