FDRA Releases Footwear Customs Classification App
The Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA) will offer a customs classification mobile application that will allow users to request input from the association on how a footwear product should be classified, the FDRA said in a press release. The mobile app, offered on Apple's iOS platform, is named ecVision Classify and "allows footwear customs professionals to electronically submit footwear images, and corresponding product attributes, to FDRA for evaluation and a professional opinion about which Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) code the footwear sample would be classified under," said the FDRA.
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Users will be able to upload footwear sample images and other product characteristics, which will be sent to FDRA's customs staff, it said. The app includes a set of yes or no questions that will help describe the product for classification purposes, according to a user guide (here). For instance, the app will ask the user if the product in question is protective in nature or is exclusively for men, youths or boys. Email alerts will notify FDRA of open requests and the user of successful uploads, said FDRA. The app will also keep a database of "product records that will serve as a historical reference companies can use as they develop new samples," the group said.
The app will be helpful as the "the tariff code has become increasingly more difficult to understand and costs have increased as the industry works to comply with federal customs classifications," it said. “I know customs classification is not the most exciting issue, but every footwear CEO knows the importance customs duties have to costs, revenue and profits," said Matt Priest, president of FDRA. "Companies are eager to use our app because we are the only footwear association that provides in-depth customs classification and will provide guidance in less than 24 hours -- all of which will boost footwear companies bottom lines by saving them time and greatly enhancing their decision making abilities.” The app is available for $48 for FDRA members and $100 for non-members.
Priest said in an interview he got the idea because FDRA members would frequently him ask for classification advice via email. The information being uploaded will reviewed by FDRA's customs experts, Priest and the trade group's customs counsel, John Pellegrini of McGuireWoods, who will give classification feedback within a business day. There shouldn't be any liability concerns for FDRA providing the advice as it will include "the appropriate disclaimers" and the group previously provided similar advice "with the understanding that" if there's a real question, the person should file a ruling request with CBP, said Priest.
The included historical reference database will only allow the account owners to see their previous submissions and any sharing of that information will be up to the account owners, not FDRA, said Priest. The submissions may eventually also offer some useful information for the FDRA and its members on which HTS headings seem to cause the most problems for the industry, he said. The app is now up and running and people have already started using it, he said.