CSMS Message: 02-000507

APRIL 12, 2002

TO: DIRECTORS, FIELD OPERATIONS

FROM: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, TRADE PROGRAMS
OFFICE OF FIELD OPERATIONS

SUBJECT: TBT-02-019 AFRICAN GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY ACT (AGOA) UPDATE

REF: TBT-01-008, TBT-01-009, TBT-01-010, TBT-01-017,
TBT-01-018, TBT-01-028, TBT-01-034, TBT-01-035,
TBT-01-039, TBT-01-043, TBT-01-048, TBT-01-049,
TBT-01-058, TBT-01-061, TBT-02-007, TBT-02-008,
TBT-02-010, TBT-02-016

BACKGROUND:

THE TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2000 (OTHE ACTO), WHICH WAS SIGNED INTO
LAW ON MAY 18, 2000, AUTHORIZED A NEW TRADE AND INVESTMENT POLICY FOR
SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA. THE PRESIDENT IS AUTHORIZED TO DESIGNATE A SUB-
SAHARAN AFRICAN COUNTRY AS AN ELIGIBLE BENEFICIARY COUNTRY BASED ON
SEVERAL CRITERIA ESTABLISHED IN THE ACT. THE CRITERIA INCLUDES THAT
THE SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN COUNTRY HAS ADOPTED AN EFFECTIVE VISA SYSTEM
AND HAS IMPLEMENTED AND FOLLOWS, OR IS MAKING SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS
TOWARD IMPLEMENTING AND FOLLOWING, CERTAIN CUSTOMS PROCEDURES THAT
ASSIST THE U.S. CUSTOMS SERVICE IN VERIFYING THE ORIGIN OF THE
PRODUCTS.

THIS NOTICE SERVES TO PROVIDE A LIST OF ALL BENEFICIARY SUB-SAHARAN
AFRICAN COUNTRIES THAT HAVE AN EFFECTIVE VISA SYSTEM AND THE QUANTITY
REPORTING METHOD THAT IS REQUIRED.

INFORMATION:

THE FOLLOWING COUNTRIES HAVE AN EFFECTIVE VISA SYSTEM AND CLAIMS FOR
QUALIFYING MERCHANDISE ARE ACCEPTED UBDER THE AGOA:

BOTSWANA*** CAMEROON
ETHIOPIA GHANA
KENYA LESOTHO
MADAGASCAR MALAWI
MAURITIUS*** MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA*** SOUTH AFRICA***
SWAZILAND TANZANIA
UGANDA ZAMBIA

*** THESE COUNTRIES ARE NOT LESSER-DEVELOPED COUNTRIES AND CANNOT
UTILIZE GROUPING 5.

FOR GROUPINGS 1 TO 8, THE QUANTITY SHOWN ON THE AGOA VISA FOR ALL
WEARING APPAREL WILL BE REPORTED IN DOZENS, EXCEPT FOR:

1. MEN'S, BOY'S, WOMEN'S OR GIRL'S SUITS, WHICH WILL BE REPORTED
IN NUMBER

2. PANTY HOSE, TIGHTS, STOCKINGS, SOCKS, OTHER HOSIERY, GLOVES,
MITTENS AND MITTS WILL BE REPORTED IN DOZEN PAIRS

IF THERE ARE ITEMS IN THE SAME GROUPING THAT ARE MIXED, SUCH AS SUITS
(WHICH REQUIRE NUMBER) AND PANTS (WHICH REQUIRE DOZEN) OR SHIRTS AND
PANTS (WHICH BOTH REQUIRE DOZEN), THEN A SEPERATE QUANTITY WILL BE
SHOWN FOR EACH OF THE ITEMS. FOR EXAMPLE, A VISA FOR GROUPING 1 COULD
INDICATE 105 SUITS WITH 10 DOZEN SHIRTS AND 12 DOZEN PANTS.

FOR GROUPING 9, THE QUANTITY SHOWN ON THE VISA WILL BE THE NORMAL
REPORTING QUANTITY FOR THE TYPE OF IMPORTED MERCHANDISE. FOR EXAMPLE,
IF RUGS OR HAND LOOMED FABRIC WERE IMPORTED, THE REPORTED QUANTITY
WILL BE IN SQUARE METERS; IF BEDSPREADS, TOWELS OR OTHER HOUSEHOLD
FURNISHINGS ARE IMPORTED, THE REPORTED QUANTITY WILL BE IN KILOS;
AND IF IT IS WEARING APPAREL, IT WILL BE REPORTED AS IN GROUPINGS
1 TO 8. TO DATE, NO COUNTRY HAS BEEN DETERMINED ELIGIBLE FOR
GROUPING 9.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

PLEASE PASS THIS MEMORANDUM TO PORT DIRECTORS, ASSISTANT PORT
DIRECTORS, IMPORT SPECIALISTS, INSPECTORS, ENTRY SPECIALISTS,
BROKERS AND IMPORTERS.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE AGOA VISA ARRANGEMENTS,
PLEASE CALL MS. SUSAN THOMAS, AT (202) 927-3719 OR MR ROBERT ABELS,
AT (202) 927-1959.

/SIGNED JANET L. LABUDA/
FOR ELIZABETH G. DURANT

CC: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, FIELD OPERATIONS