WT/L/1154  
 
1 November  2022 
(22-8185) Page: 1/8 
General Council  
19-20 December 2022  Original: English  
 
UNITED STATES – CARIBBEAN BASIN ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACT  
REPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES FOR THE YEAR 2021  
UNDER THE DECISION OF 16 OCTOBER 20191 
The following communication, dated 17 October 2022, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of the United States.  
 
_______________  
 
 
1  INTRODUCTION  
1.1.  On 16 October 2019, the United States was granted a renewal of the waiver (WT/L/1070) of 
its obligations under paragraph 1 of Article  I and paragraphs 1 and 2 of Article XIII o f the GATT 1994 
to the extent necessary to permit the United States Government to provide duty -free treatment to 
eligible products of the Caribbean Basin countries and territories as authorized by the provisions of 
the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act  (CBERA) without being required to extend the same 
duty-free treatment to like products of any other Member.  
1.2.  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 the CBERA 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 2021.  
2  DUTY FREE TREATMENT UNDER THE CBERA  
2.1.  Section 211 of the CBERA  allows the President of the United States to eliminate duties on all 
products, with certain exceptions2, from those Caribbean countries and territories that the President 
designates as beneficiaries. In 2021, 17  countries and territories were eligible fo r and received 
CBERA benefits. These countries and territories were: Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, The Bahamas, 
Barbados, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Curaçao, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, 
Montserrat, St.  Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St.  Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago.  
2.2.  On 5 August 2004, the United States signed the Dominican Republic -Central America -United 
States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA -DR) with five Central American countries (Costa Rica, 
El Salvador, Guatemala, Hondu ras, and Nicaragua) and the Dominican Republic. The CAFTA -DR 
entered into force for El Salvador on 1 March 2006; for Honduras on 1 April 2006; for Nicaragua on 
1 April 2006; for Guatemala on 1 July 2006; for the Dominican Republic on 1 March 2007; and for 
 
1 WT/L/1070.  
2 Prior to enactment of the United States -Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA) in 2000, the 
products excluded from duty -free treatment were: textile and apparel articles which are subject to textile 
agreements; certain footwear which was not eligible for duty -free entry under the US Generalized System of 
Preferences in 1983; prepared tuna in airtight containers; petroleum and petroleum products; watches and watch 
parts if such products contain any material from countries not accorded MFN treatment; and certain leather 
products (handbags, luggage, flat goods, wo rk gloves, and leather wearing apparel). Many of these excluded 
products became eligible for preferential treatment under CBTPA, Title II of the Trade and Development Act of 
2000, which amended the CBERA. The Trade Act of 2002, the Haitian Hemispheric Oppo rtunity through 
Partnership Encouragement (HOPE) Act of 2006, the HOPE II Act of 2008 , and HELP (2010)  further amended the 
CBERA , adding additional benefits for Haiti . WT/L/1154  
 
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  Costa Rica on 1 January 2009. When the CAFTA -DR entered into force for each of these countries, 
the country ceased to be designated as a CBERA and CBTPA beneficiary. On 31 October 2012, the 
United States -Panama Trade Promotion Agreement (TPA) entered into force and Panama ceased to 
be designated as a CBERA and CBTPA beneficiary.  
2.3.  The Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI)  benefits were expanded through the enactment of the 
Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA) in 2000 . The Trade Act of 2002 amended the CBE RA 
to grant additional benefits to Caribbean Basin apparel products. Specifically, these changes 
permitted the use of US and regional knit -to-shape components in eligible apparel articles. In 
addition, the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnershi p Encouragement (HOPE) Act of 
2006 amended the CBERA program by establishing special new rules of origin that make Haiti eligible 
for new trade benefits for apparel imports and that enhance sourcing flexibility for apparel producers 
in Haiti. The HOPE II A ct of 2008 modified the existing trade preference programs under HOPE and 
added other new programs that allow for duty -free treatment for qualifying Haitian -produced 
apparel. In 2010, the Haiti Economic Lift Program (HELP) Act extended the CBTPA and the HO PE 
Acts through 30  September  2020. The HELP Act also provided duty -free treatment for additional 
textile and apparel products from Haiti. Section 301 of the Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015 
extended preferences for certain products of Haiti through  30 September 2025. In 2020, the CBTPA 
was extended through 30 September 2030.  
3  CBERA PERFORMANCE  
3.1.  Combined with economic reform and other actions taken by beneficiary countries to liberalize 
their trade regimes, the trade benefits of the Caribbean Basin Init iative (CBI) have both helped 
beneficiary countries and dependent territories in the region diversify their exports and have 
contributed to their economic growth.  
3.2.  In 202 1, US imports under CBERA preferences increased 21 per  cent from $1. 8 billion in 20 20 
to $2.1 billion in 202 1.  This increas e in US imports  is driv en in large part  by the increase of methanol 
imports under CBERA from Trinidad and Tobago ($472.2 million), as well as certain clothing 
products.  The value of US imports of textile and appar el3 under CBERA was $9 15 million in 2021, 
compared to $ 671 million in 2020.  
In 2021, Trinidad and Tobago recorded  a total of $472 .2 million in methanol imports under CBERA 
compared to $248.6 million in 2020, or a 90 per  cent increase. In 2019, US imports of methanol 
under CBERA preferences amounted to $356.5 million. Most US imports of methanol from Trinidad 
and Tobago in 2019 did c ontinue to receive duty preferences under the CBERA provisions consistent 
with past utilization.4 
 
