New Aluminum Import Monitoring Licenses Required Starting Jan. 25

In a final rule published Wednesday, December 23, 2020, the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) announced the adoption of the Aluminum Import Monitoring and Analysis (AIM) system that requires importers, customs brokers (or their agents) to apply for and obtain an import license for each entry of certain aluminum products into the United States.

A similar system for monitoring imported volumes of steel, Steel Import Monitoring and Analysis System, has been in place since 2005.

https://www.trade.gov/​steel

ALUMINUM IMPORT MONITORING AND ANALYSIS (AIM) SYSTEM

January 4, 2021 – AIM system website is live, users can register for identification numbers and begin applying for licenses.

January 25, 2021 – Licenses will be required for all covered aluminum imports.

Steps for new aluminum import licensing:

(1) Register and obtain a username,

(2) File for and obtain a unique aluminum import license (issued automatically) for each shipment, and

(3) Provide the license number to CBP as part of the submission of the entry summary CBP 7501 form.

Information required for licensing:

• Filer company name and address
• Filer contact name, phone number, fax number and email address
• Entry type (i.e., Consumption, Foreign-Trade Zone)
• Importer name
• Exporter name
• Manufacturer name (filer may state “unknown”)
• Country of origin
• Country of exportation
• Expected date of export
• Expected date of import
• Expected port of entry
• Current HTS number (from Chapters 76)
• Country where the largest volume of primary aluminum used in the manufacture of the product was smelted*
• Country where the second largest volume of primary aluminum used in the manufacture of the product was smelted*
• Country where the product was most recently cast
• Quantity (in kilograms)
• Customs value (in U.S. $ amount)

*“Unknown” can be used in both fields until Dec. 23, 2021, after which they must provide the requested information. “Not applicable” can be used in this field if the product contains only secondary and no primary aluminum.

DEFINITION OF BASIC ALUMINUM PRODUCTS

The AIM system will cover basic aluminum products under the following HTS codes:

7601, 7604, 7605, 7606, 7607, 7608, 7609, 7616.99.51.60, and 7616.99.51.70.

PROVISIONS & EXCEPTIONS

1. Duration of the Aluminum Import License
   An aluminum import license can be applied for up to 60 days prior to the expected date of import and until the date of filing of the CBP entry summary documents, or its electronic equivalent and is valid for up to 75 days.
2. License Rules for Certain Types of Entries
   Aluminum import licenses are not required on temporary importation bond (TIB) entries, transportation and exportation (T&E) entries or entries into a bonded warehouse. Covered aluminum products withdrawn for consumption from a bonded warehouse will require a license at the entry summary.
3. Foreign Trade Zone Admissions
   All shipments of covered aluminum products into foreign trade zone (FTZ) will require an aluminum import license prior to the filing of FTZ admission documents. The license number(s) must be reported on the FTZ admission documents and/or status designation (Customs Form 214) at the time of filing. For FTZs, the licenses do not expire, and covered aluminum products do not require a new license when leaving the zone and entering for consumption.
4. Informal Entries and Low-Value Licenses
   No import license shall be required on informal entries of covered aluminum products, such as merchandise valued at less than $2,500.  This exemption applies to informal entries only; imports of aluminum valued at less than $2,500 that are part of a formal entry will require a license.  Additionally, for shipments containing less than $5,000 worth of aluminum, applicants can apply for a reusable low-value license.

PUBLIC REPORTING

Data results from the program will be made public via the Aluminum Import Monitor (AIM) website and report certain aggregate information on imports of aluminum product categories using both publicly available import data and data obtained from the aluminum licenses.

https://www.trade.gov/aluminum

The public AIM monitor will provide information on U.S. imports of aluminum from all countries by broad product categories in both value and volume measures. Once the license collection begins, additional data will be added to the public AIM monitor.

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