Import registration a must for aluminium, copper products

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has made import registration mandatory for 46 copper and 43 aluminium items under the non-ferrous metal import monitoring system. Now, importers would have to submit advance information in an online system for importing these products and get an automatic registration number by paying a specified fee. This has been done to discourage inbound shipments of such goods and give a fillip to their local manufacturing.

The importer has to apply for registration not earlier than 60th day and not later than 5th day before the expected date of arrival of import consignment. The system will be effective from April 12 this year while online registration will begin from April 5. The copper products for which the registration is compulsory include blister copper, refined copper, copper bars, certain copper rod, copper alloys and sanitary ware. Similarly, the aluminium products include ingots, wire rods, aluminium scrap, aluminium powder for thermite process, certain aluminium tubes and pipes. Some time back, the ministry had released a similar mandate for imports of several iron and steel goods and coal.