The Affordable Footwear Act (AFA) of 2011 (H.R. 2697, S. 1069) is a bill that would temporarily eliminate approximately 40% of the $2 billion in duties paid on footwear imports every year.  Using retail industry analysis, it is estimated that the AFA would save American consumers upwards of $2.4 billion annually at retail outlets across the country.

The average import duty on consumer goods is only 1.4% - an unbelievable bargain when compared with footwear.  Footwear duties, on average, are TEN TIMES higher than duties on consumer goods and peak at an astonishing 37.5%, 48% and 67.5%!  With 99% of all shoes purchased in the U.S. made overseas, there is no domestic industry to protect with the duties covered by AFA.  Moreover, many of these exorbitant rates are applied to low-cost shoes and footwear for kids.  For some types of shoes, almost half of the cost of the shoe can be attributed to the footwear tax paid on the import.

With costs continuously rising throughout the supply
chain, American families are faced with rising taxes on
their footwear.  It is time to pass this important legislation
on behalf of all footwear consumers and their families.

For additional, more detailed information, please follow
the links on right.