The declared value of customs imports increased to $5,168.2 million from $4,843.1 million for the three months ended Sep. 30, led by a 10.7% hike in apparel imports to $1,697.8 million compared to $1,533.8 million in the seasonally most important period for the category. Meanwhile, sneaker imports were up a healthy 6.3% to $15172 million against $1427.7 million. Equipment imports, pulled down by declines in golf and outdoor, were up 3.8%.
Our quarterly study of US imports is drawn from the International Trade Commission’s database on imports using proprietary queries. Dollar values are based on declared customs classifications involving equipment are relatively straightforward and most athletic footwear is also defined.
China continued to lose ground in the sneaker market, although it kept most of its share in apparel. Sneaker imports from China declined 2.8% in value and now represent 51.6% of the total. China still control 56.6% of imports, down from 58.3% in Q3 last year.
