According to new research from the Coalition for GSP, the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program saved American companies $1.035 billion in 2019. Total imports under GSP were nearly $21 billion. While imports under GSP were down from 2018, savings were about the same, as the average tariff waived jumped to 5.0% in 2019 from 4.3% in 2018.
GSP’s current authorization expires on December 31, 2020, and Congress must pass legislation renewing GSP this year for benefits to continue into 2021 and beyond. Companies that want GSP renewed should add their name to the free GSP supporter list.
By GSP savings, California was far and away the largest GSP beneficiary. California’s estimated $270 million in tariffs waved was nearly as much as the next four largest states – Florida, New York, Texas, New Jersey – combined.
While overall savings levels were lower, imports into Montana and Maine would face the highest average tariffs without GSP (10.9% and 10.6%, respectively). The high average tariff waived results from the dominance of travel goods imports, which can face tariffs up to 20.0% without GSP. GSP waives tariffs averaging about 7.0% on imports into Utah, Wisconsin, Arizona, and Colorado, well above the 5.0% national average.
U.S. companies saved about $180 million in tariffs on imports from Thailand – more than any other country – though GSP eligibility for about 1/3 of imports its products were removed in April 2020. Cambodia was the second most important country for U.S. savings at $169 million, following by Indonesia at $150 million. Despite being GSP-eligible for only 5 months, India was the fourth-most important country in terms of savings at $121 million. Like the states, countries such as Burma and Cambodia where travel goods are most important GSP products had the highest average tariffs waived.
