What Every Member of the

Trade Community Should Know About:

African Growth

Opportunity Act

AN INFORMED COMPLIANCE PUBLICATION

REVISED AUGUST 2003
African Growth Opportunity Act

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NOTICE:

This publication is intended to provide guidance and information to the trade community.

It reflects the position on or interpretation of the applicable laws or regulations by U.S.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) as of the date of publication, which is shown on

the front cover. It does not in any way replace or supersede those laws or regulations.

Only the latest official version of the laws or regulations is authoritative.

Publication History

Revised: August 2003

First Published: May 2001

PRINTING NOTE:

This publication was designed for electronic distribution via the CBP website

(http://www.cbp.gov) and is being distributed in a variety of formats. It was originally set

up in Microsoft Word97®. Pagination and margins in downloaded versions may vary

depending upon which word processor or printer you use. If you wish to maintain the

original settings, you may wish to download the .pdf version, which can then be printed

using the freely available Adobe Acrobat Reader®.
African Growth Opportunity Act

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PREFACE

On December 8, 1993, Title VI of the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation

Act (Pub. L. 103-182, 107 Stat. 2057), also known as the Customs Modernization or “Mod” Act,

became effective. These provisions amended many sections of the Tariff Act of 1930 and

related laws.

Two new concepts that emerge from the Mod Act are “informed compliance” and “shared

responsibility,” which are premised on the idea that in order to maximize voluntary compliance

with laws and regulations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the trade community needs to

be clearly and completely informed of its legal obligations. Accordingly, the Mod Act imposes a

greater obligation on CBP to provide the public with improved information concerning the trade

community's rights and responsibilities under customs regulations and related laws. In addition,

both the trade and U.S. Customs and Border Protection share responsibility for carrying out

these requirements. For example, under Section 484 of the Tariff Act, as amended (19 U.S.C.

1484), the importer of record is responsible for using reasonable care to enter, classify and

determine the value of imported merchandise and to provide any other information necessary to

enable U.S. Customs and Border Protection to properly assess duties, collect accurate

statistics, and determine whether other applicable legal requirements, if any, have been met.

CBP is then responsible for fixing the final classification and value of the merchandise. An

importer of record’s failure to exercise reasonable care could delay release of the merchandise

and, in some cases, could result in the imposition of penalties.

The Office of Regulations and Rulings (ORR) has been given a major role in meeting the

informed compliance responsibilities of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. In order to

provide information to the public, CBP has issued a series of informed compliance publications,

and videos, on new or revised requirements, regulations or procedures, and a variety of

classification and valuation issues.

This publication, prepared by the Commercial Rulings Division, ORR, is s intended to provide

general information to the public on the trade benefits available under the African Growth and

Opportunity Act which are administered by CBP. We sincerely hope that this material, together

with seminars and increased access to rulings of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, will help

the trade community to improve voluntary compliance with customs laws and to understand the

relevant administrative processes.

The material in this publication is provided for general information purposes only. Because

many complicated factors can be involved in customs issues, an importer may wish to obtain a

ruling under Regulations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, 19 C.F.R. Part 177, or to

obtain advice from an expert who specializes in customs matters, for example, a licensed

customs broker, attorney or consultant.

Comments and suggestions are welcomed and should be addressed to the Assistant

Commissioner at the Office of Regulations and Rulings, U.S. Customs and Border Protection,

1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20229.

Michael T. Schmitz,

Assistant Commissioner

Office of Regulations and Rulings
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INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................. 7

LIST OF SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN COUNTRIES ................................................................... 8

GENERAL SYSTEM OF PREFERENCES (GSP) .......................................................... 9

WHAT ARTICLES ARE COVERED? ..................................................................................... 9

WHAT ARE THE RULES? ................................................................................................ 10

PROCEDURES AND RECORDKEEPING ............................................................................. 11

TEXTILE AND APPAREL PRODUCTS........................................................................ 12

WHAT ARTICLES ARE COVERED? ................................................................................... 13

WHAT DEFINITIONS ARE USED?...................................................................................... 15

WHAT SPECIAL RULES APPLY?....................................................................................... 16

CBP PROCEDURES...................................................................................................... 17

Certificate of Origin and Declaration ...................................................................... 17

Direct Import Requirement ..................................................................................... 19

Verification and Justification of Claim for Preferential Treatment........................... 20

PENALTIES .................................................................................................................. 21

AGOA TEXTILE CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN INSTRUCTIONS.................................... 23

LIST OF PROCLAMATIONS AND FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICES ......................... 24

PROCLAMATIONS.......................................................................................................... 24

COMMITTEE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TEXTILE AGREEMENTS (CITA) NOTICES.......... 24

U.S. TRADE REPRESENTATIVE NOTICES........................................................................ 24

U.S. CUSTOMS SERVICE REGULATIONS......................................................................... 25

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...................................................................................... 25

THE INTERNET ............................................................................................................. 25

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS .............................................................................................. 26

CUSTOMS BULLETIN ..................................................................................................... 26

IMPORTING INTO THE UNITED STATES ............................................................................ 26

INFORMED COMPLIANCE PUBLICATIONS ......................................................................... 27

VALUE PUBLICATIONS................................................................................................... 27

“YOUR COMMENTS ARE IMPORTANT” ............................................................................. 28
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INTRODUCTION

On May 18, 2000, Public Law 106-200, the Trade and Development Act of 2000 (the

“Act”), was signed into law. Title I of the Act, which is entitled “African Growth and

Opportunity Act” (the “AGOA”), extends certain trade benefits to sub-Saharan Africa.

This informed compliance publication covers the trade benefits administered by the

Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) which are contained in Title I of the

Act. A separate informed compliance publication covers Title II, the “United StatesCaribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act” (the “CBTPA”).

Subtitle A of Title I is codified at 19 U.S.C. 3701-3706 and;

 authorizes the President to designate a sub-Saharan African country as an

“eligible” sub-Saharan African country if the President determines that the

country meets specified eligibility requirements and 

 requires the President to terminate a designation if the President determines

that an eligible country is not making continual progress in meeting those

requirements. 

