What members need to know
Overview
At midnight on 24th July 2026, the temporary 10% global tariff imposed under Section 122 of the Trade Act 1974 reached its 150-day limit and expired, and the new Section 301 forced-labour tariffs took effect in its place.
What this means for the Footwear Industry
UK to US shipments: The baseline hasn’t shifted much, and members should still expect a 10% duty, now under Section 301 rather than Section 122.
We expect your immediate questions will centre on shipments from the EU and China. We’re still working to fully understand the practical impact of the new tariffs on these regions, but here’s what we know so far:
China: Goods from China already carry a heavy tariff. Under Section 301, a further 12.5% is added on top, as China falls into the group with no forced-labour prohibition in place. Members sourcing from China should expect a real additional cost, not a like-for-like swap.
EU: This remains more complex. The EU qualifies for the lower 10% rate under this change. A separate agreement from August 2025 caps most EU exports to the US at an all-inclusive 15% ceiling, specifically designed to prevent tariffs stacking. It is not yet clear whether today’s 10% sits within that 15% ceiling or is applied on top.
What is the British Footwear Association (BFA) doing
The BFA is in active discussions with partners and the Department for Trade and Industry regarding the impact of these changes, and we will share further information as soon as it becomes available.
Given that new tariffs have just come into place, and how quickly this situation continues to evolve, this guidance is necessarily high-level. We recommend that each company conduct due diligence on its own specific supply chains and shipment requirements, as circumstances will vary case by case.
If you would like to speak directly to the BFA partners, who specialise in the area, contact Mark at Trade Harmonizer. and Kevin at Hexagon Consulting.