Hope II 2017 Annual Report

The Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement Act of 2008 (HOPE II) affords preferential treatment for imports of apparel, textiles, and certain other goods from Haiti. To be eligible for preferential treatment under HOPE II, Haiti must first have (i) implemented the Technical Assistance Improvement and Compliance Needs Assessment and Remediation (TAICNAR) program; (ii) established a Labor Ombudsperson’s Office; (iii) agreed to require producers of articles for which preferential tariff treatment may be requested to participate in the TAICNAR program; and (iv) developed a system to ensure participation by such producers, including by establishing a producer registry. On October 16, 2009, the President certified to Congress that Haiti had taken these actions. Further, to remain eligible for preferential treatment, Haiti must also have established or be making continual progress towards establishing the protection of internationally recognized worker rights.1 On June 29, 2015, the President signed the Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015, which included the extension of Haiti’s preferential tariff treatment until September 30, 2025.

You may read the full report HERE.

Imports of certain Haitian manufactured textile and apparel goods are eligible for duty-free treatment under the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act ("CBTPA").

Additional benefits by way of special rules for Haiti have been added through the--

• Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement Act of 2006 ("HOPE") Public Law 109-432,
• Food Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 ("HOPE II") Public Law 110-246, and
• Haiti Economic Lift Program of 2010 ("HELP") Public Law 111-171.

Clients of Agathon Associates and subscribers to Agathon Associates' Trade Advisor Service can learn more about U.S. apparel trade preferences for Haiti at www.agathonassociates.com/textile-pri/haiti/trade.htm. You will need to enter your username and password. If you do not know your username and password email David Trumbull at david@agathonassociates.com.