OIA Policy Alert: LWCF Delay at the Department of the Interior

Washington, D.C. – Today, OIA Executive Director Lise Aangeenbrug made the following statement after the Department of the Interior (DOI) failed to provide a list to Congress detailing which Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) projects should be funded under the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA):

“We are deeply concerned by the agency’s failure to meet this straightforward statutory requirement. This delay stifles new outdoor projects from getting off the ground and keeps LWCF funding from flowing to communities that desperately need this money. When the Great American Outdoors Act was enacted earlier this year, it was met with great fanfare from the outdoor industry, members of Congress from both parties and the administration. For agency officials to drag their feet on implementing the most significant conservation law in a generation is not only perplexing, it demands an explanation.”
 
GAOA provides $900 million in permanent annual funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund and addresses the nearly $20 billion deferred maintenance backlog on federal public lands. 
 

Policy Alert: Outdoor Industry Applauds Introduction of the ‘Ocean Based Climate Solutions Act’

BOULDER, Colo. – Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) commends Congressman Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.) for introducing the “Ocean Based Climate Solutions Act” today. The bill would authorize federal funding for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to invest in ocean-based solutions to greenhouse gas emissions and conservation of coastal communities, as well as outline a national policy to protect 30 percent of the ocean by 2030.

“This landmark proposal leverages the power of conservation to combat climate change and positions our coastal communities to be an integral part of the solution,” said Executive Director of OIA, Lise Aangeenbrug. “Further, it focuses on establishing social and economic criteria to ensure our public lands and waters remain accessible, where appropriate, to all Americans and the businesses that rely on them. It is essential to have the right balance between conservation and providing Americans the access they need to thrive outside and participate in our robust outdoor recreation economy. We are pleased to see Rep. Grijalva’s legislation achieves this important balance.”

OIA’s 2020 Policy Platform, released in October 2020, supports the swift scale-up of natural climate solutions as a strategy for both climate mitigation and climate resilience across a variety of lands, waters, and habitat types – including the forests, rivers, lakes, streams, oceans, and coastal areas.

The bill awaits consideration by the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Webinar: #VoteTheOutdoors 2020 Social Media Launch

Speakers: Andriana Rogers and Rich Harper, OIA; Katie Boué, Outdoor Advocacy Project

Election season is upon us, which signals the return of the #VoteTheOutdoors voter education campaign. We need every outdoor voice to unify (and vote!) this November. Join us to learn about how outdoorists and brands can become part of the #VoteTheOutdoors movement.

 

View the 2020 Voters Guide

BIG NEWS: Senate passes the Great American Outdoors Act

GREAT AMERICAN OUTDOORS ACT PASSES SENATE 73-25. ON TO THE HOUSE.

Today, we’re reaching out with good news. The Great American Outdoors Act, the legislation to provide full and permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund and provide funding to begin tackling the deferred maintenance backlog on federal public lands, PASSED 73-25 with overwhelming bipartisan support.

As we take steps toward economic recovery from COVID-19, federal investment in our public lands and waterways is critical to boost local economies, create thousands of jobs and protect and improve our national parks.

As our advocacy efforts transition to the House of Representatives, OIA would like to thank the senators who sponsored, co-sponsored and championed the Great American Outdoors Act, and we also encourage you to thank your senators for their support.

While this vote was an important hurdle to overcome, it does not have the president’s signature yet, so stay tuned. We will reach out again soon with an ask for your engagement with your House delegation.

Thank you for your support, outreach and efforts so far. That GAOA passed the Senate with the majority is a testament to the bipartisan nature of our work and a demonstration of the impact of our industry’s collective voice.

Audio Outdoorist: Campfire Conversation: How Specialty Retailers Are Reopening, Repositioning or Reinventing After Pandemic

Three specialty retail shop owners across the country and an expert in consumer trends and retail strategy gather around the fire to discuss the immediate aftermath of the COVID “shutdown,” the steps they’re taking to reopen or reposition their businesses, the safety precautions they’re using and how they’re recouping their losses. From day-to-day operations adjustments (adjusted hours, curbside pickup, delivery) to staffing changes; creative inventory strategy to quick-start e-commerce solutions, they’ve responded on the fly and without a roadmap.

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Audio Outdoorist: Campfire Conversation: Bouncing Back – How Resiliency Can Help the Outdoor Industry Move Forward

Outdoor industry businesses and employees have been overwhelmed by the impacts of the COVID-19 situation for months now, trying to stay safe while keeping themselves afloat. But as we begin to realize that COVID-19 will be part of our lives for some time, how do individuals and businesses in the outdoor industry move from treading water to being agile and successful in our “new normal?” Join us around the campfire as we discuss how members of the outdoor industry can create resiliency to adapt to the changing landscape, stay true to their core values, and even thrive while navigating an uncertain future.

