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U.S.GeneralizedSystemofPreferences
GUIDEBOOKOfficeoftheUnitedStatesTradeRepresentativeExecutiveOfficeofthePresidentWashington,D.C.
October2015
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TABLEOFCONTENTSIntroduction...........................................................................................................................................................3
AbbreviationsandAcronyms.........................................................................................................................4
GSPProgramInquiries......................................................................................................................................5
FrequentlyAskedQuestionsaboutGSP....................................................................................................6
CountriesEligibleforGSP.............................................................................................................................18
GSP‐EligibleBeneficiaries.....................................................................................................................18
CriteriaforCountryEligibilityunderGSP......................................................................................21
InformationonProductsEligibleforGSP..............................................................................................23
ArticlesNotProducedintheUnitedStatesonJanuary1,1995.........................................23
ArticlesandCountriesGrantedWaiversoftheCompetitiveNeedLimitations...........24
InformationonSubmittingaGSPPetition............................................................................................28
OtherInformationSources...........................................................................................................................31
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INTRODUCTIONTheU.S.GeneralizedSystemofPreferences(GSP),aprogramdesignedtopromoteeconomicgrowthinthedevelopingworld,providespreferentialduty‐freetreatmentforover3,500productsfromawiderangeofdesignatedbeneficiarycountries(BDCs),includingmanyleast‐developedbeneficiarydevelopingcountries(LDBDCs).*Anadditional1,500productsareGSP‐eligibleonlywhenimportedfromLDBDCs.TheGSPprogramwasinstitutedonJanuary1,1976,andauthorizedundertheTradeActof1974(19USC2461etseq.).CurrentCongressionalauthorizationoftheGSPprogramwillexpireDecember31,2017.ThepurposeofthisGuidebookistofacilitatepublicunderstandingoftheGSPprogramandtheinformationcontainedinthebasicimplementingdocuments.Thestatuteandimplementingdocumentsremainthecontrollingauthorities.ThelegislationauthorizingtheGSPprogramcanbefoundat19USC2461‐2467,andGSPregulationsmaybefoundat15CFRPart2007.BotharealsoavailableontheOfficeoftheU.S.TradeRepresentative(USTR)website:https://ustr.gov/issue-areas/trade-development/preference-programs/generalized-system-preference-gsp/gsp-program-inf .TheGSPregulationsoftheDepartmentofHomelandSecurity’sU.S.CustomsandBorderProtection(CBP)maybefoundat19CFRPart10.171through10.178.Inaddition,CBPhaspostedavarietyofinformationofassistancetoimportersandexportersusingtheGSPprogramathttp://www.cbp.gov/trade/priority-issues/trade-agreements/special-trade-legislation/generalized-system-preferences .
* As of October 2015, there were122BDCs,including43LDBDCs.SeeGeneralNote4oftheU.S.HarmonizedTariffScheduleforthemostup‐to‐datenumberofGSPbeneficiaries:http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/bychapter/index.htm.
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ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS
ASEAN AssociationofSoutheastAsianNationsBDC BeneficiaryDevelopingCountryCARICOM CaribbeanCommonMarketCBP DepartmentofHomelandSecurity’sU.S.CustomsandBorderProtectionCFR CodeofFederalRegulationsCNL CompetitiveNeedLimitationGNI GrossNationalIncomeGNP GrossNationalProductCROSS CustomsRulingsOnlineSearchSystemGSP U.S.GeneralizedSystemofPreferencesHTSUS HarmonizedTariffScheduleoftheUnitedStatesIMF InternationalMonetaryFundLDBDC LeastDevelopedBeneficiaryDevelopingCountryNTR NormalTradeRelationsSAARC SouthAsianAssociationforRegionalCooperationSADC SouthernAfricanDevelopmentCommunitySIC StandardIndustrialClassificationSITC StandardInternationalTradeClassificationSPI SpecialProgramIndicatorTPSC TradePolicyStaffCommitteeUSC U.S.CodeUSITC U.S.InternationalTradeCommissionUSTR OfficeoftheU.S.TradeRepresentativeWAEMU WestAfricanEconomicandMonetaryUnionWTO WorldTradeOrganization
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GSPPROGRAMINQUIRIESTheGSPprogramisadministeredbytheOfficeoftheU.S.TradeRepresentative.PublicinquiriesabouttheprogrammaybedirectedtotheGSPProgramOfficeatUSTR,usingthefollowingcontactinformation:
e‐mail:[email protected]:+1(202)395‐6971
Fax:+1(202)395‐9674
PublicDocumentsconcerningGSPProductandCountryPracticeReviewsare
availableonlineatwww.regulations.gov
GSPProgramInformationisavailableat:
https://ustr.gov/issue-areas/trade-development/preference-programs/generalized-system-preference-gsp
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FREQUENTLYASKEDQUESTIONSABOUTGSP
1.GSP‐EligibleArticlesWhichimportsintotheUnitedStatesqualifyforduty‐freetreatmentundertheGSP?Tobeeligibleforduty‐freetreatmentpursuanttoGSP,animportmustmeetthefollowingrequirements(describedinmoredetailbelow):(1)ItmustbeincludedinthelistofGSP‐eligiblearticles;
(2)ItmustbeimporteddirectlyfromaBDC;
(3)TheBDCmustbeeligibleforGSPtreatmentforthatarticle;
(4)Thearticlemustbethegrowth,product,ormanufactureofaBDCandmustmeetthevalue‐addedrequirements;
(5)Theimportermustrequestduty‐freetreatmentunderGSPbyplacingtheappropriateGSPSpecialProgramIndicator(SPI)“A”beforetheHTSUSnumberthatidentifiedtheimportedarticleontheEntrySummary(CBPForm7501)orthecorrespondingelectronictransmission.
Whicharticlesareeligibleforduty‐freetreatment?ArticlesclassifiedbyCBPunderapproximately3,500eight‐digittariffratelinesaregenerallyeligibleforduty‐freetreatmentfromallGSPbeneficiaries.Anadditional1,500articlesareeligibleforduty‐freetreatmentwhenimportedfromLDBDCs.Thecombinedlistsincludemostdutiablemanufacturedandsemi‐manufacturedproductsandalsocertainagricultural,fishery,andprimaryindustrialproductsthatarenototherwiseduty‐free.LDBDCsaredesignatedassuchpursuanttosection502(a)(2)oftheTradeActof1974,asamended,and,inpractice,aretypicallyGSPbeneficiariesthatareontheUnitedNations’listofleastdevelopedcountries.
1. GSP‐EligibleArticles2. HowtoClaimGSPBenefits
forEligibleArticlesuponEntryintotheUnitedStates
3. GSPBeneficiaryDevelopingCountries
4. CompetitiveNeedLimitationsandRequestsforWaivers
5. GraduationofaBeneficiaryCountryfromGSP
6. Rules‐of‐OriginRequirements
7. “ImportedDirectly”Requirement
8. HandicraftTextiles9. OtherTopics
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HowdoIdetermineifaparticularitemisGSP‐eligible?ArticleseligibleforGSPtreatmentareidentifiedinthecurrenteditionoftheHarmonizedTariffScheduleoftheUnitedStates(HTSUS),whichispublishedbytheU.S.InternationalTradeCommission(USITC).ThecompleteHTSUScanbedownloadedfromtheUSITCwebsite(http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/index.htm )orobtainedfromthefieldofficesoftheU.S.DepartmentofCommerceoratU.S.EmbassiesandConsulates.ThereisalsoasearchableversionoftheHTSUSavailableattheUSITCwebsite.TheUSITCalsomaintains“DataWeb,”asearchabledatabaseofimportstatisticsandotherinformation,includingproducteligibilityinformationforGSPandotherU.S.preferenceprograms,whichcanbefoundat:http://dataweb.usitc.gov.CananyarticlebedesignatedaseligibleforGSP?No.Certainarticlesareprohibitedbylaw(19USC2463)fromreceivingGSPtreatment.Theseincludemosttextilesandapparelarticles,watches,footwear,workgloves,andleatherapparel.*Inaddition,theGSPstatuteprecludeseligibilityforimport‐sensitivesteel,glass,andelectronicarticles.HowisanarticleidentifiedasGSP‐eligibleintheHTSUS?TheletterAinthe“Special”tariffcolumnoftheHTSUSidentifiesGSP‐eligiblearticlesataneight‐digitlevel.ThefollowingtablepresentsthreeHTSUStarifflinestoillustratevariationsinthetreatmentgiventodifferentGSParticles.UndereachentryforaGSP‐eligiblearticleintheHTSUS,theSPIcodeA,A+,orA*inthe“Special”columnidentifiesthearticleasGSP‐eligibleundercertainconditions.TheSPIcodeAdesignatesarticlesthatareGSP‐eligiblefromanyBDC.TheSPIcodeA+indicatesarticlesthatareGSP‐eligibleonlyfromLDBDCs.TheSPIcodeA*indicatesthatoneormorespecificBDCs,listedinGeneralNote4(d)totheHTSUS,havelostGSPeligibilityforthatarticle.
