International, Legislation & Regulations

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Indonesia pushes back scrap exporter registration deadline

The Washington-based Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) says it has learned that Indonesia has postponed the implementation date for its registration process for companies that export scrap to that nation from Oct. 1 of this year to Jan. 1, 2021.

An Oct. 15 notice from ISRI to its members says the process “has not been without complications” and indicates the association has “sent several letters to Indonesian government officials requesting that this process be delayed” while changes or improvements can be undertaken.

ISRI states, “We appreciate that the government has taken this decision, as it will allow scrap to continue to be traded while a more efficient—and thus, useful—system is implemented.”

ISRI says it has obtained a letter from Switzerland-based Cotecna Inspection SA that states in part that recycling companies could confront delays in booking inspections for Indonesia-bound scrap. The association adds that it recommends that members “adhere closely to all requirements for quality to ensure scrap trade continues without concerns.”

The Cotecna letter also indicates that any scrap shipments made before the new Jan. 1 deadline “must arrive at the port of destination in Indonesia no later than Feb. 28, 2021.”

In addition to considerable recovered fiber, Indonesia imported 53,700 metric tons of aluminum scrap from the U.S. through July, according to U.S. Census Bureau figures. In the first five months of the year, it imported 50,000 metric tons of ferrous scrap from the U.S.