3.3.  Of the $ 2.1 billion in imports under CBERA in 202 1, energy -related products5 accounted for 
41 per cent, textiles and apparel (almost all apparel) for 40 per cent, agricultural products and 
processed food for 4 per cent, and plastics for 4 per  cent. 
3.4.  The leading beneficiary countries for imports entering under CBERA preferences in 20 21 were 
Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago , and Guyana . The United States imported $ 1 billion  under CBERA 
preferences from Haiti in 20 21. US imports  under CBERA preferences  from Haiti increased from $768 
million in 2020 to $1 billion in 2021, or a 34.5  per cent increase. Trinidad and Tobago was the second 
leading supplier of US imports unde r CBERA in 20 21. US imports from Trinidad and Tobago under 
CBERA totalled $ 754 million in 20 21 up from $ 579 million in 20 20, or a 30 per cent increase. In 
2021, US imports from Guyana under CBERA  dropped to $188 million from $265 million in 2020, 
largely because of a decrease in exports of petroleum ($185 million).  
 
3 The term "textiles and apparel " used herein encompasses HTS chapters 50 -63 (based on t hat used in 
the WTO).  
4 Table 2 of  this report shows US imports of methanol under CBERA preferences for Trinidad and Tobago 
(2017 -2021).  The data reflects a noticeable revision to the 2019 totals for imports under CBERA  presented in a 
past version of Table 2 (2016 -2020) in report WT/L/1115 . This revision is driven by a recategorization of more 
than 356 million dollars of US import of methan ol from Trinidad and Tobago from being classified as subject to 
"no special import program " to "CBERA ". The US Census Bureau has corrected this misclassification  as reflected 
in the current report.   
5 The term "energy -related products" used herein encompas ses chapters 27 and 29 of the US Harmonized 
Tariff Schedule.  WT/L/1154  
 
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  3.5.  Statistical annexes are provided to present a detailed description of the trade aspects of the 
CBERA program for the most recent perio d. Detailed information for previous years has been 
provided in previous reports to the GATT Council or WTO General Council.  
_______________  
 
 
Table 1 provides summary information on US imports for consumption under CBERA provisions, by 
sources, during the  period 201 3 through 20 21.  
 
Table 2  provides information on US imports under CBERA of Methanol (2905.11.20) from Trinidad 
and Tobago, during the period 201 7 through 20 21. 
 
Table 3  provides information on leading US imports for consumption under CBERA prov isions, by 
product, during the period 201 9 through 20 21. 
 
Table 4  provides information on US trade with CBERA countries during the period 201 3 through 
2021. 
 
 
_______________  
  
  WT/L/1154  
 
- 4 - TABLE 1  
US IMPORTS FOR CONSUMPTION UNDER CBERA PROVISIONS, BY SOURCES, 2013 -20216 
Source  2013  2014  2015  2016  2017  2018  2019  2020  2021   
Value (1,000 dollars)  
Haiti 784,280  856,911  930,583  857,223  879,004  958,549  999,165  768,230  1,033,468  
Trinidad and Tobago  1,640,709  1,234,474  830,291  379,017  487,845  551,782  695,929  579,070  753,965  
Guyana  4,532  11,857  34,918  1,551  732 850 4,397  265,394  188,291  
Jamaica  90,231  71,779  81,583  74,571  72,762  83,670  92,902  109,036  122,470  
Bahamas  141,654  158,191  88,389  68,403  79,744  66,181  60,673  56,751  71,471  
Belize  104,777  60,582  36,881  17,136  12,398  15,209  20,653  15,439  15,698  
Saint Kitts and Nevis  18,933  18,341  10,481  7,158  5,083  5,076  4,234  3,307  4,606  
Grenada  295 443 1,728  1,809  2,405  2,912  2,991  2,485  2,637  
Barbados  2,081  5,295  22,570  2,321  3,558  7,453  5,753  7,567  779 
Saint Lucia  3,210  1,162  1,301  627 342 373 488 575 599 
Aruba  18 75 93 15 36 16 30 32 212 
Curaçao  0 5,365  3 85 124 119 57 155 105 
Saint Vincent and the 
Grenadines  141 182 16 45 102 22 77 0 24 
Dominica  170 66 77 22 48 36 29 50 17 
Antigua and Barbuda  24 19 82 37 161 19 18 36 0 
British Virgin Islands  103 50 9 9 0 22 11 0 0 
Panama  0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
Montserrat  0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
Total 2,791,158  2,424,793  2,039,003  1,410,031  1,544,346  1,692,289  1,887,406  1,808,126  2,194,340  
Note:  Due to rounding, figures may not add to totals given. Haiti data for 2016 and 2017 were created using adjusted data based on provisions in chapter 98 of the 
Harmonized Tariff Schedule (98).  Other years of Haiti data were adjusted based on import program claimed and rate provision claimed.  
Source:  Compiled from official statistics of the US Department of Commerce.   
 
