| Title: | EXPIRATION OF THE GSP |
|---|---|
| Date: | 1997-06-05 |
| To: | abi |
| Links: | previous, next |
TO : ALL ABI BROKERS.
FROM : JOHN ZZ-PIERCE
SUBJECT : EXPIRATION OF THE GSP
DATE : 06/05/97
7156071
JUNE 5, 1997
FO:TA JAP
CATEGORY: GSP
TO : ALL PORT AND CMC DIRECTORS
FROM : DIRECTOR, TRADE AGREEMENTS
RE : EXPIRATION OF THE GENERALIZED SYSTEM OF PREFERENCES ON
MAY 31, 1997
PASS TO : IMPORT SPECIALISTS AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES SUCH AS
BROKERS AND IMPORTERS
THE GENERALIZED SYSTEM OF PREFERENCES (GSP) EXPIRED AT MIDNIGHT
ON MAY 31, 1997. AS A RESULT, IMPORTERS MUST NOW DEPOSIT DUTIES
FOR IMPORTATIONS THAT PREVIOUSLY ENTERED THE UNITED STATES DUTY-
FREE. AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS, SOME IMPORTERS AND MANY EXPORTERS
WERE CAUGHT UNAWARE.
THE WEEK OF MAY 23, 1997, REPRESENTATIVE PHILIP CRANE, R-ILL.,
THE HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS TRADE SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, AND
CALIFORNIA REPRESENTATIVE ROBERT MATSUI, THE SUBCOMMITTEE'S
RANKING DEMOCRAT, INTRODUCED A BILL RENEWING THE PROGRAM FOR TEN
YEARS. THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION, OFFICIALS INDICATE, IS
BACKING THE TEN YEAR EXTENSION OF THE PROGRAM WHICH COULD REQUIRE
BUDGETARY OFFSETS OF MORE THAN $3 BILLION. THIS BILL HAS NOT
BEEN PASSED AND IS STILL BEFORE CONGRESS TO THIS DATE. A TWO-OR
THREE-YEAR RENEWAL LOOKS MORE DOABLE IF THE PROGRAM IS EXTENDED
BEYOND A YEAR.
INQUIRIES RELATING TO LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS TO RENEW THE GSP
SHALL NOT BE DIRECTED TO CUSTOMS. PUBLIC INQUIRIES REGARDING
LEGISLATIVE ACTION TO RENEW THE GSP MAY BE DIRECTED TO:
OFFICE OF THE U.S. TRADE REPRESENTATIVE 202-395-6971
HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE 202-225-6649
SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE 202-224-4515
FOR SPECIFIC QUESTIONS RELATING TO THE AUTOMATED COMMERCIAL
SYSTEM CONTACT ERIC BLANK, OFFICE OF AUTOMATED COMMERCIAL SYSTEM,
202-927-0441. QUESTIONS REGARDING TYPES OF ENTRIES AND THEIR
CORRESPONDING TIMES OF ENTRY SHOULD BE REFERRED TO THE ENTRY
BRANCH AT 202-927-2148. FOR GENERAL OPERATIONAL QUESTIONS,
CONTACT:
FORMAL ENTRIES ........ JOHN PIERCE, 202-927-1249
INFORMAL ENTRIES ...... THOMAS WYGANT, 202-927-1167
MAIL ENTRIES .......... DAN NORMAN, 202-927-0542
PASSENGER CLAIMS ...... ROBERT JACKSTA, 202-927-1311
JOYCE METZGER
/S/