US steel beam prices rise in April; tariffed imports hold on to market share
Published by:Robert England<>
24 Apr 2025 @ 21:48 UTC

Prices for US domestic and import beams rose on Thursday April 24 as buyers accepted a hike of $25 per ton announced by mills earlier this month on the heels of an increase of $35 per ton in March, according to market participants. Exporters from Turkey, South Korea and Mexico retained their market shares held before US President Donald Trump restored 25% Section 232 tariffs on February 10, as traders absorbed about half the cost of tariffs and raised prices to cover the remainder, sources said.
Fastmarkets’ monthly price assessment for steel beams 8 x 8-inch, fob mill US was $66.25 per hundredweight ($1,325 per short ton) on Thursday, up by 1.92% from $65 per cwt on March 27 and by 4.74% from $63.25 per cwt on February 27.
And Fastmarkets’ monthly price assessment for steel beams medium sections, loaded truck Port of Houston for immediate delivery was $1,000-$1,160 per ton ($50-58 per cwt) on Thursday, up by 0.47% from $950-1,200 per ton on March 27 and by $6.40% from $950-1,080 per ton on February 27.
Heard in the market Steady to strong purchasing has led some mills to extend lead times, sources said.
“There is very little mill stock and rollings are closed pretty far out — through June and into July,” a fabricator said
Even so, the decision by mills to raise prices again this month after an increase in February and a $40-per-ton decline in scrap prices “surprised me,” the fabricator said.
Imported beams are “still competitive, and the service centers who utilize a lot of import will be making deals to split the tariffs and won’t be so beholden to domestic mills,” the fabricator added.
A trader agreed that imports have remained competitive.
“The market has adjusted to the 25% tariff. Export countries have had to adapt and swallow a bit of the tariff. As a result, purchasing of imports has not changed,” they said.
Higher prices could potentially take a toll on demand from the construction sector, according to sources.
“The sharp increase in price is [already] slowing down bidding and giving owners pause as to whether or not now is a good time to build. I’m hearing that some existing projects are being put on hold,” the fabricator said.
A southern distributor said, “Beams are hot and heavy right now. Lead times are out to June and July, and floor stock is lean.”
While higher prices could put a brake on purchasing, “fabricator backlogs are decent so that’s helping out,” the distributor said.
A buyer said purchasing and prices may weaken in the next few months.
“While mills will try to keep prices as high as they can for as long as they can, some have stock on the floor and we’re getting everything we need. That tells me they are a little heavy on stock at the mills,” the buyer said.