President Obama Signs GSP and ATPA Bill into Law President Signs GSP and ATPA Bill into Law President Obama Signs GSP and ATPA Bill into Law

On December 28, 2009, President Obama signed into law H.R. 4284, which extends the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) and the Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA) for one year, through December 31, 2010. Under the GSP treatment, beneficiary developing countries receive certain trade benefits.

According to the Presidential Proclamation, effective January 1, 2011, Croatia and Equatorial Guinea will no longer receive the GSP treatment as they have achieved “high income” classification. Cape Verde will be removed from the list of least-developed beneficiary countries under GSP effective January 1, 2010.

Deadline Set for Importers to Request Duty-Free Treatment under GSP

On May 28, 2009, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) issued a notice in the Federal Register announcing it has set June 24 as the deadline for its 2009 Annual Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) Product and Country Practices Eligibility Review. During the Annual Review, USTR assesses petitions to modify the list of products and countries that receive duty-free treatment under the GSP.

By utilizing GSP, which provides duty-free treatment to a range of products from over 100 developing and lesser developed countries, U.S. importers can better control the cost of inputs.

Interested parties must submit petitions to modify the GSP products and country status by June 24, 2009. Petitions for products to continue receiving GSP treatment will be accepted starting June 24 and November 17, 2009.

Oman and Peru Removed from GSP Program

On February 3, 2009, Customs announced that “goods from Oman and Peru are no longer eligible for GSP preferences due to the implementation of bilateral trade agreements with these countries.” The Oman FTA took effect on January 1, 2009 and the Peru TPA on February 1, 2009. GSP claims from these countries will not be accepted on or after these dates.

USTR Initiates GSP Review for Vietnam

On June 20, 2008, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced in the Federal Register the initiation of a review to consider designating the Socialist Republic of Vietnam as a beneficiary developing country (BDC) for purposes of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program and solicits public comments on whether Vietnam meets eligibility requirements for designation as a BDC. Comments are due by Monday, August 4, 2008 and must be submitted in accordance with the requirements set out in the notice.

USTR Posts Notice Regarding Initiation of the 2008 Annual GSP Product and Country Eligibility Practices Review

On May 15, 2008, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) published a notice in the Federal Register announcing that it will receive petitions in 2008 to modify the list of products that are eligible for duty-free treatment under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) and to modify the GSP status of certain GSP beneficiary developing countries because of country practices.

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