Japan: Aluminium imports rise by over 9% m-o-m in May

Japan's aluminium imports increased by 9.5% to 270,406 tonnes (t) in May 2022 as against 247,046 t in April 2022.

Commodity wise breakup-

• Aluminium scrap imports up 23%
  
  

The country's aluminium scrap imports rose by 23% m-o-m to 8,831 t in May as against 7,164 t in April. The US was the key exporter with 2,926 t followed by Taiwan and South Korea with 1,605 t and 509 t respectively.

HS code considered under aluminium scrap is 7602.

• Semi-finished aluminium imports edge up 9%
  
  

Japan imported 214,920 t of semi-finished aluminium in May, up 9% as compared to 197,447 t in April. Russia is the major exporter with 41,175 t followed by the UAE at 30,946 t and Australia at 27,000 t.

HS codes considered under semi-finished aluminium are unwrought aluminium (not alloyed) (HS code: 760110), unwrought aluminium (alloyed) (HS Code: 760120), other semi finished aluminium materials (HS Code: 7603).

• Finished aluminium imports down 6%
  
  

Japan imported 21,667 t of finished aluminium in May, a decline of 6% m-o-m as against 23,098 t in April. China stood the major exporter with 13,523 t followed by South Korea and Taiwan with 3,277 t and 1,426 t, respectively.

HS codes considered under finished aluminium longs are bar, rod and profiles (HS Code 7604) and MS wire (HS Code 7605) and under aluminium flats are foils (HS 7607), pipes and tubes (HS 7608), plates, strips and sheets (HS 7606).

• Imports of other aluminium products up 13%
  
  

Imports of other aluminium products increased by 13% to 23,966 t in May as against 21,214 t in April.

HS codes considered in this category are in a range between 7609-7616.