gsp guidebook september 16 2016 - united states …. how to claim gsp benefits for eligible articles...

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U.S.GeneralizedSystemofPreferences

GUIDEBOOKOfficeoftheUnitedStatesTradeRepresentativeExecutiveOfficeofthePresidentWashington,D.C.

September2016

TABLEOFCONTENTS

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Introduction..........................................................................................................................................................3

AbbreviationsandAcronyms........................................................................................................................4

GSPProgramInquiries.....................................................................................................................................5

FrequentlyAskedQuestionsaboutGSP....................................................................................................6

CountriesEligibleforGSP..............................................................................................................................16

GSP‐EligibleBeneficiaries......................................................................................................................16

CriteriaforCountryEligibilityunderGSP.......................................................................................19

InformationonProductsEligibleforGSP...............................................................................................21

ArticlesNotProducedintheUnitedStatesonJanuary1,1995..........................................21

ArticlesandCountriesGrantedWaiversoftheCompetitiveNeedLimitations...........22

InformationonSubmittingaGSPPetition.............................................................................................26

OtherInformationSources...........................................................................................................................29

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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

PublicDocumentsconcerningGSPProductandCountryPracticeReviewsareavailableonlineatwww.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)Theexporter/importermustrequestduty‐freetreatmentunderGSPbyplacingtheappropriateGSPSpecialProgramIndicator(SPI)(A,A+,orA*)beforetheHTSUSnumberthatidentifiedtheimportedarticleontheappropriateshippingdocuments(CBPForm7501).

Whicharticlesareeligibleforduty‐freetreatment?ArticlesclassifiedbyCBPunderapproximately3,500eight‐digittariffratelinesaregenerallyeligibleforduty‐freetreatmentfromallGSPbeneficiaries.Anadditional1,500articlesareeligibleforduty‐freetreatmentwhenimportedfromLDBDCs.Thecombinedlistsincludemostdutiablemanufacturedandsemi‐manufacturedproductsandalsocertainagricultural,fishery,andprimaryindustrialproductsthatarenototherwiseduty‐free.LDBDCsaredesignatedassuchpursuanttosection502(a)(2)oftheTradeActof1974,asamended,and,inpractice,aretypicallyGSPbeneficiariesthatareontheUnitedNations’listofleastdevelopedcountries.HowdoIdetermineifaparticularitemisGSP‐eligible?ArticleseligibleforGSPtreatmentareidentifiedinthecurrenteditionoftheHarmonizedTariffScheduleoftheUnitedStates(HTSUS),whichispublishedbytheU.S.InternationalTradeCommission(USITC).ThecompleteHTSUScanbedownloadedfromtheUSITCwebsite(http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/index.htm ).ThereisalsoasearchableversionoftheHTSUSavailableattheUSITCwebsite.TheUSITCalsomaintains“DataWeb,”asearchabledatabaseofimportstatisticsandotherinformation,includingproducteligibilityinformationforGSPandotherU.S.preferenceprograms,whichcanbefoundat:http://dataweb.usitc.gov.Anothersource(lessofficial,updatedperiodically)isontheUSTRwebsiteathttps://ustr.gov/issue‐areas/trade‐development/preference‐programs/generalized‐system‐preferences‐gsp/gsp‐program‐i‐0

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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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%

CanthePresidentlimitproducts’GSPeligibility?Yes.ThePresidentmay:

(1)removeproductsfromGSPeligibilityinresponsetopetitionssubmittedbyinterestedpartiesinanannualreview;

(2)precludecertainBDCsfromGSPeligibilityforcertainnewlydesignatedproductswhenthoseproductsaredesignated;

(3)limittheredesignationofGSPeligibilitytocertainBDCswhenspecificarticlesareredesignatedasGSP‐eligible;and

(4)removeproductsforanindividualBDCcountrywhichhasexceededcompetitiveneedlimitations(CNLs).

HowisthecorrectHTSUSclassificationdetermined?CBPclassifiesimportsundertheHTSUS.Arulingontheappropriateclassificationofaproductmaybe

* 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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requestedunderPart177oftheCBPRegulations(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

CBPalsoprovidesacompliancedocumenttoinformimportersofthebasicrequirementsoftheGSPprogram,includingguidanceaboutestablishinginternalcontrolstodocumenttheregulatoryrequirementsforsubstantiatingGSPclaims.Thisdocumentisavailableat:http://www.cbp.gov/trade/priority-issues/trade-agreements/special-trade-legislation/generalized-system-preferences .

