Runway with slogan

Fashion made possible by global trade

Fashion made possible by global trade

Fashion made possible by global trade

Container ship with slogan

Fashion made possible by global trade

Fashion made possible by global trade

Fashion made possible by global trade

Global Trade

  • USFIA Testifies on U.S.-Japan Negotiating Objectives

    On December 10, 2018, USFIA President Julia Hughes testified at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative’s hearing on the negotiating objectives for the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement. She spoke in support of a trade agreement with Japan, an important trading partner for retail as the third-largest consumer market in the world, as well as an important sourcing destination for high-quality textiles increasingly demanded by consumers. She also called for the elimination of the very high import duties on fashion products; a flexible, simplified, 21st-century Rule of Origin for apparel; harmonized and streamlined customs procedures; and, harmonized rules and regulations governing issues like product safety and labeling. The testimony is available on our website.

  • USFIA Urges GSP for All Travel Goods

    On March 25, 2016, the United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA) joined a letter to Aimee Larson, Director for GSP at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), urging Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) benefits for all eligible travel goods. The signatories, including many industry associations and member companies, explained that including backpacks, purses, luggage, wallets, key cases, and cosmetic bags in the GSP program “creates the maximum benefit for the United States and the developing world.” The letter is available here.

  • USFIA: New Tariffs on China Won’t Bode Well for Skirting Trade War

    Following our testimony at USTR’s Section 301 hearing on new tariffs on China, USFIA President Julia Hughes published an op-ed in Sourcing Journal, New Tariffs on China Won’t Bode Well for Skirting Trade War. She writes,

    While no one knows what the next executive order, or tweet, will bring in terms of trade policy, those of us in the fashion industry do know a trade war with China—and specifically, new tariffs on fashion and apparel products manufactured in China—will raise prices for American families, harm jobs in the United States, and won’t do anything to solve concerns about China’s IP policies and practices.

    In 2017, U.S. apparel imports grew just over 3 percent in volume and about 1 percent in value. China remains the dominant supplier of these products, supplying 49 percent of total textile and apparel products, and just over 40 percent of apparel, without any clear contender to replace China should the much-hyped trade war become reality. (The No. 2 supplier of apparel, Vietnam, is far behind, shipping just 13 percent of our apparel products.)

    Click here to read the op-ed on the Sourcing Journal website.

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About

The United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA) is dedicated to fashion made possible by global trade.

USFIA represents brands, retailers, importers, and wholesalers based in the United States and doing business globally. Founded in 1989, USFIA works to eliminate tariff and non-tariff barriers that impede the fashion industry’s ability to trade freely and create jobs in the United States.

Headquartered in Washington, DC, USFIA is the voice of the fashion industry in front of the U.S. government as well as international governments and stakeholders.  With constant, two-way communication, USFIA staff and counsel serve as the eyes and ears of our members in Washington and around the world, enabling them to stay ahead of the regulatory challenges of today and tomorrow. Through our publications, educational events, and networking opportunities, USFIA also connects with key stakeholders across the value chain including U.S. and international service providers, suppliers, and industry groups.

Learn More About USFIA          Learn About the Fashion Industry        Attend Our Events

 

News

Events

Reports

2024 USFIA Fashion Industry Benchmarking Study

This is the eleventh USFIA Benchmarking Survey and again fashion industry sourcing executives face a litany of challenges. Concern over the economy and inflation, as well as eliminating forced labor, continue to be top concerns in the U.S. fashion industry. This year's respondenents also report an elevated level of concern about the impact of shipping and supply chain disruptions as well as geopolitical tensions.

New for this year is a sharp increase in sourcing executives who are concerned about the protectionist trade policy agenda in the United States, with 45% ranking it a top-5 business challenge, compared with just 15% last year.

Download the complete study here, and see the highlights below:

 2024 USFIA Benchmarking Report Figure 1-1B

This year's survey respondents were more optimistic than last year, bucking a 2-year trend.

 

India is the new rising star for Asian sourcing bases, surpassing Bangladesh for the first time and landing in the top spot for where companies want to expand sourcing.

This year, survey respondents underscore the importance of immediate renewal of AGOA before its expiration in September 2025 and extending the agreement for at least another ten years.

2024 USFIA Benchmarking Report Figure 3-9

2024 Mid-Year Sourcing Trends & Outlook Report

USFIA's 2024 Mid-Year Sourcing Trends & Outlook Report is out. Members can log-in to the website to download it here. 

The top 4 sourcing trends in the mid-year report are:

  1. China remains the top supplier even with diversification.
  2. Asian apparel suppliers continue to dominate sourcing.
  3. Average unit values for apparel continue to fall.
  4. Despite high duty rates, FTAs and preference programs remain underutilized.

The mid-year report includes a special section with global trade data prepared by Dr. Sheng Lu, professor in the Fashion and Apparel Studies Department at the University of Delaware. Dr. Lu's findings include the latest changes in China's market share of world textile and clothing exports.

Pattern #2: While China remained the world’s largest clothing exporter in 2023, rising geopolitical tensions and Western fashion companies’ ongoing de-risking efforts pose increasing challenges to its export outlook.

 China market share of global textile and apparel exports

https://www.datawrapper.de/_/ERwSE/

Top U.S. Apparel Suppliers YTD 2024 by Quantity

When it comes to apparel, Asian suppliers continue to dominate the U.S. market.

The top seven suppliers ship 76% of total apparel imports. We also see more consolidation of imports from the largest apparel suppliers.

China and Vietnam are the only countries with a double-digit market share, and they supply just under one-half (49.8%) of apparel imports.

Chart displaying Top U.S. Apparel Suppliers YTD 2024 by Quantity

 

Partners

PwC
USFIA Premier Partner
Geodis
USFIA Customs Broker Partner
IHKIB
USFIA Sourcing Partner
SAYARI
USFIA Technology Partner
TrusTrace
USFIA Supply Chain Leader
WRAP
USFIA Corporate Social Responsibility Sponsor

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