Travel Goods Association

January 14, 2021

TOP NEWS

You Can’t Miss This: Get Connected at the HUB

TGA

Every element of the travel industry is evolving in response to the 2020 pandemic. The product development and manufacturing cycle has accelerated, and yearly product introductions are no longer sufficient to drive your business.

In response, TGA has created the Travel Goods HUB, a year-round, one-stop online directory of travel goods products. The HUB, updated on a quarterly basis, features the freshest travel gear – before it even hits the market – displayed on unique profile pages with clickable content, seamlessly transforming browsers into buyers. Get connected to everyone you need to know, all in one place.

Participation deadline for manufacturer members: February 8, 2021
Registration begins for buyers and media: February 18
Launch date: March 1, 2021

REMINDER: Congress Allows GSP to Expire, Meaning Full Duties on U.S. Imports from GSP Countries Starting Jan. 1

TGA

On Dec. 21, Congress adjourned for the year without extending the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) trade preference program. As a result, GSP expired on Dec. 31, 2020, meaning that U.S. travel goods imports from a wide range of developing countries, including Thailand, Cambodia, Burma (Myanmar), Indonesia, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and Pakistan no longer enter the U.S. duty-free starting Jan. 1, 2021. In response, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued the following instructions, which enables importers to retain the right to collect refunds of duties paid if GSP is retroactively renewed. In the first eleven months of 2020, U.S. travel goods imports from GSP countries increased 10.7%, supplying 15.0% of all U.S. travel goods imports during that period. TGA urges you to write your members of Congress to urge them to retroactively renew GSP as soon as possible. It only takes a couple of minutes.

TGA Joins Over 200 Organizations in Opposing New Vietnam Tariffs / Files Final Comments in Opposition

TGA

On January 7, TGA and TGA members joined over 200 organizations in opposing proposed punitive tariffs against U.S. travel goods imports from Vietnam under the Office of U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) Section 301 Tariff Investigations against Vietnam. TGA also filed separate comments opposing the tariffs in the USTR timber and currency investigations. There is growing concern that President Trump could impose punitive tariffs on U.S. imports from Vietnam (as high as 25%) before he leaves office on Jan. 20, 2021. Vietnam is the #2 supplier of travel goods to the U.S. market. In the first eleven months of 2020, U.S. travel goods imports from Vietnam increased 12.3%, with Vietnam supplying 19.3% of all U.S. travel goods imports during that period.

U.S. Travel Goods Imports Continued to Fall in First Eleven Months of 2020, Led by Declines in Imports from China

TGA

On January 7, the U.S. government published import data for November 2020. U.S. travel goods imports (as described under HTS Heading 4202 – click links to get specific import data on luggage, backpacks, flatgoods, handbags, business cases/laptop bags, and travel bags) slid 22.8% (by volume) in the first eleven months of 2020. In addition to the obvious impact of COVID-19 on the industry, the latest import numbers show the accelerating trend away from China. In the first eleven months of 2020, U.S. travel goods imports from China fell 35.4%, with China accounting for only 57.6% of total U.S. travel goods imports. For comparison, in 2016, China accounted for 84.7% of all U.S. travel goods imports. Meanwhile, despite the pandemic, U.S. travel goods imports from #2 supplier Vietnam (12.3%), #3 Cambodia (9.3%), and #4 Burma (Myanmar) surged in the first eleven months of 2020. In fact, U.S. travel goods imports from Vietnam now account for 19.3% of all U.S. travel goods imports, followed by #3 Cambodia (7.2%), #4 Burma (Myanmar) (3.9%), #5 India (3.4%), and #6 Indonesia (1.4%). U.S. imports of travel goods account for approximately 99% of the U.S. travel goods market.

Trump’s Final Trade Battles Create an Early Test for Biden

POLITICO

The Trump administration is launching the final salvos of its trade wars days before leaving office, threatening to undermine President-elect Joe Biden’s efforts to rebuild global alliances and curb China’s rise. READ MORE

U.S. Will Require All Arriving Passengers to Get COVID-19 Test

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Anyone flying to the U.S. will soon need to show proof of a negative test for COVID-19, health officials announced earlier this week. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention requirement expands on a similar one announced late last month for passengers coming from the United Kingdom. The new order takes effect in two weeks. READ MORE

Actionable Data from Customer Experience Analytics Helping Retailers to Get Better

FORBES

Retailing has always been called a combination of art and science but for much of its existence there’s usually been too much of the former and not enough of the latter. However, more recently, the whole idea of better understanding the customer experience has allowed retailers to use research and predictive analytics to both better deal with their shoppers and position their stores, products and brands to become more successful. READ MORE

Your Questions About the COVID-19 Vaccine and Travel, Answered

CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER

While the pandemic likely won’t end until the majority of the world’s population is vaccinated, many of us are looking ahead to a return to travel. But what will that look like after the vaccine is widely available? Here’s a peek. READ MORE

Why Walmart’s Chief Customer Officer Says Retail Can’t Go Back to Business as Usual After the Pandemic

BUSINESS INSIDER

As the coronavirus pandemic drags on, people around the world are looking forward to returning to some semblance of normalcy. But according to Walmart Chief Customer Officer Janey Whiteside, getting back to a pre-pandemic “normal” isn’t in the cards for most retailers. READ MORE

Is There Really a “Best Time” to Post on Social Media?

BUSINESS2COMMUNITY

With how prevalent social media automation is, several articles on when best to post on different platforms have been published. Most of them have a differing opinion on posting times, with so many factors to consider such as niche, audience type, and location. READ MORE

IATA’s Travel Pass Expected to Debut in March

TRAVEL PULSE

Officials from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) revealed its Travel Pass digital health credential solution should be ready for use by major airlines starting in March. Travel Pass is a mobile app that helps travelers store and manage verified certifications for coronavirus tests and vaccines, which provides more security and efficiency than paper processes. READ MORE

How to Reach New Customers When You Can’t Meet Them in Person

HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW

While finding ways to mitigate challenges, sellers must answer a more basic question. Where should they be spending (or not spending) their time? Three imperatives drive growth in an all-virtual selling environment. READ MORE

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