AAI Calls For Hike in Import Duty on Aluminum Metal and Scrap

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster):  The Aluminum Association of India (AAI), in a letter to the Prime Minister, reiterated its earlier demand for hike in customs duty of aluminium metal and scrap.

The Association challenged the argument made by Aluminium Secondary Manufacturers Association (ASMA) that duty hike would be a serious blow to over 3,500 small-scale industries involved in aluminium manufacturing sector. A recent advertisement by ASMA had alleged that AAI’s demand for duty hike is at the behest of two giant private aluminium manufacturers in the country.

AAI noted that it is the legitimate voice of the industry. It alleged that the advertisement issued by ASMA contains factual errors and misrepresentation of data. Such malicious attempts by associations which do not represent the entire aluminium industry in the country will undermine long-term objectives of the industry for short term gains, AAI said.

AAI highlighted that India has become a primary destination of world's aluminum and scrap. The import restrictions coupled with import duty implemented by several countries have transformed India as the major destination of global metal and scrap supply chain. To save the country from becoming a dumping ground, the government should immediately hike the customs duty on aluminium metal sand scrap, AAI said.