US : Section 232 Tariff on Aluminum Articles - Aluminum Import Monitoring and Analysis (AIM) System

24-hour hotline : 23 922 922

e-mail address : enquiry@tid.gov.hk

Ref. : EIC 111/2/18
EIC 111/3
EIC 111/3/13

24 December 2020

Dear Sirs,

Further to Commercial Information Circular (CIC) No. 368/2020 of 4 May 2020, the US Department of Commerce (DoC) issued a Federal Register (FR) notice on 23 December 2020 promulgating new regulations that establish a website for the Aluminum Import Monitoring and Analysis (AIM) system that consists of an online aluminum import license application platform and public AIM monitor.  The new regulations require importers, customs brokers or their agents to apply for and obtain an automatically issued license via the AIM system website for each entry of certain aluminum products into the US.  The new licensing requirements will be effective 25 January 2021 while the AIM system website will be operational on 4 January 2021 for potential license applicants to apply for licenses. 

2.     The US imposed additional tariffs of 25% and 10% on steel and aluminum products respectively imported from all countries/economies (except certain economies) on 23 March 2018 under the Section 232 investigation.  For details, please refer to CIC Nos. 264/2018 and 90/2020 dated 16 March 2018 and 6 February 2020 respectively. 
 
3.     On 29 April 2020, the US DoC sought public comments on a proposed AIM system to cover all imports of basic aluminum products, including aluminum articles subject to Section 232 tariff, with the objective of facilitating the monitoring of imports of aluminum articles.  For details, please refer to CIC No. 368/2020 dated 4 May 2020.
 
4.     On 23 December 2020, the US DoC issued an FR notice to announce that it adopts the AIM, which has the following important features and dates:

• The new licensing requirements will be effective 25 January 2021 while the AIM system website (https://www.trade.gov/aluminum) will be operational on 4 January 2021 for early registration.
• The AIM system will cover basic aluminum products under the following Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) numbers: 7601, 7604, 7605, 7606, 7607, 7608, 7609, 7616.99.51.60, and 7616.99.51.70.
• Procedures for importing the aluminum products into the US:
  (1) register and obtain a username,
  (2) file for and obtain a unique aluminum import license (issued automatically) for each shipment, and
  (3) provide the license number to US Customs and Border Protection as part of the submission of the entry summary form.  Aluminum imports valued under US$5,000 per shipment may obtain a multi-use low-value license. 
• Required information for obtaining an import license includes filer company name and address; exporter name; manufacturer name; country of origin: current HTS number (from Chapter 76); customs value (US$); etc.
• No import license shall be required on informal entries of covered aluminum products, such as merchandise valued at less than US$2,500.
• The aluminum import license can be applied for up to 60 days prior to the expected date of importation and until the date of filing of the entry summary documents.  The license is valid for 75 days. 
• No fees will be charged for obtaining a username, issuing an aluminum import license or accessing the AIM system.
• The US DoC is offering a virtual demonstration of the online license application platform for potential license applicants.  For specific dates and times of the demonstrations, and to participate in the demonstrations, please visit https://www.trade.gov/aluminum.
• The US DoC will seek additional comment from parties on potential improvements or changes to the system in a subsequent notice. 

5.     For details, please refer to the FR notice: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2020-12-23/pdf/2020-28166.pdf 

6.For enquiries concerning the content of this circular, please contact Miss K Y HO at telephone number 2398 5405. 

Yours faithfully,

(Miss Ivy TAM)
for Director-General of Trade and Industry

Note: While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the above information, the Department cannot guarantee this to be so and will not be held liable for any reliance placed on the same.