A new Steel Import Monitoring and Analysis (SIMA) platform is being adopted by the US Department of Commerce and will be released on October 13, 2020. This is the SIMA system’s first major update since its launch in 2005 and will include modern data analytics tools available to the public.
US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross stated that the modernized SIMA will facilitate the identification of transshipments and circumvention activities involving steel imports. Data tools will also aid in the identification of changing trade patterns.
Regulatory changes in the final rule for import license applications include original melt and pour country of origin for steel used in the manufacture of the imported product, subject to Section 232 tariffs. It codify the existing low-value license requirements, and extend the SIMA system indefinitely. Through its trade.gov website, Commerce will also provide webinar trainings for using the SIMA platform..
The updated SIMA is consistent with the United States Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA) which allows the US to treat products made with steel melted and poured within the three countries differently from products made outside the agreement’s region.