Shoe companies should be alert to EU anti-dumping follow-up measures

From this month, the EU officially stopped the anti-dumping duties on leather shoes produced in China and Vietnam. However, the European Commission still implements a one-year monitoring mechanism for the import of these products.

The EU survey on China's footwear industry mainly has five aspects. The first is to monitor the number of Chinese leather shoes imported into the European Union. Each week, the quantity is notified to the European Footwear Federation. Second, the compulsory origin labels are used to prevent some counterfeit origin products from entering the European market, mainly footwear. Third, strict control over possible violations of intellectual property rights; Fourth, the European Footwear Association calls on the European Commission to urge the Chinese government to open up the high-end market and further open up the retail market, hoping to profit from fast-growing consumption. Finally, more attention was paid to China's export-related policies, especially counter-subsidy policies.

Wei Yafei, director of the shoemaking office of the China Leather Association, reminds exporting companies that first of all they should avoid excessive growth of products exported to Europe in the short term. On the other hand, the use of labels for origin must meet the requirements of the EU and guarantee the smooth export of products. Third, in terms of intellectual property rights, enterprises should regulate self-discipline to avoid the occurrence of infringement; in terms of related policies, enterprises should understand the relevant situation and do preventive measures in a timely manner.

Although the EU has yet to implement a one-year monitoring mechanism, it has provided a good market environment for the export of leather shoes enterprises to the EU market. According to Sang Baichuan, dean of the Institute of International Economics of the University of International Business and Economics, this is a clear advantage for Chinese leather shoe manufacturers and exporters. After the suspension of anti-dumping duties, some of our companies are likely to re-acquire related markets in the course of technological progress and product upgrading. At the same time, Sang Baichuan believes that companies should see such a trend, speed up product R&D, technological innovation and upgrade of industrial structure, gain higher added value and high-end of the industrial chain, and occupy a place in the high-end of the industrial chain. We have suffered from a decline in profits due to trade frictions or business instability.

European orders began to return in April. Although the EU officially canceled 16.5% of the high anti-dumping duty imposed on Chinese leather shoes from the beginning of this month, but as early as the previous month, Aokang footwear industry felt the benefits of this policy.

"Since March, our old customers have returned orders and increased orders. The most cooperative company in Italy, GEOX, has seen a lot of growth in the first half of this year compared to the same period last year." Li Haijun, head of export business of Zhejiang Aokang Shoes Co., Ltd., told us Reporter, orders for this period in addition to the increase in old customers, there are some new customers.