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Campfire Conversation: How to Swiftly & Safely Re-Open Parks & Trails

Welcome to OIA Campfire Conversations, our new special video and audio series that is part of our Audio Outdoorist podcast.

Subscribe to OIA’s Audio Outdoorist and listen to this and other episodes anytime, anywhere. You can find the podcast on iTunes and SoundCloud

These episodes are your opportunity to be a fly on the wall, to listen in as thought leaders and subject-matter experts chat about issues that are important, relevant and timely. The conversations will be candid and casual, fluid and free-flowing. Our hope is that you’ll come away with deeper — and maybe even some new — insights as you consider the various perspectives of the participants. As the trade association of the outdoor industry, OIA’s aim is to convene the diverse thinkers and changemakers whose work and ideas will steer us toward continued growth. We’ll post these as videos on our website for you to watch on your computer, and we’ll publish them on our Audio Outdoorist podcast, so you can listen on your next hike, bike or paddle. Thanks for listening in and enjoy the conversation.

Episode 1 – How to Swiftly & Safely Re-Open Parks & Trails

Amid COVID-19, states across the country implemented stay-at-home and shelter-in-place orders, all with different closure rules and requirements for local, county, state and national public lands, parks and trails. Now, as the country begins to contemplate reopening those outdoor assets, there are many questions and considerations about how to do it expeditiously but safely. Directors from several state outdoor recreation and parks and wildlife offices gather around the fire to chat about what conversation they’re having with other government and land management agencies, outdoor businesses and participants in their states; what usage and access trends have emerged during the pandemic; and how outdoor businesses have been and can continue to be leaders in their communities as Americans rediscover the benefits of time spent outside.

Episode Participants
Cailin O’Brien-Feeny, Director of Oregon Office of Outdoor Recreation
Rue Mapp, OIA Board Member, Outdoor Afro Founder, California State Parks Commissioner
Colin Robertson, Administrator, Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation
Jon Snyder, Outdoor Recreation and Economic Development Senior Policy Advisor to Washington Governor Jay Inslee
Doug Vilsack, Assistant Director of Colorado Parks, Wildlife and Lands

 

Sign on Letter: Supporting the Outdoor Recreation Economy and Recovery

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Speaker, United States House of Representatives
1236 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515

The Honorable Kevin McCarthy
Minority Leader, United States House of Representatives
2468 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515

The Honorable Mitch McConnell
Majority Leader, United States Senate
317 Russell Senate Office Building</br
Washington, D.C. 20510

The Honorable Charles Schumer
Minority Leader, United States Senate
322 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510

Re: Supporting the outdoor recreation economy and recovery of individuals, communities, and outdoor companies in any upcoming pandemic response legislation

Dear Speaker Pelosi and Leaders McCarthy, McConnell and Schumer:

Our outdoor recreation economy generates $887 billion in consumer spending and 7.6 million jobs annually. The outdoor industry comprises 2.2 percent of the United States GDP and, prior to the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, was growing faster than the economy. In addition, communities with access to outdoor recreation assets like trails, waterways, and parks of all types are attracting and retaining business investments, as more and more businesses rely on quality of life to attract employees.

Our system of parks and public lands being open for public use is critical for small and large retailers and outdoor businesses, along with the supply chain that serves them. Plus, these natural places bring quality of life to communities across the nation. Every part of this system has been interrupted by COVID-19, impacting the health and wellness of individuals, companies, and communities.

Outdoor Industry Association and our 1,300 member companies write to ask for your support for including provisions that will aid economic recovery for the outdoor industry and communities across the country in any upcoming rounds of pandemic economic response legislation.

Thank you for the actions you have already taken to support these businesses through the CARES Act. Many of our members were able to access CARES programs, including the Paycheck Protection Program that bought them some badly needed time, but their fates hinge in large part on the ability of their current and potential customers to get back outside.

As we look to recovery in the months ahead, more needs to be done to help our communities and the outdoor industry recover from the current economic shock through investments in recreation infrastructure which will provide more opportunities for all Americans to get outside. The last few weeks have shown that millions of Americans depend upon outdoor recreation opportunities for health and wellness. Now more than ever, we need the mental and physical health benefits that getting outside can provide. Investing in outdoor infrastructure as part of our economic recovery efforts will provide a powerful return for all Americans.

Specifically, we would like your support for the following:

Permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and funding for the maintenance backlog across federal public lands: Pass the Great American Outdoors Act, which would finalize bipartisan and bicameral legislation that provides dedicated funding to the Land and Water Conservation Fund and resources to reduce the maintenance backlog on our public lands. This funding will have a long-term economic impact and will increase the visitor experience – a needed benefit for local tourism. Investing in LWCF has proven to double its investment in local economies and create thousands of jobs. Congress was close to passing this legislation due to extraordinarily broad bipartisan support. It makes even more sense now, with the public demand for outdoor recreation during the pandemic and with the economic, social, and health benefits that recreating outdoors provides.

