• total GSP imports, tariffs savings, and average tariffs waived on account of GSP in 2016;
• companies importing GSP-eligible products;
• top GSP imports by product type;
• top GSP source countries by tariff savings, and
• the extent to which recent GSP expiration periods prevented “real-time” user benefits.

GSP usage differs greatly between states, from the types of products they import to the dependence on suppliers in specific countries. For example:

• Colorado companies saved $4.5 million on imports of about $60 million, meaning average tariffs waived of about 7.5 percent. That was about twice the U.S. average and nearly triple the 2.6 percent average tariff waived in Louisiana.
• North Dakota‘s imports under GSP in 2016 were primarily food products (56 percent), whereas West Virginia‘s imports were auto parts (44 percent). In most states, a single product grouping accounted for at least a quarter of GSP imports.
• Iowa is among the most concentrated states in terms of source countries, with 94 percent of GSP savings on imports from just three countries (India, Brazil, and Thailand) in 2016. Florida is the least concentrated state, with less than half of GSP savings on imports from its top three source countries.
• Idaho importers have paid tariffs on GSP imports more often than not: nearly 60 percent of tariffs waived on imports into the state since 2011 came when GSP was expired, meaning companies paid up front and “hoped for the best” regarding refunds. Conversely, just 33 percent of New Hampshire‘s tariff savings came during expiration periods since 2011.

All reports are available for download, along with other state-specific info, on the state reports page. A sample of the Kentucky report is below.

They come from 10 states and 17 congressional districts. Half of them are very small businesses with 10 or fewer employees – the types of companies that can least afford a significant tax hike! In fact, the largest of the companies has 130 workers. (Keep in mind the U.S. government classifies “small or medium-sized companies” as those with less than 500 employees.)

Since they were just hours too late to make it onto the letter, we’ve listed them below to make sure they get their proper due. You can see the entire list here. Remember, we’ll keep updating the list until Congress renews GSP, so make sure to add your name here if you’re not already on it!

So without further ado, here are the new GSP organizations:

• Artistic Tile (Secaucus, NJ)
• Avani Granite & Marble, Inc. (Houston, TX)
• C.A.S. Iberia Inc. (Sale Creek, TN)
• Chemlock Metals Corporation (Cincinatti, OH)
• Dayna Designs (Westminster, MD)
• Eastland Food Corp (Jessup, MD)
• Franklin Mfg. Inc. (Jericho, NY)
• HaloPolymer Trading Inc. (Houston, TX)
• ICC USA (Louisville, KY)
• Jubilant Life Sciences USA Inc. (Bedminster, NJ)
• Kamali Global Inc (Manhasset, NY)
• Kerr-Hays Company (Ligonier, PA)
• Mercer Tool Corp. (Deer Park, NY)
• Mitusha International Corp. (Dover, DE)
• NYAG Inc (New York, NY)
• Oriental Rug Importers Association (Secaucus, NJ)
• Reading Alloys (Robesonia, PA)
• Shipyard Supply, LLC (Metairie, LA)
• Steel and Wire Products (Baltimore, MD)
• TRI-K Industries Inc. (Denville, NJ)

Kentucky companies imported an estimated $461 million under GSP in 2011, saving them on average 4.4%. Philippines was the most important source of GSP imports, accounting for about 20 percent of the tariff savings. Food preparations were Kentucky’s top import under GSP in 2011 and would have faced average tariffs of 6.4% without GSP.

Yet GSP is set to expire on July 31, 2013, and companies could face tariffs higher tariffs starting on August 1 if Congress does not pass legislation renewing GSP. When GSP expired at the end of 2010, American companies paid nearly $2 million per day, every day, until Congress finally acted 11 months later!

This graphic shows just some of the negative impacts from the last GSP expiration. It also helps explain why more than 335 companies and associations – including at least 9 in Kentucky – joined the 2011 GSP Supporter List urging renewal of the program when it last expired.

Are you a Kentucky company that would be hurt by GSP expiration? If so, please take 30 seconds to let Congress know by adding your name to our free 2013 GSP Supporter List right now.