In December 2016, the GSP program saved American companies $62 million on about $1.6 billion in imports. GSP imports were up by 11 percent – and tariffs savings up by 14 percent – compared to December 2015. Overall, GSP saved U.S. companies $729 million in 2016, an increase of over 10 percent from 2015.
Some states, such as Alabama and Ohio, saw particularly large increases in GSP imports and savings compared to December 2015, as shown in the graphic below.
GSP saved Alabama companies $451,000 in December, up $147,000 (48 percent) compared to one year earlier. Silicone from South Africa, PET resin from Brazil, and tungsten ores from Bolivia were among the products contributing most to Alabama’s GSP increases.
GSP saved Ohio companies $2.7 million in December, up $459,000 (21 percent) compared to one year earlier. Ferrochromium from Turkey, machining centers from Brazil, and pesticides from India contributed most to Ohio’s GSP increases.
In addition to Alabama and Ohio, companies in 18 other states saw GSP savings increase by at least 20 percent, including: Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Texas.
Savings on GSP imports from Egypt increased by 11 percent compared to one year earlier. New York’s purchases of olive oil were among the top GSP imports from Egypt. GSP eliminated nearly $900,000 in import taxes on mangoes and guavas in December, with California accounting for more than a quarter of those savings.
