Importing AGOA Folklore Products into the United States

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Importing AGOA Folklore Products into the United
States
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
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• U.S.-Sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic
  Cooperation Forum
• December 8, 2003
• Washington, DC
• Brian F. Fennessy
• U.S. Customs Border Protection

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Goals

• Customs Border Protection
• AGOA Visa Arrangement
• Import Requirements
• U.S. Government Resources

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U.S. Customs and Border Protection

• On March 1, 2003, the U.S. Customs Service became
  part of the Bureau of Customs and Border
  Protection (CBP).
• CBP has many roles, the priority mission is to
  protect our borders.
• Implement and Enforce the AGOA
• Train African Customs Officials
• Textile Production Verification Team
• Over 300 Ports of Entry

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AGOA Visa Arrangement

• Grouping 9 Handloomed fabric, handmade articles
  made of handloomed fabric and folklore articles.

VISA
Visa No 9GH123456 Grouping 9
Quantity 100 Dozen ____________________ A
uthorized Government Official 09 December
2003
Philip Mensah
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Detailed Description

• The United States requires a detailed description
  of folklore articles.
• Keep in mind the U.S. has over 300 ports of
  entry!
• Kikoi Kanzu Dress

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AGOA Benefits

• Most sub-Saharan African products qualify for
  duty-free entry into the United States.
• Apparel and Textile Folklore Products
• Generalized System of Preferences (GSP)

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CBP Publication on AGOA

• Customs Border Protection publication
• What Every Member of the Trade Community Should
  Know About The African Growth and Opportunity
  Act
• Revised August 2003

www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/publications
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CBP Publication on Importing

• Customs Border Protection publication
• Importing into the United States
• Designed for the Novice Importer
• Classification and Valuation
• Invoice Requirements
• Marking Requirements
• Customs Brokers

www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/publications
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U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule

• The Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) shows the
  duty rate (tax) applicable for the imported
  article.
• It also shows if the item qualifies under the
  AGOA.

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Harmonized Tariff Schedule
Special Rate A GSP D AGOA
www.usitc.gov
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Country of Origin Marking

• Almost all imported products are required to be
  marked in English with their country of origin in
  a permanent manner, and in a conspicuous place.

Product of Ghana
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Binding Ruling Program

• Interested Parties may request a (FREE) Binding
  Ruling from CBP!
• Classification under the HTS
• AGOA Eligibility
• Send letter, sample and/or detailed description
  to the Director of the
• National Commodity Specialist Division
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection
• Attn CIE / Ruling Request
• One Penn Plaza, 10th Floor
• New York, NY 10119

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Binding Ruling Program

• Did I mention the Binding Ruling Program is a
• FREE
• service of U.S. Customs and Border Protection?

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Who Can Make Customs Entry?

• Customs entry can be made by the importer or a
  licensed Customs Broker.
• Brokers are licensed by Customs and Border
  Protection.
• Get to know your local CBP Import
  Specialist

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Requirements of Federal Agencies

• Customs and Border Protection enforces many laws
  and regulations for other U.S. Federal Agencies,
  including
• Food and Drug Administration
• Fish and Wildlife Service
• Department of Agriculture
• Federal Trade Commission
• Environmental Protection Agency
• Internal Revenue Service
• Federal Communications Commission

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U.S. Government Resources

• U.S. Government Resources on the Internet
• Customs Border Protection
• 
  www.cbp.gov
• Dept. of Commerce www.doc.gov
• AGOA (Africa Office) www.agoa.gov
• OTEXA (Textile Office) otexa.ita.doc.gov
• International Trade Commission
  www.usitc.gov
• U.S. Trade Rep. www.ustr.gov

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CBP Priority Mission

• The priority mission of CBP is to prevent
  terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering
  the United States.
• CBP also is responsible for many other areas
  including regulating and facilitating
  international trade, collecting import duties,
  and enforcing U.S. trade laws.

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Conclusion

• Were here from the Government and were here to
  help you!
• If you pay taxes, federal employees work for you.
  Contact your local CBP port.