he United States did not extend the General System of Preferences

On December 31, 2020, the US General System of Preferences (GSP) expires for 119 US GSP beneficiary countries, including the Republic of Kazakhstan.

For reference: The Republic of Kazakhstan has been a beneficiary of the General System of Preferences of the GSP since March 4, 1994.

This means that from January 1, 2021, 119 countries-beneficiaries of the US GSP will not be able to enjoy preferences in the form of zero rates of customs duties when importing goods into the United States that fall under this system.

The rates of customs duties on imported goods will be applied equally to all WTO member countries.

The issue of a possible extension of the US GSP program will be considered at the 117th US Congress, which is scheduled for January 3, 2021.

It should be noted that in the US Congress there is a practice of post-factum decision-making on the extension of the program. In this case, the duties paid on goods subject to the GSP will be returned to exporters.

In this regard, exporters also need to mark goods subject to the GSP with the "A" sign - a special program indicator, which will allow the US Customs and Border Control Service to automatically process the return of duties in the event of such a decision.

If you have any questions, exporters should contact the Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan and JSC "Center for Trade Policy Development "QazTrade" at 87172768823 or by e-mail zh.makhambetaliyev@qaztrade.org.kz.