On August 6, 2002, the President signed into law the Trade Act of 2002, Public Law

107-210. Section 3108 of the Trade Act of 2002 contained amendments to the AGOA

to modify the treatment accorded to certain textile and apparel articles imported from

beneficiary AGOA countries. Presidential Proclamation 7626, dated November 13,

2002, implemented these amendments by modifying the HTSUS. 

This publication does not cover the procedures for being designated an eligible

beneficiary sub-Saharan African country. That information is available in “The African

Growth and Opportunity Act Implementation Guide” (October 2000) that was prepared

by the United States Trade Representative (co-sponsored by the United States Agency

for International Development) which may be downloaded from the Internet at

http://www.ustr.gov/regions/africa/agoaguides.html. It is available in English and French.

Additional information concerning the textile and apparel portions of the law, including

copies of the law and Proclamations, is available for downloading from the Department

of Commerce, International Trade Administration, Office of Textiles and Apparel web

site http://www.otexa.ita.doc.gov/Trade_Act_2000.htm. Information on the General

System of Preferences (GSP) program and downloadable guides are available at

http://www.ustr.gov/gsp/general.html.

A list of the implementing Proclamations, designations by the U.S. Trade

Representative (USTR), notices issued by the Committee for the Implementation of

Textile Agreements (CITA), and customs regulations, and their Federal Register

publication dates and pages appears near the end of this publication.
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List of Sub-Saharan African Countries

The following countries (or any successor political entities) are included in the Act as

“sub-Saharan African” countries and are referred to as “listed countries” in this

publication. The list below indicates which countries have been designated as “eligible

beneficiary countries,” and which are considered as “lesser developed beneficiary”

countries under AGOA or “least developed beneficiary developing” countries under

GSP. 

AGOA eligibility does not automatically imply eligibility under the textile and apparel

provisions, which require implementation of an effective visa system and an

enforcement mechanism to prevent illegal transshipment. All the countries shown in

bold type below have been designated as eligible for AGOA benefits. For a listing of

those countries eligible for the textile and apparel provisions of AGOA as of June 23,

2003, please see the section discussing Textile and Apparel Products. (Check the

Federal Register for more recent designations):

Republic of Angola 1

Republic of Benin 1

Republic of Botswana 

Burkina Faso 1

Republic of Burundi1

Republic of Cameroon 

Republic of Cape Verde1

Central African Republic 1

Republic of Chad 1

Federal Islamic Republic of the

Comoros 1

Democratic Republic of Congo * 1

Republic of the Congo

Republic of Cote d’Ivoire

Republic of Djibouti 1

Republic of Equatorial Guinea 1

Republic of Eritrea 1,2

Ethiopia 1

Gabonese Republic

Republic of the Gambia 1

Republic of Ghana 

Republic of Guinea 1

Republic of Guinea-Bissau 1

Republic of Kenya 

Republic of Lesotho 1

 Republic of Liberia

Republic of Madagascar 1

Republic of Malawi 1

Republic of Mali 1

Islamic Republic of Mauritania 1

Republic of Mauritius 

Republic of Mozambique 1

Republic of Namibia 

Republic of Niger 1

Federal Republic of Nigeria

Republic of Rwanda 1

Democratic Republic of São

Tomé and Principe 1

Republic of Senegal 

Republic of Seychelles

Republic of Sierra Leone 1

I. Somalia

Republic of South Africa 

Republic of Sudan

Kingdom of Swaziland 

United Republic of Tanzania 1

Republic of Togo 1

Republic of Uganda 1

Republic of Zambia 1

Republic of Zimbabw

Eligibility: With the exception of Liberia and Somalia, all the countries on the list are eligible for GSP.

* Effective date to be decided by USTR

1 Considered “Least-Developed Beneficiary Developing Countries” under GSP
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2 Designated as a “beneficiary developing country” under GSP by Proclamation 7350 of October 2,

2000

Subtitle B of Title I of the Act concerns trade benefits under the AGOA, and is discussed

below. 

GENERAL SYSTEM OF PREFERENCES (GSP)

The Act amends Title V of the Trade Act of 1974 (the Generalized System of

Preferences, or “GSP,” statute codified at 19 U.S.C. 2461-2467) by inserting a new

section 506A (codified at 19 U.S.C. 2466a) entitled “DESIGNATION OF SUB-SAHARAN

AFRICAN COUNTRIES FOR CERTAIN BENEFITS.”

The new provision authorizes the President, subject to certain eligibility requirements

and criteria, to designate a listed country as a beneficiary sub-Saharan African country

eligible for the preferential tariff treatment benefits listed below. The President is

required to terminate a designation if he determines that a beneficiary sub-Saharan

African country is not making continual progress in meeting the requirements for

designation.

What articles are covered?

The President is authorized to provide duty-free treatment for any article described in

section 503(b)(1)(B) through (G) of the GSP statute that is the growth, product, or

manufacture of a beneficiary sub-Saharan African country if, after receiving the advice

of the International Trade Commission, the President determines that the article is not

import-sensitive in the context of imports from beneficiary sub-Saharan African

countries. The articles described are those that are normally excluded from duty-free

treatment under the GSP and consist of the following:

 Watches, except those watches entered after June 30, 1989, that the President

specifically determines, after public notice and comment, will not cause material

injury to watch or watch band, strap, or bracelet manufacturing and assembly

operations in the United States or the United States insular possessions;

 Import-sensitive electronic articles;

 Import-sensitive steel articles;

 Footwear, handbags, luggage, flat goods, work gloves, and leather wearing

apparel which were not eligible articles for purposes of the GSP on January 1,

1995, as the GSP was in effect on that date;

 Import-sensitive semi-manufactured and manufactured glass products; and
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 Any other articles which the President determines to be import-sensitive in the

context of the GSP.

The list of GSP eligible products under AGOA is available for downloading and

may be found at http://www.agoa.gov. 

What are the rules?

