| Title: | CAFTA-DR IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES |
|---|---|
| Date: | 2006-03-01 |
| To: | abi |
| Links: | previous, next |
TO: ALL ABI BROKERS
SUBJECT: IMPLEMENTATION OF CAFTA-DR TRADE AGREEMENT
DATE: 03/01/2006
PURSUANT TO PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION DATED FEBRUARY 28, 2006, THE
U.S. - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - CENTRAL AMERICA FREE TRADE AGREEMENT
(CAFTA-DR) TOOK EFFECT FOR THE COUNTRY OF EL SALVADOR FOR GOODS ENTERED,
OR WITHDRAWN FROM A WAREHOUSE, FOR CONSUMPTION ON OR AFTER
MARCH 1, 2006.
THE PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER
AND IMPLEMENTING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE ISSUED ONCE THEY ARE FINALIZED.
UNTIL THAT TIME, CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION (CBP) WILL ACCEPT NON-ABI
CLAIMS FOR PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT FOR ORIGINATING GOODS OF EL SALVADOR
UNDER THE CAFTA-DR.
IN ADDTION, EL SALVADOR'S ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE
GENERALIZED SYSTEM OF PREFERENCES (GSP), THE CARIBBEAN BASIN ECONOMIC
BASIN RECOVERY ACT (CBERA) AND THE CARIBBEAN BASIN TRADE PARTNERSHIP
ACT WAS REMOVED WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CAFTA-DR. CLAIMS FOR
GSP, CBERA OR CBTPA PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT MADE ON GOODS OF EL SALVADOR
ENTERED, OR WITHDRAWN FROM A WAREHOUSE, FOR CONSUMPTION ON OR AFTER
MARCH 1, 2006 WILL BE DENIED.
A FUTURE MESSAGE WILL BE POSTED BY ACS TO ADVISE THE TRADE ON THE
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS FOR FILING A CAFTA-DR CLAIM THROUGH THE ABI
SYSTEM.
QUESTIONS REGARDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CAFTA-DR SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO
LORI WHITEHURST, TRADE AGREEMENTS BRANCH, AT 202-344-2722.