The US GSP scheme permits duty-free entry to all products covered by the scheme. The Trade Act of 2002 officially reauthorized the GSP scheme through December 2006. This Act modifies certain regulations on textile and apparel provision under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). AGOA provides designated sub-Saharan African countries with duty-free and quota-free access for a wider range of products, including sensitive products.

The US GSP Handbook mainly covers (1) benefits and eligibility; (2) the competitive need limitations; (3) how countries can benefit most from the GSP; and (4) the African Growth and Opportunity Act. The Handbook also contains the US legislation related to the US GSP scheme.

The following are useful sites:

• Office of the US Trade Representative
• US International Trade Commission
• US Customs Service
• The Library of Congress - Legislative Information
• US Federal Code and Federal Register
• The US Agency for International Development

While every care has been taken to ensure that the information contained in this handbook is correct, no liability or claim may be made against the publisher. This document has no legal value. Only the Authorizing Legislation of the GSP in the US Code, which was the major source used in preparing this handbook, has legal value. The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this handbook do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.