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.

Does Your New Pair of Shoes Have a Fuzzy Bottom? CBP’s New ISO 20871 Determination

Strange but true, in certain cases where a textile material covers the “outermost sole” of a rubber or plastic soled shoe, the duty rate on such imported shoe may be lower than if the sole were without the “fuzz.”

This results because such textile coating can move an importation of footwear from one category, i.e., classification, to another, and with such move can come an accompanying change in the rate of duty (and possibly one that is favorable to the importer – think cheaper).

For anyone not well-versed in tariff-ease, all this really means is that a fuzzy bottom can cost less to import in to the US than one that is bare.

In case it is not obvious, the “outer sole” is that part of footwear (other than an attached heel) which, when in use, is in contact with the ground, i.e., the bottom of the shoe.

Since a more favorable duty rate may, at times, be obtained where footwear has an outer sole of textile, it’s not uncommon to find importers buying footwear that has a thin textile coating on the bottom (which can feel fuzzy) and then classifying the footwear under the tariff number for shoes having textile on its sole in order to take advantage of these duty savings.

Since US Customs is in the business of collecting as much money in duties (revenue) as possible, in an effort to curb inappropriate usage of such classifications, it routinely requests more information on imported shipments to confirm that the textile is actually there.

Starting this month (Nov. 2013), US Customs has decided that the ISO 20871 test method will be recognized in assessing the characteristics of the textile material attached to outer soles.

This means that when an importer is asked to provide more information (Customs Form 28) about a textile covered sole, an analysis performed by an independent lab using this test method (ISO 20871) should be presented.

 Also, keep in mind that US Customs can always conduct its own testing when circumstances warrant it.

To learn more about the impact of this, the newly branded US Fashion Industry Association (formerly USITA) is having a webinar on this.  More information on the event can be found here.

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Luxury Africa – The Aesthetic Means More Than Just Great Fashion

Africa Fashion Week 2013 Celebrates Sustainable Luxury

Accessing these beautiful designs and increasing international trade with African countries is only a part of the reason why Africa Fashion Week 2013, starting this week from July 15 – 20^th, 2013, is so important.

  

Purchasing products that impact families, establishes communities and raises awareness on social issues across the continent are just a few of the benefits that come from buying apparel Made in Africa.

Spain-based footwear and apparel label “Pikolinos” turned to the Maasai people in Kenya to embellish its sandals with gorgeous beadwork. 

Recently, I attended an Africa Fashion Week pop-up shop at Pikolinos in NYC’s hip Meatpacking District. 

In addition to designers being in attendance, such as Missal Mussa (below right) from Zanzibar who is wearing a “Kikoe" type of skirt, there was also a sampling of the fashion to come from this year’s runway shows, such as this shirt above by designer Reuben Reuel De-Mestiks.

I enjoyed all the great design and of course, seeing my pals, including the Founder of Africa Fashion Week, Ms. Adiat Disu (shown with me in left photo above).

In a video entitled, “Our Take with Christina Brown & African Fashion Chic," Global Ambassador to Pikolinos, Ms. Bisila Bokoko, explains that the Maasai are a recognized tribe in today’s modern world and this collaboration has enabled Maasai parents to send their children to school, improve relations between husband and wife, and have access to better medical attention, among other reasons.

Mikaila Kim, fashion designer of “Aliakm” shown in the Arise News video, not only designs beautiful garments but she also incorporates images of child soldiers, brass knuckles and guns into her apparel in order to raise awareness about terrible events and realities that should not be forgotten.

Check out www.afwny.com for all the latest on African fashion and watch the Arise TV video to learn more.

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