In June, the GSP program saved American companies $61 million on about $1.5 billion in imports. GSP saved U.S. companies $353 million in the first half of 2016, more than any year since 2012.
Overall, the value of GSP imports increased by 9 percent and the value of GSP tariff savings increased by 14 percent compared to June 2015. Some states, such as Florida and Kansas, saw much larger increases in GSP imports and savings compared to June 2015, as shown in the graphic below.
In Florida, GSP imports and savings both increased by about 50 percent compared to one year earlier. Ferroalloys from Georgia, jewelry from Bolivia, and plywood from Ecuador all contributed to Florida’s GSP increases.
In Kansas, GSP imports increased by 28 percent and savings from GSP by 53 percent compared to one year earlier. Pesticides from India, ceramic sanitary fixtures (sinks, tubs, toilets, etc.) from Thailand, and building stone from Brazil contributed most to Kansas’ GSP increases.
Imports from the Ukraine nearly doubled, led by increased imports of rare gases by companies in South Carolina. GSP eliminated about $560,000 in import taxes on truck tires in June, with more than $200,000 saved on imports into New Jersey alone.
If your company imports under GSP, be sure to answer our GSP renewal impacts survey here.