US import rebar and wire rod prices remained steady this week, even as US mills -responding to reduced imports as a result of Section 232 steel tariffs- have begun reducing customer deliveries through allocations, market insiders told SteelOrbis.
On the US East Coast, import rebar pricing remained steady for yet another week, with local pricing maintaining its slight premium over the US Gulf Coast at $43-46.00/cwt., owing to reports of reduced August imports, insiders said. Importers say lower imports remain the primary reason for the East Coast price premium over the Gulf Coast.
Market insiders continue to report to SteelOrbis that reduced imports are tightening available supply, though mills have yet to raise prices for fear that increasing prices now could make imports a more attractive option versus domestic supply.
“The reports of tightness in the spot market are correct, and the mills are engaging in controlled order entry-allocation,” remarked one US East Coast rebar insider. The insider added that continued low finished steel demand from end-users could spur layoffs soon. “Fabricators and construction companies are looking at slower than normal activity with some talking about layoffs in the coming months if nothing changes.”
“Mills remain effectively sold out; prioritizing allocations,” remarked another US Gulf Coast insider. “Nucor, CMC, and Cascade are enforcing pricing discipline.”
As previously reported by SteelOrbis, preliminary import data from the Washington, D.C.-based International Trade Administration (ITA) suggests rebar and wire rod imports from abroad may have plunged sharply during the first half of September. And while final data will not be available from ITA until November, preliminary data shows September rebar imports plunged to a mere 8,967 mt, off from on average 60,000-70,000 tons per month, insiders said, while wire rod imports lagged at 21,936 mt, off from on average 80,000-90,000 tons per month. During August, 2025, preliminary ITA import data shows end-month rebar imports estimated at 57,812 mt, while wire rod imports were estimated at 91,331 mt. Final ITA August data is expected soon.
On the US Gulf Coast, import rebar is discussed unchanged at $43.00-45/cwt., ($860-900/nt or $948-992/mt), depending on the size of the customer, with most transactions averaging steady at $44.50/cwt. ($890/nt or $981/mt). While pricing remains stable, some insiders told SteelOrbis mills could announce another potential rebar price increase soon, especially if demand begins to rise.
Since steel import tariffs of 50 percent went into effect in June for the US’ primary suppliers Canada and Mexico, insiders tell SteelOrbis that domestic long steel supply, especially specific rebar sizes, has remained more limited. Wire rod supply has only recently been increasing as the 700,000 annual ton Peoria, Illinois-based Liberty Steel is reported at capacity.
“Liberty Steel is back at capacity,” said one Gulf Coast long steel insider. “The plant restart has covered earlier shortages, bringing balance, but also capping (price) upside.”
In the wire rod import segment, US Gulf Coast import supply on a DDP loaded truck basis is reported steady at $42.50-43.50/nt, ($850-870/nt or $937-959/mt). Domestic supply remained unchanged again at $46.50-47.50/nt ($930-950/nt or $1,025-1,047/mt).
