GSP Changes for Ukraine, Thailand, Mali, Macedonia
GSP Changes for Ukraine, Thailand, Mali, Macedonia
According to the U.S. Customs Cargo Systems Messaging Service (CSMS #40863008), some Generalized System of Preferences duty-free treatment changes have been modified for Ukraine, Thailand, Mali and Macedonia. The system states, “On October 25, 2019, the President issued Presidential Proclamation (PP) 9955 modifying trade benefits under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) for Ukraine and Thailand, designating the Republic of Mali’s country status under the African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA), and implementing the name change of “Macedonia” to “North Macedonia.” This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on October 31, 2019 (84 FRN 58567).”
Ukraine
The duty-free treatment accorded under GSP to certain products from Ukraine is restored because the country has made progress towards providing adequate and effective protection of intellectual property rights.
Details:
As of 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on October 30, 2019, certain goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, will be eligible for GSP preferential tariff treatment. General Note 4(d) of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS) is modified. The list of products included in GSP eligibility for Ukraine is found in Annex 1 of the Proclamation.
[maxbutton id=”42″ url=”https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/10/31/2019-24008/to-modify-duty-free-treatment-under-the-generalized-system-of-preferences-and-for-other-purposes” ]Thailand
The duty-free treatment accorded under GSP to certain products from Thailand are withdrawn because the country is not taking steps to afford its workers internationally recognized worker rights.
Details:
With respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on April 25, 2020, the General Note of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS) is modified. The list of products excluded from GSP eligibility for Thailand is found in Annex 2 of PP 9955.
[maxbutton id=”42″ url=”https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/10/31/2019-24008/to-modify-duty-free-treatment-under-the-generalized-system-of-preferences-and-for-other-purposes” ]Republic of Mali
The Republic of Mali is designated as a lesser developed beneficiary sub-Saharan African country (LDBC), thus qualifying it for LDBC preferential benefits under the African Growth Opportunity Act.
Details:
As of 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time on November 30, 2019 the country designation of “lesser developed beneficiary sub-Saharan African country” will be effective for purposes of AGOA [Title I, Public Law 106-200, §112(c)], and Ch. 98 Subchapter XIX, General Note 2(d) of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule will be modified by inserting in alphabetical sequence in the list of lesser developed beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries “Republic of Mali.”
Macedonia
The short-form name of “Macedonia” has changed to “North Macedonia.” General Note 4(a) and Chapter 99, Subchapter III, U.S. notes 17(b)(2) and 18(b), to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule will be modified to reflect this change.
If questions contact the Trade Agreements Branch at FTA@CBP.DHS.gov.
For more information on the GSP program, visit USTR’s website at http://ustr.gov/issue-areas/trade-development/preference-programs/generalized-system-preference-gsp
For more information on the AGOA program, please visit USTR’s website at https://ustr.gov/issue-areas/trade-development/preference-programs/african-growth-and-opportunity-act-agoa
