WT/COMTD/N/1/Add.9  
 
8 February 2016  
(16-0826)  Page: 1/7  
Committee on Trade and Development  Original: English  
 
  
GENERALIZED SYSTEM OF PREFERENCES 
NOTIFICATION BY THE UNITED STATES 
Addendum 
The following communication, dated 1 February 2016,  is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of the United States. It contains a notification by the United States pursuant to 
paragraph 4(a) of the Enabling Clause, L/4903.  
 
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1. The United States (US) Generalized System  of Preferences (GSP) programme provides 
duty-free treatment for up to nearly 5,000 prod ucts exported to the US from 122 beneficiary 
developing countries, including 43 least developed beneficiary developing countries (LDBDCs). 
Annual reviews of the GSP programme are conducted in accordance with US trade laws relating to the GSP programme.
1  
Reauthorization of the GSP Programme 
2. Legal authorization of the GSP program la psed from 31 July 2013 through 28 July 2015. 
During this time, products that would otherwise have been eligible for duty-free treatment under 
GSP were subject to the most favoured nation rate. On 29 June 2015, President Obama signed 
legislation to reauthorize the GSP programme through 31 December 2017, with benefits 
retroactive to 31 July 2013 for qualifying imports from all countries eligible for GSP benefits at the time of reauthorization. As a result, GSP-eligible goods arriving in the US on or after 29 July 2015 
were once again eligible upon entry for du ty-free treatment under GSP. The retroactive 
reauthorization enabled importers to request refund of duties paid on eligible products during the 
lapse.  
2011 Annual Review of GSP 
3. In June 2012, the US announced the ou tcome of its 2011 Annual Review of the GSP 
programme. As a result of the 2011 Annual Review, the US designated seven additional cotton products as eligible for duty-free treatment for LDBDCs only (See Annex I). The US terminated 
GSP eligibility for 11 products from specific bene ficiary countries that had either (a) exceeded 
statutory competitive need limitations (CNLs) (See Annex II) or (b) previously been granted waivers of CNLs but had subsequently exceeded even higher statutory thresholds ("super CNLs") 
related to competitiveness (See Annex III). In addition, the US granted petitions to waive CNLs for 
four products from specific countries (See Annex IV) and granted one-year, de minimis  CNL 
waivers for a long list of other products.  
4. The full results of the 2011 GSP A nnual Review were published in the Federal Register  and 
are available for viewing on the Internet at:  
                                               
1 The GSP statute is set out in WT/COMTD/N/1/A dd.4 and can be accessed on the Internet at: 
https://ustr.gov/issue-areas/trade-development/pre ference-programs/generalized-system-preference-gsp . The 
only provision that has changed since WT/COMTD/N/1/Add.4 was issued is that the date of termination 
provided in section 2465 was changed to 31 December 2017.  WT/COMTD/N/1/Add.9 
 
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  "https://ustr.gov/sites/default/files/Resu lts%20of%20the%202011% 20GSP%20Annual%20Review
_0.pdf ."2 
2012 Annual Review of GSP 
5. In June 2013, the US announced the ou tcome of its 2012 Annual Review of the GSP 
programme. No products were added to the list of those eligible for GSP as a result of the 2012 
Annual Review, though petitions to add three products to GSP eligibility remained pending from this review as of 31 October 2015 (See Annex V). The US terminated GSP eligibility for two 
products from specific countries: a product from Brazil that exceeded CNLs (See Annex VI) and a 
product from Indonesia that exceeded "super CNL" thresholds (see Annex VII). The US granted a petition to waive CNLs for a product from Brazil (See Annex VIII) and granted one-year, de 
minimis  CNL waivers for many other products.   
6. The results of the 2012 GSP Annua l Review were published in the Federal Register  and are 
available for viewing on the Internet at: "https://ustr.gov/sites/default/files/2012%20AR%20Results%20List_0.pdf ."
3   
2014/2015 Limited Product Review of GSP 
7.  In September 2015, the US announced the outcome of its Limited Product Review of the 
GSP programme. As a result of the Limited Product Review, the US designated five additional 
cotton products as eligible for duty-free trea tment for LDBDCs only (See Annex IX). The US 
granted petitions to waive CNLs for two products from Thailand (See Annex X). The US terminated 
GSP eligibility for three products from specific beneficiary countries that had exceeded super CNL thresholds (See Annex XI). In addition, the US rein stated four products from specific countries to 
GSP eligibility (See Annex XII). The US also granted de minimis waivers of the statutory CNLs to 
ensure continued GSP duty-free benefits to certain products. 
8. The full results of the 2014/2015 GSP Limited Product Review were published in the Federal 
Register  and are available for viewing on the Internet at: 
"https://ustr.gov/sites/default/files/Results-of-the-2014-2015-GSP-Limited-Product-Review.pdf "
4 
Changes to Lists of GSP Beneficiaries 
 
