Senate Bill Would End Duties on Recreational Performance Outerwear
On March 31, 2011, Senator Wyden and 5 co-sponsors1 introduced S. 704, the U.S. Optimal Use of Trade to Develop Outerwear and Outdoor Recreation (U.S. OUTDOOR) Act. S. 704 would eliminate the import duty for qualifying recreational performance outerwear and establish the Sustainable Textile and Apparel Research (STAR) fund to invest in U.S. technologies and jobs that focus on sustainable, environmentally conscious manufacturing.
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Would Create New HTS Provisions for Recreational Performance Outerwear
The Outdoor Industry Association, which supports S. 704, states that the bill would create unique Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) classifications specific to recreational performance outerwear -- high tech apparel, designed especially for outdoor recreation such as hiking, biking, skiing, or snowboarding, hunting, fishing, paddling and other recreational activities. The bill would also eliminate the tariffs on these products while preserving the competitiveness of U.S.-based manufacturing.
According to the OIA, S. 704 is based on a 2007 International Trade Commission report (Inv. No. 332-479) that confirmed there to be no commercially viable production of recreational performance outerwear in the U.S. OIA notes that it worked closely with outdoor apparel manufacturers and U.S. producers of textiles and performance fabrics to ensure the legislation does not impede any U.S. production.
S. 704 available here
Senator Wyden’s introductory remarks on S. 704 available here
OIA press release available here
1Senators Cantwell (D), Crapo (R), Enzi (R), Merkley (D), and Schumer (D).