Modification of Regulations Regarding the Steel Import Monitoring and Analysis System, 17515-17520 [2020-06213]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• International Trade Administration

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 61 (Monday, March 30, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17515-17520]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-06213]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

19 CFR Part 360

[Docket No. 200312-0078]
RIN 0625-AB17


Modification of Regulations Regarding the Steel Import Monitoring 
and Analysis System

AGENCY: Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, 
Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: On May 17, 2019, the United States announced joint 
understandings with Canada and Mexico, respectively, to eliminate 
tariffs imposed under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, 
as amended, on imports of steel and aluminum products from Canada and 
Mexico and to establish a process for monitoring such imports. 
Consistent with the joint understandings, and to enhance U.S. 
Government monitoring and analysis of steel imports more generally, the 
U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) publishes this proposed rule to 
enhance its existing Steel Import Monitoring and Analysis (SIMA) system 
to allow for the effective and timely monitoring of import surges of 
specific steel products which will aid in the prevention of 
transshipment of steel products. Specifically, Commerce proposes to 
modify its regulations to require import license applicants to identify 
the country where the steel used in the manufacture of the imported 
steel product was melted and poured, and to release this data on an 
aggregate basis, as appropriate; to harmonize the scope of SIMA's 
licensing requirement with the scope of steel products subject to 
Section 232 tariffs; to extend the SIMA system indefinitely by 
eliminating the regulatory provision concerning the duration of the 
SIMA system; and to expand eligibility for use of the low-value license 
for certain steel entries. Commerce will address the monitoring of 
aluminum imports in a separate rulemaking.

DATES: To be assured of consideration, written comments must be 
received no later than April 29, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at 
https://www.Regulations.gov, Docket No. ITA-2019-0008. Comments may also 
be submitted by mail or hand delivery/courier, addressed to Jeffrey I. 
Kessler, Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance, Room 1870, 
Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 
20230.
    Commerce will consider all comments received before the close of 
the comment period. All comments responding to this document will be a 
matter of public record and will generally be available on the Federal 
eRulemaking Portal at https://www.Regulations.gov. Commerce will not 
accept comments accompanied by a request that part or all of the 
material be treated confidentially because of its business proprietary 
nature or for any other reason. Therefore, do not submit confidential 
business information or otherwise sensitive or protected information.
    Any questions concerning the process for submitting comments should 
be submitted to Enforcement and Compliance (E&C) Communications office 
at (202) 482-0063 or [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Julie Al-Saadawi at (202) 482-1930, 
Brandon Custard (202) 482-1823, or Jessica Link at (202) 482-1411.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

The SIMA System

    The purpose of the SIMA system is to provide steel producers, steel 
consumers, importers, and the general public with accurate and timely 
information on anticipated imports of certain steel products into the 
United

[[Page 17516]]