HTSUS Subheading
Article description
Rate of Duty (%)
Column 1 Column 2
General Special
8406.10.10 Steam turbines for marine propulsion
6.70% Free (A,…) 20%
8413.30.10 Fuel‐injection pumps for compression‐ignition engines
2.50% Free (A*, ...) 35%
8708.92.50 Mufflers and exhaust pipes, not for trackers
2.50% Free (A+,…) 25%
* The Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015 (Public Law 114-27), allows certain handbags, luggage, and flat goods to be considered for designation for duty-free treatment under GSP. These products were previously prohibited by law (19 USC 2463) from receiving GSP treatment.
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CanthePresidentlimitproducts’GSPeligibility?Yes.ThePresidentmay:
(1)removeproductsfromGSPeligibilityinresponsetopetitionssubmittedbyinterestedpartiesinanannualreview;
(2)precludecertainBDCsfromGSPeligibilityforcertainnewlydesignatedproductswhenthoseproductsaredesignated;
(3)limittheredesignationofGSPeligibilitytocertainBDCswhenspecificarticlesareredesignatedasGSP‐eligible;and
(4)removeproductsforanindividualBDCcountrywhichhasexceededcompetitiveneedlimitations(CNLs).
HowisthecorrectHTSUSclassificationdetermined?CBPclassifiesimportsundertheHTSUS.ArulingontheappropriateclassificationofaproductmayberequestedunderPart177oftheCBPRegulations(19CFRPart177)byanypersonwho,asanimporterorexporterofmerchandise,orotherwise,hasadirectanddemonstrableinterestinthequestionorquestionspresentedintherulingrequest,orbytheauthorizedagentofsuchperson.A"person"inthiscontextincludesanindividual,corporation,partnership,association,orotherentityorgroup.Therulingsareprovidedwithoutcost,providecertaintytomakeaninformedbusinessdecision,and,ifsubmittedtotheNewYorkofficeasaneRulingrequest,areprovidedwithin30daysofreceipt.QuestionsconcerningtheappropriateclassificationofaparticularproductshouldbedirectedtoCBPofficersattheportofentryorto:
Director,NationalCommoditySpecialistDivisionU.S.CustomsandBorderProtection
Attn:CIE/RulingRequestOnePennPlaza‐10thFloor
NewYork,NY10119Rulingsmaybeobtainedbyemailorpostalmail.Requirementsforrulingrequestsmaybefoundat:http://www.cbp.gov/trade/rulings/eruling-requirements .TheeRulingtemplateisavailableat:https://apps.cbp.gov/erulings/index.asp.TheeRulingtemplatemaybeusedifyoudonotneedtoprovideaphysicalsampleofthegoodsforwhichyouneedaruling.CBPrulingsarepublishedandavailableon‐lineinasearchabledatabasecalledCustomsRulingsOnlineSearchSystem(CROSS)athttp://rulings.cbp.gov.Requestsforvaluationandpreferenceprogramqualificationrulingsshouldbeaddressedto:
TheCommissionerofCustomsandBorderProtectionAttention:OfficeofRegulationsandRulings
Washington,DC20229
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CBPalsoprovidesacompliancedocumenttoinformimportersofthebasicrequirementsoftheGSPprogram,includingguidanceaboutestablishinginternalcontrolstodocumenttheregulatoryrequirementsforsubstantiatingGSPclaims.Thisdocumentisavailableat:http://www.cbp.gov/trade/priority-issues/trade-agreements/special-trade-legislation/generalized-system-preferences .2.HowtoClaimGSPBenefitsforEligibleArticlesuponEntryintotheUnitedStates
HowdoesanimporterrequestGSPtreatment?TheimporterisresponsibleforclaimingthepreferencebenefitbyusingtheGSP’sSPIcode“A”,asaprefix,beforetheHTSUStariff‐linenumberwhencompletingtheshipmententrydocumentation.(See19CFR10.172.)IfGSPisnotclaimedontheentrysummary,theimportercanfileaPostEntryAmendmentwithCustomsatleast20workingdayspriortoliquidationoftheentrytoclaimGSPbenefits.AsampleofCBPEntryForm7501,usedforentryofmerchandise,canbefoundontheCBPwebsiteathttp://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/CBP%20Form%207501_0.pdf.
WhatdocumentsareneededtoensureGSPduty‐freetreatment?ThedocumentsthatCBPmayrequestvaryonacase‐by‐casebasis.ExamplesofthetypesofdocumentsthatshouldbeavailabletoestablishanddocumentaGSPclaimare:
GSPDeclaration(see19CFR10.173) BillofMaterials Invoices PurchaseOrders Productionrecordskeptintheordinarycourseofbusiness Payrollinformationtodocumentlaborcosts Factoryprofile Affidavitwithsupportingdocumentation
ThedocumentationnecessarytosubstantiateaGSPclaimmustbekeptreadilyaccessible,shouldCBPrequestit.RecordsmayberequestedfromtheimporteroftheproductsforwhichGSPisclaimed,fromtheforeignexporter,orboth.Thesubstantiatingdocumentationmustbekeptforaperiodoffiveyears.
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3.GSPBeneficiaryDevelopingCountriesWherearetheofficiallistsofGSP‐eligiblebeneficiariesandcountry‐specificrestrictionsoneligibilityfound?GeneralNote4,foundatthebeginningoftheHTSUS,containsinformationaboutGSP.GeneralNote4(a)containstheofficiallistofGSP‐eligiblebeneficiaries.GeneralNote4(b)containsthelistofLDBDCs.GeneralNote4(d)containsthelistoftheimportedarticlesthatarenoteligibleforGSPtreatmentfromcertainGSPcountries.WhenaBDCisfirstdesignated,orundergoesachangeinGSPeligibility,anoticeispublishedintheFederalRegisterindicatingthechangeandtheeffectivedateofthechange.ThelistscontainedinGeneralNote4areperiodicallymodifiedtoreflectthesechanges.Arethelistsofeligiblearticlesandcountriesevermodified?Yes.TheGSPSubcommitteeoftheTradePolicyStaffCommittee(TPSC),chairedbyUSTRandcomprisedofrepresentativesofotherexecutivebranchagencies,conductsanannualreviewduringwhichchangesareconsideredtothelistsofarticlesandcountrieseligibleforduty‐freetreatmentunderGSP.Modificationsmadepursuanttotheannualreviewareimplementedbyexecutiveorder,orPresidentialProclamation,andarepublishedintheFederalRegister.ModificationstothelisttypicallytakeeffectonJuly1ofthecalendaryearafterthenextannualreviewislaunchedbutmayalsobeannouncedandbecomeeffectiveatothertimesoftheyear.ThemodificationsarereflectedintheelectronicandhardcopyversionsoftheHTSUSpublishedbytheUSITC.HowdoessomeonerequestmodificationofthelistofGSP‐eligiblearticlesorcountries?AnypersonmaypetitiontheGSPSubcommitteetorequestmodificationstothelistofcountrieseligibleforGSPtreatment.However,onlyan“interestedparty”maypetitionformodificationstothelistofarticleseligibleforGSPtreatment.Forpurposesofthisprovision,aninterestedpartyisanypartywhohassignificanteconomicinterestinthesubjectmatteroftherequest,oranyotherpartyrepresentingasignificanteconomicinterestthatwouldbemateriallyaffectedbytheactionrequested,suchasadomesticproducerofalikeordirectlycompetitivearticle,acommercialimporterorretailerofanarticlewhichiseligibleforGSPorforwhichGSPeligibilityisrequested,oraforeigngovernment.Inordertobeconsideredinaparticularannualreview,petitionsmustbesubmittedtotheGSPSubcommitteebythedeadlineforsubmissionsforthatreview,whichistypicallyannouncedintheFederalRegisterinJulyorAugust(SeesuggestedoutlinesofGSPpetitions).Petitionsmustconformtotheapplicablerulesandregulations.PetitionsacceptedforreviewaresubjecttopublichearingsandafullreviewbytheGSPSubcommittee.
