In 2008, Japan, Russia, South Korea and the United States were the top four importers of silicon steel in China. It is estimated that 810,000 tons of silicon steel will be imported in 2009, including 320,000 tons of oriented silicon steel and 490,000 tons of non-oriented silicon steel. From January to December 2008, China imported a total of 1.0435 million tons of silicon steel, the same as 1.0432 million tons in the same period of 2007, including 352,900 tons of oriented silicon steel, 696,600 tons of non-oriented silicon steel, 84,800 tons less oriented silicon steel, 85,100 tons more oriented silicon steel