Imports of tyres into the U.S. fell by double-digits in the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, with the commercial truck/bus tyre sector being hardest hit, the latest statistics show, reflecting reduced sell-in demand thus far in 2023.

Imports of medium truck/bus tyres, which had been running a record levels throughout 2021 and 2022, fell 41 percent during the second quarter, to 3.96 million units, and are down 25 percent, to 8.43 million units, through six months, according to the latest data from the Commerce Department.

This is the second straight quarter where imports have fallen measurably. At the same time, imports of passenger and light truck tyres are off by double-digits as well for both the second quarter and first half, as the wholesale sector works to draw down inventories bloated by over-ordering during the depths of the supply-chain crisis in 2022.