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Whatfactorsaretakenintoaccountinmodifyingthelistofeligiblearticlesorcountries?InmodifyingtheGSPlistofarticlesandcountries,thefollowingfactorsmustbeconsideredunderthestatute:
(1)theeffectsuchactionwillhaveonfurtheringtheeconomicdevelopmentofdevelopingcountriesthroughtheexpansionoftheirexports;
(2)theextenttowhichothermajordevelopedcountriesareundertakingacomparableefforttoassistdevelopingcountriesbygrantinggeneralizedpreferenceswithrespecttoimportsofproductsofsuchcountries;
(3)theanticipatedimpactofsuchactiononU.S.producersoflikeordirectlycompetitiveproducts;and
(4)theextentofthecountry’scompetitivenesswithrespecttoeligibleproducts.Inaddition,thestatuteprovidesmandatoryanddiscretionaryfactorsthePresidentmusttakeintoaccountindesignatingacountryaseligibleforGSP.Thesefactorsincludewhetheracountryhastakenoristakingstepstoaffordtoworkersinthatcountryinternationallyrecognizedworkerrightsandtheextenttowhichacountryisprovidingadequateandeffectiveprotectionofintellectualpropertyrights.Thefulllistoffactorsmaybefoundat19USC2462(b)and(c).Finally,thestatutealsoprovidesalistofarticlesthatmaynotbedesignatedaseligibleforGSP(19USC2463(b)).WhomakesthedeterminationsregardingGSPproductandcountryeligibility?ThePresidentdetermineswhichcountriesandwhichproductsareeligibleforGSPbenefits,basedontherecommendationsoftheU.S.TradeRepresentative.TheGSPSubcommitteeconductstheannualreviewsofGSPproductandcountryeligibility.Thesereviewstypicallyinvolvebothpublichearingsandapubliccommentperiod.TheGSPSubcommitteereportsthefindingsofthesereviewstotheTPSCandtheU.S.TradeRepresentative.TheDeputyAssistantUSTRforGSPoverseestheday‐to‐dayoperationoftheGSPprogramandchairstheGSPSubcommittee.Doallbeneficiarycountriesreceiveduty‐freetreatmentontheentirelistofarticles?No.SomeotherwiseGSP‐eligibleproductsfromparticularBDCsmaybeineligiblebecause:(1)theyexceedtheCNLs(seebelow);(2)theproducts’GSPeligibilityhasbeenremovedfromoneormoreparticularcountriesinresponsetopetitionssubmittedaspartofanannualreview;(3)aparticularBDChasbeenfoundtobesufficientlycompetitivewithrespecttothatproductorproducts;(4)theimportedarticlesfailtomeetthestatutoryrequirementsofGSP;or(5)theimportedarticlesfailtomeetotherCBPorotheragencyrequirements.
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4.CompetitiveNeedLimitationsandRequestsforWaiversWhatarecompetitiveneedlimitations?CNLsarequantitativeceilingsonGSPbenefitsforeachproductandBDC.TheGSPstatuteprovidesthataBDCistoloseitsGSPeligibilitywithrespecttoaproductiftheCNLsareexceededandifnowaiverisgranted(seebelow).TherearetwodifferentmeasuresforCNLs:whenU.S.importsofaparticularproductfromaBDCduringanycalendaryear(1)accountfor50percentormoreofthevalueoftotalU.S.importsofthatproduct;or(2)exceedacertaindollarvalue.InaccordancewiththeGSPstatute,thedollar‐valuelimitisincreasedby$5millionannually;thelimitwas$165millionin2014andis$170millionin2015.Productsfromaspecifiedbeneficiaryareconsidered“sufficientlycompetitive”whenimportsexceedoneoftheselimits.Bystatute,GSPtreatmentforanarticleexceedingeitherCNLterminatesonJuly1ofthenextcalendaryear.Bystatute,CNLsdonotapplytoLDBDCsandBDCsthatarealsobeneficiariesoftheAfricanGrowthandOpportunityAct.SeeSection503(c)(2)((D).Arethecompetitiveneedlimitationseverwaived?Yes.CNLscanbewaivedunderthreecircumstances:
(1)Petitionedwaivers:ThePresidentmaygrantaCNLwaiverforaproductimportedfromaBDC.Interestedpartiesmaypetitionforawaiverduringtheannualreviewprocess.Indecidingwhethertograntawaiver,thePresidentisrequiredtoplace“greatweight”ontheextenttowhichthecountryisprovidingequitableandreasonableaccesstoitsmarketandbasiccommodityresourcesandtheextenttowhichthecountryisprovidingreasonableandeffectiveprotectiontoU.S.intellectualpropertyrights.Ifawaiverisgranted,boththepercentagelimitandthedollarlimitarewaived.AwaiverremainsineffectuntilthePresidentdeterminesthatitisnolongerwarrantedduetochangedcircumstances.ThestatutealsoprovidesthatthePresidentshouldrevokeanywaiverthathasbeenineffectforatleastfiveyears,ifaGSP‐eligibleproductfromaspecificcountryhasanannualtradelevelinthepreviouscalendaryearthatexceeds150percentoftheannualdollar‐valuelimitorexceeds75percentofallU.S.imports.(2)“504(d)”waiver:ThepercentageprovisioniswaivedforcertainGSPeligiblearticleswhichwerenotproducedintheUnitedStatesonJanuary1,1995,asprovidedforinwhatusedtobeSection504(d)oftheGSPstatute,now19USC2463(c)(2)(E).Interestedpartiesmaypetitionforawaiverduringtheannualreviewprocess.Forthoseproductsonthislist,a“504(d)”waiverwillautomaticallybegrantedwhenrequiredeachyear.
(3)Deminimiswaiver:AwaivermayalsobeprovidedwhentotalU.S.importsfromallcountriesofaproductare“deminimis”.Likethedollar‐valueCNLs,thedeminimislevelisadjustedeachyear,inincrementsof$500,000.Thedeminimislevelin2014was$22million,andis$22.5millionin2015.Eachyear,theGSPSubcommitteeautomaticallyconsidersdeminimiswaiversforallproductsfromBDCsthatexceeded
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thepercentage‐basedCNL.Suchwaiverscannotberequestedbypetition,butpubliccommentsareacceptedfollowingpublicationofaFederalRegisternotice,usuallyinMarch,announcingtheproductsthatfallinthiscategory.GrantingsuchwaiversisadiscretionarydecisionofthePresident.
Whathappensifthevalueofimportsofaneligibleproductfromabeneficiarycountryreachesorexceedscompetitiveneedlimitationsinagivenyear?GSPeligibilityforarticlesfromsuchcountriesterminatesonJuly1ofthenextcalendaryearunlessthoseproductsandbeneficiariesaregrantedaCNLwaiverbeforethatdate.WhenshouldaninterestedpartypetitionforaCNLwaiver?Generally,CNLwaiversmayonlybesoughtbeforeaproducthasexceededthecalendar‐yearcompetitiveneedlimitationsforacountry.ThistypicallymeansthatpetitionsforCNLwaiversmustbesubmittedinthelastquarterofacalendaryear,i.e.,beforefull‐yeartradedataisavailable,inanticipationofaproductexceedingtheCNLsforthatyear.ThisearlydeadlineisnecessarygiventhestatutoryrequirementthatCNL‐relatedproductexclusionstakeeffectonJuly1ofthefollowingyearandtherelatedrequirementtoseekadvicefromtheUSITContheprobableeconomiceffectofgrantingawaiver.Therefore,interestedpartiesshouldexaminetherelevanttradedatanolaterthanSeptemberofagivenyeartodetermineifaproductofinterestislikelytoexceedthelimitations.Partiesshouldfileapetitionseekingawaiverbeforethedeadlineforthatyear’sannualGSPreviewlistedrelevantintheFederalRegister.Cananinterestedpartymonitorthelevelofimportsofanarticle?Yes.AnnualandmonthlytradedatacanbedownloadedfromtheUSITC’sDataWeb(http://dataweb.usitc.gov/).Registrationisrequiredtousethesite,butitisfree.Othersourcesinclude:tradedataavailablefromtheU.S.DepartmentofCommerce(http://www.export.gov/tradedata/eg_main_018547.asp)andforeigntradestatisticsfromtheCensusBureau(http://www.census.gov/foreign‐trade/statistics/index.html)OnceanarticleisremovedfromGSPeligibilitybecauseitexceededtheCNL,canthatarticlefromthecountryeverbereturnedtoGSPeligibility?Yes.DuringtheannualGSPproductreview,interestedpartieswillhavetheopportunitytocommentonthepossibleredesignationofaproductexportedbyaparticularBDCifU.S.importsofthatarticlefromthatcountryfallbelowthecompetitiveneedlimitationsinasubsequentyear.UndertheGSPstatute,redesignationdeterminations–whichareatthediscretionofthePresident–aretobemadebytakingintoaccountthefactorslaidoutinSections501and502,i.e.,relatedtothesubjectcountry’scompetitivenessanditsperformanceinmeetingmandatoryanddiscretionarycountryeligibilitycriteria.Redesignationdeterminationsarenotsubjecttoapetitionprocess,buttheGSPsubcommitteewillreviewanypossibleredesignationswhetherornotcommentsarereceived.