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2.HowtoClaimGSPBenefitsforEligibleArticlesuponEntryintotheUnitedStates

HowdoesanimporterrequestGSPtreatment?TheimporterisresponsibleforclaimingthepreferencebenefitbyusingtheGSP’sSPIcode“A”or“A+”,asaprefix,beforetheHTSUStariff‐linenumberwhencompletingtheshipmententrydocumentation.(See19CFR10.172.)IfGSPisnotclaimedontheentrysummary,thereareotherwaystoclaimit.OneistofileaPostEntryAmendmentwithCustomsatleast20workingdayspriortoliquidationoftheentry.Anothermethodistofileaprotest,assetoutin19USC1514.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.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.Modificationstothelisttypicallytakeeffecton

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July1ofthecalendaryearafterthenextannualreviewislaunchedbutmayalsobeannouncedandbecomeeffectiveatothertimesoftheyear.ThemodificationsarereflectedintheelectronicandhardcopyversionsoftheHTSUSpublishedbytheUSITC.HowdoessomeonerequestmodificationofthelistofGSP‐eligiblearticlesorcountries?AnypersonmaypetitiontheGSPSubcommitteetorequestmodificationstothelistofcountrieseligibleforGSPtreatment.However,onlyan“interestedparty”maypetitionformodificationstothelistofarticleseligibleforGSPtreatment.Forpurposesofthisprovision,aninterestedpartyisanypartywhohassignificanteconomicinterestinthesubjectmatteroftherequest,oranyotherpartyrepresentingasignificanteconomicinterestthatwouldbemateriallyaffectedbytheactionrequested,suchasadomesticproducerofalikeordirectlycompetitivearticle,acommercialimporterorretailerofanarticlewhichiseligibleforGSPorforwhichGSPeligibilityisrequested,oraforeigngovernment.Inordertobeconsideredinaparticularannualreview,petitionsmustbesubmittedtotheGSPSubcommitteebythedeadlineforsubmissionsforthatreview,whichistypicallyannouncedintheFederalRegisterinJulyorAugust(SeesuggestedoutlinesofGSPpetitions).Petitionsmustconformtotheapplicablerulesandregulations.PetitionsacceptedforreviewaresubjecttopublichearingsandafullreviewbytheGSPSubcommittee.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.

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Doallbeneficiarycountriesreceiveduty‐freetreatmentontheentirelistofarticles?No.SomeotherwiseGSP‐eligibleproductsfromparticularBDCsmaybeineligiblebecause:(1)theyexceedtheCNLs(seebelow);(2)theproducts’GSPeligibilityhasbeenremovedfromoneormoreparticularcountriesinresponsetopetitionssubmittedaspartofanannualreview;(3)aparticularBDChasbeenfoundtobesufficientlycompetitivewithrespecttothatproductorproducts;(4)theimportedarticlesfailtomeetthestatutoryrequirementsofGSP;or(5)theimportedarticlesfailtomeetotherCBPorotheragencyrequirements.4.CompetitiveNeedLimitationsandRequestsforWaiversWhatarecompetitiveneedlimitations?CNLsarequantitativeceilingsonGSPbenefitsforeachproductandBDC.TheGSPstatuteprovidesthataBDCistoloseitsGSPeligibilitywithrespecttoaproductiftheCNLsareexceededandifnowaiverisgranted(seebelow).TherearetwodifferentmeasuresforCNLs:whenU.S.importsofaparticularproductfromaBDCduringanycalendaryear(1)accountfor50percentormoreofthevalueoftotalU.S.importsofthatproduct;or(2)exceedacertaindollarvalue.InaccordancewiththeGSPstatute,thedollar‐valuelimitisincreasedby$5millionannually;thelimitwas$170millionin2015andis$175millionin2016.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.Thedeminimislevelin2015was$22.5million,andis$23millionin2016.

