I3A & International Trade

Over the years I3A has achieved considerable success in dealing with governments, having significant impact in trade issues.  For example, I3A represents the imaging sector’s interests to the World Customs Organization, to help ensure that the Harmonized System continues to represent a fair and equitable set of trade classifications for imaging goods.

Timely industry response by I3A to the United States Trade Representative (USTR) headed off inclusion of photo processing equipment in a list of items targeted for punitive tariffs in an international trade dispute.  I3A alerted all of its members who would be affected and raised awareness of the situation with other industry organizations.  A formal position statement was submitted by I3A to the Chairman of the USTR Section 301 committee, strenuously objecting to the inclusion of important photographic products in the trade dispute.

I3A pointed out that the punitive tariff, 100% of the imported value, would effectively halt imports of the photographic processing apparatus and equipment covered and would cause harm to many businesses.  As a result of I3A’s actions in concert with other trade associations, the USTR removed the photoprocessing apparatus and equipment from the list of targeted products.