Full-year trade data for a given year is usually available in mid-February of the following calendar year.
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5.GraduationofaBeneficiaryCountryfromGSPWhatisgraduationandhowisitimplemented?Graduationistheremovalofacountry’sGSPeligibilityonthebasisoffactorsrelatedtonationalincomeorcompetitiveness.ThePresidentmayremoveaBDCfromtheGSPprogrambecausethecountryissufficientlydevelopedorcompetitive,ormaysuspendorlimittheBDC’saccesstoduty‐freetreatmentwithrespecttooneormoreproducts.Countrygraduationoccurs:
(1)whenthePresidentdeterminesthatabeneficiarycountryisa“high‐incomecountry,”asdefinedbytheGSPstatute(basedonWorldBankstatistics)(“mandatorygraduation”);
Or
(2)astheresultofareviewofaBDC’sadvancesineconomicdevelopmentandtradecompetitiveness.
ThepercapitaGrossNationalIncome(GNI)limitformandatorygraduationissetatthelowerboundoftheWorldBank’sdefinitionofa“high‐income”country(whichwas$12,736for2014).MandatorygraduationtakeseffectJanuary1ofthesecondyearaftertheyearinwhichthePresidentmakesthegraduationdetermination,whichisannouncedintheFederalRegister.Whatfactorsareconsideredingraduationactions?Forcircumstancesotherthanmandatorygraduation,theGSPSubcommitteenormallyreviews:(1)thecountry’sgenerallevelofdevelopment;(2)itscompetitivenessinregardtotheparticularproduct;(3)thecountry’spracticesrelatingtotrade,investment,andworkerrights;(4)theoveralleconomicinterestsoftheUnitedStates,includingtheeffectcontinuedGSPtreatmentwouldhaveontherelevantU.S.producers,workersandconsumers;and(5)anyotherrelevantinformation.6.Rules‐of‐OriginRequirements
Whataretherules‐of‐originrequirements?ForanimportedarticletobeGSP‐eligible,itmustbethegrowth,product,ormanufactureofaBDC,andthesumofthecostorvalueofmaterialsproducedintheBDCplusthedirectcostsofprocessingmustequalatleast35percentoftheappraisedvalueofthearticleatthetimeofentryintotheUnitedStates.CBPischargedwithdeterminingwhetheranarticlemeetstheGSPrulesoforigin.Animporter,exporterorproducerwhoisuncertainaboutwhetheraparticularimportedarticlesatisfiestherulesoforiginrequirements,maycheckCROSS,CBP’ssearchabledatabase,http://rulings.cbp.gov/,toseeifCBPhasissuedarulingonthesameorasimilar
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product,ormaycontactCBPforabindingruling.Seepageeightofthisbookletforinformationonhowtoobtainaruling.Canimportedmaterialsbecountedtowardthe35percentvalue‐addedrequirement?Yes,iftheimportedmaterialundergoesadoublesubstantialtransformation.ThismeansthattheimportedmaterialmustundergoasubstantialtransformationintheBDC,whichmeansthattheimportedmaterialistransformedintoanewanddifferentconstituentmaterialwithanewname,characteranduse.ThentheconstituentmaterialmustbetransformedintheBDCintoanewanddifferentfinishedarticlewithanewname,characteranduse.InputsfrommembercountriesofGSP‐eligibleregionalassociationswillbetreatedassingle‐countryinputsforpurposesofdeterminingorigin.ThecalculationofthecostorvalueofmaterialsproducedintheBDCisdescribedin19CFR10.177.Alistoftheitemsincludedinthe“directcostsofprocessing”isprovidedin19CFR10.178.CBP’scustomsvaluehandbookmaybefoundonCBP’swebsiteat:http://www.cbp.gov/document/publications/customs-value .Animporter,exporterorproducerwhoisuncertainifanimportedmaterialundergoesadoublesubstantialtransformationorifaparticularcostmaybeincludedinthecalculation,maycheckCROSS(http://rulings.cbp.gov/)toseeifCBPhasissuedarulingonthesameorasimilarproductorcostormaycontactCBPforabindingruling.Seepageeightofthisbookletforinformationonhowtoobtainaruling.7.“ImportedDirectly”RequirementWhatismeantbytherequirementthatthearticlebe“importeddirectly”?Generally,theimportedarticlemusteitherbeshippeddirectlyfromtheBDCtotheUnitedStateswithoutpassingthroughtheterritoryofanyothercountryor,ifashipmentfromaBDCpassesthroughtheterritoryofanyothercountryenroutetotheUnitedStates,theimportedarticlesmustnotenterthecommerceoftheothercountry.See19CFR10.175formoreinformation.Questionsaboutthe“importeddirectly”requirementmayberesearchedinCROSSordirectedtoCBPforabindingruling.DoestheGSPprogrammakeanyspecialprovisionsforBDCsthataremembersofaregionalassociation?Yes.IfmembersofregionalassociationsrequestandaregrantedrecognitionasregionalassociationsundertheGSPprogram,theassociation’smembercountrieswillbeconsideredasonecountryforpurposesoftheGSPrulesoforigin.Articlesproducedintwoormoreeligiblemembercountriesofanassociationwillbeaccordedduty‐freetreatmentifthecountriescollectivelymeettherulesoforigin.Inaddition,anarticleproducedinanLDBDCmaycountinputsfromLDBDCsandBDCsinitsregionalassociationtowardsthe35percentdomesticcontentrequirementforsatisfyingtherulesoforiginforqualifyingarticles.CBPmakesthefinaldeterminationofrulesoforigin.Foranyquestionrelatedto
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thesemattersorforadefinitiverulingonwhetheraproductproducedinaregionalassociationqualifiesforduty‐freetreatmentcontactCBP(http://www.cbp.gov/contact ).CNLcriteriaareappliedonlytothecountryoforiginandnottheentireassociation.GeneralNote4oftheHTSUShasthemostrecentlistofGSP‐eligiblecountries,territories,andassociations.TherearecurrentlysixassociationswhoseGSP‐eligiblebeneficiarymemberscanbenefitfromthisprovision:theSouthAsianAssociationforRegionalCooperation(SAARC);theAndeanGroup(orCartagenaAgreement);theAssociationofSoutheastAsianNations(ASEAN);theCaribbeanCommonMarket(CARICOM);theSouthernAfricanDevelopmentCommunity(SADC);andtheWestAfricanEconomicandMonetaryUnion(WAEMU). 8.HandicraftTextilesWhatisthecertifiedhandicrafttextileagreement?CertaintextileproductsareeligibleforGSPtreatmentwhentheGSPBDChassignedanagreementwiththeUnitedStatestoprovidecertificationthattheitemsarehand‐loomedfolkloricproductsoftheexportingBDC.Theagreementauthorizesduty‐freetreatmenttohand‐loomedandfolklorewallhangings(HTSUS6304.99.10)andhand‐loomedandfolklorepillowcovers(HTSUS6304.99.40)whichhavebeencertifiedbytheBDC.ThecertificationprocessrequiresanofficialexchangeoflettersbetweentheU.S.GovernmentandtheBDCgovernment.Theimageofthetriangularsealcertifyingtheproducts’authenticitymustbestampedonthecommercialinvoiceandsignedbyoneoftheindividualsidentifiedbytheBDCduringtheexchangeofletterscomprisingtheagreement.AswithotherGSP‐eligibleimports,thebenefitisclaimedbytheimporterofrecord’suseoftheSPI“A”beforetheHTSUStariffnumberontheentrydocuments.Formoreinformation,contactCBP.Todate,suchagreementshavebeensignedwiththefollowingbeneficiaries:Afghanistan,Botswana,Cambodia,Egypt,Jordan,Mongolia,Nepal,Pakistan,Paraguay,Thailand,Timor‐Leste,Tunisia,Turkey,andUruguay.9.OtherTopicsIftheGSPprogramauthorizationexpiresandislaterrenewedretroactivelybyCongress,howdoesanimporterarrangetobereimbursedfortariffspaidduringtheperiodaftertheexpirationandbeforethereauthorizationofGSP?Inthepast,CBPhasinstructedimporterswhofiletheirentrieselectronicallytocontinuetousetheappropriateSPI(e.g.,“A”)asaprefixtothetariffnumbersofarticlesthatwouldqualifyforGSPifGSPwereineffectatthetimeoftheentry.WhenGSPhasbeenreauthorizedretroactively,CBPhasautomaticallyprocessedrefundsofdutiesdepositedon
17
theseGSP‐eligibleentrieswithoutrequiringfurtheractionbytheimporter.UseoftheSPI,ineffect,constitutedtheimporter’srequestforarefundofduties.ForentriesmadewithoutusingtheSPI,refundsofdutiesdepositedmustberequestedinwriting.ForfurtherinformationonCBPproceduresduringalapseofGSPcoverage,contactCBP(www.cbp.gov).DoothercountriesmaintainGSPprograms?Yes.Morethan25otherindustrializednationsmaintaintheirownGSPprograms.Thebeneficiaries,products,andtypesofpreferencesgrantedvaryforeachprogramcountry.WheremayIfindFederalRegisternoticespertinenttotheGSPprogram?RelevantFederalRegisternoticesmaybeaccessedviatheUSTRwebsite(https://ustr.gov/issue‐areas/trade‐development/preference‐programs/generalized‐system‐preference‐gsp) andarealsoavailableathttp://www.regulations.gov.