9. On 29 June 2012, President Obama signed Presidential Proclamation 8840, which, inter alia , 
announced two actions related to country eligibili ty for the GSP programme: 1) the designation of 
the Republic of Senegal as a LDBDC for purposes of the GSP programme, and 2) the graduation of 
(a) Gibraltar and (b) Turks and Caicos from eligibility for GSP benefits, effective 1 January 2014, 
because their respective gross national incomes per capita exceeded statutory thresholds. The Proclamation was published in the Federal Register and is available at 
"http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/F R-2012-07-05/pdf/X12-10705.pdf ." 
 
10. On 20 December 2012, President Obama signed Presidential Proclamation 8921 announcing 
the income-related graduation from GSP eligibility of St. Kitts and Nevis, effective 1 January 2014. 
The Proclamation was published in the Federal Register and is available at "http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/F R-2012-12-28/pdf/X12-11228.pdf ." 
  
11. On 27 June 2013, President Obama signed Pr esidential Proclamation 8997 suspending the 
GSP trade benefits of Bangladesh based on a determination that Bangladesh was not meeting statutory country eligibility requirements related to worker rights. The action became effective on 
                                               
2 Additional information can be found by using http://www.regulations.gov . Enter docket number USTR-
2012-0012-0001 in the "Search for" field on the home page and click "Search". The site will provide detailed 
information on the resu lts of the review.   
3 Additional information can be found by using http://www.regulations.gov . Enter docket number USTR-
2012-0013-0236 in the "Search for" field on the home page and click "Search". The site will provide detailed 
information on the resu lts of the review.   
4 Additional information can be found by using http://www.regulations.gov .  Enter docket number 
USTR-2015-0007-0037 in the "Search for" field on the home page and click "Search". The site will provide 
detailed information on the results of the review.   WT/COMTD/N/1/Add.9 
 
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  3 September 2013. The Proclamation was published in the Federal Register and is available at 
"http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR- 2013-07-02/pdf/ 2013-16104.pdf ." 
 
12. On 3 October 2014, President Obama signed  Presidential Proclamation 9188 announcing the 
graduation from GSP eligibility of Russia, effective 3 October 2014, based on Russia’s level of 
economic development and its competitiveness. Russia was notified on 7 May 2014 of President Obama’s intent to terminate Russia’s designation. The Proclamation was published in the 
Federal Register and is available at " http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg /DCPD-201400744/pdf/DCPD-
201400744.pdf ."  
 
13. On 30 September 2015, President Obama signed Presidential Proclamation 9333 announcing 
the income-related graduation from GSP eligibility of Seychelles, Uruguay, and Venezuela, 
effective 1 January 2017. The Proclamation was pub lished in the Federal Register and is available 
at "http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/F R-2015-10-05/pdf /2015-25468.pdf ." WT/COMTD/N/1/Add.9 
 
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  ANNEX I 
2011 GSP ANNUAL REVIEW: 
PRODUCTS ADDED AS ELIGIBLE FOR DUTY-FREE TREATMENT  
UNDER GSP FOR LEAST-DEVELOPED BENEFICIARY DEVELOPING COUNTRIES 
 
