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 program, it said in a June 7 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 2018 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.
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The ITC will hold a public hearing July 2 related to the investigation, with requests to appear and pre-hearing briefs due June 18, it said in a notice. Post-hearing briefs and all other comments on the investigation are due July 8, the ITC said. The commission intends to transmit its report to the USTR by Sept. 9, 2019.
Removal of Country-Product Pairs
USTR is also considering petitions for the removal of two products from Pakistan. If USTR removes eligibility for these country-product pairs, these products will no longer qualify for GSP benefits when imported from these countries, and SPI “A*” will be added to the special rates of duty column for these products:
| HTS Subheading | Description | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 3907.61.00 | Polyethylene terephthalate, having a viscosity number of 78 ml/g or higher | Pakistan |
| 3907.69.00 | Polyethylene terephthalate, having a viscosity number less than 78 ml/g | Pakistan |
Petitions for CNL Waivers
USTR will consider petitions for waivers of competitive need limitations for two country product pairs. Though imports of these products exceeded maximum levels allowed by GSP, these petitions request a waiver so that they may remain eligible for duty benefits under the program. If USTR does not grant the waivers, these country-product pairs will become ineligible for GSP, and SPI “A*” will be added to the special rates of duty column:
| HTS Subheading | Description | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 3823.11.00 | Stearic Acid | Indonesia |
| 9001.50.00 | Spectacle lenses of materials other than glass, unmounted | Thailand |
Redesignation of GSP-Ineligible Country-Product Pairs
USTR has received petitions for the redesignation of four country-product pairs as eligible for GSP. These products had previously been declared ineligible, including because they exceeded competitive need limitations. If USTR grants these petitions, the following country-product pairs will again become eligible for GSP and the SPI for these subheadings will change to “A” (unless other countries remain ineligible):
| HTS Subheading | Description | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 0603.13.00 | Orchids, fresh cut | Thailand |
| 4412.10.05 | Plywood, veneered panels and similar laminated wood, of bamboo | Indonesia |
| 4412.31.4155 | Plywood sheets n/o 6mm thick, with specified tropical wood outer ply, with face ply nesoi, not surface covered beyond clear/transparent | Indonesia |
| 4418.73.40 | Assembled flooring panels of bamboo, other than for mosaic, multilayer, having a face ply more than 6mm in thickness | Indonesia |
(Federal Register 06/11/19)