Duty-free treatment will apply to any designated article listed above that meets the

requirements of the basic GSP origin and related rules and two additional rules: 

 the article must have become the growth, product, or manufacture of a

beneficiary sub-Saharan African country by some process other than a simple

combining or packaging operation or the mere dilution with water or the mere

dilution with another substance that does not materially alter the

characteristics of the article, 

 the article must be imported directly from a beneficiary sub-Saharan African

country into the customs territory of the United States, 

 the article must have at least 35 percent of its appraised value attributed to

the sum of the direct costs of processing operations performed in the

beneficiary sub-Saharan African country or in any two or more beneficiary

sub-Saharan African countries that are members of the same association of

countries and are treated as one country under section 507(2) of the GSP

statute, plus the cost or value of the materials produced in the beneficiary

sub-Saharan African country or in any two or more beneficiary sub-Saharan

African countries, and 

 as variations from the general GSP 35 percent value-content rule [these are

the two additional rules mentioned above]:

 the cumulation of the cost or value of materials from different beneficiary

countries is not dependent on those beneficiaries being members of an

association of countries; and

 the cost or value of materials produced in the customs territory of the

United States (the 50 States and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico)

may be counted toward the 35 percent requirement to a maximum of 15

percent of the article’s appraised value.

The Act amends the GSP statute by providing for continuation of GSP duty-free

treatment through September 30, 2008, in the case of a beneficiary sub-Saharan

African country. 
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Procedures and Recordkeeping

The implementing regulations specify the manner in which a claim for duty-free

treatment should be made. The procedures specified in the GSP regulations are

followed but the symbol “D” (rather than “A”) is used as the special program indicator

on the customs entry documentation.

An importer claiming duty-free treatment must have and maintain (for a period of 5

years from the date of entry) the following records: 

 Records that explain how the importer came to the conclusion that the article

qualifies for duty-free treatment;

 Records that demonstrate that the article qualifies for duty-free treatment

because it is the growth, product or manufacture of a beneficiary sub-Saharan

African country 

 If the importer is claiming that the article is the growth of a beneficiary subSaharan African country, the importer must have records that indicate that the

product was grown in that country, such as a record of receipt from a farmer

whose crops are grown in that country. 

 If the importer is claiming that the article is the product of, or the manufacture

of, a beneficiary sub-Saharan African country, the importer must have records

that indicate that the manufacturing or processing operations reflected in or

applied to the article meet the country of origin requirements. A properly

completed GSP declaration in the prescribed format is one example of a

record that would serve this purpose;

 Shipping papers that show how the article moved from the beneficiary subSaharan African country to the United States. If the imported article was shipped

through a country other than a beneficiary sub-Saharan African country and the

invoices and other documents from the beneficiary sub-Saharan African country

do not show the United States as the final destination, the importer also must

have documentation that demonstrates that the conditions set forth in the

regulations were met;

 Records that demonstrate the cost or value of the materials produced in the

United States and the cost or value of the materials produced in a beneficiary

sub-Saharan African country or countries and the direct costs of processing

operations incurred in the beneficiary sub-Saharan African country that were

relied upon by the importer to determine that the article met the 35 percent value

content requirement set forth in 19 CFR §10.176(a) and 19 CFR §10.178a(c). A

properly completed GSP declaration in the form set forth in 19 CFR

§10.173(a)(1) is one example of a record that would serve this purpose.

The importer must establish and implement internal controls that provide for the periodic

review of the accuracy of the declarations or other records which establish that an

article is the growth, product or manufacture of a beneficiary sub-Saharan African

country. The importer must be prepared to produce the required records within 30 days
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of a request from CBP and must be prepared to explain how those records and the

internal controls referred to above justify the importer’s claim for duty-free treatment.

TEXTILE AND APPAREL PRODUCTS

Section 112 of the Act (codified at 19 U.S.C. 3721 and thus outside the GSP statutory

framework) sets forth rules that provide for the preferential treatment of certain textile

and apparel products. Moreover, these rules in effect operate as an exception to the

approach under the GSP because the GSP statute excludes most textile and apparel

articles from preferential (that is, duty-free) treatment under the GSP. The interim

implementing customs regulations were published in the Federal Register on October 5,

2000 (65 Federal Register 59668-59681) and are codified in title 19, Code of Federal

Regulations (CFR) sections 10.211-10.217. Section 3108 of the Trade Act of 2002

amended the AGOA. New interim amendments to the customs regulations

implementing the changes were published in the Federal Register on March 21, 2003

(68 Federal Register 13820). 

Certain textile and apparel articles that are imported directly into the customs territory of

the United States from an eligible beneficiary sub-Saharan African country which has

been designated as eligible for textile and apparel benefits will enter the United States

free of duty and free of any quantitative limitations, if the country has satisfied the

requirements set forth in the Act. The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States

(HTSUS) has been amended by inserting new U.S. notes in subchapter II of chapter 98

and a new subchapter XIX in chapter 98 to cover the new benefits.

The following countries have been designated eligible beneficiary countries for textile

and apparel benefits under the AGOA as of June 23, 2003. All of the listed countries,

except for the two in bold type, are considered lesser developed countries (LDCs) for

purposes of receiving benefits under the AGOA.

Republic of Botswana Republic of Mozambique

Republic of Cameroon Republic of Namibia

Republic of Cape Verde Republic of Rwanda

Ethiopia Republic of Senegal

Republic of Ghana Republic of South Africa

Republic of Kenya Kingdom of Swaziland

Republic of Lesotho United Republic of Tanzania

Republic of Madagascar Republic of Uganda

Republic of Malawi Republic of Zambia

Republic of Mauritius
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What articles are covered?

These products are as follows:

 9802.00.8042, visa grouping 1: Apparel articles sewn or otherwise assembled in

one or more beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries from fabrics* wholly formed

and cut, or from components knit-to-shape, in the United States from yarns wholly

formed in the United States, that are entered under subheading 9802.00.80 of the

HTSUS. 

 9819.11.03, visa grouping 2: Apparel articles sewn or otherwise assembled in one

or more beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries from fabrics* wholly formed and

cut, or from components knit-to-shape, in the United States from yarns wholly

formed in the United States, the foregoing which (1) are embroidered or subjected to

stone-washing, enzyme-washing, acid washing, perma-pressing, oven-baking,

bleaching, garment-dyeing, screen printing, or other similar processes, and (2) but

for such embroidery or processing are of a type otherwise described in heading

9802.00.80 of the HTSUS.

 9819.11.06, visa grouping 3: Apparel articles sewn or otherwise assembled in one

or more beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries with thread formed in the United

States from fabrics* wholly formed in the United States and cut in one or more

beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries from yarns wholly formed in the United

States, or from components knit-to-shape in the United States from yarns wholly

formed in the United States, or both.