States. Steel import licenses, issued through the online SIMA licensing 
system, are required by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for 
filing entry summary documentation for imports of certain steel mill 
products into the United States.\1\ Through the monitoring tool, 
certain import data collected from the licenses are aggregated weekly 
and reported on the publicly available SIMA system website, https://enforcement.trade.gov/steel/license/. This tool provides valuable data 
regarding certain steel mill imports into the United States as early as 
possible and makes such data available to the public approximately five 
weeks in advance of official U.S. import statistics compiled by the 
U.S. Census Bureau.
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    \1\ See 19 CFR 12.145.
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    The SIMA system has operated under its current authority since 
March 11, 2005. Prior to that date, authority for steel import 
licensing and monitoring was derived from Presidential Proclamation 
7529 of March 5, 2002 and accompanying memorandum.\2\ Pursuant to 
sections 201 and 203 of the 1974 Trade Act, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2251 
and 2253), Proclamation 7529 implemented safeguard measures with 
respect to certain imported steel products, placing temporary tariffs 
on these steel imports and requiring the Secretary of Commerce to 
establish a system of import licensing to facilitate the monitoring of 
these steel imports. Accordingly, on July 18, 2002, Commerce issued and 
requested public comment on a proposed rule to establish a steel 
licensing system requiring all importers of the covered steel products 
to obtain a license from Commerce prior to completing CBP entry summary 
documentation.\3\ This monitoring tool ensured that the effectiveness 
of the border measure was not undermined by large quantities of imports 
originating from countries that were excluded from the tariffs. On 
December 31, 2002, Commerce issued a final rule implementing the Steel 
Import Licensing and Surge Monitoring program, which was codified at 19 
CFR part 360.\4\
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    \2\ To Facilitate Positive Adjustment to Competition From 
Imports of Certain Steel Products, Proclamation No. 7529, 67 FR 
10553 (Mar. 7, 2002); Action Under Section 203 of the Trade Act of 
1974 Concerning Certain Steel Products, Memorandum of March 5, 2002, 
67 FR 10593 (Mar. 7, 2002).
    \3\ Steel Import Licensing and Surge Monitoring, Proposed Rule, 
67 FR 47338 (July 18, 2002).
    \4\ Steel Import Licensing and Surge Monitoring, Final Rule, 67 
FR 79845 (Dec. 31, 2002).
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    Subsequently, Presidential Proclamation 7741 of December 4, 2003 
terminated the steel safeguard measures, but directed the Secretary of 
Commerce to continue the monitoring system until the earlier of March 
21, 2005, or such time as the Secretary of Commerce established a 
replacement program.\5\ On December 9, 2003, Commerce published a 
notice stating that the system would continue in effect as described in 
Proclamation 7741 until March 21, 2005.\6\ On August 25, 2004, Commerce 
published an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking soliciting comments 
on whether to continue the SIMA system (formerly known as the Steel 
Import Licensing and Surge Monitoring System), beyond March 21, 2005 
and whether the system should be modified.\7\
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    \5\ To Provide for the Termination of Action Taken With Regard 
to Imports of Certain Steel Products, Proclamation No. 7741, 68 FR 
68483 (Dec. 8, 2003).
    \6\ Steel Import Licensing and Surge Monitoring, 68 FR 68594 
(Dec. 9, 2003).
    \7\ Steel Import Monitoring and Analysis System, Advanced Notice 
of Proposed Rulemaking, 69 FR 52211 (Aug. 25, 2004).
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    Commerce determined that there continued to be a need to collect 
import data, and published an interim final rule revising 19 CFR part 
360 to extend the SIMA system for four years under the authority of the 
Census Act of 1930, as amended (13 U.S.C. 301(a) and 302), and expand 
the coverage of the system to include all basic steel mill products, 
while also removing certain downstream steel products.\8\ Commerce also 
provided an exception to the requirement for obtaining a unique license 
for each CBP entry where the total value of the covered steel portion 
of an entry was less than $250 (i.e., the low-value license).\9\ 
Commerce explained that the purpose of the SIMA system is to provide 
statistical data on steel imports entering the United States seven 
weeks earlier than is otherwise publicly available, and that the data 
collected on the licenses are made available to the public in an 
aggregated form weekly after Commerce review.\10\
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    \8\ Steel Import Monitoring and Analysis System, Interim Final 
Rule, 70 FR 12133 (Mar. 11, 2005).
    \9\ Id.
    \10\ Id.
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    On December 5, 2005, Commerce published a final rule that did not 
make any changes to the interim final rule.\11\ However, in light of 
certain comments, Commerce agreed to a discrete change to the SIMA 
system via its website that did not require regulatory changes.\12\
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    \11\ Steel Import Monitoring and Analysis System, Final Rule, 70 
FR 72373 (Dec. 5, 2005).
    \12\ Id.
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    The SIMA system was subsequently extended several times through the 
rulemaking process, with the most recent extension of the SIMA system 
continuing until March 21, 2022.\13\ Therefore, unless further 
extended, the SIMA system is set to expire on March 21, 2022.\14\
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    \13\ See Steel Import Monitoring and Analysis System, Final 
Rule, 74 FR 11474 (Mar. 18, 2009) (extending the SIMA system to 
March 21, 2013); Steel Import Monitoring and Analysis System, Final 
Rule, 78 FR 11090 (Feb. 15, 2013) (extending the SIMA system to 
March 21, 2017); and Steel Import Monitoring and Analysis System, 
Final Rule, 82 FR 1183 (Jan. 5, 2017) (extending the SIMA system to 
March 21, 2022).
    \14\ See 19 CFR 360.105.
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Section 232 Tariffs on Steel Imports