6 CAFTA -DR entered into force for the following countries (date of entry into force), at which time they ceased to be CBERA beneficia ries: El Salvador (1 March  2006), 
Honduras and Nicaragua (1 Ap ril 2006), Guatemala (1 July 2006), the Dominican Republic (1 March 2007), and Costa Rica (1 January 2009). TPA entered into force as of 
31 October 2012, at which time Panama ceased to be a CBERA beneficiary.   
  WT/L/1154  
 
- 5 - TABLE 1 – CONTINUED  
US IMPORTS FOR CONSUMPTION UNDER CBERA PROVISIONS, BY SOUR CES, 2013 -2021 
Source  2013  2014  2015  2016  2017  2018  2019  2020  2021  
  Per cent of total   
Haiti 28.10  35.34  45.64  60.79  56.92  56.64  52.94  42.49  47.10  
Trinidad and Tobago  58.78  50.91  40.72  26.88  31.59  32.61  36.87  32.03  34.36  
Guyana  0.16 0.49 1.71 0.11 0.05 0.05 0.23 14.68  8.58 
Jamaica  3.23 2.96 4.00 5.29 4.71 4.94 4.92 6.03 5.58 
Bahamas  5.08 6.52 4.33 4.85 5.16 3.91 3.21 3.14 3.26 
Belize  3.75 2.50 1.81 1.22 0.80 0.90 1.09 0.85 0.72 
Saint Kitts and Nevis  0.68 0.76 0.51 0.51 0.33 0.30 0.22 0.18 0.21 
Grenada  0.01 0.02 0.08 0.13 0.16 0.17 0.16 0.14 0.12 
Barbados  0.07 0.22 1.11 0.16 0.23 0.44 0.30 0.42 0.04 
Saint Lucia  0.12 0.05 0.06 0.04 0.02 0.02 0.03 0.03 0.03 
Aruba  (a) (a) (a) (a) (a) (a) (a) (a) 0.01 
Curaçao  (a) 0.22 (a) 0.01 0.01 0.01 (a) 0.01 (a) 
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines  0.01 0.01 (a) (a) 0.01 (a) (a) (a) (a) 
Dominica  0.01 (a) (a) (a) (a) (a) (a) (a) (a) 
Antigua and Barbuda  (a) (a) (a) (a) 0.01 (a) (a) (a) (a) 
British Virgin Islands  (a) (a) (a) (a) (a) (a) (a) (a) (a) 
Panama  0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 
Montserrat  0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 
Total 100.00  100.00  100.00  100.00  100.00  100.00  100.00  100.00  100.00  
(a) Less than 0.005 per  cent. 
Source:  Compiled from official import statistics of the US Department of Commerce.  WT/L/1154  
 
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  TABLE 2  
US IMPORTS UNDER CBERA  OF METHANOL (2905.11.20) FROM TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 
2017-2021 
Program  2017  2018  2019  2020  2021  
CBERA  378,272,987  449,419,867  356,570,787  248,628,629  472,252,582  
No special programs claimed  12,020,986  13,205,139  10,944,758  9,738,954  6,290,316  
 
