The United States and Jordan formally signed a new reciprocal trade agreement in Washington, D.C., reinforcing and expanding the bilateral economic relationship established under the historic 2001 U.S.-Jordan Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
For logistics professionals, customs brokers, and international shippers, the updated framework introduces several key operational adjustments, tariff classifications, and regulatory compliance expectations.
Key Terms of the Agreement
According to official White House releases, the primary tenets of the new agreement focus on market access, regulatory alignment, and supply chain security:
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Duty-Free Access Maintained: Jordan will continue to provide duty-free market access for nearly all U.S. exports entering the country.
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Expanded Market Access & Non-Tariff Barriers: The agreement targets the removal of non-tariff trade barriers, specifically opening broader channels for U.S. agricultural exports and motor vehicles.
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Customs & Regulatory Enforcement: Bilateral commitments have been updated to streamline customs procedures, enforce environmental standards, strengthen intellectual property protections, and eliminate forced labor from shared supply chains.
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Supply Chain Security & Investment Safeguards: Both nations pledged aligned oversight concerning third-country non-market policies, export control enforcement, investment security, and joint efforts to curb duty evasion.
Tariff Schedule Breakdown & Impacted Commodity Groups
The accompanying Tariff Schedule of the United States (Schedules 1A & 1B) outlines specific Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) classifications eligible for reciprocal treatment, subject to specific scope limitations (such as “Ex” product descriptions, “Aircraft” civil aviation exemptions under General Note 6, and “Pharma” unpatented pharmaceutical designations).
Below is a breakdown of primary commodity sectors impacted by the revised tariff schedules:
1. Industrial Chemicals, Polymers, and Pharmaceuticals
A major portion of Schedule 1A focuses on organic and inorganic chemical compounds, rare-earth metals, and pharmaceutical inputs:
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Inorganic Elements & Oxides: Specific entries covering rare-earth metals ($2805.30.00$), hydrogen, nitrogen, and industrial acids ($2806.10.00$, $2807.00.00$).
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Pharmaceutical Intermediates: Organic derivatives, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), heterocyclic compounds, and finished dosage medicaments ($3003$ / $3004$ subheadings) subject to “Pharma” duty-free treatment.
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Plastics & Primary Polymers: Industrial polymers of ethylene, propylene, PTFE, and cellulose derivatives used in manufacturing and medical packaging.
2. Aerospace Components & Civil Aviation Equipment
Articles marked with the Aircraft scope limitation qualify for specific duty treatments under civil aircraft provisions:
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Propulsion Systems: Spark-ignition engines ($8407.10.00$), turbojets, and turbopropellers ($8411$).
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Avionics & Flight Hardware: Flight data recorders ($8543.70.42$), navigational compasses ($9014.10$), automatic pilots ($9014.20.40$), and radar apparatus ($8526.10.00$).
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Structural Parts & Assemblies: Seamless steel tubing, aluminum alloy pipes, specialized aircraft seating ($9401.10$), and landing gear assemblies ($8807.20.00$).
3. Textiles, Apparel, and Finished Goods (Schedule 1B)
Schedule 1B detailed wide-ranging classifications across raw textile inputs, technical fabrics, and apparel:
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Raw Fibers & Yarns: Silk, carded/combed wool, fine animal hair (cashmere/mohair), synthetic filament yarns, and cotton thread.
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Woven & Knitted Fabrics: Broad classifications for cotton, man-made fibers (MMF), and specialty woven/tufted textiles used in commercial manufacturing.
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Apparel & Outerwear: Detailed breakdown across men’s, women’s, and children’s woven and knitted outerwear, recreational performance gear, and hosiery.
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Technical & Industrial Textiles: Tire cord fabrics ($5902$), coated/laminated fabrics ($5903$), nonwovens ($5603$), and fiberglass reinforcement materials ($7019$).
4. Agricultural Products, Raw Materials, and Minerals
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Flora & Produce: Live plants, dormant bulbs, fresh/dried tropical fruits, spices ($0904$–$0910$), and edible oils ($1511$ palm oil, $1515$ castor/jojoba oils).
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Ores & Minerals: Natural graphite ($2504$), manganese, nickel, cobalt, and titanium ores ($2614$).
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Hardwoods & Cork: Tropical wood lumber/veneers ($4403$, $4407$, $4412$) and natural/agglomerated cork products ($4501$–$4504$).
What Shippers and Importers Should Do Next
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Verify HTSUS Subheadings: Review product catalogs against the newly defined Schedule 1A and Schedule 1B listings to confirm whether specific items qualify for preferential duty rates or carry “Ex”, “Aircraft”, or “Pharma” scope restrictions.
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Audit Rules of Origin & Customs Documentation: Ensure that foreign entries adhere to documentation standards to validate country of origin and avoid duty evasion penalties.
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Review Import/Export Compliance: With heightened focus on forced labor prevention and supply chain transparency, verify that vendor documentation aligns with updated labor and environmental standards.