    Presidential Proclamation 9705 of March 8, 2018, which was issued 
pursuant to Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended, 
adjusted imports of steel articles by imposing a 25 percent ad valorem 
tariff on certain steel articles imported from most countries, to 
address the threatened impairment to the national security of the 
United States by such imports from those countries.\15\ Presidential 
Proclamation 9711 of March 22, 2018 amended certain aspects of 
Presidential Proclamation 9705, providing for duty exemptions for 
certain countries, including Canada and Mexico, which were to expire on 
May 1, 2018 unless agreement was reached with respect to a satisfactory 
alternative means to address the threatened impairment to the national 
security of the United States by steel imports from those 
countries.\16\ Presidential Proclamation 9740 of April 30, 2018 further 
amended certain aspects of the prior proclamations, continuing the duty 
exemptions for certain countries, including Canada and Mexico, until 
June 1, 2018.\17\ Presidential Proclamation 9759 of May 31, 2018 
further amended certain aspects of the prior proclamations, continuing 
the duty exemptions for certain countries, which did not include Canada 
and Mexico, on a long-term basis.\18\ Presidential Proclamation 9772 of 
August 10, 2018, Presidential Proclamation 9777 of August 29, 2018, and 
Presidential Proclamation 9886 of May 16, 2019 further amended certain 
aspects of prior proclamations.\19\
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    \15\ Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United States, 
Proclamation No. 9705, 83 FR 11625 (Mar. 15, 2018).
    \16\ Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United States, 
Proclamation No. 9711, 83 FR 13361 (Mar. 28, 2018).
    \17\ Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United States, 
Proclamation No. 9740, 83 FR 20683 (May 7, 2018).
    \18\ Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United States, 
Proclamation No. 9759, 83 FR 25857 (June 5, 2018).
    \19\ Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United States, 
Proclamation No. 9772, 83 FR 40429 (Aug. 15, 2018); Adjusting 
Imports of Steel Into the United States, Proclamation No. 9777, 83 
FR 45025 (Sept. 4, 2018); Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United 
States, Proclamation No. 9886, 84 FR 23421 (May 21, 2019).

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[[Page 17517]]

    As a result of the aforementioned proclamations, effective June 1, 
2018, all steel imports from Canada and Mexico were subject to Section 
232 tariffs. However, Presidential Proclamation 9705 provided that any 
country with which the United States has a security relationship is 
welcome to discuss alternative ways to address the threatened 
impairment of the national security caused by imports of steel articles 
from that country. Subsequently, on May 17, 2019, the United States 
announced that such discussions had yielded joint understandings with 
Canada and Mexico, respectively, to remove the Section 232 tariffs for 
steel imports from those countries.\20\ As part of the joint 
understandings, the United States and Canada, and the United States and 
Mexico, agreed to implement effective measures to prevent the 
transshipment of steel products made outside of the United States, 
Canada, and Mexico, among other commitments. Additionally, the joint 
understandings allow for the countries to establish an agreed-upon 
process for monitoring steel trade between them, and, further, in 
monitoring for surges, to treat products made with steel that is melted 
and poured in North America separately from products that are not. In 
light of the joint understandings, Presidential Proclamation 9894 of 
May 19, 2019 provided that a satisfactory alternative means had been 
agreed upon and, effective May 21, 2019, steel imports from Canada and 
Mexico would no longer be subject to Section 232 tariffs.\21\
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    \20\ See Joint Statement by the United States and Canada on 
Section 232 Duties on Steel and Aluminum, dated May 17, 2019, 
available at https://ustr.gov/sites/default/files/Joint_Statement_by_the_United_States_and_Canada.pdf; Joint Statement 
by the United States and Mexico on Section 232 Duties on Steel and 
Aluminum, dated May 17, 2019, available at https://ustr.gov/sites/default/files/Joint_Statement_by_the_United_States_and_Mexico.pdf.
    \21\ Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United States, 
Proclamation No. 9894, 84 FR 23987 (May 23, 2019).
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Explanation of Proposed Rule

