Japan H-Beam Import Increases to 3 Times in January

Japanese H-beam import increased to more than 2 times at 7,286 tonnes in January from a year earlier due to jumped import from South Korea, according to Ministry of Finance. The averaged import price was CIF 56,439 yen per tonne. The dealers expect the import increases more in and after February from the level in January when Japanese H-beam makers aim to increase the selling price.

The H-beam import from South Korea increased to around 3 times at 6,012 tonnes in January from a year earlier. The import was 3,466 tonnes through Chiba Branch Customs and 2,516 tonnes through Sakai Branch Customs. The import from China decreased by 11.3% to 1,267 tonnes, all of which recorded at Fushiki Branch Customs.

Japanese H-beam export decreased by 34.5% to 17,352 tonnes in January from a year earlier. The averaged export price was FOB US$ 57,500 yen per tonne. The export apparently decreased when Japanese makers tried to avoid low priced export transactions under higher yen rate. The largest volume was for South Korea while the export decreased by 40.1% to 9,753 tonnes, of which 6,668 tonnes was recorded at Sakai Branch Customs and 1,808 tonnes was recorded at Osaka Customs. The export was 2,085 tonnes to Indonesia and 1,959 tonnes to Taiwan.