AGOA Extension Act

Sponsor: Jason Smith (Republican-MO)

AI-generated ?

Report an error

Introduced

In Committee

Passed One Chamber

Passed Both Chambers

Signed into Law

Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 320.

Extends duty-free trade for African imports and continues customs fees for all importers.

This bill would continue a program that lets certain goods from African countries enter the U.S. without extra import taxes until the end of 2028. It would also keep customs fees in place for all importers for three more months, until the end of 2031. Plus, it would let importers get refunds for duties paid on eligible African goods during a recent gap in the program.

What Would Change

Today, duty-free treatment for eligible imports from sub-Saharan African countries is set to expire on September 30, 2025. Customs user fees and merchandise processing fees are set to expire on September 30, 2031. If this bill becomes law, duty-free treatment for eligible African imports would continue until December 31, 2028. All importers would continue to pay customs user fees and merchandise processing fees until December 31, 2031.

Key Provisions

Extends duty-free treatment for eligible imports from sub-Saharan African countries until December 31, 2028.
Extends customs user fees for all importers until December 31, 2031.
Extends merchandise processing fees for all importers until December 31, 2031.
Lets importers request refunds for duties paid on eligible African goods imported between September 30, 2025, and the bill's enactment.
Extends special programs for regional and third-country apparel articles from African nations until December 31, 2028.