Environmental health, human health and economic health are inextricable. For the first time in 50 years, we can’t congregate to honor Mother Earth. But we can — and must — collaborate.
Continue readingWebinar: Gear Up: Key Strategies Outdoor Brands Need for Mitigating the Impact of Covid-19 on the Global Supply Chain
Speaker: Tom Cook, Managing Director, Blue Tiger International
The spotlight is on supply chain: volatile demand, uncertain supply, exploding transportation costs, 301 tariffs. Supply chain management has never had such an impact on profitability, and it’s never been more important for supply chain managers to know their options.
This webinar dissects the key issues that global supply chain managers face in light of the pandemic and presents options and time-proven recommendations for mitigating these challenges:
- Reducing risk and spend in foreign purchasing and international sales
- Tariff mitigation options: 12 considerations
- Current state of global logistics: ocean, air, rail and truck
- Working with 3PLs, forwarders and brokers
About the speaker: Tom Cook has over 30 years’ experience in helping companies all over the world manage their business models, supply chain risk and spend and import/export operations. Under Tom’s leadership, in May of 2019, Blue Tiger International won the president’s “E” Award for Export Service, the highest recognition any U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports. Tom serves as director of the National Institute of World Trade (NIWT), a nonprofit, 30+ year, corporate training school on global trade and supply chain management, and has authored 19 books on business management, global trade and business development.
NEW CHINA TARIFF EXCLUSIONS FOR SOME PRODUCTS, INCLUDING OFF-ROAD BICYCLE HELMETS AND FOLDING HELMETS FOR BIKES AND SCOOTERS. IS YOURS ON THE LIST?
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) recently announced that it had approved a new group of exclusions for products hit by List 4a of the China 301 tariffs, including certain off-road bicycle helmets and folding helmets. 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.
This group of products covering List 4a is retroactive to Sept. 1, 2019, and will be valid through Sept. 1, 2020. In order to claim this exclusion, your product must match the product description, and you should use Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) code 9903.88.53 when importing your product.
Again, any importer can benefit from a granted exclusion if the product matches both the 10-digit HTS subheading and the exact specifications of the granted product description. If your product matches the written description but is not currently classified under the 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.
You can find a comprehensive list of all outdoor product exclusions here.
Extension of List 4a Product Exclusions
USTR also announced that it is accepting comments on extending List 4a product exclusions that are set to expire on Sept. 1, 2020. Companies may file comments herethrough Aug. 14, 2020. If you are utilizing one of the exclusions set to expire, we encourage you to file a comment, even if you did not submit the original petition requesting an exclusion.
The comment period covers the exclusions noted above and those announced on July 7, 2020.
To learn more about the exclusion process and how to take advantage of it to reduce your tariff costs, check out the webinar OIA recently put together with our outside trade counsel from Sorini, Samet & Associates.
We will keep you updated on any future developments on China 301 product exclusions.
US-UK Free Trade Agreement: To advocate, tell us your priorities.
United States and United Kingdom Continue Negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement
The United States and United Kingdom are currently negotiating a free trade agreement, and we need your help in identifying the key priorities for the outdoor industry.
On May 5, 2020, the two sides launched the first round of negotiations and followed up with a second round on June 15. While the timing of an agreement remains unclear, there have been reports that the U.S. and U.K. may push to conclude an agreement before the November U.S. election.
OIA will track the negotiations closely and advocate on behalf of the outdoor industry’s priorities. You can help OIA identify the priorities for the industry by contacting me and by answering the following questions:
- What products or inputs do you currently source from the U.K.? Please share a copy of the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule (USHTS) codes for those products.
- Are these products only available from the U.K.? If not, why do you choose to source from the U.K.?
- Has this trade increased or decreased over the past 1, 3, 5, and 10 years?
- What is the total value (in U.S. dollars) of your 2019 imports from and exports to the U.K.? (Please differentiate between imports and exports.)
- For domestic manufacturers, what products do you currently export to the U.K. from the United States? Please provide the Schedule B USHTS codes.
- What non-tariff barriers and/or regulatory challenges do you face in in the U.K. market?
- How would the elimination of tariff and non-tariff barriers between the United States and the U.K. impact your business?
Please send your responses to me (rharper@outdoorindstry.org) by July 31, 2020. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or to learn more about how you can participate in this process.
Audio Outdoorist: Campfire Conversation: Climate Action After a Pandemic
Can companies in the outdoor industry afford to lean into climate action in the midst and immediate aftermath of a pandemic? For the next hour, you’ll get to listen in as they chat candidly about their respective companies’ approaches to climate and sustainability work. Throughout their conversation, you’ll hear four recurrent themes: risk, resiliency, equity and recovery.
Continue readingCOVID-19 Webinar: Managing Supply Chains in an Uncertain Trade Environment: New Sourcing Opportunities for Outdoor Products
When: Tuesday, June 23, 11:00 a.m. (MT)
Speakers: Rich Harper, Manager of International Trade, Outdoor Industry Association
Ron Sorini, Principal, Sorini Samet and Associates
Andrew Samet, Principal, Sorini Samet & Associates
Emily Vedaa, Global Trade Manager, Columbia Sportswear
Over the past several months, outdoor companies have faced multiple disruptions to their supply chains, whether they be punitive tariffs, the COVID-19 outbreak or uncertainty around global trade policy. As they mitigate the impact of these challenges to protect their bottom lines and maintain high standards for their products, many businesses are actively seeking alternative sourcing options. Join us for an important discussion on some of the key sourcing trends for outdoor products and how U.S. and global trade policy could impact those decisions. In this discussion, you will learn about the following:
-
- The impact of punitive tariffs and COVID-19 on some of the top sourcing options for outdoor products
- New sourcing opportunities for outdoor companies, including the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program and free trade agreement partners
- How U.S. and European Union trade policy could impact your business and sourcing decisions
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
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.
COVID-19 Webinar: Protect Your Bottom Line – Relief from China 301 duties and a 90-day tariff deferral
Speakers: Rich Harper, Manager of International Trade, Outdoor Industry Association
Nicole Schude, Of Counsel, Sorini Samet & Associates
Megan Costello, Vice President, Trade & Customs Policy, Sorini Samet & Associates
As they deal with the COVID-19 crisis, outdoor companies may be able to utilize two programs to secure much-needed tariff relief.
If you are a U.S. importer of an impacted product, you could be eligible for retroactive duty refunds from the China 301 tariffs. The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has granted many product-specific exclusions from these duties, and many requests are still pending. If your product is eligible, additional action needs to be taken to ensure your ability to obtain a full retroactive refund.
Additionally, the Trump administration announced last week that it would grant a 90-day deferral on all tariffs, taxes and fees on a select group of products imported into the U.S. in March and April of 2020 for companies impacted by COVID-19.
Learn how your company can utilize these programs to protect your bottom line.