    Commerce proposes to amend the SIMA system as follows.
    First, as discussed above, the joint understandings provide that, 
in monitoring for surges of steel imports, the United States, Canada, 
and Mexico may treat products made with steel that is melted and poured 
in North America separately from products that are not. As discussed 
further above, the SIMA system is a critical trade monitoring program 
which collects timely detailed statistics on anticipated steel imports 
and provides stakeholders with information about import trends in this 
sector in advance of official U.S. import statistics. Under the system, 
importers of certain steel mill products must apply for a steel import 
license through the online SIMA licensing system, which requires the 
name and address of the importer, type of steel product, and country of 
origin of the steel imports, along with additional information. This 
information is detailed at 19 CFR 360.103(c). These licenses are 
required by CBP for filing entry summary documentation for imports of 
certain steel mill products into the United States. The SIMA system 
currently does not collect information with regard to the country where 
the steel used in the manufacture of the imported steel product was 
melted and poured. Therefore, consistent with the joint understandings, 
and to enhance U.S. Government monitoring and analysis of steel imports 
more generally, Commerce proposes to amend the SIMA system to require 
identification of the country where the steel is melted and poured as 
an additional requirement to obtaining an import license. Commerce 
proposes to effectuate these changes by amending 19 CFR 360.103(c) as 
well as the SIMA import license form.
    Additionally, as discussed above, pursuant to 19 CFR 360.104 
certain aggregate information obtained from the steel licenses are 
reported on the SIMA system website on a monthly basis, which are 
refreshed each week. Commerce proposes to make minor amendments to 19 
CFR 360.104(a) to align more closely with Commerce's practice of 
replacing outdated license data with official U.S. import statistics 
compiled by the U.S. Census Bureau, where available, as well as to 
clarify that certain import data are reported by general steel mill 
``product groups'' (i.e., flat, long, pipe and tube, semi-finished, and 
stainless steel products), which are further broken down by specific 
steel mill ``product categories'' (currently reflecting 52 types of 
steel products).
    Moreover, consistent with the joint understandings, Commerce also 
proposes to amend 19 CFR 360.104(a) to identify that Commerce will 
report aggregate data obtained from the steel licenses on a monthly 
basis by country of origin, steel mill product group, and the country 
where the steel used in the manufacture of the imported product is 
melted and poured. In reporting such aggregate data, Commerce will 
include import quantity (metric tons), import CBP value (U.S. $), and 
average unit value ($/metric ton). We find that this level of detail 
offers the greatest level of data dissemination to the public that does 
not contribute to an increased risk of inadvertent disclosure of 
proprietary data. Commerce is not otherwise altering 19 CFR 360.104(a). 
Consistent with the current regulatory provision, the provision of 
aggregate data may be revisited over concerns regarding the possible 
release of proprietary data.
    Second, Commerce also proposes to expand the scope of steel 
products covered by the SIMA system so that it covers all steel 
products subject to Section 232 tariffs (see Appendix I of this 
document for a list of these additional products). This will allow for 
more consistent and complete monitoring for surges and 
transshipment.\22\ Commerce proposes to amend 19 CFR 360.101(a) to 
indicate that the products covered by the SIMA system will be listed on 
the SIMA website and identified by HTS codes. The HTS codes, which are 
maintained by the U.S. International Trade Commission, may be updated 
periodically to reflect revisions to the codes.
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    \22\ A list of the products currently covered by the SIMA system 
by Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes can be obtained on the 
SIMA system website, https://enforcement.trade.gov/steel/license/SMP_byHTS.pdf.
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    Third, Commerce proposes to extend the SIMA system indefinitely by 
eliminating the regulatory provision, 19 CFR 360.105, which makes the 
SIMA system temporary. In the past, Commerce has considered whether to 
extend the SIMA system every four years, which is done under the 
authority of the Census Act of 1930, as amended (13 U.S.C. 301(a) and 
302).\23\ Although the SIMA system is not set to expire until March 21, 
2022, Commerce proposes to extend the system indefinitely given that 
the program is a well-established and important trade monitoring tool 
that has strong support from the trade community over its near-twenty 
year history.\24\ Therefore, Commerce proposes to eliminate 19 CFR 
360.105 as indicated below, and make