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Eachyear,theGSPSubcommitteeautomaticallyconsidersdeminimiswaiversforallproductsfromBDCsthatexceededthepercentage‐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.DepartmentofCommercehttps://www.export.gov/Trade‐Data‐and‐AnalysisndforeigntradestatisticsfromtheCensusBureau(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$12,475for2015).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/,toseeifCBPhasissuedarulingonthesameorasimilarproduct,ormaycontactCBPforabindingruling.Seepageeightofthisbookletforinformationonhowtoobtainaruling.Canimportedmaterialsbecountedtowardthe35percentvalue‐addedrequirement?Yes,iftheimportedmaterialundergoesadoublesubstantialtransformation.ThismeansthattheimportedmaterialmustundergoasubstantialtransformationintheBDC,whichmeansthattheimportedmaterialistransformedintoanewanddifferentconstituentmaterialwithanewname,characteranduse.ThentheconstituentmaterialmustbetransformedintheBDCintoanewanddifferentfinished

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articlewithanewname,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.Foranyquestionrelatedtothesemattersorforadefinitiverulingonwhetheraproductproducedinaregionalassociationqualifiesforduty‐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?CertaintextileproductsareeligibleforGSPtreatmentwhentheGSPBDChassignedanagreementwith

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theUnitedStatestoprovidecertificationthattheitemsarehand‐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,CBPhasautomaticallyprocessedrefundsofdutiesdepositedontheseGSP‐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.

16

COUNTRIES ELIGIBLE FOR GSP

GSP‐EligibleBeneficiaries(asofOctober2016)

IndependentcountriesAfghanistan Congo(Kinshasa) Jordan Niger Tanzania

Albania Côted'Ivoire Kazakhstan Nigeria Thailand

Algeria Djibouti Kenya Pakistan Timor‐Leste

Angola Dominica KiribatiPapuaNewGuinea

Togo

Armenia Ecuador Kosovo Paraguay Tonga

Azerbaijan Egypt Kyrgyzstan Philippines Tunisia

Belize Eritrea Lebanon Rwanda Turkey

Benin Ethiopia Lesotho SaintLucia Tuvalu

Bhutan Fiji LiberiaSt.VincentandtheGrenadines

Uganda

Bolivia Gabon Macedonia Samoa Ukraine

BosniaandHerzegovina

Gambia,The MadagascarSaoToméandPrincipe

Uruguay*

Botswana Georgia Malawi Senegal Uzbekistan

Brazil Ghana Maldives Serbia Vanuatu

BurkinaFaso Grenada Mali Seychelles* Venezuela*

Burma** Guinea Mauritania SierraLeoneYemen(Republicof)

Burundi Guinea‐Bissau Mauritius SolomonIslands Zambia

Cambodia Guyana Moldova Somalia Zimbabwe

Cameroon Haiti Mongolia SouthAfrica

CapeVerde India Montenegro SouthSudan

CentralAfricanRepublic

Indonesia Mozambique SriLanka

Chad Iraq Namibia Suriname Comoros Jamaica Nepal Swaziland

Congo(Brazzaville) *PerPresidentialProclamation9333,ofSeptember30,2015,Seychelles,Uruguay,andVenezuelahavebecome“highincome”countriesandtheirdesignationasbeneficiarydevelopingcountriesforpurposesoftheGSPwillbeterminatedeffectiveJanuary1,2017.**PerPresidentialProclamation9492ofSeptember14,2016,BurmaisaGSPbeneficiary,LDBDCGSPbeneficiary,andinGSPASEANgroupeffectiveNovember13,2016

17

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‐LesteBurkinaFasoBurma**

Guinea‐Bissau Niger Togo

Burundi Haiti Rwanda TuvaluCambodia Kiribati Samoa Uganda

CentralAfricanRepublic Lesotho SaoToméandPrincipe Vanuatu

Chad Liberia Senegal Yemen(Republicof)

Comoros Madagascar SierraLeone ZambiaCongo(Kinshasa) Malawi SolomonIslands

**PerPresidentialProclamation9492ofSeptember14,2016,BurmaisaGSPbeneficiary,LDBDCGSPbeneficiary,andinGSPASEANgroupeffectiveNovember13,2016

18

Associationsofcountries(treatedasonecountryforGSPrule‐of‐originrequirements)

MemberCountriesoftheCartagenaAgreement (AndeanGroup):

Qualifying MemberCountriesoftheSouthernAfricaDevelopmentCommunity(SADC):

Bolivia BotswanaEcuador MauritiusVenezuela Tanzania

MemberCountriesoftheWestAfricanEconomicandMonetaryUnion(WAEMU):

Qualifying MemberCountriesoftheSouthAsianAssociationforRegionalCooperation(SAARC):

Benin AfghanistanBurkinaFaso BangladeshCôted'Ivoire BhutanGuinea‐Bissau Burma**Mali IndiaNiger NepalSenegal PakistanTogo SriLanka

