African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA)

AGOA lapsed on September 30, 2025, was reauthorized retroactively in February 2026 through December 31, 2026, and in September 2026 was extended again through December 31, 2028. Beneficiary countries must meet annual eligibility criteria on rule of law, worker rights and market policies; benefits cover about 1,800 tariff lines beyond GSP. Goods must be imported directly and meet 35 percent local value content, while qualifying apparel may use third-country fabric.

AGOA affects brands sourcing apparel, footwear and home textiles from countries such as Kenya, Lesotho and Madagascar, where duty-free access offsets longer transit times. Its repeated short extensions mean a duty cliff could return in January 2029, so operators should model landed cost with and without the preference. A fulfillment provider receiving Kenyan-made garments for a US brand benefits only when entries claim AGOA correctly, because unclaimed apparel entries pay MFN duties that reach 32 percent.

• Country of OriginCountry where goods were made
• Landed CostTotal cost to get a product ready to sell
• Harmonized Tariff ScheduleHTSUS product codes that set import duty rates

• AfCFTA Trading Begins2021 · Trade starts under the African free trade area

• Generalized System of Preferences (GSP)1976, lapsed 2020 · US duty-free program for poorer nations, lapsed 2020
• Trade Act of 19741974 · US law behind Section 301, 201 and 122 tariffs

1. USTR: Statement on the Reauthorization of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (February 2026) ustr.gov
2. AAFA applauds congressional passage of two-year extension of AGOA and Haiti HOPE/HELP (September 2026) textileworld.com
3. CRS: African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) congress.gov