Include permit streamlining: We support incorporating the Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation (SOAR) Act (H.R. 787/S.1665) and the Recreation Not Red-Tape Act (H.R. 3458/S. 1967) into any legislative stimulus package. Streamlining the federal permitting system is important to the health of the guiding and outfitting communities, which have been financially harmed by the ongoing pandemic. These bills would provide more access to outdoor recreation for millions of Americans who annually enjoy the outdoors via guided adventures. By reducing current regulatory red tape, guides and outfitters will more easily kick-start local tourism once Americans are able to access public lands.

Fund active transportation: We appreciate your commitment to infrastructure as an economic growth opportunity and, in doing so, would encourage you to include provisions that would increase funding for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. This type of funding helps local economies and provides people with safe, environmentally sensitive, and low-cost forms of transportation and recreation. We support the Transportation Alternatives Program and the Recreational Trails Program (among others) and are hopeful that any additional infrastructure funding would significantly increase funding levels for these important economic drivers.

Increased funding/expansion of Civilian Conservation Corps: Additional funding for expansion of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) will provide a combination of jobs for Americans and restoration and stewardship of our public lands. The program could be further expanded to reach more youth and more outdoor places and to include opportunities on state lands. This program could immediately be brought to scale to meet the needs of recently unemployed workers from various affected industries. The CCC could be rapidly deployed via existing cooperative agreements with federal agencies and state and local agencies.

Funding to states and local municipalities for building parks, trails, and other outdoor recreation amenities in underserved and under-resourced communities: Local and state tax revenues are significantly declining, yet the public needs local services. With the need to recreate close to home for health and wellness, the majority of Americans need access to parks, trails, and open spaces within a 10-minute walk or drive of their homes. This type of program is badly needed to help address the current inequities surrounding those who live near and reap the benefits of outdoor recreation, trail, and natural areas – and those who do not.

Prioritize policies to reduce carbon emissions: In consideration of transportation, energy, and infrastructure provisions, we would encourage you to use the opportunity to ensure policies are in place to reduce carbon emissions. Our industry relies on a healthy environment for those who love the outdoors to experience it to the fullest. Green infrastructure solutions not only sequester carbon and help mitigate the worst impacts of future natural disasters but also serve as places to recreate. We ask that you take a long-term view and work to ensure stewardship of our lands and oceans for future generations to enjoy.

As Congress moves forward with response and helping with the recovery from the ongoing pandemic and its economic impacts, we ask that you consider the critical role our public lands and the opportunities for outdoor recreation play in our country’s recovery. Together, we can help make a meaningful contribution to pandemic recovery efforts.

Sincerely,

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Lise Aangeenbrug
Executive Director
Outdoor Industry Association

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Michael West
CEO
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Matt Wade
Advocacy & Policy Director
American Mountain Guides Association

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Chris Valiante
Owner
22 Designs

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Clay Haller
President
Advanced Elements, Inc.

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Penn Newhard
Founder/Partner
Backbone Media

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Tim Koehler
Chief Financial Officer
Backpacker’s Pantry

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Tag Kleiner
VP of Marketing
Far Bank Enterprises
(Sage, Redington, RIO Products, Fly Water Travel)

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Craig Mackey
Principal
Mackey Partners, LLC

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Bill Gamber
President and Co-Founder
Big Agnes

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David Koorits
Co-Founder
Good To-Go

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Matthew McClain
Executive Director
Mammoth Lakes Recreation

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Brad Werntz
President
Boulders Climbing Gym

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Matt Holmes
Executive Director
Groundwork Richmond

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John Wentworth
CEO/Board President
Mammoth Lakes Trails and Public Access Foundation

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Jenn Swain
Global Senior Sustainability Manager
Burton

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Larry Witt
President of Housewares (Hydro Flask & OXO)
Helen of Troy

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David Dragoo
Founder
Mayfly Outdoors

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Ali Kenney
SVP – Global Strategy & Insights
Burton

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Alyssa Ravasio
Founder & CEO
Hipcamp

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Bob Mignogna
President
Mignogna Consulting, Inc.

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Matt Lyon
Board Chair
California Outdoor Recreation Partnership

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John Kirk
Director of Communications
International Sportsmen’s Expos

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Cam Brensinger
CEO & Founder
NEMO Equipment, Inc.

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Peter Bragdon
Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel
Columbia

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Jeff Turner
Director of Sales
Kokatat, Inc.