[[Page 17518]]

conforming amendments to 19 CFR 360.104(a).
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    \23\ See, e.g., Steel Import Monitoring and Analysis System, 
Interim Final Rule, 70 FR 12133, 12134 (``The Department believes 
that the SIMA system is a critical trade monitoring program and is 
extending it for another four years under the authority of the 
Census Act of 1930.'') (Mar. 11, 2005); Steel Import Monitoring and 
Analysis System, Final Rule, 74 FR 11474 (Mar. 18, 2009) (extending 
the SIMA system to March 21, 2013); Steel Import Monitoring and 
Analysis System, Final Rule, 78 FR 11090 (Feb. 15, 2013) (extending 
the SIMA system to March 21, 2017); and Steel Import Monitoring and 
Analysis System, Final Rule, 82 FR 1183 (Jan. 5, 2017) (extending 
the SIMA system to March 21, 2022).
    \24\ See Steel Import Monitoring and Analysis System, Final 
Rule, 78 FR at 11091; Steel Import Monitoring and Analysis System, 
Final Rule, 82 FR at 1184.
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    Fourth, Commerce proposes to amend 19 CFR 360.103(f) to expand 
eligibility for use of the low-value license for certain steel entries 
from a $250 value to a $5,000 value to align with current practice. The 
low-value license is an optional multiple-use license that allows a 
company to apply once for a steel import license and use it on multiple 
occasions for entries of covered steel products with a limited customs 
value. A re-usable low-value license number can be obtained with 
respect to an entry for which the portion covered by the steel 
licensing requirement is less than the limited amount and may be used 
by those companies listed on the license. The low-value license is 
processed on the SIMA website in the same manner as a typical steel 
license. Commerce's low-value license application form provides that 
such a license may apply to covered steel products with a value of 
$5,000 or less per entry. Accordingly, Commerce proposes to make 
conforming edits to 19 CFR 360.103(f) to reflect this requirement.

Classifications

Executive Order 12866

    The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has determined that this 
proposed rule is significant for purposes of Executive Order 12866.

Executive Order 13771

    This proposed rule is not expected to be subject to the 
requirements of Executive Order 13771 because this proposed rule is 
expected to result in no more than de minimis costs.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This proposed rule contains collection of information requirements 
subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35 (PRA). 
Prior to this proposed rule, the existing collection of information 
requirements under the SIMA system and related license form have been 
approved by OMB (Control No.: 0625-0245; Expiration Date: 01/31/2021). 
Public reporting for this existing collection of information is 
estimated to be less than 10 minutes per response, including the time 
for reviewing instructions, and completing and reviewing the collection 
of information.
    As described above, there are two revisions in this proposed rule 
which will have an impact on the public reporting for this collection 
of information. First, in addition to existing data fields on the 
license form (i.e., the name and address of the importer, type of steel 
product, country of origin of the steel imports, along with additional 
information), license applicants will need to identify the country 
where steel is melted and poured. Commerce does not anticipate any 
additional burden on the public because of the extra data field. This 
is based on the assumption that the importer will have access to 
fulsome information about the product being imported, including the 
mill test certification (which would indicate country of melt and 
pour). Because the mill test certification is not currently required by 
CBP for entry purposes or required by Commerce for antidumping and 
countervailing duty purposes, Commerce cannot guarantee each importer 
would have a copy of the mill test certification. However, Commerce 
expects that the mill test certification would be included with the 
standard sales documentation for steel mill imports and therefore would 
be readily available to the importer.
    Second, the licensing requirement will be expanded to apply to all 
steel products, including 8 additional HTS categories in addition to 
the approximately 780 HTS categories currently covered by the SIMA 
system. We estimate conservatively that this will generate a public 
burden of approximately 317 hours per year. This is based on the fact 
that in 2018, the number of unique entry summaries for the 8 HTS 
categories was less than 1900, and it takes less than 10 minutes to 
fill out a license application.
    The regulatory text change to expand eligibility for use of the 
low-value license for certain steel entries from a $250 value to a 
$5,000 value will not have an impact on the public reporting for this 
collection of information. Commerce has already included its current 
practice of the expanded eligibility in its prior PRA estimates.
    Therefore, the Paperwork Reduction Act Data for the existing 
collection of information requirements is unchanged in this proposed 
rule.
    Paperwork Reduction Act Data:
    OMB Control Number: 0625-0245.
    ITA Number: ITA-4141P.
    Type of Review: Regular Submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Estimated Number of Registered Users: 3,500 for regular licenses, 
including 250 for low-value licenses.
    Estimated Time per Response: Less than 10 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 93,195 hours, including 21 
hours burden for low-value licenses.
    Estimated Total Annual Costs: $0.00.
    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required 
to respond to nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to 
comply with a collection of information subject to the
    requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection 
of information displays a current valid OMB Control Number.
    Request for Comments: Comments are invited on (a) Whether the 
proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper 
performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the 
information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the 
agency's estimate of the burden (including hours and costs) of the 
proposed collection information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways 
to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, 
including through the use of automated collection techniques or forms 
of information technology.
    Submit comments as instructed in the ADDRESSES section above; or to 
OMB by email to [email protected], or by fax to 202-395-5806. 
All comments on the proposed revisions to the information collection 
requirements will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB 
approval of this information collection; they also will become a matter 
of public record.

