On October 15, 2026, the National Foreign Trade Information Service (SNICE) published Bulletin B.SNICE 003/2026, through which the Ministry of Economy clarified the criteria applicable to the documentation required to process Automatic Import Notices for Steel Products (AAIPS).
The clarification focuses on two matters: the acceptance of documents identified as Test Report or Mill Test Report, and the scope of the Responsibility Letter to address certain formal inconsistencies in Mill Certificates or Quality Certificates.
What did the Secretary of Economy clarify?
The name of the document does not, by itself, determine whether it constitutes a Mill Certificate or a Quality Certificate. Its assessment must consider its nature, content, issuer, and compliance with the requirements established under the applicable regulations.
Therefore, a Test Report, Mill Test Report, or another document with a similar name may be considered as part of an AAIPS application when, based on a comprehensive review, it is determined that the document corresponds to the certificate required for the goods and complies with the applicable provisions.
Key highlights
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Topic
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Relevance for companies
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Document name
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Test Report, Mill Test Report, or other documents with similar names may be considered if they correspond to the required certificate and comply with the applicable regulations.
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Responsibility Letter
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It is mandatory for AAIPS applications and may remedy inconsistencies involving a handwritten signature, seal, or QR code only in the cases provided for under the applicable regulations.
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Documentary responsibility
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The Responsibility Letter does not replace the other requirements. Original documents must be retained and made available to the authority when requested.
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The bulletin is for guidance purposes: it does not establish automatic equivalencies among documents or modify the requirements currently applicable to obtaining AAIPS.
Immediate implications for companies
The clarification provides greater certainty for importers of steel products, while maintaining a case-by-case review of the documentation. The substance of the certificate and its compliance with the applicable requirements remain decisive, regardless of the name used by the mill or manufacturer.
To strengthen the preparation of AAIPS applications, we recommend:
- Review Test Reports, Mill Test Reports, or equivalent documents to confirm that they contain the information and characteristics required for the applicable Mill Certificate or Quality Certificate.
- Retain the original certificates, their documentary traceability, and evidence that they have not been modified, in order to address any potential request from the authority.
- Validate the use of the Responsibility Letter only in the permitted cases and confirm that the other conditions established in Rules 2.2.19 and 2.2.26, as well as Annex 2.2.1, continue to be met.
Conclusions
SNICE's criterion confirms that the name of the document is not the decisive factor for its acceptance in an AAIPS application. The review must focus on its content, issuer, and regulatory compliance. Likewise, the Responsibility Letter may remedy certain formal inconsistencies, but it does not replace the other applicable requirements.
Source: SNICE, Bulletin B.SNICE 003/2026, October 15, 2026.
J.A. DEL RÍO offers a wide array of specialized consulting services to assist you with these and other matters, in order to ensure that your project complies with the applicable characteristics contained in this agreement.
If you have any questions, J.A. DEL RÍO can provide you with our experts to advise in matters concerning compliance with your legal and tax obligations. Once again, please let us know if we may be of any further assistance to you at: contacto@jadelrio.com.