HTSUS Description 
5201.00.22 Cotton, not carded or combed, staple length of 28.575 mm or more but under 34.925 mm, 
described in gen. note 15 
5201.00.24 Cotton, n/carded or combed, harsh or rough, staple length 29.36875 mm or more but n/o 
34.925 mm, white in color, quota described Ch 52 add US note 6 
5201.00.34 Cotton, not carded or combed, staple length of 28.575 mm or more but under 34.925 mm, 
other, quota described in chapter 52 add'l US note 7 
5202.91.00 Cotton garneted stock 
5203.00.05 Cotton fibers, carded or combed, of cotton fiber processed but not spun, described in gen. 
note 15 
5203.00.10 Cotton fibers, carded or combed, of cotton fibe r processed but not spun , quota described in 
chapter 52 add'l US note 10 
5203.00.50 Cotton carded or combed, excluding fibers of cotton processed but not spun 
ANNEX II 
2011 GSP ANNUAL REVIEW: 
PRODUCTS REMOVED FROM GSP ELIG IBILITY FOR CERTAIN COUNTRIES  
BASED ON COMPETITIVE NEED LIMITATIONS 
 
HTSUS Country Description 
2207.10.30 Brazil Undenatured ethyl alcohol of 80 percent vol. alcohol or higher, for 
beverage purposes 
2840.19.00 Turkey Disodium tetraborate (refined  borax) except anhydrous 
2909.50.40 Indonesia Odoriferous or flavoring compounds of ether-phenols, ether-alcohol-
phenols & their halogenated, sulfonat ed, nitrated, nitrosated derivatives 
2922.41.00 Brazil Lysine and its esters and salts thereof 
4107.19.50 Brazil Whole upholstery leather of bovines (not buffalo) nesoi and equines nesoi, 
without hair on, prepared after tanning or crusting, not 4114 
7601.10.30 Venezuela Aluminum (o/than alloy), unwrought, in coils, w/uniform x-section 
throughout length & w/least cross-sectional dimension n/o 9.5 mm 
7606.12.30 Indonesia Aluminum alloy, plates/sheets/ strip, w/thick. o/0.2mm, rectangular (incl. 
sq), not clad 
8708.30.50 India Pts. & access. of mtr. vehicles of 8701, nesoi, and 8702-8705, brakes and 
servo-brakes & pts thereof 
ANNEX III 
2011 GSP ANNUAL REVIEW: 
REVOCATIONS OF COMPETITIVE NEED LIMITATION WAIVERS 
 
HTSUS Country Description 
4011.20.10 Thailand New pneumatic radial tires, of rubber, of a kind used on buses or trucks 
5703.10.20 India Hand-hooked carpets and other textile floor coverings, tufted, whether or 
not made up, of wool or fine animal hair 
7113.11.50 Thailand Silver articles of jewelry and parts, valued over $18 per dozen pieces or 
parts WT/COMTD/N/1/Add.9 
 
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  ANNEX IV 
2011 GSP ANNUAL REVIEW: 
COMPETITIVE NEED LIMITA TION WAIVERS GRANTED 
 
HTSUS Country Description 
2921.19.60 Philippines Other acyclic monoamines and their derivatives 
3307.41.00 India "Agarbatti" and other odoriferous prep arations which operate by burning, 
to perfume or deodorize rooms or  used during religious rites 
4015.19.10 Thailand Seamless gloves of vulcaniz ed rubber other than hard rubber, other than 
surgical or medical gloves 
8415.90.80 Thailand Parts for air conditioning machines, nesi 
ANNEX V 
2012 GSP ANNUAL REVIEW: 
PRODUCTS BEING CONSIDERED FOR POSSIBL E DESIGNATION FOR DUTY-FREE TREATMENT 
UNDER GSP (REVIEW ONGOING AS OF OCTOBER 2015) 
 