QualifyingMemberCountriesoftheAssociationofSouthEastAsianNations(ASEAN):

CambodiaQualifyingMemberCountriesoftheCaribbeanCommonMarket(CARICOM):

Indonesia Belize

Philippines DominicaThailand Grenada

Guyana

Jamaica

Montserrat

SaintLucia

SaintVincentandtheGrenadines

**PerPresidentialProclamation9492ofSeptember14,2016,BurmaisaGSPbeneficiary,LDBDCGSPbeneficiary,andinGSPASEANgroupeffectiveNovember13,2016

19

CriteriaforCountryEligibilityunderGSP Mandatory criteria 19USC2462(b)(2)oftheGSPstatutesetsforththecriteriathateachcountrymustsatisfybeforebeingdesignatedaGSPbeneficiary.Thesecriteriaaresummarizedbelowforinformationalpurposesonly.PleaseseetheGSPstatuteforthecompletetext.1) AGSPbeneficiarymaynotbeaCommunistcountry,unlesssuchcountryreceivesNormalTrade

Relations(NTR)treatment,isaWorldTradeOrganization(WTO)memberandamemberoftheInternationalMonetaryFund(IMF),andisnotdominatedorcontrolledbyinternationalcommunism;

2) AGSPbeneficiarymaynotbeapartytoanarrangementofcountriesnorparticipateinactionsthe

effectofwhichare(a)towithholdsuppliesofvitalcommodityresourcesfrominternationaltradeortoraisethepriceofsuchcommoditiestoanunreasonableleveland(b)tocauseseriousdisruptionoftheworldeconomy;

3) AGSPbeneficiarymaynotaffordpreferentialtreatmenttoproductsofadevelopedcountrythat

has,orislikelytohave,asignificantadverseeffectonU.S.commerce;4) Abeneficiarymaynothavenationalized,expropriatedorotherwiseseizedpropertyofU.S.

citizensorcorporationswithoutproviding,ortakingstepstoprovide,prompt,adequate,andeffectivecompensation,orsubmittingsuchissuestoamutuallyagreedforumforarbitration;

5) AGSPbeneficiarymaynothavefailedtorecognizeorenforcearbitralawardsinfavorofU.S.

citizensorcorporations;6) AGSPbeneficiarymaynotaidorabet,bygrantingsanctuaryfromprosecution,anyindividualor

groupthathascommittedanactofinternationalterrorism;7) AGSPbeneficiarymusthavetakenoristakingstepstoaffordinternationallyrecognizedworker

rights,including1)therightofassociation,2)therighttoorganizeandbargaincollectively,3)aprohibitionontheuseofanyformofforcedorcompulsorylabor,4)aminimumagefortheemploymentofchildren,andaprohibitionontheworstformsofchildlabor,and5)acceptableconditionsofworkwithrespecttominimumwages,hoursofworkandoccupationalsafetyandhealth.

8) AGSPbeneficiarymustimplementanycommitmentsitmakestoeliminatetheworstformsof

childlabor.

20

Discretionarycriteria19USC2462(c)oftheGSPstatutesetsforththefollowingcriteriathatthePresidentmusttakeintoaccountindeterminingwhethertodesignateacountryasabeneficiarycountryforpurposesoftheGSPprogram.Thesecriteriaaresummarizedbelowforinformationalpurposesonly;pleaseseetheGSPstatuteforthecompletetext.1) AnexpressionbyacountryofitsdesiretobedesignatedasaGSPbeneficiarycountry;2) Thelevelofeconomicdevelopment,includingpercapitaGrossNationalProduct(GNP),theliving

standardsoftheinhabitantsandanyothereconomicfactorsthatthePresidentdeemsappropriate;

3) Whetherothermajordevelopedcountriesareextendinggeneralizedpreferentialtarifftreatment

tosuchcountry;4) TheextenttowhichsuchcountryhasassuredtheUnitedStatesthatitwillprovideequitableand

reasonableaccesstoitsmarketsandbasiccommodityresourcesandtheextenttowhichithasassuredtheUnitedStatesitwillrefrainfromengaginginunreasonableexportpractices;

5) Theextenttowhichsuchcountryprovidesadequateandeffectiveprotectionofintellectual

propertyrights;6) Theextenttowhichsuchcountryhastakenactiontoreducetradedistortinginvestmentpractices

andpolicies,includingexportperformancerequirements,andtoreduceoreliminatebarrierstotradeinservices;and

7) Whethersuchcountryhastakenoristakingstepstoaffordinternationallyrecognizedworker

rights,including1)therightofassociation,2)therighttoorganizeandbargaincollectively,3)freedomfromcompulsorylabor,4)aminimumagefortheemploymentofchildren,and5)acceptableconditionsofworkwithrespecttominimumwages,hoursofworkandoccupationalsafetyandhealth.

