Trade Protection Measures Impede The Export Of Footwear Industry In China

Reporters learned from the Shenzhen customs in September 26th that in the first 8 months of this year, the export of shoes at Shenzhen ports increased rapidly, but trade protection measures continued to increase, blocking the pace of exports.

According to statistics, in 2010 1-8 months, 2 billion 10 million pairs of shoes exported from Shenzhen port were 43.9% higher than the same period last year. The value was 4 billion 520 million dollars, an increase of 38.5%.

According to introduction,

Export volume and its growth rate dropped slightly in August.

This year, except for March, the monthly exports of shoes at Shenzhen port maintained a year-on-year growth momentum, and the export scale of each month remained at 200 million or more.

Among them, in May, exports of 290 million pairs reached the peak of the year, followed by a slight downward trend, in August, exports of 250 million pairs, an increase of 19.4% over the same period, a decrease of 10.7% compared with the same period, the growth rate slowed down 13.1 percentage points compared with July.

General trade exports are mainly and rapidly growing.

In 1-8 months, 1 billion 700 million pairs of shoes exported by general trade mode at Shenzhen port increased by 49.4%, an increase of 5.5 percentage points, accounting for 84.6% of the total export volume of footwear at Shenzhen port in the same period (the same below); 180 million pairs of exports in two districts and one storehouse, 13% growth; 130 million 130 million in processing trade and 30.3% 30.3%.

ASEAN is the largest export destination.

Private enterprises are the largest exporters and the proportion is higher, and the growth rate of foreign investment enterprises and state-owned enterprises is relatively low.

In 1-8 months, the private enterprises exported 1 billion 340 million pairs of shoes from Shenzhen port, an increase of 61%, accounting for 66.7%, which is 7 percentage points higher than that of the same period last year. During the same period, foreign investment enterprises exported 450 million pairs, an increase of 26.5%.

According to the analysis of Shenzhen customs, this year, although the export of shoes at Shenzhen ports has maintained rapid growth, the growth rate slowed down in August, which is mainly affected by the external market environment fluctuations dominated by Europe and the United States.

The euro area unemployment rate remained at 10% of the historical high, the United States economic recovery rate is lower than expected and other uncertain factors increased, resulting in the Shenzhen port shoe export momentum weakened.

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Customs experts said that the export of footwear industry in China is still facing a more severe situation under various factors.

First, the industry is facing two pressures of low price orders and rising costs.

At present, the main markets such as Europe and the United States have not yet been restored. Many enterprises take small profits but quick turnover strategies in order to fight for orders. Many enterprises have to buy orders at low prices in order to maintain operation and keep their share.

Since the beginning of this year, the profit margins of enterprises have been further squeezed under the operating environment of continuous rising production costs.

For example, the main raw materials of shoe manufacturing industry such as leather, rubber and so on increased significantly. Customs data showed that the average price of cattle leather and horse leather imported by Shenzhen port increased by 41.6% over the first 8 months of this year, and the average import price of natural rubber increased by 62.3% over the same period last year. However, the average export price of shoes exported at Shenzhen ports did not rise or fall, but only 2.2 US dollars per pair, and fell by 4.3% over the same period.

Two, trade protection measures continue to increase and raise export thresholds.

For example, the Spanish government recently promulgated policies and regulations for imported shoes, and compared the products and materials of imported shoes with the same or similar products in the customs catalogue. If the price of these shoes is lower than the customs catalogue, the goods will be seized, and the relevant footwear dealers will be able to get the goods back by the tariff, VAT and corresponding penalties according to the catalogue price. While more than 40 large enterprises in the United States are working out a new industrial standard to limit the lead content of the products such as handbags and footwear, and will be formally implemented in December 1st. The scope of the new standard may also extend to belts and other popular accessories.

For this reason, customs experts recommend: first, play the guiding role of the government and industry associations, set up purchase and sale platform for enterprises, actively and orderly develop new markets; two, play the intermediary role of trade associations, build a common information platform, understand the technical requirements of the national market for product quality in real time; three, enterprises need to guide the industry to upgrade the technological level, pform the development mode, and constantly improve the competitiveness of products; four, encourage enterprises to improve the importance of the domestic market, and take effective measures to guide enterprises to increase domestic sales and decentralization of trade risks.