Steel I-sections trade by country: top importers, exporters and prices
World trade in steel i-sections was worth $2.85 billion in 2024, about 3.48 million tonnes. That is an increase of 33% since 2017, and down 10% on 2023.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
World trade by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2.85B | 3.48M t |
| 2023 | $3.15B | 3.50M t |
| 2022 | $3.52B | 3.29M t |
| 2021 | $3.22B | 3.66M t |
| 2020 | $1.97B | 3.38M t |
| 2019 | $2.38B | 3.68M t |
| 2018 | $2.66B | 3.84M t |
| 2017 | $2.15B | 3.58M t |
Top steel i-sections exporting countries
Spain is the largest exporter with 26% of world exports, followed by China and Luxembourg. The top three supply 50% between them, out of 110 exporting countries.
| Exporter | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Spain | $743.8M | 26% |
| China | $358.8M | 13% |
| Luxembourg | $322.4M | 11% |
| Germany | $320.1M | 11% |
| Turkey | $252.8M | 8.9% |
| Poland | $112.3M | 3.9% |
| Italy | $73.1M | 2.6% |
| United Kingdom | $68.7M | 2.4% |
| United States | $61.8M | 2.2% |
| Thailand | $58.3M | 2% |
| Russia | $55.2M | 1.9% |
| South Korea | $55.1M | 1.9% |
Top importing countries and buyer markets
The largest importers are France (9%), the United Kingdom (9%) and the United States (5%). 199 countries imported it, and the top three take 24% of the value.
| Importer | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| France | $267.2M | 9.4% |
| United Kingdom | $263.5M | 9.2% |
| United States | $148.7M | 5.2% |
| Mexico | $133.9M | 4.7% |
| Netherlands | $107.8M | 3.8% |
| Germany | $105.7M | 3.7% |
| Malaysia | $105.0M | 3.7% |
| Brazil | $81.9M | 2.9% |
| Italy | $79.6M | 2.8% |
| Canada | $76.0M | 2.7% |
| Morocco | $71.0M | 2.5% |
| Belgium | $63.6M | 2.2% |
Average price per kg
The world average declared value was about $0.82 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, the United Kingdom averaged $0.95 per kg and Turkey $0.72 per kg, so grade and origin matter.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments worldwide. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Who is behind these numbers in this market?
The shipment records behind Steel I-sections (HS 7216.32) importers and exporters, worldwide: companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 7216.32: Iron or non-alloy steel: I sections, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or extruded, of a height of 80mm or more. HS 7216 codes.
Common questions
Which countries export the most steel i-sections?
Spain exported $743.8 million in 2024, 26% of the world total, followed by China (13%) and Luxembourg (11%). In all, 110 countries reported exports of this product. The full ranking and map are on this page.
Which countries import the most steel i-sections?
France imported $267.2 million in 2024, 9% of world imports, ahead of the United Kingdom (9%) and the United States (5%). The top three importers together take 24%. Each country with its own page is linked from the table.
How big is the world trade in steel i-sections?
It was worth $2.85 billion in 2024, about 3.48 million tonnes. That is an increase of 33% since 2017. The peak year was 2022 at $3.52 billion. 110 countries reported exports and 199 reported imports.
What is the average price of steel i-sections per kg?
The world average declared value was about $0.82 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, the United Kingdom averaged $0.95 per kg and Turkey $0.72 per kg, so grade and origin matter. Read it as a benchmark: it blends all grades, origins and contract terms.
What is the HS code for steel i-sections?
The HS code for steel i-sections is subheading 7216.32, in chapter 72 (iron and steel). The first six digits are the same in every country; national tariffs add more. The full list of codes is on the HS 7216 page.
How can I find steel i-sections buyers and suppliers?
Company names sit below these country totals: EximDataX reads the customs records shipment by shipment, with dates and values. We can show steel i-sections buyers and suppliers on a short call.
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.