Ever Wonder Just How Much is Being Imported into the U.S. From China?

Now you can see for yourself what those figures look like in relation to textile and apparel imports thanks to the U.S. International Trade Commission’s latest release which compiles such 2014 data in to a single handy document.

The annual report contains a compilation of the statistical reports published every two weeks by the Commission on the volume, value, unit value, and import market share of imports from China that were subject to the provisions of the 2005 U.S.-China Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Trade in Textiles and Apparel (MOU).  This compilation includes official import data from the U.S. Department of Commerce, and shows data at the 3-digit textile/apparel category level and by the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) 10-digit subheadings in these categories.

Want to read through it for yourself?  The Textile and Apparel Imports from China: Statistical Reports, Annual Compilation 2014 (Inv. No. 332-501, USITC publication 4535, May 2015) is available on the USITC's Internet site at http://www.usitc.gov/publications/332/pub4535.pdf.

Questions/comments?  Post below or email me at clark.deanna@gmail.com

Keep up with me at www.fashioncompliance.com or:

On Facebook at www.facebook.com/FashionCompliance

On Twitter @fashcompliance

AVVO Talk: I Ordered Bad Quality Shoes From Ebay - Need to Check Import / Customs Approval to Import These Products From China

Question Continued: I bought shoes from ebay from a US Seller, which is an American brand but the shoes are made in china.  The shoe’s quality is so bad, it smells like gasoline, and I don't think the products qualify to be sold in the USA.  Is there any way to check if the seller/company are legally importing these to the USA?  Do they need some type of approval from the US customs?  The shoes are for adults, size 10, and the seller says it’s made of synthetic faux-leathers but no label on the shoes confirm that.  The label says it's made in CHINA.  Thank you.

Deanna's Response:

Hi, 

Unfortunately, many of the laws related to importing extend to the party known as the "ultimate purchaser" of the goods, which would, in a case like yours, likely be the US seller from whom you purchased the shoes via E-bay (unless such seller is a retail store as opposed to an individual seller - in which case, a consumer like you would more likely be the ultimate purchaser). 

The import laws related to footwear would have required a conspicuous label disclosing certain information which it sounds like you cannot find. This being the case, you have the option to get the shoe tested in a lab in order to know what the product is chemically made of (since it is a synthetic shoe), and then where questionable results appear, you could go to your local consumer product safety agency for more assistance.

Changes to the Rules Under the Wool Products Labeling Act of 1939?

You now have a few more days to send in your comments! New Deadline – 12/3/13   

 The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on September 20, 2013 seeking comments on its proposed amendments to the rules and regulations under the Wool Products Labeling Act of 1939.  Comments were originally due on November 25, 2013.

Interestingly, an extended deadline of December 3, 2013 to submit comments has occurred due to a request from the Embassy of Australia to the FTC.

On November 20, 2013, the Embassy of Australia contacted the Commission on behalf of the Federation of Australian Wool Organisations (“FAWO”) to seek an eight (8) day extension since it was participating in a meeting of the International Wool Textile Organisation (“IWTO”) in Guangzhou, China, on November 25-26, 2013, to discuss the FTC's proposed amendments.

FAWO contended that the FTC’s record would benefit from comments collected at the meeting given the role of the IWTO in representing wool industry stakeholders at an international level.

The FTC likewise believes that the FAWO’s input would likely assist the Commission in evaluating the proposed amendments to the Wool Rules.

Since the requested short extension of the comment period would not substantially delay the rulemaking process and the FTC believed that extending the comment period to facilitate a more complete record outweighed any harm that might result from an eight (8) day delay, it agreed to the extend the comment period until December 3, 2013.

For more information, you can contact Robert M. Frisby, Attorney, (202) 326-2098, Division of Enforcement, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20580.

Questions/comments?  Post below or email me at clark.deanna@gmail.com  

Keep up with me!

On Facebook: www.facebook.com/fashioncompliance (*Like* the page to get updates)

On YouTube:  www.youtube.com/FashionCompliance

On Twitter:  @fashcompliance

Oct. 3, 2011 6:30 PM - FASHION, BEAUTY AND STATUS

Come join me this Monday, Oct. 3, 2011 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm for

FASHION, BEAUTY AND STATUS: 1 YEAR ON THE FRONT LINES IN CHINA’S LUXURY AND APPAREL MARKETS

When: Monday, October 3, 2011
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Katie Murphy Amphitheater, Fred Pomerantz “D” Building, Fashion Institute of Technology, Seventh Avenue at 27th Street, New York City

China is now the number one market in the world for apparel and accessories and is also the world's largest market for a wide-array of other luxury and premium products. Renowned China expert Michael Zakkour, Principal of Technomic Asia, a consulting firm, will take you on a fascinating journey into the world of Chinese fashion, apparel, accessories and luxury products, detailing a year-long study of what the consumers want, who is selling it to them, and how they do it.

Topics will include:

* The China apparel and accessory market (market size and scope, current trends, business opportunities and hurdles, case studies, how to get started or expand in China)
* China’s appetite for fragrances and body care products not made in China
* A comprehensive look at the Chinese consumer (demographics, spending habits, what they want and what companies can deliver)
* What the next 1-5 years will bring to China and why winning there is crucial for the survival of commercial pursuits

Also speaking will be Professor Mark Greiz, Fashion Institute of Technology, and Chief Consultant, MG Consulting.

Prof. Lawrence Delson, Fashion Institute of Technology and New York University and President, Delson International Inc., will be moderating the session.

For more information click here.

Hope to see you there!