 9819.11.09, visa grouping 4: Apparel articles wholly assembled in one or more

beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries from fabrics* wholly formed in one or

more beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries from yarns originating either in the

United States or one or more beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries, or from

components knit-to-shape in one or more beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries

from yarns originating either in the United States or one or more beneficiary subSaharan African countries, or apparel articles wholly formed on seamless knitting

machines in a beneficiary sub-Saharan African country from yarns originating either

in the United States or one or more beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries. [This

preference grouping has limitations on benefits.]

 9819.11.12, visa grouping 5: Apparel articles wholly assembled, or knit-to-shape

and wholly assembled, or both, in one or more lesser developed beneficiary subSaharan African countries regardless of the country of origin of the fabric or the yarn

used to make such articles. [Please note that US or foreign components,

including knit-to-shape components, may not be utilized in this provision.

This preference grouping has limitations on benefits and is currently scheduled to

expire on September 30, 2004.] 
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 9819.11.15, visa grouping 6: Sweaters, in chief weight of cashmere, knit-to-shape

in one or more beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries and classifiable under

subheading 6110.12 of the HTSUS.

 9819.11.18, visa grouping 7: Sweaters, 50 percent or more by weight of wool

measuring 21.5 microns in diameter or finer, knit-to-shape in one or more beneficiary

sub-Saharan African countries.

 9819.11.21, visa grouping 8: Apparel articles both cut (or knit-to-shape) and sewn

or otherwise assembled in one or more beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries

from fabrics or yarn not formed in the United States or in one or more beneficiary

sub-Saharan countries, provided that such apparel articles of such fabrics or yarns

would be considered an originating good under the terms of general note 12(t) to the

HTSUS without regard to the source of the fabric or yarn if such apparel article had

been imported from the territory of Canada or the territory of Mexico directly into the

customs territory of the United States. The fabrics and yarns in question include:

a) fine count cotton knitted fabrics for certain apparel (see general note 12[t],

Chapter 61, chapter rules 61.27[A], 61.30[A] and 61.32[A]),

b) linen fabrics and yarns of flax, except knitted or crocheted fabrics,

c) silk fabrics and yarns, except knitted or crocheted fabrics,

d) cotton velveteen,

e) fine wale corduroy,

f) Harris Tweed,

g) certain woven fabrics made with animal hairs (see general note 12[t],

chapter 62, chapter rule 2 [D]),

h) certain lightweight, high thread count cotton poly-cotton woven fabrics

(see general note 12[t], chapter 62, chapter rule 2 [E]),

i) certain lightweight, high thread count broadwoven fabrics used in

production of men's and boys' shirts (see general note 12[t], chapter

62.SR30, subheading rule a-i), and

j) quilted textile products in the piece of heading 5811.00.

 9819.11.24, visa grouping 8: Apparel articles both cut (or knit-to-shape) and sewn

or otherwise assembled in one or more beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries,

from fabrics or yarns designated by the appropriate U.S. government authority in the

Federal Register as fabrics or yarns not available in commercial quantities in the

United States, under any terms as such authority may provide. [See TBT-03-13,

available on the CBP web site, for a list of current short supply fabrics and yarns

effective May 2003.]

 9819.11.27, visa grouping 9: Handloomed fabrics, handmade articles made of

handloomed fabrics, or textile folklore articles – as defined in bilateral agreements.

This provision will be negotiated between The Committee for the Implementation of

Textile Agreements (CITA) and each sub-Saharan African country. 
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 9819.11.30, also visa grouping 3: Apparel articles sewn or otherwise assembled

in one or more beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries with thread formed in the

United States, the foregoing (i) from components cut in the United States and in one

or more beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries from fabrics* wholly formed in the

United States from yarns wholly formed in the United States, or (ii) from components

knit-to-shape in the United States and one or more beneficiary sub-Saharan African

countries from yarns wholly formed in the United States, or (iii) from any combination

of two or more of the foregoing knitting-to-shape or cutting operations. 

* including fabrics not formed from yarns, if those fabrics are classifiable under heading 5602 or

5603 of the HTSUS and are wholly formed in the United States.

What definitions are used?

For purposes of these provisions, CBP uses the following definitions:

Apparel articles means goods classifiable in Chapters 61 and 62 and headings 6501,

6502, 6503, and 6504 and subheadings 6406.99 and 6505.90 of the HTSUS. 

Assembled in one or more beneficiary countries when used in the context of a

textile or apparel article has reference to a joining together of two or more components

that occurred in one or more beneficiary countries, whether or not a prior joining

operation was performed on the article or any of its components in the United States.

Cut in one or more beneficiary countries when used with reference to apparel

articles means that all fabric components used in the assembly of the article were cut

from fabric in one or more beneficiary countries.

Knit-to-shape articles means any apparel article of which 50 percent or more of the

exterior surface area is formed by major parts that have been knitted or crocheted

directly to the shape used in the apparel article, with no consideration being given to

patch pockets, appliques, or the like. Minor cutting, trimming, or sewing of those major

parts will not affect the determination of whether an apparel article is “knit-to-shape.”

Knit-to-shape components when used with reference to textile components, means

components that are knitted or crocheted from a yarn directly to a specific shape

containing a self-start edge. Minor cutting or trimming will not affect the determination

of whether a component is "knit-to-shape."

Major parts means integral components of an apparel article but does not include

collars, cuffs, waistbands, plackets, pockets, linings, paddings, trim, accessories, or

similar parts or components. 

Originating means having the country of origin determined by application of the

provisions of 19 CFR §102.21. 

Wholly assembled in. When used with reference to a textile or apparel article in the

context of one or more beneficiary countries or one or more lesser developed

beneficiary countries, the expression “wholly assembled in” means that all of the

components of the textile or apparel article (including thread, decorative
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embellishments, buttons, zippers, or similar components) were joined together in one or

more beneficiary countries or one or more lesser developed beneficiary countries.

Wholly formed fabrics. "Wholly formed, " when used with reference to fabric(s),

means that all of the production processes, starting with polymers, fibers, filaments,

textile strips, yarns, twine, cordage, rope, or strips of fabric and ending with a fabric by a

weaving, knitting, needling, tufting, felting, entangling or other process, took place in the

United States or in one or more beneficiary countries.

