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Proc 9555ProclamationObama · D Quiet signal

Proclamation 9555

To Implement the Nepal Preference Program and for Other Purposes

This proclamation implements a new Nepal Preference Program granting duty-free treatment for eligible Nepali imports through 2025, reinstates the Central African Republic as a beneficiary sub-Saharan African country under AGOA, extends duty-free access for Israeli agricultural products through 2017, and makes technical modifications to tariff schedules and rules of origin under free trade agreements with Oman, Panama, and CAFTA-DR countries.

Federal Register Open PDF 81 FR 92499

Impact dates

  1. CAFTA-DR modifications effective upon USTR Federal Register announcement

  2. Nepal Preference Program HTS modifications expire

  3. Israeli agricultural provisions expire

  4. USOFTA HTS modifications effective (alternative to 30-day rule)

  5. USOFTA HTS modifications effective 30 days after Federal Register publication

  6. Israeli agricultural products duty-free access effective

Key directives

  • Modify HTS per Annex I for Nepal preferential treatment through December 31, 2025
  • Designate Central African Republic as beneficiary sub-Saharan African country
  • Modify HTS general note 16(a) and U.S. note 1 to subchapter XIX of chapter 98 to include Central African Republic
  • Modify HTS per Annex II for US-Israel agricultural tariff commitments through December 31, 2017
  • Modify HTS general note 31 per Annex III for USOFTA rules of origin
  • Modify HTS per Annex IV for USPTPA rules of origin and preferential treatment
  • Modify HTS per Annex V for CAFTA-DR rules of origin and preferential treatment
  • Supersede inconsistent provisions of previous proclamations and Executive Orders

Timeline

Immediate

  • Publication in Federal Register triggers 30-day waiting period for certain HTS modifications

Near term (90d)

  • HTS modifications for USOFTA effective February 1, 2017 or 30 days after Federal Register publication
  • Israeli agricultural duty-free access effective January 1, 2017

Long term

  • Nepal Preference Program continues through December 31, 2025
  • Israeli agricultural provisions expire December 31, 2017
  • USPTPA and CAFTA-DR modifications take effect upon USTR announcement of fulfilled conditions

Risks & tensions

  • Multiple contingent effective dates create compliance complexity for customs administration
  • USPTPA and CAFTA-DR modifications depend on unilateral USTR determination of fulfilled conditions, creating timing uncertainty
  • Nepal program sunset in 2025 creates long-term planning uncertainty for Nepali exporters
  • Israel agricultural extension through 2017 leaves renegotiation timeline compressed
Proclamation 9555: To Implement the Nepal Preference Program and for Other Purposes · Executive Orders