FDRA challenges US government over what counts as an athletic shoe
11/08/2016
“With the explosion in the use of athletic-looking styles and technology in fashion and lifestyle footwear, many types of shoes that are not suitable for athletic activities continue to be classified by the US Government as athletic,” the FDRA said.
It added that, in its opinion, the CBP has “long struggled” with its classification of footwear such as the Converse All-Star shoe and classic Keds sneaker, which are still classified as athletic footwear. “It is safe to say that decades have passed since either shoe was used in any type of athletic activity by anyone,” the organisation continued. “Intended use is the most important determining factor for athletic classification and not the inclusion of characteristics that might be shared with athletic footwear.”
FDRA president, Matt Priest, commented that innovation is “transforming our industry at lightning speed” and said the government has failed to keep pace with change. “With 436 different ways to classify footwear, embedded in a footwear tariff system launched in 1930, no one should be surprised that such an arcane system has failed to keep up with new and emerging designs and developments,” he said.
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