According to a comprehensive report by the Foreign Trade Department, US fasteners continued to maintain growth compared to the same period of last year. From January to May 2011, US fastener exports increased by 19% year-on-year, while imports increased by 34.5% year-on-year. In May 2011, the US fastener exports declined for two consecutive months, while imports increased for three consecutive months. In May, the fastener import volume hit a single monthly high since October 2008. For Detroit, Texas, which is the port city of the United States for the export of two fasteners, it is not surprising that the largest exporters of fasteners in the United States are Mexico and Canada.

In May 2011, the United States imported fasteners from Asia and set a new high this year, an increase of nearly 8% from April. Taiwan and China, the largest importers of fasteners in the United States, increased by 9% and 14% respectively compared with April.

In May, the unit price of U.S. fastener imports was 2.55 U.S. dollars per kilogram, an increase of 4.9% from 2.43 U.S. dollars per kilogram in April. The reason for the increase in unit price of imports in May is likely to be due to the increase in fuel prices. Even though the unit price increased, the total amount of fasteners imported from the United States in May still achieved an increase. This shows that the demand for fasteners from American manufacturers and construction companies has grown.

Since the Great East Japan Earthquake, the amount of fasteners imported from Japan in May has remained stable. Although import data has decreased in both April and May, it is expected to return to pre-earthquake levels soon. Japan is still the third largest fastener importer in the United States.

Overall, compared to last year, fasteners in the United States are gradually picking up in 2011 and are developing healthily.

May 2011 US Imports and Exports of Steel or Iron Fasteners Exports (US$) Compared to May 2010 Imports (US$) Compared with May 2010 7318.11 1,947,507 76.69% 2,357,485 120.48% Square head screws 7318.12 644,459 24.96% 2,261,144 10.19% Wood screws (except lag screws) 7318.13 2,971,252 -24.09% 1,005,550 21.00% Hook and ring head screws 7117.14 7,741,583 42.94% 50,038,634 13.31% Self tapping screws 7308.15 Screws and bolts (with or without nuts or washers) 117,371,470 10.01% 165,361,842 32.22% 7318.16 Nuts 45,289,990 24.27% 75,786,017 49.70 % 7318.19 Other thread products 15,245,680 26.67% 7,756,787 36.37% 7318.21 Spring washers and other lock washers 3,513,708 43.41% 3,935,391 34.54% 7318.22 Washers (except lock washers) 14,614,591 31.85% 18,893,381 39.14% 7318.23 Rivets 8,864,862 28.65% 4,769,559 37.40% 7318.24 Pin and Open end pin 7,332,287 –0.80% 3,851,508 32.53% 7318.29 Non-threaded products (fasteners) 27,274,541 –1.33% 23,382,550 34.71% Total 252,811,930 14.09% 359,399,848 33.25%