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 Recent Amendments to AGOA

This document outlines the recent (2002) amendments to AGOA. Included in these amendments is clarification regarding the duty-free treatment of knit-to-shape textiles, the re-classification of Namibia and Botswana as a "Lesser Developed Country" and other changes.

Download	Author:	U.S. Government
	Organisation:	n/a
	Date of Publication:	2002
	File Size:	67 kB

This document contains the full legal text of the recent amendments to AGOA.

Download	Author:	U.S. Government
	Organisation:	n/a
	Date of Publication:	2002
	File Size:	94 kB

This document lists all Sub-Saharan African Countries eligible for benefits under the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP). GSP eligibility does not automatically imply AGOA-eligibility, although it forms the basis on which certain countries were deemed to be AGOA-eligible.

Download	Author:	n/a
	Organisation:	n/a
	Date of Publication:	n/a
	File Size:	8 kB

Document listing the countries of Sub-Saharan Africa. The African Growth and Opportunity Act applies only to Sub-Saharan African countries having met certain conditions, meaning that while AGOA-eligible countries have to be from Sub-Saharan Africa, the reverse is not necessarily true.

Download	Author:	n/a
	Organisation:	n/a
	Date of Publication:	n/a
	File Size:	6 kB

This document contains a list of products currently eligible for duty-free treatment if imported from a GSP beneficiary country. AGOA has extended duty-free treatment of the GSP products by a further 1,800+ products (see in Section for listing of additional eligible products)

Download	Author:	US International Trade Commission
	Organisation:	US Government
	Date of Publication:
	File Size:	355kB

A bill to amend the African Growth and Opportunity Act to extend the third-country fabric rule, to add South Sudan to the list of countries eligible for designation under that Act, and for other purposes.

Download	Author:	US Senate (Sen Max Baucus and others)
	Organisation:	US Senate
	Date of Publication:	12/2011
	File Size:	129kB

This document sets forth interim amendments to those provisions of the Customs Regulations that implement the trade benefits for sub-Saharan African countries contained in AGOA. The document provides technical detail and interpretation guidelines regarding a number of minor changes to AGOA, e.g. to the apparel provisions.

Download	Author:	Department of the Treasury
	Organisation:	US Customs Service
	Date of Publication:	2003
	File Size:	253kB

The legal text of AGOA, to be cited as the "Trade and Development Act of 2000". Also known as "Public Law 106-200" - May 18, 2000.

Download	Author:	United States Government
	Organisation:
	Date of Publication:	2000
	File Size:	237kB

This is a copy of the AGOA Textile Certificate of Origin. An exporter of apparel/textiles wishing to obtain the preferential treatment available under AGOA (i.e. duty-free treatment) for specific apparel/textile products must complete the Certificate and provide it to the importer, which is importing the apparel/textiles to the United States. The Certificate must be available to U.S. Customs on request but does not accompany the actual shipment.

Download	Author:	US Government
	Organisation:
	Date of Publication:	2000
	File Size:	10kB

This document presents the findings and a binding ruling issued by the US Customs Department following an enquiry by a potential apparel exporter from Ghana. Ghana qualifies for apparel exports under AGOA, and is in addition also classified as a “Lesser Developed Beneficiary Country”. The exporter seeks clarification regarding the AGOA-eligibility (and thus duty-free access to the US) of a garment which will be assembled in Ghana, but where certain input materials will be sourced from a region that does not qualify for AGOA benefits (Asia).

Download	Author:	Commercial Rulings Division
	Organisation:	US Dept. of Commerce
	Date of Publication:	03/2003
	File Size:	49kB

This Bill, commonly referred to as “AGOA III”, was introduced to the Senate of the United States and House of Representatives on November 21 and 22, 2003, respectively. Proposed changes included an overall extension of AGOA to 2015 (from 2008 presently), an extension of the apparel rule applying to lesser developed countries by a further 4 years to 2008 as well as various support measures relating mainly to the agricultural sector. The Bill was not passed in its current form, but subsequently made it through Congress following various ammendments. See the final version of AGOA 3 -HR4103- below.

Download	Author:	US Government
	Organisation:	US Government
	Date of Publication:	11/2003
	File Size:	72 kB

The AGOA Acceleration Act, HR 4103, is closely modelled after the proposed ‘AGOA III Act’ but is specifically designed to smoothly pass the Congress soon after April 2004.

Download	Author:	Republican Bill Thomas / Democrat Jim McDermott
	Organisation:	US Senate and House of Representatives
	Date of Publication:	04/2004
	File Size:	71kb

This alphabetic guide provides a useful overview on a product-by-product basis to the US Harmonised tariff System (HTS) nomenclature.

