AAFA Asks for Duty Drawback for Inventory Donations

The American Apparel and Footwear Association, the Accessories Council, the Travel Goods Association and the Council of Fashion Designers of America are asking Congress to change drawback laws so that companies can file for duty drawback on merchandise that is donated to charities. “Currently, duty drawback, or recouping duties already paid, is only available to companies if they destroy the merchandise, the last thing we need as both companies and families struggle. Creating such a provision would be a win-win, enabling companies to unlock much needed funds currently trapped in the surplus inventory created by the crisis, while at the same time helping Americans negatively impacted by the [COVID-19] pandemic with donations of clothes and shoes they need for themselves and their families,” they wrote in a letter to Congress Feb. 1.