The National Retail Federation has asked Congress to pass legislation that would eliminate tariffs on a wide range of low-cost imported shoes, saying the measure would save shoppers an estimated $800 million a year collected under a 70-year-old “shoe tax.” The bill is entitled “Affordable Footwear Act.”
“The shoe tax was adopted to protect a domestic industry that for all practical purposes no longer exists,” said NRF President and CEO Tracy Mullin, in a statement. “Ironically, the tariff rates are highest for the lowest-cost shoes, meaning that low-income families are paying far more than they should for one of lifes basic necessities. Its time to retire Depression-era trade policy.”
The Affordable Footwear Act, was introduced March 26 by Senator John Ensign, R-NV, with Senator Maria Cantwell, D-WA, as the bills lead co-sponsor.
The legislation would eliminate tariffs on about 60% of shoes imported into the United States, or nearly 1.5 billion pairs annually. It would apply to low-cost mens, womens and childrens footwear ranging from sneakers to high heels. NRF claims that with the market for low-cost shoes being highly competitive, most of the savings would be passed on to consumers.