Wholly formed on seamless knitting machines. "Wholly formed on seamless knitting

machines," when used to describe apparel articles, has reference to a process that

created a knit-to-shape apparel article by feeding yarn(s) into a knitting machine to

result in that article. When taken from the knitting machine, an apparel article created

by this process either is in its final form or requires only minor cutting or trimming or the

addition of minor components or parts such as patch pockets, appliques, capping, or

elastic strip.

Wholly formed yarns. "Wholly formed," when used with reference to yarns, means

that all of the production processes, starting with the extrusion of filament, strip, film, or

sheet and including slitting a film or sheet into strip, or the spinning of all fibers into yarn,

or both, and ending with a yarn or plied yarn, took place in a single country.

What special rules apply?

Section 112 also sets forth special rules for purposes of determining the eligibility of

articles for preferential treatment. These special rules are as follows:

 Findings and trimmings. As a general rule, an article otherwise eligible for

preferential treatment under section 112 will not be ineligible for that

treatment because the article contains findings or trimmings of foreign origin,

if the value of those foreign findings and trimmings does not exceed 25

percent of the cost of the components of the assembled article. This

provision specifies the following as examples of findings and trimmings:

o sewing thread,

o hooks and eyes,

o snaps, buttons,

o “bow buds,”

o decorative lace trim,

o elastic strips (but only if they are each less than 1 inch in width and used

in the production of brassieres),

o zippers (including zipper tapes), and

o labels.

 However, as an exception to the general rule, sewing thread will not be

treated as findings or trimmings in the case of an article for which assembly

by U.S. thread is a requirement for eligibility for preferential treatment. See,

9819.11.06 and 9819.11.30, visa grouping 3, above. 
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 Specific interlinings, that is, a chest type plate, a “hymo” piece, or “sleeve

header,” of woven or weft-inserted warp knit construction and of coarse

animal hair or man-made filaments. Under this rule, an article otherwise

eligible for preferential treatment under section 112 will not be ineligible for

that treatment because the article contains interlinings of foreign origin, if the

value of those interlinings (and any findings and trimmings) does not exceed

25 percent of the cost of the components of the assembled article. There is

also a provision for the termination of this treatment of interlinings if the

President makes a determination that United States manufacturers are

producing those interlinings in the United States in commercial quantities.

 De minimis rule. There is a de minimis rule which provides that an article

otherwise eligible for preferential treatment under section 112 will not be

ineligible for that treatment because the article contains fibers or yarns not

wholly formed in the United States or one or more beneficiary sub-Saharan

African countries if the total weight of all those fibers and yarns is not more

than 7 percent of the total weight of the article.

CBP Procedures

In order to claim preferential treatment under section 112, the articles must be imported

directly into the customs territory of the United States from a beneficiary sub-Saharan

African country and an importer must make a written declaration that the article qualifies

and be in possession of a valid Certificate of Origin. In the case of any article described

in subheading 9802.00.8042, or 9819.11.03 - 9819.11.30, the inclusion on the entry

summary, or equivalent documentation, of the subheading within Chapter 98 of the

HTSUS under which the article is classified will constitute the written declaration. 

Certificate of Origin and Declaration

Any importer who claims preferential treatment under section 112 must comply with

CBP procedures similar in all material respects to the requirements of Article 502(1) of

the NAFTA as implemented by regulations. This NAFTA provision concerns the use of

a Certificate of Origin and specifically requires that the importer:

 make a written declaration, based on a valid Certificate of Origin, that the

imported good qualifies as an originating good,

 have the Certificate in its possession at the time the declaration is made,

 provide the Certificate to CBP on request, and

 promptly (within 30 calendar days after the date of discovery of the error)

make a corrected declaration and pay any duties owing where the importer

has reason to believe that a Certificate on which a declaration was based

contains information that is not correct.
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The Certificate of Origin must be prepared by the exporter in the beneficiary country in

the form specified in the regulations (reproduced in the Appendix to this publication).

Where the beneficiary country exporter is not the producer of the article, that exporter

may complete and sign a Certificate of Origin on the basis of:

 Its reasonable reliance on the producer’s written representation that the

article qualifies for preferential treatment; or

 A completed and signed Certificate of Origin for the article voluntarily

provided to the exporter by the producer.

A Certificate of Origin submitted to CBP:

 Must be in writing or must be transmitted electronically pursuant to any

electronic data interchange system authorized by CBP for that purpose;

 Must be signed by the exporter or by the exporter’s authorized agent having

knowledge of the relevant facts;

 Must be completed either in the English language or in the language of the

country from which the article is exported. If the Certificate is completed in a

language other than English, the importer must provide to CBP upon request

a written English translation of the Certificate; and

 May be applicable to:

 A single importation of an article into the United States, including a single

shipment that results in the filing of one or more entries and a series of

shipments that results in the filing of one entry; or

 Multiple importations of identical articles into the United States that occur

within a specified blanket period, not to exceed 12 months, set out in the

Certificate by the exporter. “Identical articles” means articles that are the

same in all material respects, including physical characteristics, quality,

and reputation.

Correction and non-acceptance of Certificate. If the port director determines that a

Certificate of Origin is illegible or defective or has not been completed in accordance

with the regulations, the importer will be given a period of not less than five working

days to submit a corrected Certificate. A blanket Certificate will not be accepted in

connection with subsequent importations during the remaining period covered by the

Certificate if the port director determined that a previously imported identical article

covered by the Certificate did not qualify for preferential treatment.

The Certificate of Origin that otherwise would be required will not be required if that

Certificate of Origin would not be required under Article 503 of the NAFTA (as

implemented pursuant to United States law), if the article were imported from Mexico.

Article 503 of the NAFTA sets forth, with one general exception, three specific

circumstances in which a NAFTA country may not require a Certificate of Origin.
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An importer is not required to have a Certificate of Origin in his possession (except as

otherwise provided below), for:

 An importation of an article for which the port director has in writing waived

the requirement for a Certificate of Origin because the port director is

otherwise satisfied that the article qualifies for preferential treatment;

 A non-commercial importation of an article; or

 A commercial importation of an article whose value does not exceed US

$2,500, provided that, unless waived by the port director, the producer,

exporter, importer or authorized agent includes on, or attaches to, the invoice

or other document accompanying the shipment the following signed

statement:

I hereby certify that the article covered by this shipment qualifies for

preferential treatment under the AGOA.

