International Affiliates - Benefits

APPAREL AND TEXTILE IMPORTERS ARE EXPERIENCING A TIME OF UNPRECEDENTED CHANGE. THE ONLY CERTAIN THING IS "UNCERTAINTY."

The quotas may be over but the list of issues facing the global apparel industry remains daunting: High Tariffs, Possible Trade Remedy Cases, and Consumer Product Safety Testing Overload --- the list is endless. Protection now takes less transparent forms, making vigilance, ability to react promptly, and effective advocacy more important than ever.

Currently, USA-ITA is working on the following issues that are important to all parties:

USA-ITA has been very active in preparing members for any eventual trade remedies cases: i.e., Antidumping, Countervailing Duties (CVD), or Sec. 421 Safeguard. An association committee is working on key issues most likely to arise early in cases, including standing, and responding to International Trade Commission Questionnaires.
USA-ITA addresses and educates the industry on how to comply with the many regulatory issues facing the industry: Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, (CPSIA), Lacey Act, 10 + 2, CTPAT, & First Sale. The association educates its members, files comments, and lobbies on behalf of its member companies on all these regulatory and legislative changes and more. Fortunately, as a direct result of the initiative of USA-ITA, apparel importers are so far spared from having to complete a Lacey Act Plant Declaration as part of the entry process, but the prospect of such a requirement remains, requiring further action. And First Sale remains a viable option today, but the debate over the valuation rule will pick up again in the near future.
USA-ITA opposes discriminatory U.S. Government monitoring of apparel imports as a protectionist device to chill business with selected countries. USA-ITA has produced an antidumping manual as well as many seminars and conferences on antidumping, countervailing duty and safeguard investigations, both in the U.S. and in Hong Kong and China. We will be ready from day one if a case is filed.
U.S. Apparel Tariffs are among the highest duties in the tariff schedule. USA-ITA is developing the "Tax Free Clothing Act" to eliminate duties on all apparel from all sources. The promotion and passage of this bill will have a positive effect on manufacturers, importers, retailers and consumers.

What are the benefits your company will receive by becoming an International Affiliate?

By becoming affiliated with USA-ITA, you will receive:

Bi-Monthly, highly targeted email summaries and analyses of Administration, Congressional and private sector actions and proposals that could affect your business.
Access to USA-ITA Publications and Manuals
Notification of Overseas Video Conferencing
Same rates as members for webinars
Same rates as members for seminars and conferences both here and abroad.
Access to experts on U.S. Textile and Apparel issues
Effective advocacy in support of global trade for apparel

USA-ITA, will through conferences, seminars, webinars, and video conferences educate your company on all important issues. In this uncertain economic climate, we must all work together.

Please take this opportunity and become an International Affiliate of USA-ITA.
Fill out the application here.