ITC Seeks Comments on Changes to GSP Product Eligibility in 2018 Review

The International Trade Commission is launching an investigation into possible additions and removals of products from the Generalized System of Preferences benefits program, it said in a May 21 press release. Conducted in response to a request from the U.S. trade representative, the investigation will inform USTR’s decisions on product eligibility in the ongoing 2020 GSP annual review. ITC and the USTR will also in the review consider whether to grant requests for de minimis and competitive need limitations waivers.

The ITC will hold a public hearing June 19 related to the investigation -- to be held virtually as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic -- with requests to appear and pre-hearing briefs due June 3, it said in a notice. Post-hearing briefs and all other comments on the investigation are due June 29, the ITC said. The commission intends to transmit its report to the USTR by Aug. 31, 2020.

New Products Considered for GSP Eligibility

In the 2020 review, USTR is considering the following requests for new GSP benefits for certain products, for all GSP-eligible countries. If these products are designated as eligible in USTR’s review, they will become duty free for all GSP countries, with the special program indicator (SPI) “A” added to the special rates of duty column of the tariff schedule:

Removal of Products From GSP Eligibility

USTR is also considering petitions for the removal of two products from GSP eligibility for all countries. If USTR removes eligibility for these products, these products will no longer qualify for GSP benefits when imported from all GSP beneficiaries, and SPI “A” and its variants will be removed from special column 1 of the tariff schedule for these subheadings:

(Federal Register 05/27/20)