 
  WT/L/1154  
 
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  TABLE 3  
LEADING US IMPORTS FOR CONSUMPTION UNDER CBERA PROVISIONS, 2019 -2021 
HTS 
Number  Description  2019  2020  2021  Change 
2020 – 
2021    
Value (millions of 
dollars)  Per cent 
2905.11.20  Methanol (Methyl alcohol), other than imported 
only for use in producing synthetic natural gas 
(SNG) or for direct use as fuel  356.6  248.6  472.3  89.9 
6109.10.00  T-shirts, singlets, tank tops and similar 
garments, knitted or crocheted, of cotton  281.0  203.3  260.6  28.1 
2709.00.10  Petroleum oils and oils from bituminous 
minerals, crude, testing under 25 degrees A.P.I.  134.8  183.1  221.8  21.1 
2709.00.20  Petroleum oils and oils from bituminous 
minerals, crude, testing 25 degrees A.P.I. or 
more 168.5  364.3  185.1  -49.2 
6110.30.30  Sweaters, pullovers and similar articles, knitted 
or crocheted, of manmade fibers, nesoi  151.7  109.8  141.7  29.0 
6109.90.10  T-shirts, singlets, tank tops and similar 
garments, knitted or crocheted, of man -made 
fibers  173.1  97.4 131.8  35.3 
6110.20.20  Sweaters, pullovers and similar articles, knitted 
or crocheted, of cotton, nesoi  86.7 62.4 106.0  69.9 
3903.11.00  Polystyrene, expandable, in primary forms  58.3 55.4 70.2 26.8 
6104.62.20  Women's or girls' trousers, breeches and shorts, 
knitted or crocheted, of cotton  60.2 69.1 63.9 -7.5 
6203.43.90  Men's/boys' trousers, breeches, shorts, not k/c, 
synth fibers, con under 15% wt down etc, cont 
und 36% wt wool, n/water resist, not rec perf 
outwear  46.7 24.4 58.2 138.3  
6104.63.20  Women's or girls' trousers, breeches and shorts, 
knitted or crocheted, of synthetic fibers, nesoi  31.8 23.4 48.2 105.6  
6205.30.20  Men's or boys' shirts, not knitted or crocheted, of 
manmade fibers, nesoi  21.8 23.2 37.7 62.2 
0714.30.10  Fresh or chilled yams (Dioscorea spp.), whether 
or not sliced or in the form of pellets  24.4 30.1 30.5 1.4 
2103.90.90  Sauces and preparations therefor, neosi  11.1 19.4 25.5 31.3 
2106.90.98  Other food preps nesoi, incl preps for the 
manufacture of beverages, non -dairy coffee 
whiteners, herbal teas and flavored honey  23.5 26.9 25.3 -5.8 
2933.61.00  Melamine  14.5 8.1 19.9 144.9  
6108.22.90  Women's or girls' briefs and panties (other than 
disposable), of man -made fibers, knitted or 
crocheted  7.2 9.6 18.9 96.4 
6211.43.10  Women's or girls' track suits or other garments 
nesoi, not knitted or crocheted, of man -made 
fibers, o/than rec perf outwear  13.2 21.6 17.4 -19.6 
6304.91.01  Furnishing articles, excluding those of heading 
9404 and other than bedspreads and bed nets, 
knitted or crocheted  15.2 16.5 15.6 -5.4 
6505.00.80  Hats and headgear, of man -made fibers, made 
up from felt or of textile material, not knitted or 
crocheted, not in part of braid  4.3 8.1 15.3 89.7 
 
Total of above  1,684.6  1,604.8  1,965.8  22.5 
 
All other  202.8  203.3  228.5  12.4 
  Total 1,887.4  1,808.1  2,194.3  21.4 
Note:  Due to rounding, figures may not add to totals given. The abbreviations "nesoi" and "nesi" stand for 
"not elsewhere specified or otherwise included." NV indicates the tariff line was not valid in that year. 
NA indicates a calculation was not applicable.  
Source:  Compiled from official import statistics of the US Department of Commerce.  
  WT/L/1154  
 
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  TABLE 4  
US TRADE WITH CBERA BENEFICIARY COUNTRIES, 2013 -20217 
Year US Exports8 Share of 
US exports 
to the 
world  US Imports9 Share of US 
imports to 
the world  US trade balance  
 
Millions dollars  Per cent  Millions dollars  Per cent  Millions dollars  
2013 11,880.2  0.9 8,936.9  0.4 2,943.4  
2014 12,742.8  0.9 8,495.9  0.4 4,246.9  
2015 11,635.0  0.9 7,066.6  0.3 4,568.4  
2016 10,475.5  0.9 5,339.9  0.2 5,135.6  
2017 12,204.4  0.9 5,876.5  0.3 6,327.9  
2018 13,476.7  1.0 6,093.6  0.2 7,383.2  
2019 13,924.5  1.0 5,567.5  0.2 8,357.0  
2020 11,143.0  0.9 5,089.4  0.2 6,053.6  
2021 12,890.1  0.9 8,682.3  0.3 4,207.8  
Note:  Due to rounding, figures may not add to totals given. Panama was eligible for CBERA, and thus included 
in this table, until the Panama FTA went into force into 2012. The Netherland Antilles was eligible until 
2013, and after 2013 Curacao became a CBERA ben eficiary.  
Source : Compiled from official statistics of the US Department of Commerce.  
 
 
__________  
 
7 Includes imports and exports for countries on ly while they were CBERA beneficiaries. See CBERA Table  1 
for program me coverage.  
8 Domestic exports, f.a.s. basis.  
9 Imports for consumption, customs value.