Haiti Economic Lift Program Extension Act | ChamberLight
Bills · HR 6504
PASSED HOUSE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 6504Caribbean areaTariffs
Haiti Economic Lift Program Extension Act
INTRO DEC 9· LAST ACTION JAN 13
READING
4MIN
COSPONSORS
1
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
One chamber only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 4 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
This bill matters because it provides crucial economic support and stability for Haiti, a nation that frequently faces significant economic and humanitarian challenges. By extending duty-free access, the U.S. helps maintain a vital export market for Haitian products, which can foster job creation and investment in Haiti's manufacturing sector. If the bill passes, it ensures continued trade relations that are beneficial for both countries, allowing U.S. businesses to source goods from Haiti without added tariffs and offering some relief to Haitian manufacturers.
If the bill does not pass, the current duty-free treatment for Haitian imports would expire, leading to tariffs being imposed on these goods. This could make Haitian products more expensive and less competitive in the U.S. market, potentially harming Haiti's economy, leading to job losses, and exacerbating the country's instability. The retroactive provisions are also important for businesses that imported goods from Haiti during any period where the program may have lapsed, preventing them from incurring unexpected costs and ensuring fairness.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
Extends duty-free treatment for eligible imports from Haiti under the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act until December 31, 2028.
This provides certainty and continued economic support for Haitian industries reliant on access to the U.S. market.
PROVISION 02
Maintains the special rules for apparel, including the 'applicable percentage' requiring 60% or more value added in Haiti for duty-free status, and keeps the quantitative limit at 1.25% of all U.S. apparel imports.
These rules ensure that a substantial portion of the apparel's value originates in Haiti while managing the overall volume of duty-free apparel entering the U.S.
PROVISION 03
Requires the President to restore duty-free eligibility for certain Haitian articles that qualified in 2006 but subsequently lost it due to changes in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
This corrects an past oversight, allowing specific products to regain beneficial trade status and supporting those industries.
PROVISION 04
Allows for retroactive duty refunds for eligible Haitian goods imported between September 30, 2025, and the bill's enactment date, provided a request is filed within 180 days.
This provision ensures that businesses are not unfairly penalized by a lapse in the duty-free program and can recoup tariffs paid during that period.
This bill matters because it provides crucial economic support and stability for Haiti, a nation that frequently faces significant economic and humanitarian challenges. By extending duty-free access, the U.S. helps maintain a vital export market for Haitian products, which can foster job creation and investment in Haiti's manufacturing sector. If the bill passes, it ensures continued trade relations that are beneficial for both countries, allowing U.S. businesses to source goods from Haiti without added tariffs and offering some relief to Haitian manufacturers.
If the bill does not pass, the current duty-free treatment for Haitian imports would expire, leading to tariffs being imposed on these goods. This could make Haitian products more expensive and less competitive in the U.S. market, potentially harming Haiti's economy, leading to job losses, and exacerbating the country's instability. The retroactive provisions are also important for businesses that imported goods from Haiti during any period where the program may have lapsed, preventing them from incurring unexpected costs and ensuring fairness.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Extends duty-free treatment for eligible imports from Haiti under the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act until December 31, 2028.
This provides certainty and continued economic support for Haitian industries reliant on access to the U.S. market.
med
Maintains the special rules for apparel, including the 'applicable percentage' requiring 60% or more value added in Haiti for duty-free status, and keeps the quantitative limit at 1.25% of all U.S. apparel imports.
These rules ensure that a substantial portion of the apparel's value originates in Haiti while managing the overall volume of duty-free apparel entering the U.S.
med
Requires the President to restore duty-free eligibility for certain Haitian articles that qualified in 2006 but subsequently lost it due to changes in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
This corrects an past oversight, allowing specific products to regain beneficial trade status and supporting those industries.
high
Allows for retroactive duty refunds for eligible Haitian goods imported between September 30, 2025, and the bill's enactment date, provided a request is filed within 180 days.
This provision ensures that businesses are not unfairly penalized by a lapse in the duty-free program and can recoup tariffs paid during that period.
Duty-free treatment for Haitian imports terminates
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act
Deadline for importers to request retroactive liquidation/reliquidation for duties paid during a potential lapse in the program
Not later than 90 days after the date of the liquidation or reliquidation
Deadline for payment of amounts owed by the United States for retroactive liquidations/reliquidations
Not earlier than 2 business days after the President submits a report to Congress
Effective date of Presidential proclamation to restore eligibility for certain articles
GLOSSARY
AI-written
Duty-free treatment
Allows goods to be imported into a country without being subject to customs duties or tariffs (import taxes).
Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA)
A U.S. trade program that grants eligible countries in the Caribbean Basin duty-free access to the U.S. market for many of their products.
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS)
A detailed list of all goods that can be imported into the U.S., along with their classification, descriptions, and the tariff rates that apply to them.
Quantitative limitations (Quotas)
Restrictions on the amount, or quantity, of specific goods that can be imported into a country during a certain period.
Liquidation / Reliquidation
The final calculation by U.S. Customs and Border Protection of the duties, taxes, and fees due on an import entry. Reliquidation is a recalculation of these amounts, often to issue a refund or collect additional payments.
Preferential treatment
Special trade benefits, such as reduced or zero tariffs, given to products from certain countries or regions, often to support their economic development.
Applicable percentage
ACTION TIMELINE
15 EVENTS
JAN 13
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
INTROREFERRAL
JAN 12
Mr. Smith (MO) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
FLOOR
JAN 12
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H642-645)
FLOOR
JAN 12
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6504.
The minimum percentage of value that must be added to a product, usually in the exporting country, for it to qualify for specific trade benefits like duty-free status.
Roll Call #15
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended
