Updates to Steel Import Licensing

Updates to the Steel Import Monitoring and Analysis System

Changes are coming to the process of applying for Steel Import Licenses.

This page will be updated with the latest information as changes begin rolling out to SIMA and the Steel Licensing system. Please refer to the tabs below for helpful resources such as highlights of the changes being made, instructional videos for the new system, samples of the new forms, and our FAQs.

For a complete list of details, please reference the final Federal Register Notice for SIMA on the Federal Register website.

We will have virtual demos of the new system. Please click the "Registering for a Demo" tab below for details.

The full list of changes can be found in the Federal Register Notice. Here are highlights of the changes:

A new modern platform and customer portal for applying for licenses;
Ease of use including: auto-population for certain fields;
All licenses will require importers to specify the country of 'melt and pour' for the crude steel;
'Low Value' licenses remain valid for shipments up to $5,000;
Users can upload 50 or more licenses at one time by themselves (subject to standard data checks);
Modernized, user-friendly features include ability for licensees to: 1) view, archive and retrieve all their licenses; 2) correct any license; and, 3) duplicate a license as a template;
A new search functionality allows users to access all licenses they have submitted, archived, or cancelled and filter them by status, date;
Field validation that highlights uncommon selections or potential errors that could prompt further review;
More options for users to make their own changes to their account, such as for changing a password;
An interactive Steel Import Monitor that allows users to export data for their own use in monitoring early import trends and identifying potential circumvention or transshipment.

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We have created tutorial videos to help users become familiar with the new SIMA License Application and the new SIMA Monitor. These videos are available below.

We will soon be releasing a video tutorial on how to use the new SIMA Monitor. It will be listed here when it becomes available.

We have prepared a schedule of upcoming virtual demos. New demos may be announced here as they become available. Here are the types of virtual demos we have planned, and the dates on which you can attend them:

Getting Started with the SIMA License System

~~Monday, September 28th, 2020 @ 11:00 AM EST~~ Registration for Demo 1 is now full. To address this demand, we have added a 4th demo on October 13th.
Monday, September 28th, 2020 @ 2:00 PM EST
Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 @ 2:00 PM EST
Tuesday, October 13th, 2020 @ 2:00 PM EST

Click here or e-mail steel.license@trade.gov to register for a SIMA License System demo and specify the number for the virtual demo you would like to attend (e.g. 2, 3, 4). Each demo will cover the same material.

Analyzing Steel Data with the SIMA Monitor

Thursday, October 1st, 2020 @ 11:00 AM EST
Wednesday, October 7th, 2020 @ 2:30 PM EST

Click here or e-mail steel.license@trade.gov to register for a SIMA Monitor demo and specify the number for the virtual demo you would like to attend (e.g. 1, 2, 3). Each demo will cover the same material.

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To view a sample of the new Steel Import License form, please click here.

To view a sample of the new Low-Value License form, please click here.

To assist with filling out the new form, we have created a list of definitions of each field in the license form, available below.

Company and Shipment Information

Applicant Company: Name of company responsible for shipment (This should be the company of the registered user).

Customs Entry Number: Input if known at time of application. This number is optional.

License Number: Generated by the Licensing System upon submission.

Contact Name: Name of applicant.

Address of Applicant: Applicant’s business address. Must be the U.S. street address used when registering in the licensing system. A PO Box address is not acceptable.

Contact Phone: Contact telephone number of the registered user.

Contact Fax: Contact fax number of the registered user.

Contact Email: E-mail address of the registered user (same as User ID/Username).

Importer Name: Name of Importer of Record.

Exporter Name: Name of Exporter.

Manufacturer Name: Name of manufacturer(s) of the product(s) or shipper(s). May list multiple manufacturers or as unknown.

Country of Origin: Country in which the product(s) were manufactured. Please spell out country name (no abbreviations).

Country of Exportation: Country from which the product(s) were exported. Please spell out country name (no abbreviations).

Expected Port of Entry: Expected port of entry. Please write city and state.

Expected Date of Export: Date product(s) expected to be shipped from the country of exportation. Must be in mm/dd/yyyy format.

Expected Date of Import: Date product(s) expected to enter the United States. Must be in mm/dd/yyyy format. Date should be as accurate as possible.

Date of Application: Date application for the License was made. License may be filed up to sixty days prior to the expected date of importation, and until the date of filing of the Customs Entry Summary documentation (CF-7501). Date is automatically generated upon submission.

Date License Valid From: License will be valid for seventy-five days from the date of application. This date is automatically generated upon submission.

Date License Valid Through: Date License will expire. Date is automatically generated upon submission.

Product Information for Each Product*

HTS Number: Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) number that most closely describes the product to be imported. This should match the HTS used on the CF-7501.

Country of Melt & Pour: Country where Steel was originally melted; Please spell out Country name (no abbreviations).

Country of Melt & Pour refers to the original location where the raw steel is (1) first produced in a steel-making furnace in a liquid state and then (2) poured into its first solid shape. The first solid state can take the form of either a semi-finished product (slab, billets or ingots) or a finished steel mill product. The location of melt and pour is customarily identified on mill test certificates that are commonplace in steel production, generated at each stage of the production process, and maintained in the ordinary course of business. This reporting requirement will not apply to raw materials used in the steel manufacturing process (i.e., steel scrap; iron ore; pig iron; reduced, processed, or pelletized iron ore; or raw alloys).

Product Description: Description of the product taken from the HTS list.

Product Category: Category assigned to the product based on the Product HTS. This is automatically generated upon submission.

Volume (Kilograms): The weight of the product in kilograms at time of entry (net weight).

Unit: The unit of measurement must be listed in kilograms.

Customs Value (U.S.$): Entered value of this product in U.S. dollars; not invoiced value (It should not include duty, brokerage fees, or freight).

*Information is required for each product included in this license application.

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The following eight (8) new HTS codes will require a Steel Import License:

7228706000 - Angles, shapes, and sections of other alloy steel, not stainless.
7222406000 - Angles, shapes, and sections, other, of stainless steel
7217901000 - Wire of iron or nonalloy steel coated with plastic
7302101065 - Used railway rails for rerolling
7302101075 - Used railway rails for rerolling, other
7302105040 - Used railway rails for rerolling, of alloy steel
7302105060 - Used railway rails for rerolling, of alloy steel, other
7302909000 - Railway or tramway track construction material of iron or steel

To see the full list of products requiring licenses, please refer to the new table of HTS codes.

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We have created a list of FAQs for your convenience. Click this link to view the FAQs.

You can also view the following Quick Reference Guides for more information on SIMA:

Quick Reference Guide - SIMA License Application

Quick Reference Guide - SIMA Monitor

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Industry Monitoring and Analysis

Email: steel.license@trade.gov

Phone: (202) 482-2105

*Please reach out via e-mail for the fastest response to your inquiry.*

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Highlight

An e-mail notice has been sent to all user accounts of the existing SIMA licensing application. To view a copy of this notice, please click here.
The Department of Commerce has issued a press release regarding the changes to SIMA. To view this press release, please click here.