18
COUNTRIESELIGIBLEFORGSP
GSP‐EligibleBeneficiaries(asofOctober2015)
IndependentcountriesThefollowingindependentcountriesareGSP‐eligiblebeneficiarydevelopingcountries:Afghanistan Congo(Kinshasa) Jordan Niger Tanzania
Albania Côted'Ivoire Kazakhstan Nigeria Thailand
Algeria Djibouti Kenya Pakistan Timor‐Leste
Angola Dominica Kiribati PapuaNewGuinea Togo
Armenia Ecuador Kosovo Paraguay Tonga
Azerbaijan Egypt Kyrgyzstan Philippines Tunisia
Belize Eritrea Lebanon Rwanda Turkey
Benin Ethiopia Lesotho SaintLucia Tuvalu
Bhutan Fiji Liberia St.VincentandtheGrenadines Uganda
Bolivia Gabon Macedonia** Samoa UkraineBosniaandHerzegovina
Gambia,The Madagascar SaoToméandPrincipe
Uruguay*
Botswana Georgia Malawi Senegal Uzbekistan
Brazil Ghana Maldives Serbia Vanuatu
BurkinaFaso Grenada Mali Seychelles* Venezuela*
Burundi Guinea Mauritania SierraLeone Yemen(Republicof)
Cambodia Guinea‐Bissau Mauritius SolomonIslands Zambia
Cameroon Guyana Moldova Somalia Zimbabwe
CapeVerde Haiti Mongolia SouthAfrica CentralAfricanRepublic India Montenegro SouthSudan
Chad Indonesia Mozambique SriLanka Comoros Iraq Namibia Suriname
Congo(Brazzaville) Jamaica Nepal Swaziland
*PerPresidentialProclamation9333,ofSeptember30,2015,Seychelles,Uruguay,andVenezuelahavebecome“highincome”countriesandtheirdesignationasbeneficiarydevelopingcountriesforpurposesoftheGSPwillbeterminatedeffectiveJanuary1,2017.**AppearsinHTSUSas“Macedonia,FormerYugoslavRepublicof.”
19
Non‐independentcountriesandterritoriesThefollowingnon‐independentcountriesandterritoriesareGSP‐eligiblebeneficiaries:Anguilla FalklandIslands
(IslasMalvinas)PitcairnIslands WestBankandGaza
Strip
BritishIndianOceanTerritory
HeardIslandandMcDonaldIslands
SaintHelena WesternSahara
ChristmasIsland(Australia)
Montserrat Tokelau
Cocos(Keeling)Islands
Niue
VirginIslands,British
CookIslands NorfolkIsland WallisandFutuna
PleaseseeGeneralNote4oftheHTShttp://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/bychapter/index.htm
forthemostcurrentlistsofcountries,territoriesandassociations.Least‐developedbeneficiarydevelopingcountriesAfghanistan Djibouti Mali SomaliaAngola Ethiopia Mauritania SouthSudanBenin Gambia,The Mozambique TanzaniaBhutan Guinea Nepal Timor‐LesteBurkinaFaso Guinea‐Bissau Niger TogoBurundi Haiti Rwanda TuvaluCambodia Kiribati Samoa Uganda
CentralAfricanRepublic Lesotho SaoToméandPrincipe
Vanuatu
Chad Liberia Senegal Yemen(Republicof)
Comoros Madagascar SierraLeone ZambiaCongo(Kinshasa) Malawi SolomonIslands
20
Associationsofcountries(treatedasonecountryforGSPrule‐of‐originrequirements)
MemberCountriesoftheCartagenaAgreement (AndeanGroup):
Qualifying MemberCountriesoftheSouthernAfricaDevelopmentCommunity(SADC):
Bolivia BotswanaEcuador MauritiusVenezuela Tanzania
MemberCountriesoftheWestAfricanEconomicandMonetaryUnion(WAEMU):
Qualifying MemberCountriesoftheSouthAsianAssociationforRegionalCooperation(SAARC):
Benin AfghanistanBurkinaFaso BangladeshCôted'Ivoire BhutanGuinea‐Bissau IndiaMali NepalNiger PakistanSenegal SriLankaTogo
QualifyingMemberCountriesoftheAssociationofSouthEastAsianNations(ASEAN):
QualifyingMemberCountriesoftheCaribbeanCommonMarket(CARICOM):
Cambodia Belize
Indonesia DominicaPhilippines GrenadaThailand Guyana Jamaica Montserrat SaintLucia SaintVincentandtheGrenadines
21
CriteriaforCountryEligibilityunderGSP Mandatory criteria 19USC2462(b)(2)oftheGSPstatutesetsforththecriteriathateachcountrymustsatisfybeforebeingdesignatedaGSPbeneficiary.Thesecriteriaaresummarizedbelowforinformationalpurposesonly.PleaseseetheGSPstatuteforthecompletetext.1) AGSPbeneficiarymaynotbeaCommunistcountry,unlesssuchcountryreceives
NormalTradeRelations(NTR)treatment,isaWorldTradeOrganization(WTO)memberandamemberoftheInternationalMonetaryFund(IMF),andisnotdominatedorcontrolledbyinternationalcommunism;
2) AGSPbeneficiarymaynotbeapartytoanarrangementofcountriesnorparticipate
inactionstheeffectofwhichare(a)towithholdsuppliesofvitalcommodityresourcesfrominternationaltradeortoraisethepriceofsuchcommoditiestoanunreasonableleveland(b)tocauseseriousdisruptionoftheworldeconomy;
3) AGSPbeneficiarymaynotaffordpreferentialtreatmenttoproductsofadeveloped
countrythathas,orislikelytohave,asignificantadverseeffectonU.S.commerce;4) Abeneficiarymaynothavenationalized,expropriatedorotherwiseseizedproperty
ofU.S.citizensorcorporationswithoutproviding,ortakingstepstoprovide,prompt,adequate,andeffectivecompensation,orsubmittingsuchissuestoamutuallyagreedforumforarbitration;
5) AGSPbeneficiarymaynothavefailedtorecognizeorenforcearbitralawardsin
favorofU.S.citizensorcorporations;6) AGSPbeneficiarymaynotaidorabet,bygrantingsanctuaryfromprosecution,any
individualorgroupthathascommittedanactofinternationalterrorism;7) AGSPbeneficiarymusthavetakenoristakingstepstoaffordinternationally
recognizedworkerrights,including1)therightofassociation,2)therighttoorganizeandbargaincollectively,3)aprohibitionontheuseofanyformofforcedorcompulsorylabor,4)aminimumagefortheemploymentofchildren,andaprohibitionontheworstformsofchildlabor,and5)acceptableconditionsofworkwithrespecttominimumwages,hoursofworkandoccupationalsafetyandhealth.
