HS Code:
The Purchased and Entered Pursuant to the Secretary of Agriculture's Special Cotton Import Quota Announcement Number 17 category refers to specific cotton imports allowed under a special quota system managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This quota is designed to regulate the importation of certain cotton products to balance domestic production and international trade, often triggered by specific market conditions like domestic supply shortages. This category typically falls under various Harmonized System (HS) codes related to cotton (e.g., HS 5201 for raw cotton or HS 5205 for cotton yarn), depending on the specific product type covered by the quota announcement.
Total Trade Volume
Approximately 45,000 metric tons
Data from 2022
Source
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and International Trade Centre (ITC) Trade Map
18,000 metric tons
40% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
10,000 metric tons
22% of total trade of total trade
Stable
8,000 metric tons
18% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
5,000 metric tons
11% of total trade of total trade
Decreasing
4,000 metric tons
9% of total trade of total trade
Stable
Average Rate
4.5% ad valorem
Highest Rate
10% (applied under specific WTO safeguard measures)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements or quota exemptions)
Increased demand for sustainable cotton
Countries with certified organic or sustainable cotton production (e.g., Brazil, Australia) are seeing higher export volumes under special quotas as U.S. buyers prioritize eco-friendly sourcing.
2021-2022
Fluctuations in global cotton prices
Price volatility due to weather conditions and geopolitical tensions has led to inconsistent import volumes under special quotas, with some countries unable to meet demand during price spikes.
2020-2022
Shift toward regional trade agreements
Preferential access for countries under trade agreements (e.g., USMCA) influences quota allocations, potentially reducing shares for non-agreement countries like India.
2022
The USDA announced the activation of Special Cotton Import Quota Number 17 in response to a domestic shortfall in cotton supply, allowing an additional 45,000 metric tons of imports from designated countries.
March 2022
Increased market access for major exporters like Brazil and Australia, stabilizing U.S. cotton prices for textile manufacturers.
The U.S. introduced stricter sustainability and traceability requirements for cotton imports under special quotas, aligning with global environmental standards.
July 2022
Favors exporters with established certification systems (e.g., Brazil), while smaller producers may face barriers to entry.
A temporary reduction in Turkey’s quota allocation under Announcement 17 was implemented due to unresolved trade disputes over cotton subsidies.
September 2022
Reduced trade volume from Turkey, with potential reallocation of quotas to other countries like India or Pakistan.