Check One:

( ) Producer

( ) Exporter

( ) Importer

( ) Agent

Name

Title

Address

Signature and Date

Exception. If the port director determines that an importation described above forms

part of a series of importations that may reasonably be considered to have been

undertaken or arranged for the purpose of avoiding a Certificate of Origin requirement,

the port director will notify the importer in writing that for that importation the importer

must have in his possession a valid Certificate of Origin to support the claim for

preferential treatment. The importer will have 30 calendar days from the date of the

written notice to obtain a valid Certificate of Origin, and a failure to timely obtain the

Certificate of Origin will result in denial of the claim for preferential treatment. A “series

of importations” means two or more entries covering articles arriving on the same day

from the same exporter and consigned to the same person.

Direct Import Requirement

As previously stated, in order to claim preferential treatment, the articles must be

imported directly into the customs territory of the United States from a beneficiary subSaharan African country. For purposes of this provision, the words “imported directly”

mean:

 Direct shipment from any beneficiary country to the United States without

passing through the territory of any non-beneficiary country;
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20

 If the shipment is from any beneficiary country to the United States through

the territory of any non-beneficiary country, the articles in the shipment do not

enter into the commerce of any non-beneficiary country while en route to the

United States and the invoices, bills of lading, and other shipping documents

show the United States as the final destination; or

 If the shipment is from any beneficiary country to the United States through

the territory of any non-beneficiary country, and the invoices and other

documents do not show the United States as the final destination, the articles

in the shipment upon arrival in the United States are imported directly only if

they:

 Remained under the control of the customs authority of the intermediate

country;

 Did not enter into the commerce of the intermediate country except for the

purpose of sale other than at retail, and the port director is satisfied that

the importation results from the original commercial transaction between

the importer and the producer or the producer’s sales agent; and

 Were not subjected to operations other than loading or unloading, and

other activities necessary to preserve the articles in good condition.

Verification and Justification of Claim for Preferential Treatment

A claim for preferential treatment, including any statements or other information

contained on a Certificate of Origin submitted to CBP, is subject to whatever verification

the port director deems necessary. In the event that the port director for any reason is

prevented from verifying the claim, the port director may deny the claim for preferential

treatment. A verification of a claim for preferential treatment may involve, but need not

be limited to, a review of:

 All records required to be made, kept, and made available to CBP by the

importer or any other person under 19 CFR part 163;

 Documentation and other information in a beneficiary country regarding the

country of origin of an article and its constituent materials, including, but not

limited to, production records, information relating to the place of production,

the number and identification of the types of machinery used in production,

and the number of workers employed in production; and

 Evidence in a beneficiary country to document the use of U.S. materials in the

production of the article in question, such as purchase orders, invoices, bills

of lading and other shipping documents, and customs import and clearance

documents.

Importer requirements. In order to make a claim for preferential treatment, the

importer:

 Must have records that explain how the importer came to the conclusion that the

textile or apparel article qualifies for preferential treatment. Those records must
African Growth Opportunity Act

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21

include documents that support a claim that the article in question qualifies for

preferential treatment because it is specifically described in one of the qualifying

provisions. If the importer is claiming that the article incorporates fabric or yarn

that originated or was wholly formed in the United States, the importer must have

records that identify the U.S. producer of the fabric or yarn. A properly

completed Certificate of Origin in the prescribed form is a record that would serve

these purposes;

 Must establish and implement internal controls which provide for the periodic

review of the accuracy of the Certificate of Origin or other records referred to

above;

 Must have shipping papers that show how the article moved from the beneficiary

country to the United States. If the imported article was shipped through a

country other than a beneficiary country and the invoices and other documents

from the beneficiary country do not show the United States as the final

destination, the importer also must have documentation that demonstrates that

the conditions set forth in the regulations were met; and

 Must be prepared to explain, upon request from CBP, how the records and

internal controls referred to above justify the importer’s claim for preferential

treatment.

Penalties

If the President determines, based on sufficient evidence, that an exporter has engaged

in transshipment with respect to textile and apparel articles, the President shall deny all

benefits under section 112 of the AGOA to such exporter, any successor of such

exporter, and any other entity owned or operated by the principal of the exporter for a

period of 5 years. In Executive Order 13191, the President delegated his authority

under this provision to the Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements

(“CITA”). For purposes of this provision:

 “transshipment” has occurred when preferential treatment has been claimed

for a textile or apparel article on the basis of material false information

concerning the country of origin, manufacture, processing, or assembly of the

article or any of its components, and

 “false information” is material if disclosure of the true information would mean

or would have meant that the article is or was ineligible for preferential

treatment.

In addition to this AGOA specific penalty, importers, exporters, and others providing

false or fraudulent information or otherwise violating the customs laws may be subject to

civil penalties and/or criminal fines and imprisonment under the general customs and

related laws, and the imported merchandise may be subject to seizure or detention.

For example. civil penalties may be assessed under 19 U.S.C. §1592, which prohibits

any person from fraudulently or negligently entering, introducing, or attempting to enter

or introduce merchandise into the U.S. by means of materially false documentation,

information or statements, acts or material omissions.
African Growth Opportunity Act

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African Growth and Opportunity Act

Textile Certificate of Origin

1. Exporter Name & Address: 3. Importer Name & Address:

2. Producer Name & Address: 4. Preference Group:

5. Description of Article:

Group Each description below is only a summary of the cited CFR provision. 19 CFR

1-A Apparel assembled from U.S. fabrics and/or knit-to-shape components, from

U.S. yarns. All fabric must be cut in the United States. 10.213(a)(1)

2-B

Apparel assembled from U.S. fabrics and/or knit-to-shape components, from

U.S. yarns. All fabric must be cut in the United States. After assembly, the

apparel is embroidered or subject to stone-washing, enzyme-washing, acid

washing, perma-pressing, oven-baking, bleaching, garment-dyeing, screen

printing, or other similar processes. 

10.213(a)(2)

3-C

Apparel assembled from U.S. fabrics and/or U.S. knit-to-shape components

and/or U.S. and beneficiary country knit-to-shape components, from U.S.

yarns and sewing thread. The U.S. fabrics may be cut in beneficiary

countries, or in beneficiary countries and the United States. 

