We are a vibrant, diverse and innovative industry, low in trade barriers and strong in revenues and profits. We are global leaders in sustainable and fair business practices and our members strive to be responsible corporate citizens where doing the right thing is the norm.

The outdoor industry produces some of the most innovative products in the world. Our merchandise reaches all corners of the globe and enriches people’s lives by supporting healthy and active lifestyles. OIA members create and support more than 6.1 million American jobs, while adding more than $646 billion to the U.S. economy every year and in a rapidly evolving global economy, fair and predictable trade is essential for our industry’s continued innovation and growth.

OIA’s International Trade Program represents the diversity of our membership, including outdoor companies whose products are conceived, designed, and produced in America and those companies that utilize global value chains to bring their products to retail markets. From some of the largest companies in the world, to small, family-owned businesses, we work to ensure that U.S. federal trade policy fosters and promotes a stable and predictable environment for all outdoor industry businesses, while seeking to lower costs for outdoor businesses and their customers.

While some outdoor products are made in America, most are manufactured globally. These products are among the most highly taxed when entering the United States, despite not protecting any U.S. manufacturers. The average bound tariff rate on imported goods is less than 3 percent, but duties on outdoor products average 14 percent or higher, with some as high as 40 percent. In most cases, these disproportionately high tariffs are unnecessarily raising costs for outdoor businesses and American families. OIA supports keeping some tariffs in place for a limited period of time, however, to allow businesses making outdoor products in the United States to make the appropriate adjustments to compete globally.

OIA 2013 Trade and Business Strategic Priorities and Initiatives

• Create tariff classifications specific to specialty outdoor products that reflect these products’ unique innovations and technology
• Eliminate the disproportionately high tariffs assessed on on outdoor products with no commercially viable domestic production
• Ensure outdoor products reach retail shelves as efficiently and economically as possible
• Pursue a “balanced trade” agenda that recognizes outdoor companies that manufacture in the United States and support their ability to make products in America
• Work to eliminate counterfeit outdoor products and protect our members’ intellectual property rights
• Support federal policy that promotes a level playing field for specialty outdoor retailers regardless of whether they sell through brick-and-mortar, Internet-only, or a combination of retail channels