Download	Author:	United States Trade Representative (USTR)
	Organisation:	US Government
	Date of Publication:	2004
	File Size:	424kB

Legal text of HR-1047, which proposes certain ammendments to US legislation, including the re-designation of Mauritius as a LDC country.

Download	Author:	US House of Representatives
	Organisation:	US House of Representatives
	Date of Publication:	10/2004
	File Size:	531kB

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in November 2005 between the governments of the United States and China concerning trade in textile and apparel products. These consultations took place under Paragraph 242 of the "Report of the Working Party for the Accession of China to the WTO", and cover trade in 22 categories for the period 2006 to 2008.

Download	Author:	US - China
	Organisation:	US - China
	Date of Publication:	2005
	File Size:	369 k

Presidential Proclamation dated 22 December 2005 indicating the removal of Mauritiana from the list of AGOA beneficiaries and addition of Burundi with effect of 01-01-2006.

Download	Author:	The White House
	Organisation:	The White House
	Date of Publication:	12/2005
	File Size:	50kB

Official Title: To extend certain trade preference programs, and for other purposes. Aims to promote sustainable development and economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa in three ways: by extending the GSP for one year, by amending the AGOA, and by expanding duty-free access for agricultural goods and assistance to SSA agribusiness.

Download	Author:	Rep. Charles Rangel with Co-Sponsors
	Organisation:	during 109th U.S. Congress (2005-2006)
	Date of Publication:	30/3/2006
	File Size:	91kB

Official Title: To promote economic diversification, entrepreneurship, and private sector development in Africa, and to promote partnerships among small and medium enterprises in the United States and the African private sector in qualified sub-Saharan African countries. If passed, this Act is designed to facilitate private sector growth and diversify economies in SSA by providing US business and technical expertise to small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) located in SSA.

Download	Author:	Rep. James McDermott and co-sponsors
	Organisation:	during 109th U.S. Congress (2005-2006)
	Date of Publication:	25/05/2006
	File Size:	98kB

Guidebook to the US Generalised System of Preferences, on which AGOA is based.

Download	Author:	Office of the US Trade Representative
	Organisation:	USTR
	Date of Publication:	January 2006
	File Size:	119kB

US GSP eligible products - for all developing country GSP beneficiaries. Excludes products available for GSP treatment only to Least Developed Beneficiary Countries.

Download	Author:	United States
	Organisation:	United States
	Date of Publication:	2005
	File Size:	188kB

Additional US GSP eligible products for Least Developed Beneficiary Countries (excludes products for developing countries).

Download	Author:	United States
	Organisation:	United States
	Date of Publication:	unknown
	File Size:	80kB

Proposed legislation amending the AGOA, including an extension of the third-country fabric provision, the associated quota limits, and the status of Mauritius.

Download	Author:	Rep. Charles Rangel with Co-Sponsors
	Organisation:	US Senate
	Date of Publication:	September 2006
	File Size:	38kB

Proposed legislation amending the AGOA, including an extension of the third-country fabric provision, the associated quota limits, the GSP, as submitted by Rep. Bill Thomas on 21-09-2006.

Download	Author:	Rep. Bill Thomas
	Organisation:	US Senate
	Date of Publication:	09/2006
	File Size:	145kB

Summary of AGOA and GSP-related provisions of this Bill. Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) 1. Extends GSP for two years, consistent with the President’s budget request. 2. After a six-month delay, tightens rules on competitive need limit waivers to tailor the program for use by lesser developed countries that need help exporting to the United States.President is given discretion to end waivers on products that constitute 150 percent of the competitive need limit or 75 percent of U.S. imports of that product. African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) 1. Extends current provision allowing benefits for apparel made with fabric from third countries until 2012, with a 3.5 percent cap. 2. Provides an exception to the third country fabric benefit for apparel goods made from components that are in “abundant supply” in Africa. The purpose is to remove current disincentives for the investment in fabric production in Africa. In particular, denim is deemed to be in abundant supply because of known production in Lesotho. 3. Allows duty free treatment for lesser developed countries for certain textiles (non-apparel) of wholly made African fabric.

Download	Author:	Rep. Bill Thomas
	Organisation:	US Senator
	Date of Publication:	2006
	File Size:	504kB

Instructions for Beneficiary Country Governments to Apply for Approval of Handloomed/Handmade/Folklore Articles Under Category 9

Download	Author:	US Office for Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA)
	Organisation:	US Office for Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA)
	Date of Publication:	2003
	File Size:	16 kb

New textile certificate of origin following amendments to AGOA with respect to certain abundant supply provisions etc. Abundant supply provisions (denim fabric category) relates to LDC countries only.

Download	Author:	US Customs / Office for Textiles and Apparel
	Organisation:	US Customs / Office for Textiles and Apparel
	Date of Publication:	Jne 2007
	File Size:	81kB

Abundant supply provisions published in the Federal Register of 27 February 2007, pertaining to AGOA IV.

