UK fashion and textile exports to the USA to be hit with punitive tariffs
03/10/2019
Exports of a range of fashion and textile products from the UK to the USA will be hit with a 25% tariff as part of the ongoing dispute between the USA and the EU over subsidies granted to both Boeing and Airbus.
The list of products that will be facing a 25% tariff includes cashmere jumpers, anoraks, swimwear, and bed linen. This is in addition to the normal duties which will apply. UKFT understands the tariffs will only impact UK-made products.
The USA has threatened to introduce the tariffs as early as October 17 2019. It has been confirmed that these tariffs will apply even if the UK leaves the European Union with or without a deal.
Adam Mansell, CEO of UKFT, has called on both sides to resolve the 15-year old trade dispute as quickly as possible.
“At a time when the industry is facing huge uncertainty over the impact of Brexit, it is devastating that one of our key non-EU markets has imposed such significant tariffs on products that have nothing to do with the aircraft dispute,” said Mansell. “Some of our leading manufacturers will be hit by theses punitive tariffs and that will undoubtedly affect jobs and investment.”
Simon Cotton, chief executive of Johnstons of Elgin, the largest manufacturer cashmere knitwear in the UK, and a board member of UKFT, said these tariffs will have a significant impact on the UK knitwear industry.
“The US is our third largest export market behind Europe and Japan,” he said. “This will have major impact on our knitwear business, as well as the whole of the UK knitwear industry. The US consumer has a great affinity with British high-quality knitwear and we urge all parties involved to come to an agreement quickly for the sake of British manufacturers and US consumers.”
The Department for International Trade (DIT) said in a statement: “The UK government is clear that resorting to tariffs is not in the interests of the UK, EU or US. We are working closely with the US, EU and European partners to support a negotiated settlement to the Airbus and Boeing disputes.
“We are also seeking confirmation from the WTO that the UK has complied fully with WTO rulings regarding support to Airbus, and should not be subject to tariffs.”
UKFT is working closely with the Department for International Trade regarding the latest developments and will update its guidance in due course.
The details of the tariffs on products sold to the USA are as follows:
| HTS Code | Product Description | |
| 6110.11.00 | Sweaters, pullovers, sweatshirts, waistcoats (vests) and similar articles, knitted or crocheted, of wool | |
| 6110.12.10 | Sweaters, pullovers, sweatshirts, waistcoats (vests) and similar articles, knitted or crocheted, of Kashmir goats, wholly of cashmere | |
| 6110.20.20 | Sweaters, pullovers, sweatshirts, waistcoats (vests) and similar articles, knitted or crocheted, of cotton, nesoi | |
| 6110.30.30 | Sweaters, pullovers, sweatshirts, waistcoats (vests) and similar articles, knitted or crocheted, of manmade fibres, nesoi | |
| 6202.99.15 | Rec perf outwear, women’s/girls’ anoraks, wind-breakers & similar articles, not k/c, tex mats (not wool, cotton, or mmf), cont <70% by wt of silk | |
| 6202.99.80 | Women’s/girls’ anoraks, wind-breakers & similar articles, not k/c, of tex mats (not wool, cotton, or mmf), cont <70% by wt of silk | |
| 6203.11.60 | Men’s or boys’ suits of wool, not knitted or crocheted, nesoi, of wool yarn with average fiber diameter of 18.5 micron or less | |
| 6203.11.90 | Men’s or boys’ suits of wool or fine animal hair, not knitted or crocheted, nesoi | |
| 6203.19.30 | Men’s or boys’ suits of artificial fibers, nesoi, not knitted or crocheted | |
| 6203.19.90 | Men’s or boys’ suits, of textile mats (except wool, cotton or mmf), containing under 70% by weight of silk or silk waste, not knitted or crocheted | |
| 6208.21.00 | Women’s or girls’ nightdresses and pajamas, not knitted or crocheted, of cotton | |
| 6211.12.40 | Women’s or girls’ swimwear, of textile materials (except mmf), containing 70% or more by weight of silk or silk waste, not knitted or crocheted | |
| 6211.12.80 | Women’s or girls’ swimwear, of textile materials (except mmf), containing under 70% by weight of silk or silk waste, not knitted or crocheted | |
| 6301.30.00 | Blankets (other than electric blankets) and traveling rugs, of cotton | |
| 6301.90.00 | Blankets and traveling rugs, nesoi | |
| 6302.21.50 | Bed linen, not knitted or crocheted, printed, of cotton, cont any embroidery, lace, braid, edging, trimming, piping or applique work, n/napped | |
| 6302.21.90 | Bed linen, not knitted or crocheted, printed, of cotton, not cont any embroidery, lace, braid, edging, trimming, piping or applique work, not napped |