ITA Extends Steel Import Monitoring Through March 21, 2009 (Part II - Licensing Regulations)
The International Trade Administration (ITA) has issued an interim final rule to, among other things, modify and extend the Steel Import Monitoring and Analysis (SIMA) System through March 21, 2009. In addition, this interim final rule modifies the list of specific products subject to automatic steel import licensing.
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
If your job depends on informed compliance, you need International Trade Today. Delivered every business day and available any time online, only International Trade Today helps you stay current on the increasingly complex international trade regulatory environment.
This is Part II, the final part of a two-part series of summaries on this interim final rule. Part II focuses on certain continuing, revised and new regulatory text regarding SIMA user identification numbers, obtaining steel licenses, correcting existing licenses, multiple-use low-value licenses, etc.
ITA Interim Final Rule Details Process for Obtaining SIMA User ID, Licenses, Etc.
According to 19 CFR 360.101, the SIMA Web site, http://ia.ita.doc.gov/steel/license/, contains two sections related to import licensing - the online registration system and the automatic steel import license issuance system. Information gathered from these licenses will be aggregated and posted on the import monitoring section of the SIMA system Web site.
The ITA's interim final rule makes certain amendments and additions to the SIMA regulations at 19 CFR 360.101 through 360.108. The following are highlights of the continuing, revised, and new regulations with respect to accessing and obtaining licenses from SIMA (partial list):
Who can obtain a SIMA user identification number. 19 CFR 360.102(a)(1) provides that any importer, importing company, customs broker or importer's agent with a U.S. street address may register and obtain the user identification number necessary to log on to the automatic steel import license issuance system. In addition, foreign companies may obtain a user identification number if they have a U.S. address through which they may be reached. ITA sources note that for foreign companies, the address used must be a physical address as P.O. boxes will not be accepted.
Anyone with a SIMA user identification number may apply for steel import licenses. According to ITA sources, anyone who obtains the SIMA user identification number may be issued steel import licenses through the automatic steel import licensing system. According to 19 CFR 360.103(a) such licenses are issued automatically after the completion of a form.
Users may now correct license information themselves. 19 CFR 360.103(e) provides that users will need to correct licenses themselves if they determine that there was an error submitted. To access a previously issued license, a user must log on with his user identification code and identify the license number and the volume (in kilograms) for the first product shown on the license. The information on the license should match the information presented on the CF-7501 entry summary document as closely as possible; this includes the value and volume of the shipment, the expected date of importation, and the customs district of entry.
According to ITA sources, after identifying the license number and volume, the user can opt to change or cancel the license. If the user changes the license it will be able to print the corrected copy and will also receive an email confirmation. These sources state that the correction option is currently available for use on the SIMA Web site.
Multiple-use low value license available for certain steel imports. 19 CFR 360.103(f) provides one exception to the requirement for obtaining a unique license for each Customs entry: if the total value of the covered steel portion of the entry is less than $250, applicants may apply to ITA for a low-value license that can be used in lieu of a single entry license for low-value entries.
ITA sources explain that persons for whom this exception is applicable may request a low-value steel import license form. Once this form is completed and returned, the ITA will issue a multiple-use license that may be used for all entries meeting the above-detailed criteria. These sources state that such low-value licenses will remain valid for the duration of the steel monitoring program.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 09/02/04 news, 04090220, for BP summary of the ITA's advance notice of proposed rule making on the extension of the SIMA system. See ITT's Online Archives or 03/15/05 news, 05031505, for Part I of BP's summary of this interim final rule.)
-written comments due by 5 p.m. EST May 10, 2005
ITA Contacts- Kelly Parkhill (202) 482-3791 (SIMA System)
William Franklin (202) 482-3277 (information collection questions)
SIMA system Web site: http://ia.ita.doc.gov/steel/license/
ITA fact sheet on interim final rule (dated 03/11/05) available at http://ia.ita.doc.gov/download/factsheets/factsheet-sima-int-final-rule-030805.pdf
ITA interim final rule (D/N 040305083-5052-02, FR Pub 03/11/05) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-4971.pdf