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AGOA / 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; many of these exports are in tariff headings that did not previously qualify for general GSP preferences. Virtually all GSP-classified goods are however eligible under AGOA, while AGOA has 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). This extends to virtually all countries across the world.  

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. Non-oil exports have also been considerable and many countries have obtained significant benefit from AGOA trade in non-oil categories.

In recent years, oil trade (as a share of the total) has 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, Lesotho and Madagascar, apparel sector exports dominate. Kenya has also become a significant exporter of agricultural products to the US, including in shelled macadamia nuts which were not previously eligible under GSP. 

Individual country profiles can be viewed in the respective country sections

AGOA (AGOA incl. GSP) exports to the United States, incl. YTD data

AGOA beneficiaries Unit: $ million, Customs Value

Exports to the US from AGOA countries, by country and program, incl. YTD data

AGOA beneficiaries Unit: $ million, Customs Value (blank fields = no trade)

In 2022, 9 AGOA beneficiary countries each exported more than $100 million worth of qualifying goods to the US under AGOA/GSP. A further 11 countries each exported more than $10 million in AGOA goods during 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 is entered under GSP preference along with those for which AGOA preferences are claimed. It should be noted that while the GSP awaits reauthorization, the GSP claim is deferred. GSP products can however also be claimed under AGOA preference. 

AGOA preferences apply to approximately 6,800 tariff lines (at the HS8-digit level). This includes around 5,050 tariff lines covered by the United States Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) - currently awaiting reauthorisation (it is still expired as of late 2023) plus a further approximately 1,800 tariff line items covered only 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 as eligible products. 

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