Issue 382, January 8, 2003
On Dec 31st, the Import Administration of the International Trade Administration (Department of Commerce) issued new regulations implementing the Steel Import Licensing and Surge Monitoring Program.

This new rule, effective February 1, 2003, requires all importers of steel products covered under the steel safeguards proclamation (Section 201) to obtain a license from the Department of Commerce prior to completing their Customs import summary documentation. In order to obtain the license, the importer, or the importer's broker or agent, must fill out a form supplying certain statistical information to Commerce about the steel import. An import license number will then be generated immediately upon submitting the information. That license number will be needed to complete the Customs entry documentation.

Filers will be able to obtain their user identification numbers and apply for licenses on or after January 6th. Effective February 1st, entries containing steel products listed under the Sec 201 MUST have an import license number assigned and declared on the entry summary. Customs has previously stated they will not accept an entry summary without the required import license. Filing a subject entry without the required license may result in late filing or failure to file penalties.

User ID numbers and the licenses are obtained via the web at www.ia.ita.doc.gov/steel/license. This website also provides additional information regarding the license program, including a list of the products subject to the license requirement.

NOTE: All steel products listed in the Sec 201 (except low value shipments eligible for informal entry), INCLUDING those products subject to country exemptions or product exclusions, will require a steel import license. This includes products of Canada and Mexico.

Our contributing writer, Paul Vroman, Technical Advisor, can be reached at our Danzas AEI Intercontinental office in Port Huron, Michigan via email at paul.vroman@dhl.com or at (810) 987-0557.

Please note that due to the complex nature of the subject matter, DHL Danzas Air & Ocean cannot be responsible for actions taken by the reader in reliance on the information contained herein without prior consultation with DHL Danzas Air & Ocean.