8) AGSPbeneficiarymustimplementanycommitmentsitmakestoeliminatethe
worstformsofchildlabor.
22
Discretionarycriteria19USC2462(c)oftheGSPstatutesetsforththefollowingcriteriathatthePresidentmusttakeintoaccountindeterminingwhethertodesignateacountryasabeneficiarycountryforpurposesoftheGSPprogram.Thesecriteriaaresummarizedbelowforinformationalpurposesonly;pleaseseetheGSPstatuteforthecompletetext.1) AnexpressionbyacountryofitsdesiretobedesignatedasaGSPbeneficiary
country;2) Thelevelofeconomicdevelopment,includingpercapitaGrossNationalProduct
(GNP),thelivingstandardsoftheinhabitantsandanyothereconomicfactorsthatthePresidentdeemsappropriate;
3) Whetherothermajordevelopedcountriesareextendinggeneralizedpreferential
tarifftreatmenttosuchcountry;4) TheextenttowhichsuchcountryhasassuredtheUnitedStatesthatitwillprovide
equitableandreasonableaccesstoitsmarketsandbasiccommodityresourcesandtheextenttowhichithasassuredtheUnitedStatesitwillrefrainfromengaginginunreasonableexportpractices;
5) Theextenttowhichsuchcountryprovidesadequateandeffectiveprotectionof
intellectualpropertyrights;6) Theextenttowhichsuchcountryhastakenactiontoreducetradedistorting
investmentpracticesandpolicies,includingexportperformancerequirements,andtoreduceoreliminatebarrierstotradeinservices;and
7) Whethersuchcountryhastakenoristakingstepstoaffordinternationally
recognizedworkerrights,including1)therightofassociation,2)therighttoorganizeandbargaincollectively,3)freedomfromcompulsorylabor,4)aminimumagefortheemploymentofchildren,and5)acceptableconditionsofworkwithrespecttominimumwages,hoursofworkandoccupationalsafetyandhealth.
23
INFORMATIONONGSP–ELIGIBLEPRODUCTS
ArticlesNotProducedintheUnitedStatesonJanuary1,199519 USC 2463(c)(2)(E) exempts from CNLs certain articles if like or directly competitivearticleswerenotproducedintheUnitedStatesonJanuary1,1995.TheCNLprovisionssetforthinsection19USC2463(c)(2)(A)(i)mandatetheterminationofduty‐freetreatmentofanarticlebyJuly1ofthecalendaryearfollowingtheoneinwhichimportsofthatarticlebyabeneficiaryexceeded50percentofallU.S.importsofthearticleoradollarvaluesetbyaformuladescribedin19USC2463(c)(2)(A)(ii)($165millionfor2014and$170millionfor2015,increasingby$5millioneachyear),unlessawaiverisgranted.Ifanarticleisincludedinthelistbelow,itisexemptfromthe50percentimportshareCNL.InimplementingtheGSPprogram,theTPSC(perPresidentialdeterminations)considersthearticlesinthefollowingHTSUSsubheadingsasnotbeingproducedintheUnitedStatesonJanuary1,1995.
0406.10.02 1504.30.00 2904.10.04 4602.12.16 7615.20.000406.10.04 1515.50.00 2908.99.09 4602.19.16 8446.21.500501.00.00 1604.19.25 2912.49.60 5301.21.00 8447.20.300502.10.00 1904.30.00 2912.50.50 6304.99.10 9101.99.400505.90.20 1904.90.01 2918.23.10 6304.99.40 9102.91.200510.00.20 2001.90.10 2922.39.14 6802.91.30 9102.99.200709.99.10 2001.90.33 2922.50.11 7004.20.50 9102.99.400710.90.11 2001.90.42 2924.29.65 7004.90.50 9102.99.600712.90.15 2001.90.50 2926.90.17 7006.00.20 9102.99.800714.90.41 2008.30.48 3205.00.15 7013.10.10 9105.99.100803.10.20 2008.91.00 3301.29.10 7016.10.00 9202.90.200807.19.50 2008.99.15 3301.29.20 7103.10.40 9405.91.100811.90.25 2008.99.63 3806.20.00 7103.99.50 9617.00.400908.22.20 2008.99.65 3808.91.10 7104.10.00
1207.91.00 2306.60.00 3817.00.15 7116.20.30
1211.90.60 2402.20.10 3926.90.70 7116.20.35
1302.12.00 2402.20.90 4206.00.13 7116.20.40
1401.20.40 2805.19.10 4602.11.09 7202.50.00
24
ArticlesandCountriesGrantedWaiversofCompetitiveNeedLimitations(CurrentasofOctober1,2015)
(*indicates2012HTSnomenclaturechanges;priorHTSnumberlistedwithyearofaction)
HTSUS8‐Digit ProductDescription Country
YearofAction
*17011305
Canesugar,raw,specifiedinsubheading2tochapter17,insolidform,w/oaddedflavoringorcoloring,subjecttogen.note
15oftheHTS
Philippines1989‐
17011105
*17011310
Canesugar,raw,specifiedinsubheading2andsubjecttoadd'lnote5tothischapter,insolidform,w/oaddedflavoringor
coloring
Philippines1989‐
17011110
*17011320Canesugar,raw,specifiedinsubheading2
tochapter17,tobeusedforcertainpolyhydricalcohols
Philippines 1989‐17011120
*17011405Othercanesugar,raw,insolidform,w/oaddedflavoringorcoloring,subjecttogen.
note15oftheHTSPhilippines
1989‐17011105
*17011410Othercanesugar,raw,insolidform,w/oaddedflavoringorcoloring,subjecttoadd.
