In the last month before GSP expired on December 31, it saved American companies $79 million on about $1.8 billion in imports. GSP imports were up by 17 percent – and tariffs savings were up by 29 percent – compared to December 2016. Total 2017 savings from GSP increased at least $136 million over 2016. (That figure likely will be revised upward significantly once the U.S. government data start showing GSP claims for the travel goods expansion for July-October.)
Some states such as Georgia and North Carolina saw much larger increases in GSP imports and savings compared to the previous year, as shown in the graphic below.
GSP saved Georgia companies $3.9 million in December, up $1.3 million (49 percent) compared to one year earlier. Metal products from Brazil, luggage from Thailand, and chemicals from India contributed the most to Georgia’s GSP savings increases.
GSP saved North Carolina companies $2.0 million in December, up $577,000 (39 percent) compared to one year earlier. Chemicals from the Philippines, furniture fittings from Thailand, and wood products from Indonesia contributed most to North Carolina’s GSP increases.
In addition to Georgia and North Carolina, companies in 26 other states saw GSP savings increase by at least 20 percent, including: California, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming.
Savings on GSP imports from Indonesia increased by 31 percent compared to December of last year. California companies’ alone imported $4.6 million in silver jewelry under GSP in December. GSP eliminated about $1.5 million in import taxes on mangoes and guavas in December. About two-thirds of those savings were on imports into New Jersey.
*** REMINDER: GSP EXPIRED EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1.***
The House passed GSP renewal legislation in February, but the Senate must pass legislation for GSP benefits to resume. Please use our Contact Congress tool to write your Senators about GSP renewal; answer our brief survey on how GSP expiration impacts you, and/or sign up for the free GSP supporter list to show the broad support for renewal.
