Bipartisan Bill Would Suspend Duties on Certain Footwear
On May 25, 2011, Senator Cantwell (D)1 introduced S. 1069, the Affordable Footwear Act, a bill which would suspend duties on certain footwear imports. (The Affordable Footwear Act has been introduced several times before in both the House and Senate, but never enacted.)
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Would Suspend Duties on Certain Shoes, Protect Domestic Producers
According to press releases from the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) and the American Apparel and Footwear Association, S. 1069 would:
- create a four-year suspension of import tariffs on certain footwear (e.g., low-cost and children’s shoes no longer made in U.S.); and
- exclude any product with U.S. production and prevent tariff engineering that undermines U.S. footwear producers.
Scope of Duty Suspension Would be Reevaluated After Four Years
The press release notes that the bill is temporary, so that domestic production can be reevaluated after four years and products removed where appropriate.
In addition, the press release notes that many of the footwear products included in the Affordable Footwear Act were previously included in several miscellaneous tariff bills passed in 2006 and renewed in 2010. The Affordable Footwear Act also adds certain leather hiking boots and additional footwear products.
See future issue of ITT for additional details on S. 1069 as they become available.
1along with co-sponsors Senators Blunt (R), Murray (D), and Roberts (R).
(See ITT’s Online Archives or 02/07/11 news, 11020727, for BP summary of other, previously introduced, Affordable Footwear Act legislation.)
OIA press release available here
AAFA press release available here