Steel

The original U.S. steel licensing program was established on 31 December 2002, as part of the section 201 safeguard action on certain steel products. On 11 March 2005, the Department of Commerce issued an interim final rule continuing the program for four years under new statutory authority unrelated to the safeguard action. The Department also modified the product coverage of the program, removing certain previously covered downstream products from the licensing requirements. On 5 December 2005, the Department published a final rule that made final an interim final rule that expanded and extended the Steel Import Monitoring and Analysis (SIMA) system until 21 March 2009. Although there were no changes from the interim final rule, this document provides details about the current SIMA system as detailed in the final rule. On 18 March 2009, following publication of a preliminary rule (73 FR 75624) and final rule (74 FR 11474), the authority to continue the licensing system was extended until 21 March 2013. No other changes were made. On 15 February 2013, the authority was extended until 21 March 2017, similarly following publication of a preliminary (77 FR 67593) and final rule (78 FR 11090) (G/LIC/N/1/USA/6/Add.2 and G/LIC/N/1/USA/6/Add.2/Corr.1). On 5 January 2017, the authority was extended until 21 March 2022, following publication of a preliminary (81 FR 70650) and final rule (82 FR 1183) (G/LIC/N/3/USA/13, 8 November 2016). No other changes were made. On 11 September 2021, a final rule (85 FR 56162) was published, extending the SIMA licensing program indefinitely; expanding the SIMA licensing requirements to include products falling under eight additional steel product HTS codes; requiring all steel import license applicants 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); and codifying eligibility for use of the low-value license for certain steel entries up to $5,000. No other changes were made.

The steel import licensing program covers all basic steel mill products. Certain downstream steel products previously covered by the system, pipe fittings and flanges, have been removed from the system and the licensing requirements. In total there are over 700 products covered, each identified by HTS number; the full list is available on Steel Products by HTS Codes (https://www.trade.gov/steel-products-hts-codes). (Please note there were official U.S. harmonized tariff system code changes in January 2006, January 2007, February 2007, July 2007, January 2008, July 2008, January 2009, July 2009, January 2010, July 2010, January 2011, July 2011; January and July 2012; January and July 2013; January 2014; January 2017; March 2018, and July 2021).

This licensing is not intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports. It is designed to provide fast and reliable statistical information on steel imports to both the government and the public.

Not applicable.

The steel licensing system applies to goods originating in and coming from all countries.

Indefinite