Executive Order 13132

    This proposed rule does not contain policies with federalism 
implications as that term is defined in section 1(a) of Executive Order 
13132, dated August 4, 1999 (64 FR 43255 (August 10, 1999)).

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Chief Counsel for Regulation has certified to the Chief Counsel 
for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration under the provisions 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 605(b), that the proposed 
rule if adopted, would not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities as that term is defined in the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq (RFA). A summary of the 
factual basis for this certification is below.
    This proposed rule will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities. This rule, if implemented, would: 
(1) Require import license applicants to additionally identify the 
country where steel used in the manufacture of the imported steel 
product was melted and poured; (2) harmonize the scope of SIMA's 
licensing requirement with the

[[Page 17519]]

scope of steel products subject to Section 232 tariffs; (3) 
indefinitely extend the SIMA system; and (4) to modify the regulations 
regarding low value licenses to align with our current practice. The 
entities that would be impacted by this rule are importers and 
brokerage companies that import steel mill products. These entities are 
already required to provide information, including the name and address 
of the importer, type of steel product, and country of origin of the 
steel imports, along with additional information, to obtain steel 
import licenses through the online SIMA licensing system for filing 
entry summary documentation required by CBP for U.S. imports of steel 
mill products. Based on statistics derived from current license 
applications, of the approximately 562,857 licenses issued each year, 
Commerce estimates that less than two percent of the license 
applications would be filed by importers and brokerage companies 
considered to be small entities.
    Based on the current usage of the SIMA system, Commerce does not 
anticipate that these four changes to the SIMA system required under 
this proposed rule will have a significant economic impact. Companies 
are already familiar with the licensing of certain steel products under 
the current system. In most cases, brokerage companies will apply for 
the license on behalf of the steel importers. Most brokerage companies 
that are currently involved in filing documentation for importing goods 
into the United States are accustomed to CBP's automated entry filing 
systems. Today, CBP filings are handled electronically. Therefore, the 
proposed modifications to the license application should not be a 
significant obstacle to any firm. Should an importer or brokerage 
company need to register for an account or apply for a license non-
electronically, a fax/phone option is available at Commerce during 
regular business hours. There is no cost to register for a company-
specific steel license account and no cost to file for the license. 
Each license form is expected to take less than 10 minutes to complete 
and collects much of the same information required on the CBP entry 
summary documentation. The steel import license is the only additional 
U.S. entry requirement that the importers or their representatives must 
fulfill in order to import each covered steel product shipment under 19 
CFR part 360.
    Commerce does not charge fees for licenses. Commerce estimates that 
the likely aggregate license costs incurred by small entities in terms 
of the time to apply for licenses as a result of this proposed rule 
would be less than two percent, or an estimated $37,523.00, of the 
estimated total $1,876,190 cost to all steel importers to process the 
on-line automatic licenses. These calculations are based on an hourly 
pay rate of $20.00 multiplied by the estimated 93,195 total annual 
burden hours. The vast majority of licenses are for large companies. 
The average cost of a single license is less than $3.33 based on the 
estimate that one license requires less than 10 minutes of the filer's 
time.
    Therefore, the proposed rule would not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small business entities. For this 
reason, an Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis is not required and 
one has not been prepared.

List of Subjects in 19 CFR Part 360

    Administrative Practice and Procedure, Business and Industry, 
Imports, Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements, Steel.

    Dated: March 19, 2020.
Jeffrey I. Kessler,
Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance.

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, the Department of Commerce 
proposes to amend 19 CFR part 360 as follows:

PART 360--STEEL IMPORT MONITORING AND ANALYSIS SYSTEM

0
1. The authority citation for 19 CFR part 360 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 13 U.S.C. 301(a) and 302.

