This message contains important information regarding the U.S. Department of Commerce’s new Aluminum Import License program.

Brokers and importers are notified that imports of most aluminum products will require an aluminum import license for each entry beginning on January 25, 2021.  Please see the list of aluminum products subject to the new licensing requirement at: https://www.trade.gov/aluminum-products-hts-codes  The aluminum import license number obtained from Commerce for each shipment, as well as the License Type Code 28, must be reported on the corresponding entry summary or electronic equivalent in ACE. 

The new licensing system will be available at https://www.trade.gov/aluminum and will open for pre-registration on January 4, 2021.  Importers, brokers, and other license applicants will need to register for an account in order to create a license.  The Trade is advised to plan accordingly and obtain any licenses needed for entry in advance from the Commerce website.  The new aluminum license system will use the same platform as the steel licensing system (SIMA), so users with an existing steel license account do not need to create new accounts.

Commerce has published a final rule concerning the aluminum license.   This final rule details the new system, including license requirements and the platform for the license application, see https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/12/23/2020-28166/aluminum-import-monitoring-and-analysis-system