ExecutiveOrdersEO
Proc 8596ProclamationObama · D

Proclamation 8596

To Adjust the Rules of Origin Under the United States-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement, Implement Modifications to the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act, and for Other Purposes

This proclamation modifies the Harmonized Tariff Schedule to update rules of origin under the U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement, implement preferential tariff treatment for Haitian apparel under the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (as amended by the Haiti Economic Lift Program Act), and make technical corrections to general notes related to CAFTA-DR and NAFTA.

Federal Register Open PDF 75 FR 68153

Impact dates

  1. Annex II and III modifications effective per dates specified in those Annexes

  2. Annex I modifications effective 30 days after Federal Register publication

  3. USBFTA protocol enters into effect; earliest effective date for Annex I modifications

Key directives

  • Modify general note 30 to HTS to reflect USBFTA rules of origin changes (Annex I)
  • Modify HTS to implement CBERA section 213A tariff treatment for Haitian apparel (Annex II)
  • Make technical corrections to general note 29 for CAFTA-DR (Annex III, para 1)
  • Make technical corrections to U.S. note 2 to subchapter XVII of chapter 98 (Annex III, para 2)
  • Make technical corrections to general note 12 for NAFTA (Annex III, para 3)
  • Supersede inconsistent provisions in prior proclamations and Executive Orders

Timeline

Immediate

  • Proclamation signed November 1, 2010
  • USBFTA protocol enters into effect November 1, 2010

Near term (90d)

  • HTS modifications for Bahrain rules of origin take effect 30 days after Federal Register publication
  • Technical corrections to CAFTA-DR and NAFTA notes take effect per Annex III dates

Long term

  • Ongoing preferential tariff treatment for qualifying Haitian apparel under CBERA/HELP Act
  • Continued staged duty reductions for Bahraini originating goods

Risks & tensions

  • Annex II and III effective dates not specified in proclamation text—left to annex documents not fully reproduced
  • Dual-trigger effective date for Annex I (later of Nov 1, 2010 or 30 days after FR publication) creates implementation uncertainty
  • Technical corrections suggest prior errors in complex tariff coding system with potential retroactive trade impacts
Proclamation 8596: To Adjust the Rules of Origin Under the United States-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement, Implement Modifications to the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act, and for Other Purposes · Executive Orders