Download	Author:	US Dept of Commerce
	Organisation:	US Dept of Commerce
	Date of Publication:	02/2007
	File Size:	71kB

Federal Register notice published 21 April 2008 proclaiming Togo as an AGOA beneficiary country, and amending certain parts of the AGOA legislation.

Download	Author:	US Presidential Documents
	Organisation:	US Government
	Date of Publication:	04/2008
	File Size:	291kB

Bill HR 5095 to amend certain parts of the AGOA legislation (specifically to include Mauritius as a country able to benefit from the apparel provisions with respect to using third country fabrics).

Download	Author:	Rep. McDermott
	Organisation:	US Congress
	Date of Publication:	01/2008
	File Size:	34kB

Bill signed into law on 16 October 2008, includes 3rd country fabric allowance for Mauritius.

Download	Author:	US Government
	Organisation:	US Government
	Date of Publication:	10/2008
	File Size:	53kB

Public Law 110-436 amending AGOA: (a) repeal of abundant supply provisions (b) designation of Mauritius as a country that may use third country fabrics in clothing exports.

Download	Author:	US Government
	Organisation:	US Government
	Date of Publication:	10/2008
	File Size:	123kB

Proposals to "amend the African Growth and Opportunity Act and the Trade Act of 1974 to provide improved duty-free treatment for certain articles from certain least-developed countries, and for other purposes".

Download	Author:	Bill introduced by Sen MCDERMOTT
	Organisation:	US Congress
	Date of Publication:	11/2009
	File Size:	206kB

Under the terms of this waiver, the United States is required to submit to the General Council an annual report on the implementation of the trade-related provisions of AGOA with a view to facilitating the annual review provided for in paragraph 4 of Article IX of the WTO Agreement. This report covers calendar year 2009.

Download	Author:	US Delegation at WTO
	Organisation:	WTO
	Date of Publication:	05/2010
	File Size:	45 kB

AGOA III - legislation known as "AGOA Acceleration Act of 2004"

Download	Author:	US Congress
	Organisation:	US Congress
	Date of Publication:	2004
	File Size:	58kB

Presidential Proclamation released on 21 December 2010 removing the Democratic Republic of Congo's eligibility for AGOA preferences.

Download	Author:	The White House
	Organisation:	The White House
	Date of Publication:	12/2010
	File Size:	58.90

Legal text on the determination of Liberia as qualifying for textile preferences (including the third country provisions) under AGOA.

Download	Author:	Ron Kirk
	Organisation:	Office of the US Trade Representative
	Date of Publication:	02/2011
	File Size:	12.kB

Proposed legislation to amend the African Growth and Opportunity Act to extend the third country fabric program from 2012 to 2015, and for other purposes.

Download	Author:	Reps. Bill McDermott, Johnson, Rangel and Payne
	Organisation:	US Congress
	Date of Publication:	July 2011
	File Size:	165kB

Legislation passed by Congress and signed into law to re-enact the US GSP and restrospectively apply the GSP preferences for 2011 since the former GSP expired in December 2010.

Download	Author:	US Congress
	Organisation:	US Congress
	Date of Publication:	10/2011
	File Size:	175kB

Bill submitted to House Ways and Means Committee on 21 June 2012, to amend the African Growth and Opportunity Act to extend the third country fabric program and to add South Sudan to the list of countries eligible for designation under that Act, to make technical corrections to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States relating to the textile and apparel rules of origin for the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement, to approve the renewal of import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003, and for other purposes.

Download	Author:	Rep. Dave Camp and 21 Co-Sponsors
	Organisation:	US Congress
	Date of Publication:	June 21 - 2012
	File Size:	262kB

Proposed Coburn amendment prior to passing of AGOA fabric extension on 2 August 2012. The proposed amendment was not passed (40:58 vote).

Download	Author:	Senator Coburn (sponsor)
	Organisation:	US Senate
	Date of Publication:	July 2012
	File Size:	23kB

Cost estimate of AGOA fabric renewal - US$ 192mn, as per US Congressional Budget Office.

Download	Author:	Congressional Budget Office
	Organisation:	Congressional Budget Office
	Date of Publication:	July 2012
	File Size:	13kB

Passed Senate on 2 August 2012

Download	Author:	US Senate
	Organisation:	US Senate
	Date of Publication:	July 2012
	File Size:	213kB

To create jobs in the United States by increasing United States exports to Africa by at least 200 percent in real dollar value within 10 years, and for other purposes. Mr. SMITH of New Jersey (for himself, Mr. RUSH, and Ms. BASS) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Af- fairs, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Small Business, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently deter- mined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

Download	Author:	House of Representatives
	Organisation:	US Congress
	Date of Publication:	05/2013
	File Size:	281kB