New Legislation Would Remove Import Tariffs on Outdoor Apparel

(Outdoor Industry Association)

Legislation to remove import tariffs on recreational performance outerwear was introduced in both the House and Senate July 10. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., said the Optimal Use of Trade to Develop Outerwear and Outdoor Recreation (OUTDOOR) Act (H.R. 3168 and S. 1439) will eliminate duties on jackets and pants used for outdoor activities like skiing and hunting that are not currently made in the U.S. These duties average 17% and can be as high as 28%.

The bills would also require companies benefiting from the tariff elimination to contribute a portion of their savings to the Sustainable Textile and Apparel Research Fund, which would make grants available to certain non-profit organizations to advance U.S. competitiveness in lean manufacturing technologies and supply chain analysis. The STAR Fund grants will be made available through a competitive process administered by the Department of Commerce and are designed to help the global textile and apparel industry minimize energy and water use, reduce waste and global warming emissions, and incorporate sustainable practices into product life cycles. Read more here.