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Chris McKleroy
CEO
Nocs Provisions

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David Feinman
Government Affairs Director
Conservation Lands Foundation

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Rhonda Swenson
CEO
Krimson Klover

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Drew Saunders
Country Manager
Oberalp North America

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Coral Darby
Founder
Darby Communications

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Shawn Gorman
Executive Chairman
L.L.Bean

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Chris Rischke
Director of Operations
Oboz Footwear

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Jennifer Pelkey
Sr. Marketing Director
Outdoor Retailer

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Brian Cox
President
Lightspeed Outdoors

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Louis Geltman
Policy Director
Outdoor Alliance

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Rose Marcario
President and CEO
Patagonia

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Nick Sargent
President
Snowsports Industries America

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Fred Ferguson
VP, Public Affairs and Communications
Vista Outdoor

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Jenn Dice
Chief Operating Officer
PeopleForBikes

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Jennifer Savage
California Policy Manager
Surfrider Foundation

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Ashley Korenblat
CEO
Western Spirit Cycling

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Tom Adams
COO
Petzel America

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Michael Stewart
Founder/Director of Partnerships
Sustainable Surf

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Todd Walton
Executive Director
Winter Wildlands Alliance

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Eric Artz
President and CEO
REI Co-op

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David Polivy
CEO
Tahoe Mountain Sports

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Ryan Martin
CEO
Yakima Products, Inc.

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Wendy M. Carey
VP/CFO
Seirus Innovative Accessories, Inc.

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Brady Robinson
Executive Director
The Conservation Alliance

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Craig Flax
Founder/President
Youth Transportation Organization (Yoots)

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Steven Frisch
President
Sierra Business Council

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Arne Arens
Brand President
The North Face

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Steven Frisch
President
Sierra Business Council

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Gordon Seabury
CEO
Toad&Co

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Tony Post
CEO & Founder
Topo Athletic

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Ben Christensen
Vice President, Operations
Simms Fishing Products

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Brian Vargo
President/CEO
Vargo Outdoors, Inc.

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Ben Warner
President
Skeleton Key Agency/Coast Film Festival

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Steve Rendle
Chairman, President and CEO
VF Corp

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Seraph White
Interim Executive Director
Outdoors Empowered Network

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Kristin Hostetter
Editor In Chief
SNEWS | The Voice

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Jon Jay
Digital Content Editor
SKI Magazine

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Tori Peglar
Co-Brand and Content Director
National Parks Trips

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Andrea Kupfer
VP, Managing Director
Catapult Creative Labs

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Campfire Conversation: Conservation & Recreation Advocacy From Home

Join us for a collaborative campfire conversation with Outdoor Industry Association, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, The Conservation Alliance and Outdoor Alliance while they discuss support efforts of policy initiatives through in-person and virtual advocacy amid the pandemic safer-at-home orders.

OIA Campfire Conversations, is our new special video and audio series that is part of our Audio Outdoorist podcast. You can find the podcast on iTunes and SoundCloud.

These episodes are your opportunity to be a fly on the wall, to listen in as thought leaders and subject-matter experts chat about issues that are important, relevant and timely. The conversations will be candid and casual, fluid and free-flowing. Our hope is that you’ll come away with deeper — and maybe even some new — insights as you consider the various perspectives of the participants. As the trade association of the outdoor industry, OIA’s aim is to convene the diverse thinkers and changemakers whose work and ideas will steer us toward continued growth. We’ll post these as videos on our website for you to watch on your computer, and we’ll publish them on our Audio Outdoorist podcast, so you can listen on your next hike, bike or paddle. Thanks for listening in and enjoy the conversation.

Trade Alert: New China Tariff Exclusions – Hydration Backpacks, Duffels, Bikes, Messenger Bags

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) recently announced that it approved another group of tariff exclusions for products hit by the List 3 China 301 tariffs, including several outdoor products. As a result, any company can gain tariff relief on items that match the product description approved by the USTR. We are writing to provide you with the details on these exclusions to ensure that OIA members are able to take advantage of this opportunity to reduce their tariff costs.

To learn more about this exclusion process and how to take advantage of it to reduce your tariff costs, join us for a webinar this Thursday, April 30, at 3 p.m. (ET).

The group of product exclusions is retroactive to Sept. 24, 2018, and will be valid through Aug. 7, 2020. Here are some examples of the products included:

  • Backpacks with hydration packs
  • Bikes
  • Duffel bags
  • Messenger bags

In order to claim this exclusion, your product must match the product description, and you should use Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) code 9903.88.45 when importing your product.

Again, any importer can benefit from a granted exclusion if the product matches both the subheading and the exact specifications of the granted product description. If your product matches the written description but is not currently classified under that provided HTS, we recommend that you check with your customs broker or counsel to review its applicable classification.

To claim duty refunds using a product exclusion, importers can either submit a post-summary correction (PSC) or file a protest. For future imports, the Chapter 99 number assigned to that product exclusion must be used on entries and entry summaries. Guidance on this process issued by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) can be found here.

We will keep you updated on any future developments on China 301 product exclusions.