INDIA MAY LOSE GSP STATUS ON CERTAIN PRODUCTS
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is considering changes to the list of products from India eligible under the Generalized System of Preferences.
GSP is a trade program that grants duty-free status to certain imports from developing countries. The program was authorized under the 1974 Trade Act.
The government may make changes to the GSP product eligibility list for India through the redesignation and waiver of “competitive need limitations” for certain articles, such as jewelry, household articles and lamps. To make a decision, the president may consider several trade factors, such as whether India offers “reasonable and equitable market access” for U.S. goods and services.
The government will take comments from the industry on the issue through Dec. 6. A public hearing is scheduled at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative in Washington for Jan. 5. The government plans to make its decision by April 1.
For more information, contact the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative at (202) 395-6971 or review the Federal Register notice on the Internet at http://frwebgate5.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/waisgate.cgi?WAISdocID=8566632439+38+0+0&WAISaction=retrieve.