AAFA welcomes new leathergoods legislation
The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) has
welcomed the introduction of new legislation that would make US imports of
travel goods such as luggage, backpacks, travel bags, business cases, handbags,
and personal leathergoods, eligible for duty-benefits under the Generalized
System of Preferences (GSP) programme.
"Now into the summer travel season and quickly
approaching the back-to-school retail selling season, now is the perfect time
to extend GSP benefits to cover travel goods,” said AAFA president and CEO,
Kevin Burke.
"Whether buying luggage for the family trip or backpacks
for back-to-school, American consumers will benefit from the duty savings
created by this bill.
"At the same time, the bill will support US workers employed by companies in the US apparel and footwear industry who produce these product categories by enabling companies to lower prices and drive sales."
The act recognises that travel goods are no longer an
"import sensitive" industry, removing the current prohibition that prevents
most travel goods from being eligible for duty benefits under GSP.
Under the GSP, developing countries such as Cambodia,
Thailand and the Philippines, will be able to export travel products to the US on
a duty-free basis, although China and Vietnam are not eligible.
