On October 1, 2018, the Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA) published in the Federal Register a document setting forth the new 12-month cap on duty- and quota-free benefits for certain textile and apparel articles imported from designated beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries. Section 112(b)(3) of the Trade and Development Act of 2000 (TDA 2000) provides duty- and quota-free treatment for apparel articles wholly assembled in one or more beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries from fabric wholly formed in one or more beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries from yarn originating in the United States or one or more beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries. This preferential treatment is also available for apparel articles assembled in one or more lesser-developed beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries, regardless of the country of origin of the fabric used to make such articles, subject to quantitative limitation. P.L. 114-27 extended this special rule for lesser-developed countries through September 30, 2025.
For the one-year period, beginning on October 1, 2018, and extending through September 30, 2019, the aggregate quantity of imports eligible for preferential treatment under these provisions is 2,048,357,135 square meters equivalent. Of this amount, 1,024,178,567 square meters equivalent is available to apparel articles imported under the special rule for lesser-developed countries. Apparel articles entered in excess of these quantities will be subject to otherwise applicable tariffs.