US5toCh.17Philippines
1989‐17011110
*17011420 Othercanesugar,raw,insolidform,tobeusedforcertainpolyhydricalcohols
Philippines 1989‐17011120
20011000Cucumbersincludinggherkins,preparedorpreservedbyvinegaroraceticacid India 2008
20081915Coconuts,otherwisepreparedor
preserved,nesiThailand 2015
20089915 Bananas,otherthanpulp,otherwisepreparedorpreserved
Philippines 1989
28499050 Carbides,nesoi SouthAfrica 1999
29091914 Methyltertiary‐butylether.(MTBE) Venezuela 1997
29157001 Palmiticacid,stearicacid,theirsaltsandesters
Philippines 1989
29159010Fattyacidsofanimalorvegetableorigin,
nesoi Philippines 1989
29211960Otheracyclicmonoaminesandtheir
derivativesPhilippines 2012
29333925Herbicidesnesoi,ofheterocyclic
compoundswithnitrogenhetero‐atom(s)only,containinganunfusedpyridinering
Brazil 1997
29334930Pesticidesofheterocycliccompoundswithnitrogenhetero‐atom(s)&aquinolineor
isoquinolinering‐systemBrazil 1997
25
HTSUS8‐Digit
ProductDescription Country YearofAction
29350032Acetylsulfisoxazole;sulfacetamide,sodium;andsulfamethazine,sodium Croatia 1991
29350032Acetylsulfisoxazole;sulfacetamide,sodium;andsulfamethazine,sodium
Bosnia‐Hercegovina
1991
29350032 Acetylsulfisoxazole;sulfacetamide,sodium;andsulfamethazine,sodium
Macedonia 1991
33074100
"Agarbatti"andotherodoriferouspreparationswhichoperatebyburning,toperfumeordeodorizeroomsorused
duringreligiousrites
India 2012
38231920Industrialmonocarboxylicfattyacidsoracidoilsfromrefiningderivedfromcoconut,palm‐kernel,orpalmoil
Philippines 2005
40151910Seamlessglovesofvulcanizedrubberotherthanhardrubber,otherthan
surgicalormedicalglovesThailand 2012
41071940Buffaloleather,w/ohairon,parchment‐dressedorpreparedaftertanning,o/than
fullgrains&grainsplitsThailand 1997
41079940Buffaloleather,w/ohairon,parchment‐dressedorpreparedaftertanning,o/than
fullgrains&grainsplitsThailand 1997
41139060Leatherofanimals,nesi,withouthairon,notincludingchamois,patent,patent
laminatedormetalized,fancySouthAfrica 1997
42032120 Battinggloves,ofleatherorofcompositionleather
Indonesia 1997
46021216 Basketsandbagsofrattanorpalmleafotherthanwickerwork
Philippines 1989
46021918Basketsandbagsofvegetablematerial,
nesoi Philippines 1989
46021980 Basketworkandotherarticles,nesoi,ofvegetablesmaterials,nesoi
Philippines 1989
67029065
Artificialflowers/foliage/fruit&ptsthereof;articlesofartif.flowers,etc.;all
theforegoingofmaterialso/thanplast./feath./mmf
Thailand 1995
69051000 Ceramicroofingtiles Venezuela 1997
71131120Silverarticlesofjewelryandpartsthereof,nesoi,valuednotover$18perdozen
piecesorpartsThailand 1995
71131929 Goldnecklacesandneckchains(o/thanofropeormixedlinks)
Turkey 2003
72025000 Ferrosiliconchromium Zimbabwe 1993
26
HTSUS8‐Digit
ProductDescription Country YearofAction
72029920 Calciumsiliconferroalloys Brazil 2013
74082910Copperalloys(o/thanbrass,cupro‐nickelornickel‐silver),wire,coatedorplated
withmetalThailand 2015
*74181000Copper&copperalloytable,kitchen,householdarticles&parts;scouring&
polishingpads,glovesIndia
1999‐74181910
*7418100084022000
Copper&copperalloytable,kitchen,householdarticles&parts;scouring&
polishingpads,glovesSuper‐heatedwaterboilers
IndiaPhilippines
2001‐74181921
*741810008402200084073418
Copper&copperalloytable,kitchen,householdarticles&parts;scouring&
polishingpads,glovesSuper‐heatedwaterboilers
Spark‐ignitionreciprocatingpistonenginesforvehiclesof8701.20or8702‐8704,cylindercap.over1000ccto2000
cc,new
IndiaPhilippinesBrazil
2003‐74181951
1994
1994
84073448Spark‐ignitionreciprocatingpiston
enginesforvehiclesof8701.20or8702‐8704,cylindercapacityover2000cc,new
Brazil 1994
84099130
Aluminumcylinderheadsforspark‐ignitioninternalcombustionpiston
enginesforvehiclesof8701.20or8702‐8704
Brazil 1994
84145130Ceilingfansforpermanentinstallation,withaself‐containedelectricmotorofan
outputnotexceeding125WThailand 2003
84159080 Partsforairconditioningmachines,nesi Thailand 2012
84433920
Electrostaticphotocopyingapparatus,operatingbyreproducingtheoriginalimageviaanintermediateontothecopy
(indirectprocess)
Thailand 2005
84831030 Camshaftsandcrankshaftsnesi Brazil 1999
85258050 Stillimagevideocameras(otherthandigital)andothervideocamerarecorders
Indonesia 2004
85272110Radio‐tapeplayercombinationsnot
operablewithoutexternalpowersource,formotorvehicles
Brazil 1997
85279140Radiobroadcastreceivercombinations
incorporatingtapeplayers,nesi Indonesia 1997
27
HTSUS8‐Digit
ProductDescription Country YearofAction
85279915Radiobroadcastreceiversnotcombinedwithsoundrecordingapparatusorclock Indonesia 1999
85279940 Receptionapparatusforradiotelegraphy,radiotelephony,radiobroadcasting,nesoi
Philippines 1997
85287228
Non‐highdefinitioncolortelevisionreceptionapp.,non‐projection,w/CRT,videodisplaydiag.over35.56cm,incorporatingaVCRorplayer
Thailand 2003
85299001Printedcircuitassembliesfortelevision
tuners Indonesia 1994
85299029Tunersfortelevisionapparatus,other
thanprintedcircuitassemblies Indonesia 1994
85443000Insulatedignitionwiringsetsandotherwiringsetsofakindusedinvehicles,
aircraftorshipsThailand 2003
90013000 Contactlenses Indonesia 2005
90328960Automaticregulatingorcontrollinginstrumentsandapparatus,nesi Philippines 1997
94055020
Non‐electricalincandescentlampsdesignedtobeoperatedbypropaneorothergas,orbycompressedairand
keroseneorgasoline
India 2003
94055040 Non‐electricallampsandlightingfixturesnesoi,notofbrass
India 2003
96131000 Cigarettelightersandsimilarlighters,gasfueled,notrefillable,forthepocket
Philippines 1989
28
InformationonSubmittingaGSPPetitionGeneralinstructions†‡ThemostimportantsourceforinstructionsonsubmittingaGSPpetitionistheFederalRegister.Eachyear,announcementsarepublishedintheFederalRegisterforannualProductandCountryPracticeReviews.Theseannouncementsincludespecificinstructions––whichmustbefollowed––regardingapetition’sformat,timing,andmethodofsubmissiontotheGSPSubcommittee.Thefollowingdescriptionsaregeneralguidelinestothepetitionsubmissionprocess.FormatThefollowingprovidesanindicativelistofinformationthatshouldbeincludedinaGSPpetition.Itisintended(1)tohelpensurethatinterestedpartiesmeettheinformationrequirementsoftheGSPregulationsforrequestingmodificationsinGSPeligibilityforproductsandcountries;and(2)toserveasaguideforinterestedpartiesrequestingmodifications.SuchpartiesshouldreviewtheofficialU.S.GSPstatuteandregulations(whichcanbefoundat:https://ustr.gov/issue‐areas/trade‐development/preference‐programs/generalized‐system‐preference‐gsp/gsp‐program‐inf)beforesubmittingtheinformationrequestedbelow.AllinformationrequestedinthelistbelowisrequiredbytheregulationsgoverningtheGSPprogram.Petitionsthatdonotincludetherequiredinformationmayberejected,unlessthepetitionerdemonstratesthatagood‐faitheffortwasmadetoobtaintherequiredinformation.Informationthatissubmittedinconfidenceshouldbemarkedassuch(followingtheguidelinesonsubmittingbusinessconfidentialinformationprovidedintherelevantFederalRegisternoticeandsummarizedbelow),withawrittenexplanationonaseparatesheetstatingthereason(s)thematerialshouldbetreatedasconfidentialandshouldnotbeavailableforpublicinspection.Generalinformationrequiredofallpetitionersper15CFR2007.1(a) Providethenameofthepetitioner,andtheperson,firm,orassociationrepresentedby
thepetitioner.DescribebrieflyhowtheGSPprogramaffectsthepetitioner’sinterests. Identifytheproductorproductsofinterest,includingadetaileddescriptionofthe
productandtheeight‐digittariffnumber(i.e.,subheading)fortheitemintheHTSUS.(Thisisthelevelofproductdescriptionatwhichtherateofdutyisindicated.)IftheproductorproductsofinterestareincludedwithotherproductsinabasketcategoryoftheHTSUS,provideadetaileddescriptionofthespecificproductorproductsofinterest.
Describetheactionrequested,togetherwithastatementofthereasonsfortheaction,andanysupportinginformation.
† Except where indicated, the following instructions apply not only to petitions but to responses, pre- and post-hearing briefs, and any other written submissions or testimony presented to the GSP Subcommittee. .
29
Indicatewhether,tothebestofthepetitioner’sknowledge,thereasonsfortheactionandinformationintherequesthavebeenpreviouslypresentedtotheTPSCbythepetitioneroranyotherparty.Ifthepetitionerknowsthattherequesthasbeenmadepreviouslyandrejected,thepetitionermustincludeinformationthatindicatesthatchangedcircumstancesexistsuchthatthepetitionshouldbegranted.(Requestsforaproductadditionwillnotbeconsideredifapreviousrequestastothatproductwasformallyacceptedforafullreviewwithintheprecedingthreecalendaryears.)
