House · HR 6504 · 119th Congress
Haiti Economic Lift Program Extension Act
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Summary
This bill extends duty-free trade benefits for clothing made in Haiti through December 31, 2028. It also refunds import taxes paid on Haitian goods after September 30, 2025. Both American importers and Haitian garment workers are affected.
In Favor
Haiti's garment industry employs hundreds of thousands of workers in a struggling country. Keeping these trade benefits helps protect those jobs by making Haitian clothing competitive in the U.S. market. Without this extension, factories could close and push more Haitians deeper into poverty.
Against
Extending these benefits locks in trade rules that favor one country over domestic producers. American textile and clothing makers compete against duty-free Haitian imports without the same advantage. The refund provision also costs the U.S. government revenue it already collected.
Additional Considerations
Purpose & Problem
Is the problem real and worth federal action?
This bill extends duty-free treatment for apparel goods imported from Haiti through December 31, 2028, under an existing trade program. It targets the lapse in that program, which expired on September 30, 2025.
Scope & Related Provisions
Does it stay focused, or carry unrelated add-ons?
The bill stays on topic, covering three related actions: extending duty-free treatment, restoring lost eligibility for some goods, and refunding duties paid during the program gap.
Who Is Affected
Who benefits, and who bears the cost?
U.S. importers of Haitian apparel goods may receive refunds for duties paid after September 30, 2025. U.S. Customs and Border Protection must process those refund requests within set deadlines.
Cost & Funding
Is it affordable and responsibly funded?
The bill does not state a total authorized dollar amount. It requires the federal government to refund duties already collected on covered imports since September 30, 2025, and to forgo future duty revenue on qualifying Haitian apparel through 2028.
Risks & Implementation
What could go wrong in practice?
Importers must file refund requests within 180 days and provide enough detail for Customs to locate or rebuild each entry record. Missing that window or lacking complete records would prevent a refund.
For the actual bill text, see congress.gov.
AI-generated · Published 6/5/2026