Trade policy update
Published 12 August 2026 · Updated 12 October 2026
AGOA extended through 2028: what Madagascar exporters should check.
Congress extended AGOA through 31 December 2028 in H.R. 6500, signed on 2 September 2026. The law also provides retroactive treatment for qualifying entries from 30 September 2025. Madagascar exporters and US importers should verify product eligibility, origin rules, records, and entry procedures for each shipment. Confirm current requirements with official US guidance or a licensed customs broker.
2028
Current statutory end date
The extension runs through 31 December 2028 for eligible countries and goods, subject to the applicable requirements.
Per entry
Eligibility check
Confirm the product classification, country eligibility, origin rule, and entry documentation for each shipment.
30 Sep 2025
Retroactive start date
The enacted extension provides retroactive treatment for qualifying entries from this date. Follow CBP procedures for entry adjustments.
Dec 2028
New expiry date
Two additional years of certainty. The longest runway since the 2015 ten-year extension. Allows multi-year investment planning.
Timeline
From 2000 to 2028 — the full arc.
2000
AGOA enacted
African Growth and Opportunity Act passed by US Congress. Madagascar designated AGOA-eligible from inception — a foundation for EPZ apparel investment.
2009 – 2014
Suspension and reinstatement
Madagascar's AGOA eligibility was restored in 2014 following its suspension. Check current country status and product requirements before making a preference claim.
30 Sep 2025
AGOA lapses again
The previous authorisation ended. The later legislation provides retroactive treatment for qualifying entries from this date. Check entry-specific records and CBP instructions.
3 Feb 2026
One-year reauthorisation
A temporary reauthorisation restored preferences through 31 December 2026 and applied retroactively to the lapse date.
Jan 2026
House passes AGOA Extension Act
The House passed H.R. 6500. The bill later moved through Senate consideration and House agreement to Senate amendments.
12 Aug 2026
Congress approves the extension
The House agreed to Senate amendments on 1 September 2026. The President signed H.R. 6500 on 2 September 2026, extending AGOA preferences through 31 December 2028 with retroactive treatment for qualifying entries.
31 Dec 2028
New expiry date
AGOA preferences currently expire on this date. Any further extension or modernisation — including potential changes to the Third Country Fabric provision — requires fresh legislation.
The Third Country Fabric question
The provision that makes or breaks Madagascar's textile model.
What the TCF clause does
AGOA provides a regional and third-country fabric rule for qualifying apparel from eligible lesser-developed beneficiary countries. A preference claim depends on country status, product classification, the production rule, and supporting records.
Why it matters now
The fabric rule can affect sourcing choices and apparel origin analysis. Verify the current statutory language and product-specific requirements before production or shipment. Do not assume a fabric source alone establishes eligibility.
What Madagascar should watch
The current extension runs through 31 December 2028. Any later programme changes require official action. Exporters should check current eligibility and origin requirements before shipment.
Sector impact
Who benefits — and by how much.
EPZ apparel & garments
Product-specific
Apparel preference eligibility depends on the applicable tariff line, origin rule, and production records. Confirm entry treatment with the importer or customs broker.
Seafood & crustaceans
Product-specific
Confirm tariff classification and preference eligibility for each seafood product. Food safety and import requirements also apply separately.
Vanilla & essential oils
Product-specific
Confirm tariff classification and current US tariff treatment for each product, along with any applicable import requirements.
Handicrafts & raffia
Product-specific
Check the tariff classification and origin requirements for each item before including it in an AGOA claim.
What to do now
Five actions for the next 30 days.
The Senate vote is a strong signal, but the bill is not yet law. These actions apply regardless of the final legislative outcome.
1
Review buyer terms
Review buyer contracts against the current statutory end date and include a process for handling any later change in preference eligibility.
2
Check product eligibility
Before making investment decisions, check product-level eligibility, buyer demand, production costs, and the requirements for claiming the preference.
3
Maintain dual-market strategy
Assess other destination markets and their current rules as part of normal commercial planning. Verify the relevant tariff and origin treatment for each product and destination.
4
Verify duty refund eligibility
The law provides retroactive treatment for qualifying entries from 30 September 2025. Ask the importer of record or its customs broker to review entry records and applicable CBP adjustment procedures.
5
Check official implementation guidance
The House agreed to Senate amendments on 1 September 2026, and the President signed H.R. 6500 on 2 September 2026. Check the enacted text and current CBP guidance for entry-specific requirements.
Questions we get
AGOA 2028 — operator FAQ.
- Has AGOA been extended beyond 2026?
- Yes. Congress approved the AGOA extension in H.R. 6500 and the President signed the bill on 2 September 2026. The law extends preferential treatment for eligible countries through 31 December 2028 and applies retroactively to qualifying entries from 30 September 2025. Importers should confirm entry-specific refund procedures with US Customs and Border Protection or their customs broker.
- What does the extension mean for Madagascar garment exporters?
- Eligible Malagasy goods can continue to claim AGOA preferences through 31 December 2028 when product, origin, and entry requirements are met. Apparel eligibility depends on the applicable rules of origin, including the regional and third-country fabric provisions. Importers should confirm product classification and documentation for each entry.
- When does the House need to vote?
- No further vote is pending for the extension described here. The House agreed to the Senate amendments on 1 September 2026, and the President signed H.R. 6500 on 2 September 2026.
- What are the duty refund implications?
- The law provides retroactive treatment for qualifying entries from 30 September 2025. Refund eligibility and filing steps depend on the entry record and current CBP procedures. Importers should review the enacted law and confirm the correct process with CBP or their broker before filing.
- Is this the final renewal?
- The current statutory extension ends on 31 December 2028. Any later changes would require further government action. Exporters can use the extension period to review origin records, buyer terms, and alternative markets. Check official US guidance for later changes.
- How does this affect the China zero-tariff option?
- Madagascar's duty-free access to China under the LDC scheme is open-ended and unaffected by AGOA. The two frameworks are complementary, not competing. Smart exporters will maintain both US and China market access to reduce concentration risk.
Official references
Planning 2027–2028 production cycles? Let us model your AGOA position per HS code.
Share your product classifications and destination details for a review of origin requirements, supporting records, and shipment coordination needs.