21

INFORMATIONONGSP–ELIGIBLEPRODUCTS

ArticlesNotProducedintheUnitedStatesonJanuary1,199519USC2463(c)(2)(E)exemptsfromCNLscertainarticlesiflikeordirectlycompetitivearticleswerenotproduced in the United States on January 1, 1995. The CNL provisions set forth in section 19 USC2463(c)(2)(A)(i)mandatetheterminationofduty‐freetreatmentofanarticlebyJuly1ofthecalendaryearfollowingtheoneinwhichimportsofthatarticlebyabeneficiaryexceeded50percentofallU.S.importsofthearticleoradollarvaluesetbyaformuladescribedin19USC2463(c)(2)(A)(ii)($170millionfor2015and$175millionfor2016,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

22

ArticlesandCountriesGrantedWaiversofCompetitiveNeedLimitations

(CurrentasofSeptember15,2016)

(*indicates2012HTSnomenclaturechanges;priorHTSnumberlistedwithyearofaction)

HTSUS8‐Digit ProductDescription Country

YearofAction

08041060

Dates,freshordried,whole,withoutpits,packedinunitsweighingover4.6kg

Tunisia 2016

*17011305

Canesugar,raw,specifiedinsubheading2tochapter17,insolidform,w/oaddedflavoringorcoloring,subjecttogen.note

15oftheHTS

Philippines1989‐

17011105

*17011310

Canesugar,raw,specifiedinsubheading2andsubjecttoadd'lnote5tothischapter,insolidform,w/oaddedflavoringor

coloring

Philippines 1989‐17011110

*17011320Canesugar,raw,specifiedinsubheading2

tochapter17,tobeusedforcertainpolyhydricalcohols


*17011405Othercanesugar,raw,insolidform,w/oaddedflavoringorcoloring,subjecttogen.

note15oftheHTSPhilippines

1989‐17011105

*17011410Othercanesugar,raw,insolidform,w/oaddedflavoringorcoloring,subjecttoadd.

US5toCh.17Philippines

1989‐17011110

*17011420 Othercanesugar,raw,insolidform,tobeusedforcertainpolyhydricalcohols


20011000Cucumbersincludinggherkins,preparedorpreservedbyvinegaroraceticacid India 2008

20081915 Coconuts,otherwisepreparedorpreserved,nesi

Thailand 2015

20089915 Bananas,otherthanpulp,otherwisepreparedorpreserved

Philippines 1989

21022060

Single‐cellmicro‐organisms,dead,excludingyeasts(butnotincluding

vaccinesofheading3002)

Brazil 2016

22029090

Non‐alcoholicbeverages,nesi,notincludingfruitorvegetablejuicesof

heading2009

Thailand 2016

23

HTSUS8‐Digit

ProductDescription Country YearofAction

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

29350032Acetylsulfisoxazole;sulfacetamide,sodium;andsulfamethazine,sodium

Croatia 1991

29350032 Acetylsulfisoxazole;sulfacetamide,sodium;andsulfamethazine,sodium

Bosnia‐Hercegovina

1991

29350032Acetylsulfisoxazole;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

46021216Basketsandbagsofrattanorpalmleaf

otherthanwickerwork Philippines 1989

46021918 Basketsandbagsofvegetablematerial,nesoi

Philippines 1989

46021980 Basketworkandotherarticles,nesoi,ofvegetablesmaterials,nesoi

Philippines 1989

24

HTSUS8‐Digit


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

71131929Goldnecklacesandneckchains(o/thanof

ropeormixedlinks) Turkey 2003

72025000 Ferrosiliconchromium Zimbabwe 1993

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

25

HTSUS8‐Digit


85258050 Stillimagevideocameras(otherthandigital)andothervideocamerarecorders

Indonesia 2004

85272110Radio‐tapeplayercombinationsnot

operablewithoutexternalpowersource,formotorvehicles

Brazil 1997

85279140Radiobroadcastreceivercombinations

incorporatingtapeplayers,nesi Indonesia 1997

85279915 Radiobroadcastreceiversnotcombinedwithsoundrecordingapparatusorclock

Indonesia 1999

85279940Receptionapparatusforradiotelegraphy,radiotelephony,radiobroadcasting,nesoi Philippines 1997