10.213(a)(3)

 or

10.213(a)(11)

4-D

Apparel assembled from beneficiary country fabrics and/or knit-to-shape

components, from yarns originating in the U.S. and/or one or more

beneficiary countries. 

10.213(a)(4)

5-E

Apparel assembled or knit-to-shape and assembled, or both, in one or more

lesser developed beneficiary countries regardless of the country of origin of

the fabric or the yarn used to make such articles. 

10.213(a)(5)

6-F Knit-to-shape sweaters in chief weight cashmere. 10.213(a)(6)

7-G Knit-to-shape sweaters 50 percent or more by weight of wool measuring

21.5 microns in diameter or finer. 10.213(a)(7)

8-H

Apparel assembled from fabrics or yarns considered in short supply in the

NAFTA, or designated as not available in commercial quantities in the

United States.

10.213(a)(8) 

 or

10.213(a)(9)

9-I Handloomed fabrics, handmade articles made of handloomed fabrics, or

textile folklore articles – as defined in bilateral consultations. 10.213(a)(10)

7. U.S./African Yarn Producer Name &

Address:

6. U.S./African Fabric Producer Name &

Address:

8. U.S. Thread Producer Name & Address:

9. Handloomed, Handmade, or Folklore

Article:

10. Name of Short Supply or Designated

Fabric or Yarn:

I certify that the information on this document is complete and accurate and I assume the responsibility

for proving such representations. I understand that I am liable for any false statements or material

omissions made on or in connection with this document. I agree to maintain, and present upon request,

documentation necessary to support this certificate. 

11. Authorized Signature: 12. Company:

13. Name: (Print or Type) 14. Title:

15. Date:

(DD/MM/YY)

16. Blanket Period

From: To:

17. Telephone: 

 Facsimile: 
African Growth Opportunity Act

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AGOA TEXTILE CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN INSTRUCTIONS

Block 1: State the legal name and address (including country) of the exporter. 

Block 2: State the legal name and address (including country) of the producer. If there

is more than one producer, attach a list stating the legal name and address (including

country) of all additional producers. If this information is confidential, it is acceptable to

state “available to CBP upon request” in block 2. If the producer and the exporter are

the same, state “same” in block 2.

Block 3: State the legal name and address of the U.S. importer.

Block 4: Insert the number and/or letter that designates the preference group which

applies to the article according to the description contained in the CFR provision cited

on the Certificate for that group.

Block 5: Provide a full description of each article. The description should be sufficient

to relate it to the invoice description and to the description of the article in the

international Harmonized System. Include the invoice number as shown on the

commercial invoice or, if the invoice number is not known, include another unique

reference number such as the shipping order number.

(Blocks 6 through 10 must be completed only when the block in question calls for

information that is relevant to the preference group identified in block 4.)

Block 6: State the legal name and address (including country) of the fabric producer.

Block 7: State the legal name and address (including country) of the yarn producer.

Block 8: State the legal name and address of the U.S. thread producer.

Block 9: State the name of the textile folklore article or state that the article is

handloomed fabric or handmade article made of handloomed fabrics.

Block 10: Complete only when preference group “8” and/or “H” is inserted in block 4.

State the name of the fabric or yarn that is in short supply in the NAFTA, or that has

been designated as not available in commercial quantities in the United States.

Block 11: The textile certificate of origin must be signed by the producer in the

beneficiary country. An exporter who is not the producer may sign the certificate on the

basis of reasonable reliance on the producer’s written representation that the article

qualifies, or on a completed and signed certificate of origin from the producer. 

Block 12: Insert the company name of the person signing block 11.

Block 13: Type or print the name of the person in block 11.

Block 14: Insert the title of the person in block 11. 

Block 15: Insert the date on which the Certificate was completed and signed.

Block 16: Complete if the Certificate is intended to cover multiple shipments of

identical articles as described in block 5 that are imported into the United States during

a specified period of up to one year (see 19CFR10.216(b)(4)(ii)). The “from” date is the

date on which the Certificate became applicable to the article covered by the blanket

Certificate (this date may be prior to the date reflected in block 15). The “to” date is the

date on which the blanket period expires.

Block 17: Insert the telephone and facsimile numbers at which the person who signed

the Certificate may be contacted.
African Growth Opportunity Act

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LIST OF PROCLAMATIONS AND FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICES 

Proclamations

1. Proclamation 7350 of October 2, 2000 “To Implement the African Growth and

Opportunity Act and To Designate Eritrea as a Beneficiary Developing Country.”

(Designates beneficiary countries under AGOA, delegates the President’s

authority to the USTR, and modifies the Harmonized Tariff Schedule) 65 Federal

Register 59321-59327, October 4, 2000.

2. Proclamation 7383 of December 1, 2000 “To Implement Title V of the Trade and

Development Act of 2000 and To Modify the Generalized System of

Preferences.” 

3. Proclamation 13191 of January 17, 2001 “Implementation of the African Growth

and Opportunity Act and the United States-Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership

Act.” (Delegations to CITA and USTR) 66 Federal Register 7271-7273, January

22, 2001.

4. Proclamation 7400 of January 17, 2001 “To Designate Swaziland as a

Beneficiary Sub-Saharan African Country and for Other Purposes.” 65 Federal

Register 7373-7374, January 23, 2001. 

5. Proclamation 7626 of November 13, 2002 “To Implement Modifications to the

Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act and the African Growth and

Opportunity Act.” 67 Federal Register 69459-69464, November 18, 2002.

6. Proclamation 7657 of March 28, 2003 "To Take Certain Actions Under the

African Growth and Opportunity Act With Respect to the Republic of The Gambia

and the Democratic Republic of Congo." 68 Federal Register 15921, April 2,

2003.

Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA)

Notices

1. “Duty and Quota Free Imports of Apparel Articles Assembled From Regional and

Other Fabric for Beneficiary Sub-Saharan African Countries.” Issued by CITA, 65

Federal Register 61148, October 16, 2000.

2. “Procedures in Considering Requests Under the Textile and Apparel ‘Short

Supply’ Provisions of The African Growth and Opportunity Act and The United

States-Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act.” Issued by CITA, 66 Federal

Register 13502-13504, March 6, 2001.

