Updates

This page contains current events affecting global supply management. It's designed to show rapidly changing information pertaining to training material.

US GSP program reinstated, duties can be refunded

December 29 2011

The United States GSP program was reinstated in December 2011. Duties paid for GSP-eligible imports can be refunded upon application.

US Customs Merchandise Processing Fee increased

October 1, 2011

The US Merchandise processing fee was raised to 0.3464%, effective Oct 5, 2011. THe miniimum and maximum fees ($25 and $485) did not change.

U.S. GSP program suspended, future uncertain

January 1, 2011

 

The United States Congress adjourned at the end of December 2010 without passing legislation extending the United States' Generalized System of Preference program. This enabled duty free imports into the U.S. from approximately 135 developing countries. Duty rates for those countries now are the same as they would be from a developed country.

This has happened twice before within my memory. In both cases, the program was reinstated retroactively within a few months. The U.S. government reimbursed importers who had paid duties during the suspension. U.S. Customs, anticipating the same thing will happen again, is holding duties in a kind of escrow account for future refunds.

What is different this year is that there are a number of new Congresspeople with anti-import sentiments. While I think the program will eventually be reinstated, it will take some time and there is some possibility it may never come back.