Temporary duty suspension in the United States

This article investigates the temporary duty suspension program of the United States Congress. It documents how the legislative process works and discusses the likely economic effects of the program. It proposes that this program be revamped so as to eliminate its systematic bias in favor of large profitable firms, rent-seeking behavior by petitioners, rent capture by legislators and lobbyists, slowness, and bureaucratic cost. Additionally, it advocates New Zealand's regime. This regime grants concessions automatically from the first day of the month in which the application is received, as long as other manufacturers do not object. © 1995.

Duke Scholars

Author Edward Tower Economics