U.S. Trade Representative Notices

For Notices issued by the U.S. Trade Representative's office, we refer you to

http://www.ustr.gov. 
African Growth Opportunity Act

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U.S. Customs Service Regulations

1. “African Growth and Opportunity Act and Generalized System of Preferences.”

[Interim regulations] Issued by U.S. Customs Service, 65 Federal Register

59668-59681, October 5, 2000.

2. “African Growth and Opportunity Act and Generalized System of Preferences.”

[Interim regulations; corrections] Issued by U.S. Customs Service, 65 Federal

Register 67260, November 9, 2000.

3. "Trade Benefits Under the African Growth and Opportunity Act." [Interim

regulations] Issued by U.S. Customs Service, 68 Federal Register 13820,

March 21, 2003.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Internet 

The home page of U.S. Customs and Border Protection on the Internet’s World Wide

Web, provides the trade community with current, relevant information regarding CBP

operations and items of special interest. The site posts information -- which includes

proposed regulations, news releases, publications and notices, etc. -- that can be

searched, read on-line, printed or downloaded to your personal computer. The web site

was established as a trade-friendly mechanism to assist the importing and exporting

community. The web site also links to the home pages of many other agencies whose

importing or exporting regulations that U.S. Customs and Border Protection helps to

enforce. The web site also contains a wealth of information of interest to a broader

public than the trade community. For instance, on June 20, 2001, CBP launched the

“Know Before You Go” publication and traveler awareness campaign designed to help

educate international travelers.

The web address of U.S. Customs and Border Protection is http://www.cbp.gov
African Growth Opportunity Act

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Customs Regulations

The current edition of Customs Regulations of the United States is a loose-leaf,

subscription publication available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S.

Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402; telephone (202) 512-1800. A

bound, 2003 edition of Title 19, Code of Federal Regulations, which incorporates all

changes to the Regulations as of April 1, 2003, is also available for sale from the same

address. All proposed and final regulations are published in the Federal Register, which

is published daily by the Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records

Administration, and distributed by the Superintendent of Documents. Information about

on-line access to the Federal Register may be obtained by calling (202) 512-1530

between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern time. These notices are also published in the

weekly Customs Bulletin described below. 

Customs Bulletin

The Customs Bulletin and Decisions (“Customs Bulletin”) is a weekly publication that

contains decisions, rulings, regulatory proposals, notices and other information of

interest to the trade community. It also contains decisions issued by the U.S. Court of

International Trade, as well as customs-related decisions of the U.S. Court of Appeals

for the Federal Circuit. Each year, the Government Printing Office publishes bound

volumes of the Customs Bulletin. Subscriptions may be purchased from the

Superintendent of Documents at the address and phone number listed above.

Importing Into the United States

This publication provides an overview of the importing process and contains general

information about import requirements. The February 2002 edition of Importing Into the

United States contains much new and revised material brought about pursuant to the

Customs Modernization Act (“Mod Act”). The Mod Act has fundamentally altered the

relationship between importers and U.S. Customs and Border Protection by shifting to

the importer the legal responsibility for declaring the value, classification, and rate of

duty applicable to entered merchandise.

The February 2002 edition contains a section entitled "Informed Compliance." A key

component of informed compliance is the shared responsibility between U.S. Customs

and Border Protection and the import community, wherein CBP communicates its

requirements to the importer, and the importer, in turn, uses reasonable care to assure

that CBP is provided accurate and timely data pertaining to his or her importation.

Single copies may be obtained from local offices of U.S. Customs and Border

Protection, or from the Office of Public Affairs, U.S. Customs and Border Protection,

1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20229. An on-line version is

available at the CBP web site. Importing Into the United States is also available for

sale, in single copies or bulk orders, from the Superintendent of Documents by calling
African Growth Opportunity Act

August 2003

27

(202) 512-1800, or by mail from the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing

Office, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7054.

Informed Compliance Publications

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has prepared a number of Informed Compliance

publications in the “What Every Member of the Trade Community Should Know

About:...” series. Check the Internet web site http://www.cbp.gov for current

publications.

Value Publications

Customs Valuation under the Trade Agreements Act of 1979 is a 96-page book

containing a detailed narrative description of the customs valuation system, the customs

valuation title of the Trade Agreements Act (§402 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended

by the Trade Agreements Act of 1979 (19 U.S.C. §1401a)), the Statement of

Administrative Action which was sent to the U.S. Congress in conjunction with the TAA,

regulations (19 C.F.R. §§152.000-152.108) implementing the valuation system (a few

sections of the regulations have been amended subsequent to the publication of the

book) and questions and answers concerning the valuation system. A copy may be

obtained from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Regulations and Rulings,

Value Branch, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20229.

Customs Valuation Encyclopedia (with updates) is comprised of relevant statutory

provisions, CBP Regulations implementing the statute, portions of the Customs

Valuation Code, judicial precedent, and administrative rulings involving application of

valuation law. A copy may be purchased for a nominal charge from the Superintendent

of Documents, Government Printing Office, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-

7054. This publication is also available on the Internet web site of U.S. Customs and

Border Protection.

The information provided in this publication is for general information

purposes only. Recognizing that many complicated factors may be

involved in customs issues, an importer may wish to obtain a ruling under

CBP Regulations, 19 C.F.R. Part 177, or obtain advice from an expert

(such as a licensed Customs Broker, attorney or consultant) who

specializes in customs matters. Reliance solely on the general

information in this pamphlet may not be considered reasonable care.

Additional information may also be obtained from U.S. Customs and Border Protection

ports of entry. Please consult your telephone directory for an office near you. The

listing will be found under U.S. Government, Department of Homeland Security.
African Growth Opportunity Act

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“Your Comments are Important”

The Small Business and Regulatory Enforcement Ombudsman and 10 regional

Fairness Boards were established to receive comments from small businesses about

Federal agency enforcement activities and rate each agency’s responsiveness to small

business. If you wish to comment on the enforcement actions of U.S. Customs and

Border Protection, call 1-888-REG-FAIR (1-888-734-3247).

REPORT SMUGGLING 1-800-BE-ALERT OR 1-800-NO-DROGA

Visit our Internet web site: http://www.cbp.gov