| Title: | REPUBLIC OF GAMBIA ELIGIBLE FOR AFRICAN GROWTH AND |
|---|---|
| Date: | 2003-04-10 |
| To: | abi |
| Links: | previous, next |
TO : INTERIM DIRECTORS, FIELD OPERATIONS
FROM : EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, TRADE COMPLIANCE AND FACILITATION
OFFICE OF FIELD OPERATIONS
SUBJECT :REPUBLIC OF THE GAMBIA FOR AFRICAN GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY
ACT (AGOA) BENEFITS
BACKGROUND:
THE TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2000 (THE ACT), WAS SIGNED INTO LAW
MAY 18, 2000. TITLE I OF THE ACT AUTHORIZED A NEW TRADE AND INVESTMENT
POLICY FOR DESIGNATED COUNTRIES OF SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA AND IS REFERRED
TO IN THE ACT AS THE "AFRICAN GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY ACT" (AGOA).
SECTION 506A(A)(1) OF THE TRADE ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (THE 1974 ACT)
(19 U.S.C 2466A(A)(1)), AUTHORIZES THE PRESIDENT TO DESIGNATE A COUNTRY
LISTED IN SECTION 107 OF THE AGOA AS A "BENEFICIARY SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN
(SSA) COUNTRY."
PURSUANT TO SECTION 506(A)(1) OF THE 1974 ACT, PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION
7657, DATED MARCH 28, 2003 AND PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER ON
APRIL 2, 2003 (68 FR 15921), DESIGNATED THE REPUBLIC OF THE GAMBIA (THE
GAMBIA) AS AN ELIGIBLE SSA COUNTRY.
PROCLAMATION 7657 MODIFIED GENERAL NOTE 16(A) OF THE HARMONIZED TARIFF
SCHEDULE OF THE UNITED STATES BY INSERTING IN ALPHABETICAL SEQUENCE IN
THE LIST OF BENEFICIARY SSA COUNTRIES "REPUBLIC OF THE GAMBIA".
ACTION:
PURSUANT TO PROCLAMATION 7657, CLAIMS FOR PREFERENTIAL TARIFF TREATMENT
UNDER THE AGOA FOR NON-TEXTILE MERCHANDISE FROM THE GAMBIA ENTERED, OR
WITHDRAWN FROM WAREHOUSE FOR CONSUMPTION, ON OR AFTER APRIL 2, 2003 WILL
BE ACCEPTED.
IMPORTERS OR THEIR AGENTS MAY AVAIL THEMSELVES OF ALL AVAILABLE
POST-ENTRY PROCEDURES, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF NAFTA 520(D) CLAIMS, TO
RECEIVE A REFUND OF DUTIES FOR ELIGIBLE AGOA NON-TEXTILE ARTICLES FROM
THE GAMBIA ENTERED, OR WITHDRAWN FROM WAREHOUSE,FOR CONSUMPTION ON OR
AFTER APRIL 2, 2003.
THE AUTOMATED COMMERCIAL SYSTEM HAS BEEN UPDATED TO REFLECT THE ABOVE
REFERENCED MODIFICATIONS. THEREFORE, IMPORTERS MAY FILE CLAIMS VIA ABI
FOR DUTY-FREE TREATMENT UNDER THE NON-TEXTILE PROVISIONS OF THE AGOA
FOR ELIGIBLE MERCHANDISE FROM THE GAMBIA. SUCH CLAIMS MAY BE MADE BY
USING THE SPECIAL PROGRAMS INDICATOR (SPI) "D".
COPIES OF THIS MEMORANDUM SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE TO INTERIM PORT
DIRECTORS; ASSISTANT PORT DIRECTORS, TRADE; IMPORT AND ENTRY SPECIALISTS
INSPECTORS; BROKERS; IMPORTERS AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES.
QUESTIONS CONCERNING THIS NOTICE FROM THE IMPORTING COMMUNITY SHOULD
BE REFERRED TO THEIR LOCAL CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION (CBP) PORT.
THE CBP PORT OF ENTRY MAY REFER QUESTIONS TO MS ARLENE LUGO, TRADE
AGREEMENTS BRANCH, AT (202) 927-4183, OR VIA E-MAIL.
/S/
ELIZABETH G. DURANT