On December 23, 2020, the International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce (DOC) announced in Federal Register 85 No 247 FR 83804 the adoption of the new Aluminum Import Monitoring and Analysis (AIM) system which will act as the aluminum import license application platform.
The AIM system is designed 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 similar to the Steel Import Monitoring and Analysis (SIMA) system which has been operating over the past two decades. AIM will require 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 products was smelted and the country where the aluminum product was most recently cast. For more information on AIM and its requirements, please visit https://www.trade.gov/aluminum.
Importers or brokers will be required to apply for and obtain an import license for each entry of certain aluminum products into the United States.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) released Cargo System Messaging Service (CSMS) #45300205 advising importers and brokers that most aluminum products will require an aluminum import license for each entry beginning January 25, 2021. The aluminum import license number obtained from AIM for each shipment as well as License Type Code 28 must be reported on the corresponding entry summary in ACE.
CBP notes that AIM will be available on January 4, 2021, for pre-registration and that the new AIM system will use the same platform as SIMA, so users with an existing steel license account do not need to create new accounts.
Important Information:
- AIM system website: https://www.trade.gov/aluminum
- Aluminum Harmonized Tariff list: https://www.trade.gov/aluminum-products-hts-codes
- January 4, 2021: Operational date for AIM
- Applicants can obtain their Identification Numbers (SIMA users do not need a new account).
- Begin applying for licenses
- January 25, 2021: Effective date when licenses will be required for all covered aluminum imports
For more information, please contact your local Noatum Logistics USA representative.