On April 1, 2021, the Department of Commerce published in the Federal Register a document [Docket No. 210326-0072] delaying compliance with the final rule (published on December 23, 2020 at 85 FR 83804 and amended January 27, 2021 at 86 FR 7237), entitled “Aluminum Import Monitoring and Analysis System,” by staying the regulations from March 29, 2021, until June 28, 2021. Commerce will release the public Aluminum Import Monitoring and Analysis (AIM) monitor on the AIM system website on March 29, 2021. The delay will allow Commerce time to finalize the license application system and to provide both the public and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) with sufficient advance notice of the new compliance date. In addition, the delay will allow Commerce to consider and respond, as appropriate, to the comments; Commerce intends to issue another notification addressing these comments prior to June 28, 2021.

Therefore, unless otherwise announced, compliance for the majority of part 361 and the AIM system will be effective on June 28, 2021, meaning that licenses will be required for all covered aluminum imports on or after this date. Additionally, the remaining portions of the regulations concerning the removal of the option to state “unknown” for certain fields on the aluminum license form will be effective on December 24, 2021, as stated in the relevant sections of part 361, unless otherwise announced. For further background and information, see the Final Rule. Further guidance on licenses already issued and the issuance of new licenses in the intervening period before June 28, 2021 will be provided on the AIM system website.