The first extends till December 31, 2028, trade preferences that provide duty-free access to the US market for most exports from eligible countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). It also extends till December 31, 2031, customs user fees and merchandise processing fees. There are 32 countries eligible for AGOA now.
The US House has passed the AGOA Extension Act, extending till December 31, 2028, duty-free access to the US for most exports from sub-Saharan Africa.
The bill also extends till December 31, 2031, customs user fees and merchandise processing fees.
The Haiti Economic Lift Programme Extension Act was also passed, extending till December 31, 2028, the special duty-free rules for apparel imported from Haiti.
Additionally, the extended period applies to the duty-free treatment of certain apparel articles from beneficiary SSA countries and the third-country fabric provision, which allows limited amounts of apparel products from lesser developed beneficiary SSA countries to qualify for duty-free treatment, even if the yarns and fabrics used in their production are imported from non-AGOA countries.
This Haiti Economic Lift Programme Extension Act extends till December 31, 2028, the special duty-free rules for various apparel products imported from Haiti, including the duty-free treatment provided for a limited amount of certain apparel products assembled in and imported from Haiti.
The bill directs the US President to proclaim such modifications to the US harmonised tariff schedule (HTS) that may be necessary to restore preferential treatment to articles that became ineligible for such treatment due to prior revisions to the HTS.
Both the bills also provide for the refund of duties on covered articles from the respective sides that entered the United States on or after September 30, 2025, and before the date of this bills’ enactment.
The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) hailed the passage of both the bills.
“Allowing these programmes to lapse created immediate uncertainty and risk for sourcing operations across the fashion industry and for trading partners who rely on stable, long-term access to US markets. Long-term retroactive renewal helps reset the partnerships and support the US jobs anchored by these programmes,” it said in a release.
For 25 years, AGOA has provided eligible sub-Saharan African countries with duty-free access.
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