Publication Number: 3957

Report Title: Certain Textile Articles: Travel Goods of Textile Materials

Investigation Number: 332-480

Author's name(s): Heidi Colby-Oizumi, Kimberlie Freund, Nancy Bryan, Donald Sussman

Date Published: October 2007

Report Description/Introductory Text: There is relatively little production in the United States of travel goods with an outer surface of textile materials (luggage, travel and sports bags, briefcases, computer cases, and backpacks), as most firms have reportedly moved production offshore, primarily to Asia. Nine U.S. companies reported producing or contracting for the production of travel goods with an outer surface of textile materials during 2005-2006. These producers either serve niche markets or produce for the U.S. military and government. U.S. shipments of U.S.-produced travel goods with an outer surface of textile materials totaled an estimated $37 million in 2006, with the vast majority of shipments going to the commercial market.

During 2005-2006, nine U.S. firms reported producing or contracting for the production of textile materials (defined as fabrics for use in the travel goods with an outer surface of textile materials) in the United States. Total shipments of domestically produced fabrics for use in travel goods with an outer surface of textile materials totaled an estimated 11.2 million square meters in 2006. The data, which are likely overstated, show that over 70 percent of the value of shipments of such fabrics was intended for the U.S. military and government.

Topics Covered: travel goods, textile materials, luggage, travel bags, sports bags, briefcases, computer cases, backpacks, U.S. shipments, U.S. production, fabrics

Countries: United States, China

HTS Numbers: 42, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 59, 60

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