Rep. Crenshaw Moves to Lower Import Duties

U.S. Rep Ander Crenshaw has introduced legislation that will remove import duties on travel goods, such as luggage, handbags and backpacks, but only on products manufactured in certain countries.

Currently more than 95% of travel goods sold in the U.S. are manufactured in China. The Coach Distribution Center located in Jacksonville, FL currently handles more than 45 million handbags and other accessories each year. All Coach goods sold in the U.S. pass through their facility in Jacksonville. An average of 20 containers of goods come in each day, 90% arrive through the Port of Jacksonville, and 10 - 12 trailers depart daily.

Congressman Crenshaw's legislation will remove the duties on travel goods coming from countries like Cambodia and Bangladesh, which would lower the price of their products17-20 percent. This would effectively make their goods much more competitive in the market place.