Export Snapshot: Jordan – What U.S. Exporters Need to Know About the United States–Jordan Free Trade Agreement (USJFTA)
The United States–Jordan Free Trade Agreement (USJFTA), implemented in 2001, marked a milestone as the first U.S. FTA with an Arab nation. It has since become a model for integrating economic reform, labor standards, and environmental cooperation into trade policy.
For U.S. exporters, USJFTA offers duty-free access to a growing Middle Eastern market strategically positioned between Europe, Asia, and Africa. The agreement facilitates trade across industrial goods, technology, and services while promoting transparency, innovation, and sustainable development.
Overview of U.S.–Jordan Trade
- U.S. Exports to Jordan (2024): Over $2.2 billion, led by machinery, vehicles, aircraft, electronics, and agricultural products.
- Jordanian Exports to the U.S. (2024): Roughly $1.6 billion, dominated by apparel, fertilizers, and pharmaceuticals.
- Tariff Treatment: Nearly all bilateral trade in goods is duty-free, with simplified customs and origin requirements.
- Trade Balance: The U.S. maintains a modest trade surplus, supported by technology, industrial, and food exports.
Jordan’s geographic position, economic reforms, and participation in regional trade initiatives make it a valuable hub for U.S. exporters targeting the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Key USJFTA Advantages for U.S. Exporters
- Comprehensive Tariff Elimination: Virtually all goods traded between the two countries now enter duty-free, although a few sensitive agricultural and textile products required longer phase-out periods and remain subject to specific rules.
- Simplified Customs Procedures: Electronic documentation and expedited processing reduce clearance times.
- Enhanced IP Protection: Strong intellectual property rules promote fair competition for technology and pharmaceutical products.
- Investment and Services Access: U.S. companies gain national treatment for establishing operations in Jordan.
- Labor and Environmental Standards: The agreement includes enforceable provisions promoting ethical, sustainable trade practices.
Together, these features provide a transparent, stable foundation for business operations and export growth.
Strategic Export Opportunities
| Sector | Opportunity | Compliance Note |
|---|---|---|
| ICT & Software Services | Jordan’s expanding tech ecosystem creates demand for U.S. software, SaaS, and cloud solutions | Align with Jordan’s data protection and cybersecurity frameworks |
| Industrial Machinery & Equipment | Infrastructure growth in logistics and energy drives machinery imports | Ensure accurate HTS classification and verify USJFTA origin compliance |
| Agricultural Products & Food Technology | Increasing food demand supports U.S. exports of grains, dairy, and agtech systems | Review labeling and sanitary regulations under Jordanian law |
| Medical Devices & Pharmaceuticals | Health sector modernization opens access for U.S. diagnostics and treatment technology | Verify product registration with Jordan’s Food and Drug Administration |
| Renewable Energy & Cleantech | Jordan’s solar and wind projects invite U.S. partnerships and technology transfers | Check conformity and environmental certification requirements |
Rules of Origin and Documentation
Goods claiming USJFTA benefits must meet specific rules of origin confirming that they are either wholly obtained, substantially transformed, or meet defined product-specific content requirements—particularly for textiles and apparel. Exporters should:
- Complete a Certificate of Origin for each qualifying shipment.
- Keep records for at least five years for customs verification.
- Ensure proper tariff classification and documentation of originating materials.
- Validate compliance with both U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Jordan Customs standards.
- Use digital tracking systems to maintain FTA documentation consistency across multiple product lines.
Accurate documentation not only protects preferential duty treatment but also strengthens reliability in customs audits.
Emerging Trends and Market Insights
- Digital Transformation: Jordan’s “Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship Program” expands public and private demand for ICT solutions, creating new export opportunities for U.S. software and cybersecurity firms.
- Renewable Energy Expansion: With some of the region’s most ambitious renewable energy goals, Jordan offers steady growth potential for U.S. cleantech exporters.
- Healthcare Innovation: Jordan’s regional leadership in medical tourism and hospital infrastructure modernization continues to attract U.S. medtech suppliers.
- Education and Training Services: English-language, vocational, and e-learning platforms from the United States align with Jordan’s human capital development agenda.
- Regional Supply Chain Integration: USJFTA’s stable regulatory framework supports logistics and distribution partnerships across the MENA region.
Why It Matters for Exporters
The U.S.–Jordan FTA demonstrates how open trade and development-oriented policy can create lasting commercial partnerships. For U.S. exporters, its benefits include:
- Zero tariffs on most goods traded between the U.S. and Jordan
- Simplified customs and origin processes that cut administrative time
- Robust IP, labor, and environmental protections that support responsible trade
- Access to a strategically located market with regional connectivity
Whether exporting industrial goods, software, or agricultural products, compliance with USJFTA rules helps companies unlock competitive advantages in one of the Middle East’s most business-friendly economies.
To simplify your export compliance and verify duty-free eligibility, explore Trade Insight AI for automated HTS analysis, origin validation, and tariff simulation under USJFTA.
Series Note:
This article is part of the Export Snapshot series, highlighting how U.S. Free Trade Agreements empower exporters with transparent, compliant, and data-driven access to global markets.