85287228

Non‐highdefinitioncolortelevisionreceptionapp.,non‐projection,w/CRT,videodisplaydiag.over35.56cm,incorporatingaVCRorplayer

Thailand 2003

85299001 Printedcircuitassembliesfortelevisiontuners

Indonesia 1994

85299029Tunersfortelevisionapparatus,other

thanprintedcircuitassembliesIndonesia 1994

85443000Insulatedignitionwiringsetsandotherwiringsetsofakindusedinvehicles,

aircraftorshipsThailand 2003

90013000 Contactlenses Indonesia 2005

90328960 Automaticregulatingorcontrollinginstrumentsandapparatus,nesi

Philippines 1997

94055020

Non‐electricalincandescentlampsdesignedtobeoperatedbypropaneorothergas,orbycompressedairand

keroseneorgasoline

India 2003

94055040Non‐electricallampsandlightingfixtures

nesoi,notofbrass India 2003

96131000Cigarettelightersandsimilarlighters,gas

fueled,notrefillable,forthepocket Philippines 1989

26

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).Generalinformationrequiredofallpetitionersper15CFR2007.1(a) Providethenameofthepetitioner,andtheperson,firm,orassociationrepresentedbythepetitioner.

DescribebrieflyhowtheGSPprogramaffectsthepetitioner’sinterests. Identifytheproductorproductsofinterest,includingadetaileddescriptionoftheproductandthe

eight‐digittariffnumber(i.e.,subheading)fortheitemintheHTSUS.(Thisisthelevelofproductdescriptionatwhichtherateofdutyisindicated.)IftheproductorproductsofinterestareincludedwithotherproductsinabasketcategoryoftheHTSUS,provideadetaileddescriptionofthespecificproductorproductsofinterest.

Describetheactionrequested,togetherwithastatementofthereasonsfortheaction,andanysupportinginformation.

Indicatewhether,tothebestofthepetitioner’sknowledge,thereasonsfortheactionandinformationintherequesthavebeenpreviouslypresentedtotheTPSCbythepetitioneroranyotherparty.Ifthepetitionerknowsthattherequesthasbeenmadepreviouslyandrejected,thepetitionermustincludeinformationthatindicatesthatchangedcircumstancesexistsuchthatthepetitionshouldbegranted.(Requestsforaproductadditionwillnotbeconsideredifapreviousrequestastothatproductwasformallyacceptedforafullreviewwithintheprecedingthreecalendaryears.)

Provideastatementofthebenefitsthepetitioneranticipatesiftherequestisgranted.

* 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. .

27

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‐mailaddressofthepersonorinterestedparty

submittingtherequest: Therequest:thattheduty‐freetreatmentaccordedtoeligiblearticlesundertheGSPbe(withdrawn,

suspended,ortheapplicationoftheduty‐freetreatmentbelimited)withrespectto(typesof,includingreferencingHTSUScodes),importstotheUnitedStatesfrom(country);

Thespecificfactorsuponwhichtherequestforthecountrypracticereviewisbeingmade.Thesefactorsarelistedin19USC2461and2462;

Statementofreasonswhythebeneficiarycountry’sstatusshouldbereviewedandpossiblychanged,ifthepetitionisaccepted,alongwithavailablesupportinginformation;and

Ifthesubjectmatteroftherequesthasbeenreviewedpursuanttoapreviousrequest,therequestmustincludesubstantialnewinformationwarrantingfurtherconsiderationoftheissue.

PublicversusBusinessConfidentialversionsIfapetitionorothersubmissioncontainsbusinessconfidentialinformation,anon‐confidentialversionofthesubmissionmustalsobesubmittedthatindicateswhereconfidentialinformationwasredactedbyinsertingasteriskswherematerialwasdeleted.Forexample,supposeapetitionerwantstoreportthat“In2001,InternationalWidgetssufferedlossesof$20millionduetolow‐pricedwidgetsimportedfromGSPsources,andhadtoreducecapacityutilizationby30percent.”Ifthedatainthesentencewerebusinessconfidential,thiswouldbereportedinthebusinessconfidentialversionofthepetitionwithbracketsaroundthebusinessconfidentialinformation:“In2001,InternationalWidgetssufferedlossesof[$20million]duetolow‐pricedwidgetsimportedfrom

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GSPsources,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.