The closing of the last Congress session of the year worked out well for companies in the outdoor and snow sports markets with Congress passing a number of industry friendly measures. The SIA, in particular, with the help of its law firm of record, DLA Piper US LLP, saw success in its work to reduce tariffs and duties on imported ski and snowboard footwear. SIA worked with members of Congress to extend duty breaks for snowboard boots, which were set to expire this year, until the end of 2009. Additionally, the duty was further reduced from 4% to 0%. Products included in this duty reduction are snowboard boots, ski boots, and cross country ski footwear.
Footwear that fit the following description may now be imported free of duty: “Ski boots, cross country ski footwear or snowboard boots, the foregoing valued at over $12/pair, with outer soles of rubber, plastics, leather or composition leather and uppers of textile materials (provided for in subheading 6404.11.90).” All other ski and snowboard boots and cross country ski footwear (i.e., those with uppers of plastic or leather) already enter duty-free.
This duty reduction means that all SnowSports footwear may now be imported into the United States duty-free. SIA estimates that its members who manufacture SnowSports footwear with textile uppers overseas will save hundreds of thousands of dollars on duties. Last year, importers spent $235,000 on duties for snowboard boots, ski boots, and cross country ski footwear with textile uppers.
