SPI Information

  1. Valid SPI Indicators
  2. Entering SPI Data
  3. GSP Expiration
  4. Folklore info

SPI indicators are stored in the HTS database.

Valid SPI indicators are as follows:

  1. Primary SPI codes
    • A - If claiming duty-free treatment under GSP
    • B - If claiming duty-free treatment under the Automotive Product Trade Act
    • C - If claiming duty-free treatment under the Agreement on Trade in Civil Aircraft
    • E - If claiming special rate under the Caribbean Basin Economic Recover Act. (CBI)
    • J - If claiming special rate under the Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA)
    • K - If claiming duty-free treatment under the Agreement on Trade in Pharmaceutical Products
    • L - If claiming duty-free treatment under the Uruguay Round Concesions on Intermediate Chemicals for Dyes
    • W - Products of Puerto Rico advanced in value or improved in condition in a CBERA country
    • Y - If claiming duty-free treatment from a U.S. Insular Possession (HTS General Headnote 3(a))
    • Z - If claiming duty-free treatment from Freely Associate States

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  2. Secondary SPI codes
    • F - To identify folklore products (handloomed fabric), hand-made articles made of handloomed fabrics and traditional products of the cottage industry)
    • G - To identify "made to measure" suits of Hong Kong origin. The category numbers associated with suits are 443, 444, 643, 644, 843, and 844.
    • H - To identify certain garments in Chapter 61 or 2 of the HTS which may be eligible for entry under a special access program or special regime
    • M - To identify textile fashion samples
    • V - To identify an article that is a component of a set
    • X - To identify sets and the tariff number used to calculate the rate of duty

      Notes on SPI 'F': F is a valid Secondary Special Programs Indicator code if:

      • The entry type is 02, 07, 32, or 38.
      • The tariff number has a corresponding category number.

      Reporting the category number is not required when claiming F for a line item. However, if the category number is reported, it must agree with the category number in the HTS.

      Folklore agreements only waive the quota and visa requirements. They do not waive duty requirements.

      Note on SPI 'M': Quota or visa processing is bypassed when claiming M on a line. Entry Type 01 is allowed. The tariff number in the HTS must have a category number to claim M.

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  3. Country SPI codes
    • B# - Automotive Product Trade Act
    • CA - If claiming a Canadian special rate under NAFTA
    • C# - Agreement on Trade in Civil Aircraft
    • IL - If claiming a special rate under the U.S. - Israel Free Trade Agreement
    • K# - If claiming duty-free treatment under the Agreement on Trade in Pharmaceutical Products
    • L# - If claiming duty-free treatment under the Uruguay Round Concesions on Intermediate Chemicals for Dyes
    • MX - If claiming a Mexican special rate under NAFTA

Note: Both primary and country special programs indicators are not allowed on the same line. If both apply, choose one.

Secondary Special Programs Indicator codes may be reported in addition to any valid primary or country special programs indicator codes.


When using the entry worksheet, SPI indicators are displayed in the SPI field of the HTS line item.

On the 7501 Line Item Data screen SPI indicators are displayed in the SPI field of the HTS line item.


To enter SPI data:

SPI is automatically popped in on the Worksheet if it applies, EXCEPT FOR CANADA/MEXICO. Since special documentation is required the operator must manually enter 'CA' or 'MX' in the SPI column. If the SPI entered is not allowed, it will be changed to "XX".

When you think SPI should apply but the computer does not allow it, it is usually because the Country of Origin is not the same as the Country of Export.

When SPI normally would apply but you don't want it to apply to this line, type "XX" in the SPI column on the Worksheet.

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GSP

On a fairly regular basis, Congress fails to enact new legislation before GSP expires. To handle this situation, Customs has you send the "A" but calculate the duty. This is handled relatively automatically by the calculation program. There is a file that has the date GSP expires and the date it is reinstituted. For entries falling in that range the duty will be calculated even though the program indicator is shown and transmitted.

Certain HTS numbers show a program indicator of A+. This is treated the same as an A except it only applies to LDDC countries.

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Folklore

If the folklore special program applies and duty is to be paid: Do not enter the SPI (F) on the worksheet. Leave SPI blank and calculate normally. On the 7501 screen, expand the appropriate HTS line (F8) and enter the "F" in the SPI column. Enter the F on the worksheet if there is no duty because of the folklore special program.

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