Update on the Country/Tariff Number Combinations That May Lose/Regain GSP Benefits Effective July 1, 2005

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) recently published a notice which lists full year 2004 import statistics relating to the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) Competitive Needs Limitations (CNLs).

(Most modifications to articles eligible for GSP, including CNL and other changes based on the 2004 GSP Annual Review, are expected to take effect on July 1, 2005.

BP is now updating and reorganizing its summary of these USTR lists, as the USTR recently issued an addendum containing four self-initiated CNL waiver requests. (See ITT's Online Archives or 04/08/05 news, 05040815, for BP summary of addendum. See ITT's Online Archives or 04/04/05 news, 05040410, for BP summary of USTR's lists, including scope and details of comment period.)

1. Combinations Expected to Lose GSP - No CNL Waiver Opportunity

According to the USTR's lists, the following country/tariff number combinations are expected to lose their current GSP duty-free treatment on July 1, 2005, as no CNL waiver opportunity is indicated by USTR's lists:

1 Combination Expected to Lose GSP - Unless Requested CNL Waiver is Granted

USTR's lists also indicate that the following country/tariff number combination is expected to lose its current GSP duty-free treatment on July 1, 2005, unless the requested CNL waiver is granted.

81 Combinations Expected to Lose GSP - Unless De Minimis Waiver Granted

According to USTR sources, the following 81 country/tariff number combinations are expected to lose their current GSP duty-free benefits unless a de minimis waiver is granted:

¹ note that these tariff number/country combinations are out of order

6 Combinations Expected to Remain Ineligible for GSP - Unless Requested CNL Waiver is Granted

According to USTR sources, the following country/tariff number combinations are expected to remain ineligible for GSP duty-free benefits unless the requested CNL waiver is granted:

² USTR sources indicate that 3823.19.20 Philippines should have been on the USTR's lists of full year 2004 import statistics. This country/tariff number combination is expected to remain ineligible for GSP, unless the requested CNL waiver is granted.

³ The acceptance of the CNL waiver for these country/tariff number combinations was previously announced by the USTR in its February 25, 2005 notice.

⁴ one of the four self-initiated CNL waiver requests listed in USTR's addendum.

28 Combinations Expected to Remain Ineligible for GSP - Unless a De Minimis Waiver is Granted

The USTR's lists also indicate that the following 28 country/tariff number combinations are expected to remain ineligible for GSP unless a de minimis waiver is granted:

1. Combinations Expected to Remain Ineligible for GSP - Unless Re-Designated

In addition, the USTR lists 126 country/tariff number combinations that are currently not receiving GSP duty-free treatment but may qualify for redesignation. According to previous sources, redesignations without de minimis waivers also being issued rarely occur. (See USTR's lists for 126 country/tariff number combinations.)

(See ITT's Online Archives or 02/28/05 news, 05022820, for BP summary of USTR's 02/25/05 notice listing other types of actions that could change GSP eligibility.)

(The USTR cautions that its lists may not include all articles to which GSP CNLs apply. As a result, it advises each interested party to conduct its own review of 2004 import data at http://dataweb.usitc.gov.)

USTR contact - GSP Subcommittee (202) 395-6971

USTR notice (FR Pub 03/29/05) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-6144.pdf.