According to new research from the Coalition for GSP, expiration of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program cost American companies at least $83 million in April 2021. Congressional authorization for GSP expired on December 31, 2020.
In the first four months of expiration, American companies paid at least $308 million in extra taxes as a result of GSP expiration. Companies in 31 states paid at least $1 million in tariffs from January-April 2021 due to GSP expiration. The map below shows estimated tariffs for products claiming GSP paid by state in that period.
April was the most expensive month of GSP expiration yet for 21 states – stretching from Florida to Alaska:
- GSP expiration costs have increased every month in Alabama, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Kansas, and Virginia.
- GSP expiration costs were about 4x higher in April than January in both Idaho and Delaware, and nearly 2x higher in Colorado and Alabama.
- The extra $2 million in tariffs paid in April by companies in Indiana is 40% higher than the average in the first three months of the year, while the $370,000 paid by companies in Nevada was 75% over the January to March average.
GSP expiration impacts are getting worse over time.
The data on tariffs paid is a conservative estimate, and the real figure likely is higher. Why? Estimates only capture products that continued to claim GSP despite expiration. Yet imports of many products that traditionally get GSP have not claimed it in 2021. Tariffs paid on those imports still would be eligible for refunds in the event of a retroactive renewal, but importers would need to file manual requests.
GSP expiration is already costing American jobs and raising prices for American companies that need inputs and consumers that purchase finished goods. It is critical that Congress renew GSP – with refunds for tariffs paid – as soon as possible. To help the Coalition for GSP educate policymakers on who is hurt by expiration (and how), companies are strongly encouraged to:
