President Bush Temporarily Extends Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA)
 
February 20, 2002
 

The Bush Administration has issued a 90-day temporary rule to amend the Customs Regulations to provide for duty-free treatment for eligible articles that, but for the expiration of the ATPA, would have been entitled to duty-free treatment. In support of its decision, the Administration announced its anticipation that the duty-free treatment for merchandise under the provisions of the ATPA will be restored and made retroactive to the date of the initial termination of duty-free treatment (December 4, 2001), and its determination that the renewal serves a national security interest. As a result of the President’s action, effective February 15, 2002, until May 16, 2002, eligible importers will no longer be required to deposit estimated duties and fees on eligible merchandise. Importers also will be spared the need to apply for a refund of the duties in the event duty-free treatment is retroactively reauthorized for such merchandise under the ATPA.