The Halloween Industry Association (HIA) has released a statement explaining that it is actively engaged in collaboration with retailers and other consumer products industries in opposing any tariffs that might be unfairly levied against Halloween costumes and products imported from China.
“Halloween Products promote strong US intellectual properties both here and abroad,” said HIA executive director Michele Biordi. “We want these products to benefit Halloween revellers everywhere.”
While the US trade tariffs were originally directed at high-tech industries, a tit-for-tat trade dispute with China has escalated tensions and the latest round of proposed tariffs are beginning to focus on finished goods, with potential tariffs reaching up to 25%.
HIA is actively engaging in the ongoing work of Section 301 China Tariffs through Coalitions. It is supporting two strong lobbying coalition groups related to this issue, headed by the National Retail Federation (NRF). The focus is now shifting towards ‘list 3’ goods and so the HIA is reevaluating its lobbying tactics.
Despite thousands of submissions to date, the US Trade Representative’s Office (USTR) has only acted in very few cases to provide relief from the proposed tariffs. HIA has signed on to a multi-association letter related to the process as it may become necessary to request detailed exclusions for Halloween specific product in the future.
In the meantime, all HIA members should continue to assess detail-targeted HTSUS codes that may affect imports and exports, together with specific information about anticipated economic impact to each individual company.
HIA member companies planning on contacting the USTR regarding specific tariff rates should send the HIA a copy of your comments so they can be incorporated into official statements. Individual company comments will need to be in by the 6 September deadline.
As specific products by code are targeted for increased tariffs, In addition to your own cost increases, we need to know what a cost increase to the consumer will entail if the tariffs are enacted -ie how much, by category, will retail costs increase?
All information can be sent to the HIA at mbiordi@hiaonline.org.