HTSUS Description 
0603.11.00 Sweetheart, Spray and other Roses, fresh cut 
0710.80.97 Vegetables nesi, uncooked or cooked by steaming  or boiling in water, frozen, reduced in size 
(specifically, broccoli) 
2005.99.80 Artichokes, prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, not frozen 
ANNEX VI 
2012 GSP ANNUAL REVIEW: 
PRODUCT REMOVED FROM GSP ELIGIBILITY B ASED ON COMPETITIVE NEED LIMITATIONS  
 
HTSUS Country Description 
1005.90.40 Brazil Corn (maize), other than seed and yellow dent corn 
ANNEX VII 
2012 GSP ANNUAL REVIEW: 
REVOCATION OF COMPETITIVE NEED LIMITATION WAIVER 
 
HTSUS Country Description 
4011.10.10 Indonesia New pneumatic radial tires, of rubber, of a kind used on motor cars 
(including station wagons and racing cars) 
ANNEX VIII 
2012 GSP ANNUAL REVIEW: 
COMPETITIVE NEED LIMITATION WAIVER GRANTED 
 
HTSUS Country Description 
7202.99.20 Brazil Calcium silicon ferroalloys WT/COMTD/N/1/Add.9 
 
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  ANNEX IX 
2014/2015 GSP LIMITED PRODUCT REVIEW: 
PRODUCTS ADDED AS ELIGIBLE FOR DUTY-FR EE TREATMENT UNDER GSP FOR LEAST-DEVELOPED 
BENEFICIARY DEVELOPING COUNTRIES   
 
HTSUS Description 
5201.00.18 Cotton, not carded or combed, having a staple length under 28.575 mm (1-1/8 inches), 
n/harsh or rough, nesoi 
5201.00.28 Cotton, not carded or combed, harsh or rough, staple length of 29.36875 mm or more but 
under 34.925 mm & white in color, nesoi 
5201.00.38 Cotton, not carded or combed, staple length of 28.575 mm or more but under 34.925 mm, 
nesoi 
5202.99.30 Cotton card strips made from cotton waste having staple length under 30.1625 mm & lap, 
sliver & roving waste, nesoi 
5203.00.30 Cotton fibers, carded or combed, of cotton fiber processed, but not spun, nesoi 
ANNEX X 
2014/2015 GSP LIMITED PRODUCT REVIEW: 
COMPETITIVE NEED LIMITA TION WAIVERS GRANTED 
 
HTSUS Country Description 
2008.19.15 Thailand Coconuts, otherwise prepared or preserved, nesi 
7408.29.10 
 Thailand Copper alloys (o/than brass, cupro-nickel  or nickel-silver), wire, coated or 
plated with metal 
ANNEX XI 
2014/2015 GSP LIMITED PRODUCT REVIEW: 
REVOCATIONS OF COMPETITIVE NEED LIMITATION WAIVERS 
 
HTSUS Country Description 
4412.31.40 Indonesia Plywood sheets n/o 6 mm thick, with specified tropical wood outer ply, with 
face ply nesoi, not surface-covered beyond clear/transparent 
7413.00.10 Turkey Copper, stranded wire, not electrically in sulated, not fitted with fittings and 
not made up into articles 
7413.00.50 Turkey Copper, cables, plaited bands and the like, not fitted with fittings and not 
made up into articles 
 WT/COMTD/N/1/Add.9 
 
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  ANNEX XII 
2014/2015 GSP LIMITED PRODUCT REVIEW: 
PRODUCTS REDESIGNATED FOR GSP EL IGIBILITY FOR CERTAIN COUNTRIES 
 
HTSUS Country Description 
2306.30.00 Ukraine Oilcake and other solid residues, resulting from the extraction of vegetable 
fats or oils, of sunflower seeds 
2804.29.00 Ukraine Rare gases, other than argon 
8544.30.00 Indonesia Insulated ignition wiring sets and other wiring sets of a kind used in 
vehicles, aircraft or ships 
8607.19.03 Ukraine Parts of railway/tramway loco motives/rolling stock, axles 
 
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