On May 21, 2021, Commerce’s Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration (ITA) published in the Federal Register a final rule [Docket No. 210512-0104] confirming the stay of the regulations entitled “Aluminum Import Monitoring and Analysis System” (published on 85 FR 83804, December 23, 2020) will be lifted on June 28, 2021. Commerce is also addressing the additional public comments received regarding the final rule. Finally, Commerce is also confirming that compliance with its regulations regarding the Aluminum Import Monitoring and Analysis (AIM) system, except for certain sections, will take effect on June 28, 2021 and is extending the temporary delay for compliance with the remaining sections its regulations from December 23, 2021 to June 28, 2022.
The AIM system 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 through the AIM system website; requires license applicants to identify, among other requirements, the country or countries where the largest and the second largest volume of primary aluminum used in the manufacture of the imported aluminum product was smelted (subject to certain exceptions) and the country where the aluminum product was most recently cast; requires license applicants to report their license numbers on their entry summary documentation, or electronic equivalent, to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP); allows for the public release of certain import license data on an aggregate basis, as appropriate, on the public AIM monitor; and applies the license requirement to all imports of basic aluminum products. The goal of the AIM system is to allow for the effective and timely monitoring of import surges of specific aluminum products and to aid in the prevention of transshipment of aluminum products.
Compliance with 19 CFR part 361 (except for § 361.103(c)(3)(i)(C) and (c)(3)(ii)(C)) is required on June 28, 2021. Section 361.103(c)(3)(i)(C) and (c)(3)(ii)(C) allow filers to state “unknown” for certain fields on the license application on a temporary basis through June 28, 2022. As of June 29, 2022, filers will no longer be able to state “unknown” and will be required to provide the requested information for these fields.
On the AIM system website, potential license applicants can register for the online license application platform and apply for licenses. Additionally, the public AIM monitor is featured on this website. Commerce released the public AIM monitor using publicly available data through this website on March 29, 2021.