0
2. Amend Sec.  360.101 by revising paragraph (a)(1) to read as follows:


Sec.  360.101  Steel import licensing.

    (a) * * *
    (1) All imports of basic steel mill products are subject to the 
import licensing requirements. These products are listed on the Steel 
Import Monitoring and Analysis (SIMA) system website (https://enforcement.trade.gov/steel/license/). Registered users will 
be able to obtain steel import licenses on the SIMA System website. 
This website 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 website.
* * * * *
0
3. Amend Sec.  360.103 by revising paragraphs (c)(1) and (f) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  360.103  Automatic issuance of import licenses.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (1) The following information is required to be reported in order 
to obtain an import license (if using the automatic licensing system, 
some of this information will be provided automatically from 
information submitted as part of the registration process):
    (i) Filer company name and address;
    (ii) Filer contact name, phone number, fax number and email 
address;
    (iii) Entry type (i.e., Consumption, FTZ);
    (iv) Importer name;
    (v) Exporter name;
    (vi) Manufacturer name (filer may state ``unknown'');
    (vii) Country of origin;
    (viii) Country of exportation;
    (ix) Expected date of export;
    (x) Expected date of import;
    (xi) Expected port of entry;
    (xii) Current HTS number (from Chapters 72 or 73);
    (xiii) Country where the steel used in the manufacture of the 
product was melted and poured;
    (xiv) Quantity (in kilograms) and
    (xv) Customs value (U.S. $).
* * * * *
    (f) Low-value licenses. There is one exception to the requirement 
for obtaining a unique license for each Customs entry. If the total 
value of the covered steel portion of an entry is less than $5,000, 
applicants may apply to Commerce for a low-value license that can be 
used in lieu of a single entry license for low-value entries.
0
4. Amend Sec.  360.104 by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:


Sec.  360.104  Steel import monitoring.

    (a) Commerce will maintain an import monitoring system on the SIMA 
system website that will report certain aggregate information on 
imports of steel mill products obtained from the steel licenses and, 
where available, from the U.S. Census Bureau. Aggregate data will be 
reported on a monthly basis by country of origin and steel mill product 
category under certain steel mill product groups (i.e., flat, long, 
pipe and tube, semi-finished, and stainless steel products) and will 
include import quantity (metric tons), import Customs value (U.S. $), 
and average unit value ($/metric ton). The website will also contain 
certain aggregate data at the 6-digit Harmonized Tariff Schedule level 
and will also present a range of historical data for comparison 
purposes. Additionally, aggregate license data will be reported on a 
monthly basis by

[[Page 17520]]

country of origin, steel mill product group, and the country where the 
steel used in the manufacture of the product was melted and poured and 
will include import quantity (metric tons), import Customs value (U.S. 
$), and average unit value ($/metric ton). Provision of this aggregate 
data on the website may be revisited should concerns arise over the 
possible release of proprietary data.
* * * * *


Sec.  360.105  [Removed and Reserved]

0
5. Section 360.105 is removed and reserved.

    Note:  The following appendix will not appear in the Code of 
Federal Regulations.


Appendix I--List of Additional Products To Be Covered by the SIMA System
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              HTS code                         HTS description
------------------------------------------------------------------------
7217901000.........................  Wire Iron or Nonalloy Steel, Coated
                                      With Plastics.
7222406000.........................  Angles, Shapes and Sections
                                      Stainless Steel; Others.
7228706000.........................  Angles, Shapes and Sections Alloy
                                      Steel Not Stainless Other Than Hot-
                                      Rolled.
7302101065.........................  Used Railway Rails, Iron or
                                      Nonalloy Steel, for Rerolling, Not
                                      Scrap.
7302101075.........................  Rails, Used, of Iron or Nonalloy
                                      Steel, Not Railway Rails for
                                      Rerolling, Not Scrap.
7302105040.........................  Railway Rails for Rerolling, of
                                      Alloy Steel, Used.
7302105060.........................  Rails of Alloy Steel, Used, Other
                                      Than Railway Rails for Rerolling.
7302909000.........................  Other Railway or Tramway Track
                                      Construction Material of Iron Or
                                      Steel Others.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[FR Doc. 2020-06213 Filed 3-27-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P