China became a net importer of finished steel products in April as imports rose and exports fell to the lowest level since October 2005.

Exports of 1.41 million tonnes were down 16 percent from the previous month, according to preliminary data from China's General Administration of Customs, while imports rose 28 percent to 1.62 million tonnes, putting net imports at 210,000 tonnes.

It was the first time since 2006 that China imported more finished steel than it exported, reflecting in part...