The US Department of Commerce has published its final rule on the Aluminum Import Monitoring and Analysis (AIM) system, which will become effective from January 25, 2021.
As part of this new rule, Commerce will require all aluminum importers, brokers, and customs agents to apply for an import license through its new website which will launch on January 4, 2021.
Commerce indicated in a notice on Tuesday, that certain aluminum products can only be imported once the licenses for those are obtained through the online application. The regulation, which is aimed at preventing the dumping of aluminum imports into the country will also require that importers applying for the license to identify the country or countries where the largest or second-largest volume of aluminum that was used in their product, was smelted and where the product was cast.
Moreover, while the website and license application process will begin online on January 4, 2021, it will become mandatory to apply for it online by January 25, 2021, when the new regulation comes into effect.
The US government allocated $1.3mn to support AIM in its 2021 appropriations bill in November this year. According to the Aluminum Association, AIM will allow government officials and the US aluminum industry to identify trade flows and address misclassification, transshipment, and duty evasions and will also help determine Sec 232 tariffs more accurately.