CSMS Message: 98-000553

TO : ALL ABI BROKERS.

FROM : JOHN ZZ-PIERCE

SUBJECT : GSP EXPIRATION-JUNE 30, 1998

DATE : 07/07/1998

81790701
JULY 7, 1998
CATEGORY: GSP
TO : PORT AND CMC DIRECTORS, IMPORT AND ENTRY SPECIALISTS,
BROKERS, IMPORTERS, AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES
FROM : DIRECTOR, TRADE AGREEMENTS
SUBJECT : EXPIRATION OF THE GENERALIZED SYSTEM OF PREFERENCES ON
JUNE 30, 1998
THE GENERALIZED SYSTEM OF PREFERENCES (GSP) EXPIRED AT MIDNIGHT
ON TUESDAY, JUNE 30, 1998. AS A RESULT OF THE PROGRAM'S
EXPIRATION, IMPORTERS MUST NOW DEPOSIT CUSTOMS DUTIES FOR
IMPORTATIONS OF MERCHANDISE THAT PREVIOUSLY ENTERED THE UNITED
STATES DUTY-FREE FROM GSP ELIGIBLE COUNTRIES. AS IN PREVIOUS
YEARS WHEN THE PROGRAM EXPIRED, SOME IMPORTERS AND MANY EXPORTERS
WERE CAUGHT UNAWARE.
CURRENTLY THERE IS NO INFORMATION ON CONGRESS' POSITION ON THE
ISSUE. THERE HAS BEEN NO BILL INTRODUCED ON THE FLOOR OF
CONGRESS TO RENEW THE PROGRAM AT THIS TIME. IF AND WHEN THE GSP
IS RENEWED BY CONGRESS CUSTOMS HEADQUARTERS WILL NOTIFY FIELD
PERSONNEL AND THE TRADE. INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO OBTAIN REFUNDS
FOR MERCHANDISE ENTERED DURING THE LAPSE OF THE PROGRAM WILL ALSO
BE PROVIDED.
INQUIRIES RELATING TO LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS TO RENEW THE GSP SHALL
NOT BE DIRECTED TO CUSTOMS. PUBLIC INQUIRIES REGARDING
LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS TO RENEW THE PROGRAM 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 JAMES HALPIN, OFFICE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY,
(703) 921-7128. QUESTIONS REGARDING TYPES OF ENTRIES AND THEIR
CORRESPONDING TIMES OF ENTRY SHOULD BE REFERRED TO ENTRY 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 ........... ROBERT WOODS (202) 927-1236
PASSENGER CLAIMS ....... MICHAEL PERRON (202) 927-1325
1
JOYCE METZGER