Technical corrections only. The differences between v3 and v4 are purely administrative, reflecting the bill's passage from the House to the Senate and the inclusion of the House Clerk's name. There are no substantive policy changes to the text of the bill.
Haiti Economic Lift Program Extension Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Murphy, Gregory F. [R-NC-3]
- Committees
- Finance Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Jan 13, 2026
Bottom line
The bill aims to provide continued economic stability and support to Haiti by extending crucial trade preferences, ensuring market access for Haitian goods in the U.S. for several more years.
What it actually does
This bill extends the duty-free treatment for imports from Haiti under the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA) until December 31, 2028. It also makes technical adjustments to the rules governing apparel imports, including updating value-content requirements and clarifying the application of quantitative limitations. Furthermore, it restores preferential treatment for certain articles that lost eligibility due to revisions in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule and provides for retroactive application of duty-free treatment for entries made between September 30, 2025, and the bill's enactment date.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that this extension is vital for Haiti's economic recovery and stability, supporting jobs and industries in a nation facing significant challenges. It provides essential predictability for businesses, encourages foreign investment, and helps maintain a critical lifeline for the Haitian economy.
Opponents contend
Critics might argue that while well-intentioned, long-term preferential trade agreements can create dependency rather than fostering diversified, self-sufficient economic growth in beneficiary countries. Some may also raise concerns about potential impacts on domestic industries, although the bill includes quantitative limitations to mitigate such effects.
The bill is very short and clearly written, making it highly accessible for any reader to understand its core provisions quickly.
Section 2(2)
Extension of Haiti Trade Preferences Termination Date
This provision amends the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act to extend the termination date for duty-free treatment of Haitian imports. The preferential treatment, which was set to expire, will now remain in effect until December 31, 2028, providing several additional years of market access for Haitian goods in the United States.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that this extension is crucial for Haiti's economic stability, job creation, and ongoing recovery efforts, providing essential predictability for businesses and encouraging foreign investment in the country.
Critics contend
Critics might argue that while providing short-term relief, such extensions can delay the development of more diversified and globally competitive industries in Haiti, potentially fostering long-term dependency on preferential trade.
Tradeoffs
This provision balances the immediate need for economic support and stability in Haiti with the broader goal of fostering sustainable, self-sufficient economic development and the potential impact on domestic industries.
Section 3
Restoration of Preferential Treatment for Previously Eligible Articles
This section directs the President to modify the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to restore duty-free eligibility for articles from Haiti that were eligible for preferential treatment on December 20, 2006, but subsequently lost that status due to technical revisions to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule before this Act's enactment. This aims to correct unintended exclusions and ensure the original scope of trade preferences.
This section mandates the retroactive application of duty-free or preferential treatment for covered articles from Haiti that were entered into the United States between September 30, 2025, and the date of the Act's enactment. Importers can request liquidation or reliquidation of these entries within 180 days to receive refunds for any duties paid during this period, without interest.
Section 4
Why it matters:This is a standard legislative practice to ensure continuity of trade benefits when an extension is passed after a previous authorization has lapsed or is about to lapse. It prevents a gap in coverage and avoids penalizing businesses for legislative timing.
Case for: Ensures that businesses are not penalized for legislative delays and that the intended benefits of duty-free treatment are continuous, providing certainty and avoiding financial burdens on importers who might have paid duties during a lapse period.
Case against: While generally supported, some might argue that retroactive provisions can add administrative complexity for customs authorities. Additionally, the lack of interest payment on refunds, while standard, still represents a cost of capital for businesses that overpaid duties.
Estimated impact: Potentially significant financial impact for U.S. importers of Haitian goods, who will be eligible for refunds of duties paid during the specified gap period. The U.S. Treasury will incur a corresponding loss of collected tariff revenue.