US: Association of Floral Importers of Florida works towards GSP renewal

The Association of Floral Importers of Florida (AFIF) believes that they are at a critical point in working toward getting the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) renewed, and it has been a long and taxing process. AFIF has been able to get this far in the process thanks to the support and donations from members and non-members. But, the fight is far from over, they say.

AFIF is hard at work in Washington, DC, for the next three weeks with meetings and hearings in trying to get the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) renewed that expired on December 31, 2020. For the flower industry, this has a big impact because flowers from Ecuador are covered under the GSP, so millions of dollars in duties are being assessed at the border when the flowers arrive in the US. For 2021-2023, there has been more than $80 million in duties collected on flowers that were imported into the US.

On October 1, 2020, AFIF's work in DC paid off; they got roses added to the GSP, which was a big win for the flower industry, but then the GSP expired a few months later. When roses were added to the GSP, the amount and value of roses from Ecuador were now being focused on since they are covered under the duty-free status. Under the GSP, there are limits for each country and product. Roses from Ecuador are already passing the limit, so AFIF says that it's necessary to increase the Competitive Need Limit (CNL) to allow roses to continue on the program duty-free.

AFIF understands that this is very important for the flower importers and has agreed to work with an attorney and lobbying group to get the GSP renewed and ensure that the duties that have been paid are refunded and to get the CNL increased. Over the past two years, AFIF has been meeting with members of Congress to get support for the renewal of GSP and increase the CNL.

In January 2023, a new Ways & Means Chairman was named, Jason Smith from Missouri. AFIF hosted a meeting in South Florida with him, and he learned about the flower industry, the work of AFIF, and how the imported flowers impact all 50 states in the US. Following the meeting, Chairman Smith announced that he was traveling to Ecuador, and AFIF was able to get him and the other CODEL members of Congress to visit a flower farm.

Over the next 3 weeks, AFIF will be having meetings with members of Congress and committees and even testifying at a hearing about GSP. Speaking at a hearing about the flower industry is a great honor and will allow the Committee members and other members of Congress to hear first had the need for the renewal of GSP and an increase in CNL.