AGOA and GSP exports to the United States

A significant share of AGOA beneficiary countries' goods exported to the United States qualify for duty-free access under AGOA; and many of these exports are in tariff headings that did not previously qualify for GSP preferences. Virtually all GSP-classified goods are also eligible under AGOA, but AGOA has added hundreds of additional tariff lines.

Of the remaining trade - which does not fall under AGOA - most enjoys duty-free status by virtue of general US tariff policy with respect to imports from countries with which the US maintains normal tariff relations (NTR). 

Over the past two decades, the single largest contribution towards AGOA-eligible trade comprised oil exports, mainly from Nigeria and Angola, and to a lesser extent Chad and the Republic of Congo. In recent years, this share has however declined significantly. South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia (suspended, as of 1/2022), Lesotho, Ghana, Lesotho and Madagascar have been among the leading non-oil AGOA exporters. South Africa's exports in particular are relatively diversified across both extractive as well as manufacturing and agricultural sectors, while for countries such as Kenya and Madagascar. the apparel sector dominates. Kenya has also become a significant exporter of agricultural products to the US, such as nuts. 

In 2021, ten AGOA beneficiary countries each exported more than $100 million worth of qualifying goods to the US under AGOA/GSP. A further eight countries each exported more than $10 million in AGOA goods in the same year.

The attached data tables (see links in grey boxes alongside) provide details of AGOA beneficiary countries’ aggregate and AGOA exports to the United States over the past three years. The AGOA portion combines trade in categories that qualifies for GSP preferences along with the ‘New AGOA’ product categories - being those that only received duty-free status under AGOA. AGOA in effect also covers the GSP products particularly when the US GSP expires, as happens from time to time. 

AGOA preferences apply to approximately 6,500 tariff lines (at the HS8-digit level). This includes around 5,000 tariff lines covered by the United States Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) - currently extended through to end December 2020 (still expired as of late 2022) plus a further approximately 1,500 tariff line items covered by the AGOA legislation.

Apparel and textile sector tariff lines qualify once beneficiary countries have met the AGOA “apparel visa” requirements and are not automatically included.