Increased apparel caps under Agoa

Under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa), the US has increased the amount of duty and quota-free apparel that can be imported.

The new cap on benefits runs for the 12 months from October 1, 2014 to September 30, 2015, the date when the programme is currently due to expire.

For apparel articles wholly assembled in one or more beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries “from fabric wholly formed in one or more beneficiary countries from yarn originating in the US or one or more beneficiary countries,” the limit has been lifted by 2.7% to 1.83 billion square metres equivalent (SME).

Of this amount, 916.87 million SME is available to apparel imported under the special rule for lesser-developed countries, which provides preferential treatment regardless of the country of origin or the fabric.

Apparel imports in excess of these quantities will be subject to tariffs.

Source: Just Style and Club of Mozambique