Japan H-beam Import Doubles in October

Japanese H-beam import increased by 115.0% to 4,998 tonnes in October from September, which increased for the first time in 2 months, according to Ministry of Finance. The import hit wide jump from South Korea and Taiwan while the import decreased from China. The averaged import value was CIF 54,200 yen per tonne, which is relatively low compared with Japanese market price. The low priced import apparently impacts on the domestic market price especially civil engineering applications.

The import volume at Sakai customs was 2,343 tonnes from South Korea and 1,107 tonnes from Taiwan. The import at Shimizu was 1,223 tonnes from China.

Japanese H-beam export decreased by 13.2% to 33,142 tonnes in October from September. The export would decrease more in and after November due to foreign exchange rate and South Korean complaint on high level import from Japan. The averaged export value decreased by 2,000 yen to FOB 55,000 yen per tonne.

The export to South Korea was 9,537 tonnes at Sakai customs and 4,429 tonnes at Kashima. The export to Hong Kong was 2,004 tonnes at Kashima and 1,913 tonnes at Sakai.