In 2014, approximately 55% (by value) of the aggregate exports to the United States from AGOA beneficiary countries qualified for duty-free market access under AGOA (2013: 90%). Some of these previously qualified under the GSP (pre-AGOA) while the rest received duty-free status under the AGOA legislation. Of the remaining trade - which does not fall under AGOA - some enjoys duty-free status by virtue of general US tariff policy with respect to imports from WTO member states, while the remainder is subject to US import tariffs. Meanwhile, the single largest contribution towards AGOA-eligible trade consists of oil exports mainly from Angola and Nigeria, and to a lesser extent Chad and the Republic of Congo. Angola, South Africa and Nigeria are the largest exporters of AGOA goods overall. South Africa's exports in particular are relatively diversified across both extractive as well as manufacturing sectors.
In 2014, nine (2013: fifteen; 2012: seventeen) AGOA beneficiary countries each exported more than $100 million worth of qualifying goods under AGOA (incl. GSP). A further seven (2013: thirteen) countries each exported more than $10 million in AGOA goods that 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 previously (already) qualified for GSP preferences along with the ‘New AGOA’ product categories - being those that only received duty-free status under AGOA.
AGOA preferences apply to approximately 7,000 tariff lines (at the HS8-digit level). This includes 4,975 tariff lines currently covered by the United States Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) plus a further 1,800 tariff line items added by the AGOA legislation. In addition, apparel sector tariff lines also qualify where countries have met the AGOA “apparel visa” requirements.
