China Direct Inc., a Deerfield Beach, Fla.-based company that operates magnesium plants in China, is taking steps to become a U.S. importer of the metal.

The company's first test shipment cleared customs last month, said James Wang, chairman and chief executive officer.

China Direct is seeking an exemption from U.S. import duties, a process that could take between six months and a year, depending on the pace of a U.S. government audit, he said.

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