Trailheads

The outdoor industry is currently caught in a whirlwind of shifting tariff policy. Following the Supreme Court’s February 20th ruling, which struck down all tariffs collected under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), brands were briefly handed a reprieve, only to confront new Section 122 “emergency” tariffs. On March 6th, the focus turned to the U.S. Court of International Trade, which addressed the massive logistical challenge of returning over $166 billion in collected tariff funds back to companies. With U.S. Customs reporting an unprecedented 53 million tariff-related entries, the path to reclaiming those millions remains uncertain.  

To gain insight into these evolving challenges, we spoke with Taldi Harrison, a government affairs professional with the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), about the repercussions for outdoor companies.

Trailheads: With $166 billion in limbo and the rules constantly changing, the tariff situation has become extremely challenging for the industry. Most small brands—and some large ones—don’t have a full-time government affairs department or in-house counsel to navigate these shifts in trade policy. What is your advice for those companies trying to keep their heads above water?

Harrison: Trade and customs compliance professionals are very specialized careers that were greatly underappreciated until President Trump’s first term, when folks saw firsthand how impactful these matters can be to their company’s bottom line. The stress on company resources caused by these tariffs inhibits brands from innovating and hiring new employees.

This is a place where OIA can fill the gap and support our members with timely, accurate, and digestible information so they can stay informed about the rapidly changing environment. We have a longstanding working group, the Trade Advisory Council (TAC), that meets twice a month, and an online forum where our trade experts frequently post information and resources. This helps our members understand what is actually happening versus what is being threatened, which mainstream media gets wrong more often than not. We are also fortunate to have access to a customs counsel who has offered to work with our members at a reduced rate for specific legal support.

Trailheads: For the brands that aren’t currently part of OIA or don’t have specialized trade counsel, what are the most critical steps they should take to protect their bottom line as these tariff rules shift?

Harrison: For brands that are not deeply resourced on trade, the most important step is to understand exactly how their products are classified, where they are made, how they are valued at entry, and which tariff programs, exclusions, or refund opportunities may apply. All those small details add up and can change duty exposure significantly. Companies should work closely with their customs broker, review sourcing and entry data carefully, and confirm they are not overpaying because of preventable errors in classification, valuation, or origin claims. They should also track fast-moving tariff actions, comment opportunities, liquidation dates, and protest deadlines. And where refunds may be an issue, enroll with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to receive electronic refunds through Automated Clearinghouse (ACH). For smaller brands, access to trusted guidance through industry groups like OIA can be one of the most practical and critical ways to stay informed, improve documentation, and avoid getting caught flat-footed.

Trailheads: While much of the tariff conversation focuses on manufacturers, retailers are also dealing with the eventual price hikes. What advice does OIA have for retailers trying to manage inventory and customer expectations when a product’s price can suddenly change overnight?

Harrison: Retail prices do not usually change overnight because the goods on shelves were often purchased months earlier. However, margins can change unexpectedly because purchase orders are written based on the tariff environment at that moment. Plus, import costs can shift before goods even arrive. That means the immediate challenge for retailers is less about repricing existing inventory and more about planning future assortments with better visibility into landed costs, delivery timing, and category-level exposure. Retailers should stay in close communication with brand partners to identify which products are most tariff-sensitive and make earlier buying and inventory decisions. The retailers that manage this best will be the ones that plan ahead instead of react, protecting their margins and avoiding cost pressures before the products even reach their shelves. This will create some security for your business and your customers during these volatile times.

Trailheads: Going back to the brands, with the new Section 122 tariffs—and the threat of it rising to 15%—which specific sectors are bearing the heaviest burden?

Harrison: Technical apparel and footwear already face some of the highest baseline import duties under the tariff code—somewhere between 15% and 37%, depending on the product. These rates have been in effect since the 1930s. The tariffs added by the administration are stacked on top of these rates. So even a flat 10% or 15% surcharge hits those categories harder because their base rate is already so much higher. In contrast, the average base-rate tariff on a consumer good is around 3%. 

Trailheads: You also mentioned gear made with metal is taxed under a different set of rules. Can you explain how multiple tariffs, known as “tariff stacking,” affect products like camp chairs or stoves?

Harrison: It’s way more complex than I think most people expect. Products like camp chairs, portable stoves, or carabiners are covered by Section 232 tariffs—the national security tariffs on steel and aluminum. This means that the metal portions of the product are subject to a 50% tariff, which remains unchanged by the recent updates. The new Section 122 tariff applies to the non-metal portions, for which IEEPA tariffs were formerly applied. The stacking occurs because these are stacked on top of the products’ normal duty rate. If the product is of Chinese origin, a Section 301 tariff could also be stacked on top of the normal duty rate, before you apply the Section 232 and 122 tariffs. Have I lost you yet?

Trailheads: Yeah, that’ll make your head spin. Another issue is that the Trump administration wants to drive manufacturing back to the U.S., but OIA has highlighted major obstacles to “reshoring.” How do tariffs on specialized components—like waterproof zippers—actually undermine that goal?

Harrison: The additional tariffs on raw inputs utilized in domestic manufacturing are raising the cost of U.S. production because most of these inputs needed are not made domestically—they need to be imported. As you know, outdoor gear is built for extreme conditions—brutal heat, subzero temperatures, mountain terrain—and it’s not just basic everyday wear. There just isn’t that level of manufacturing for high-quality technical products in the U.S. or the Western Hemisphere, nor is the worker know-how and skill currently here. As far as I know, there’s no way this type of manufacturing could come back onshore for most of these products.

Trailheads: When OIA goes to Washington, D.C., in April for their annual Capitol Summit, will tariffs be a major part of your agenda when meeting with Congressional leaders?

Harrison: Yes, it will be a large focus. Historically, OIA’s focus includes trade policy alongside our sustainability and public lands priorities. But at this moment in time, one of the main focal areas of the Summit will be requesting tariff relief for our member companies.

Trailheads: Looking ahead, as the situation continues to evolve, are there any specific developments outdoor industry members should be tracking?

Harrison: “Tariff” is one of President Trump’s favorite words. He’s been clear about that since his first campaign. We’ve even seen United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer write an op-ed titled “The year of the tariff.” Just because Section 122 tariffs are temporary, it doesn’t mean that once they’re lifted, we’ll go back to a time when only base-rate duties are owed. The Trump administration has said it plans to replace them with more permanent extra tariffs, which have no restrictions on the rate that can be imposed. It’s unclear whether all countries will become subject to the eventual Section 301 tariffs, but it’s pretty clear that our major trading partners will have tariffs equivalent to what was negotiated in the reciprocal trade agreements.     

Another thing to watch closely is the outcome of President Trump’s trip to China at the end of March. The last time the President was in China, the administration penned a deal to lower tariffs, which has remained in place for close to a year. If the trip goes well, maybe we’ll see relief on inputs used for domestic manufacturing. We are actively watching and working to improve the situation.

To learn more about navigating the current trade landscape, attend select OIA sessions addressing tariff and trade policy as part of the Switchback Spring education program this June 16-18, 2026 in New Orleans. Discover a preview of our education program here and register today! 

To access exclusive trade toolkits, policy briefs, and other helpful resources, become an OIA member today and join the collective voice of the outdoor industry.