The U.S. Department of Commerce announced a final rule on September 11, 2020, which modifies the regulations pertaining to the Steel Import Monitoring and Analysis (SIMA) system relating to those applying for steel licenses.
This ruling will require applicants for steel import licenses to identify the country where the steel used in the manufacture of the imported steel product was melted and poured (the country of melt and pour); clarify how certain import data collected from the licenses will be aggregated and reported on the public SIMA monitor; harmonize the scope of steel products subject to the SIMA licensing requirement with the scope of steel products subject to Section 232 tariffs; extend the SIMA system indefinitely by eliminating the regulatory provision concerning the duration of the SIMA system, and codify eligibility for use of the low-value license for certain steel entries up to $5,000.
The country of melt and pour will become mandatory to identify as of October 13, 2020, within the SIMA system, along with updates to the system resulting in a better user experience. Please be sure to include the country of melt and pour if your organization creates steel licenses.
Important dates (from Federal Register, linked below):
- Effective date: October 13, 2020.
- Applicability date: All licenses requested on or after October 13, 2020, must meet the requirements of this rule and utilize the online license application platform on the new SIMA system website.
- Licenses requested on or before October 9, 2020, must meet the requirements of the existing SIMA system and utilize the online license application platform on the existing SIMA system website.
- The existing SIMA system website will no longer be operational beginning on October 10, 2020, and the new SIMA system website will not be operational until October 13, 2020.
- Therefore, no licenses can be obtained via the online license application platform from October 10 through October 12, 2020.
For more information: Federal Register / Vol. 85, No 177 / Friday, September 11, 2020