ExecutiveOrdersEO
Proc 8296ProclamationG.W. Bush · R Quiet signal

Proclamation 8296

To Modify Duty-free Treatment Under The Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act and for Other Purposes

This proclamation certifies that Haiti and the Dominican Republic have developed anti-transshipment procedures, thereby activating preferential tariff treatment for certain apparel and other articles under the HOPE II Act. It modifies the Harmonized Tariff Schedule to implement these trade benefits, authorizes specific functions to the USTR and Secretary of Labor, and makes a technical correction to a prior proclamation regarding Turkey.

Federal Register Open PDF 73 FR 57475

Impact dates

  1. HTS modifications effective per Annex date (date not specified in provided text)

  2. Technical correction to Proclamation 8272 effective for goods entered or withdrawn from warehouse

Key directives

  • Certify to Congress that Haiti and Dominican Republic have developed anti-transshipment procedures
  • Modify HTS to provide tariff treatment for articles from Haiti/Dominican Republic per Annex
  • Authorize USTR to perform functions under CBERA sections 213A(d)(4), (e)(1)(B)(ii), (e)(1)(C)(i), and (e)(5)
  • Authorize Secretary of Labor to identify producers and seek assistance under CBERA section 213A(e)(4)(B)(i)-(ii)
  • Technical correction to Proclamation 8272: delete '7413.00.50 Turkey' from General Note 4(d) and change duty symbol from 'A*' to 'A'
  • USTR to notify Congress of proclamation and certification

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Certification to Congress that Haiti and Dominican Republic have developed anti-transshipment procedures
  • USTR notification to Congress of proclamation and certification
  • HTS modifications for Haiti/Dominican Republic tariff treatment take effect per Annex date
  • Technical correction to Proclamation 8272 effective July 1, 2008 (retroactive)

Near term (90d)

  • USTR to perform reporting, consultation, and administrative functions under CBERA sections 213A(d)(4), (e)(1)(B)(ii), (e)(1)(C)(i), and (e)(5)
  • Secretary of Labor, in consultation with USTR, to identify producers and seek to provide assistance under section 213A(e)(4)(B)(i)-(ii)

Long term

  • Ongoing preferential tariff treatment for qualifying Haitian apparel and articles
  • Continued monitoring of anti-transshipment procedures
  • Potential labor assistance programs for identified producers

Risks & tensions

  • Annex date for HTS modifications not visible in provided text—effective date uncertain
  • Anti-transshipment certification relies on procedural compliance by Haiti and Dominican Republic; enforcement risk remains
  • Labor assistance functions delegated to Secretary of Labor lack specified funding or scope in text
  • Technical correction to Turkey proclamation suggests prior administrative error in trade policy implementation
Proclamation 8296: To Modify Duty-free Treatment Under The Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act and for Other Purposes · Executive Orders