Provideastatementofthebenefitsthepetitioneranticipatesiftherequestisgranted.SupportinginformationThefollowingsectionsoutlinetheinformationthatmustaccompanyrequests:1.Requesttowithdraw,limit,orsuspendeligibilityfordesignatedarticlesPer15CFR2007.1(b),inordertorequestthateligibilityfordesignatedarticlesbewithdrawn,limited,orsuspended,petitionersmustprovidethespecificinformationontherelevantU.S.industryforthemostrecentthreecalendaryearssuchasproduction,capacity,employment,andsalesdataandthecompetitivesituationoftheU.S.domesticindustry.Forthelistofrequiredinformationsee15CFR2007.1(b)athttps://ustr.gov/sites/default/files/USTR‐Regulations‐Pertaining‐Eligibility‐GSP‐Program‐15‐CFR‐Part‐2007_0.pdfTheinformationshouldbesubmittedforeacharticlethatisthesubjectofarequest,bothforthepartymakingtherequestand,totheextentpossible,fortheindustrytowhichthepetitionpertains.2.RequesttodesignatenewarticlesorforwaiverofcompetitiveneedlimitationsPer15CFR2007.1(c),petitionersmustprovidecertaininformationonproducersinthebeneficiarycountryonwhosebehalftherequestisbeingmade,includingactualproduction,capacity,employment,exports,andsalesdataaswellastheestimatedfuturechangesinthesedataifGSPeligibilityisgranted.Thisinformationshouldbeprovidedforthemostrecentthreecalendaryearsforthebeneficiarydevelopingcountryonwhosebehalftherequestisbeingmadeand,totheextentpossible,otherprincipalbeneficiarydevelopingcountrysuppliers.Forthelistofrequiredinformationsee15CFR2007.1(c)athttps://ustr.gov/sites/default/files/USTR‐Regulations‐Pertaining‐Eligibility‐GSP‐Program‐15‐CFR‐Part‐2007_0.pdf
3.SuggestedoutlineofacountrypracticepetitionProvidethefollowinginformation,ataminimum,onthepertinentbeneficiarycountry: Thename,address,phoneandfaxnumbers,ande‐mailaddressofthepersonor
interestedpartysubmittingtherequest: Therequest:thattheduty‐freetreatmentaccordedtoeligiblearticlesundertheGSPbe
(withdrawn,suspended,ortheapplicationoftheduty‐freetreatmentbelimited)withrespectto(typesof,includingreferencingHTSUScodes),importstotheUnitedStatesfrom(country);
Thespecificfactorsuponwhichtherequestforthecountrypracticereviewisbeingmade.Thesefactorsarelistedin19USC2461and2462;
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Statementofreasonswhythebeneficiarycountry’sstatusshouldbereviewedandpossiblychanged,ifthepetitionisaccepted,alongwithavailablesupportinginformation;and
Ifthesubjectmatteroftherequesthasbeenreviewedpursuanttoapreviousrequest,therequestmustincludesubstantialnewinformationwarrantingfurtherconsiderationoftheissue.
PublicversusBusinessConfidentialversionsIfapetitionorothersubmissioncontainsbusinessconfidentialinformation,anon‐confidentialversionofthesubmissionmustalsobesubmittedthatindicateswhereconfidentialinformationwasredactedbyinsertingasteriskswherematerialwasdeleted.Forexample,supposeapetitionerwantstoreportthat“In2001,InternationalWidgetssufferedlossesof$20millionduetolow‐pricedwidgetsimportedfromGSPsources,andhadtoreducecapacityutilizationby30percent.”Ifthedatainthesentencewerebusinessconfidential,thiswouldbereportedinthebusinessconfidentialversionofthepetitionwithbracketsaroundthebusinessconfidentialinformation:“In2001,InternationalWidgetssufferedlossesof[$20million]duetolow‐pricedwidgetsimportedfromGSPsources,andhadto[reducecapacityutilizationby30percent.]”Inthepublicversion,however,itwouldread“In2001,InternationalWidgetssufferedlossesof[***]duetolow‐pricedwidgetsimportedfromGSPsources,andhadto[***].”Itisthepetitioner’sresponsibilitytodistinguishaccuratelybetweenbusinessconfidentialandpublicinformation.Theconfidentialsubmissionmustbeclearlymarked“BUSINESSCONFIDENTIAL”atthetopandbottomofeverypage,andthenon‐confidentialsubmissionmustbeclearlymarkedeither“PUBLICVERSION”or“NON‐CONFIDENTIAL”atthetopandbottomofeverypage.Bothversionsmustbesubmitted,asaseparatedocument,butonlythepublicversionofthesubmissionwillbemadeavailableforpublicinspectiononwww.regulations.gov.HowtosubmitapetitionInordertofacilitatepromptprocessingofsubmissions,theGSPSubcommitteeacceptspublicandconfidentialversionsofthesubmissionsonlyviawww.regulations.gov.Submissionsthatarehand‐deliveredorsentviaregularmailwillnotbeaccepted.TherelevantFederalRegisterwillprovidedetailedinstructionsforeachsubmission.
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OTHERINFORMATIONSOURCES
HarmonizedTariffScheduleoftheUnitedStates(HTSUS)(www.usitc.gov)TheU.S.tariffscheduleisdividedintoalmost100chapters,groupedbyproducttype.Ifyoudonotknowthetariffnumberforyourproduct,youcanfindtheHTSUSontheUSITCwebsite,http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/index.htmorsearchtheCBPrulingsmodulefoundathttp://rulings.cbp.gov.GSPeligibilityforanHTSUSsubheadingisshownbythecodeA(forBeneficiaryDevelopingCountries)orA+(forLeastDevelopedBeneficiaryDevelopingCountries)inthe“Special”columnofratesofduty.(Forexample,caviarisGSP‐eligible,asshownbytheAinthe“Special”columnofratesofdutyforHTSUS1604.30.20.)Ifnosuchcodeisshown,theproductisGSP‐ineligible.IfthecodeA*isshown,thatmeansthatatleastoneGSPcountryisineligibleforthatparticularproduct.Asdescribedabove,instancesofcountry‐specificGSPineligibilityarelistedinGeneralNotes4(d)atthebeginningoftheHTSUS.DepartmentofHomelandSecurity:Customs&BorderProtection(CBP)(http://www.cbp.gov).TheCBPwebsiteprovidescustomsformsviahttp://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/publications/forms.TheCBPwebsitealsooffersextensiveinformationontheimportingprocessandimportrequirements.Thisincludesentryofgoods,informedcompliance,invoices,assessmentofduty,classificationandvalue,marking,andspecialrequirements.CBPpublicationsareavailableat:http://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/publications.Rulingsareavailableat:http://rulings.cbp.gov.USITCDataWeb(http://dataweb.usitc.gov/).Registrationisrequired,butisfree.ThiscomprehensivedatabaseprovidesstatisticsonU.S.importsandexports,byHTSUS,StandardIndustrialClassification(SIC),StandardInternationalTradeClassification(SITC),andothergroupings,byproduct,andcountry(orcountrygroup,suchasEuropeanUnionorspecialprogram,suchasGSP).Dataareavailableonanannual,quarterly,ormonthlybasis,from1989tothemostrecentavailablemonth(usuallytwomonthspriortothepresent).Inaddition,therearelinkstolistsofmanyforeigncountries=tariffs.
BureauoftheCensus(http://www.census.gov/foreign‐trade/statistics/index.html)TheCensusForeignTradeDivisionissuestheimportantandwell‐knownmonthlytradereport,U.S.InternationalTradeinGoodsandServices.Onthissiteyoucanalsofindup‐to‐datestatisticsonimportsandexports,bytradingpartner,andbystate.
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USDAForeignAgriculturalService(http://www.fas.usda.gov/)BetweenfiveandtenpercentofU.S.GSPimportsareintheagriculturesector.TheForeignAgriculturalService,withrepresentativesinmostU.S.embassiesaroundtheworld,providesawealthofstatistics,researchreports,andotherinformationonagriculturalproductionandtradeinGSPcountries(http://www.fas.usda.gov/data/).Regulations.gov(http://www.regulations.gov) ThiswebsitecontainspublicrecordsthatarepartofGSPannualreviews,countrypracticereviews,andcountryeligibilityreviews.EachreviewisgivenanindividualdocketnumberwhichislistedintherelevantFederalRegisternoticeandwhichcanalsobefoundonUSTR’sGSPwebsiteathttps://ustr.gov/issue‐areas/trade‐development/preference‐programs/generalized‐system‐preference‐gsp/current‐review‐0.
