Domestic vs Imports

17 Dec 2009

Posted by

It has been assumed for a while now that imported production of plastic bags is always much cheaper than domestic production.  This is no longer true in many cases.

  • Anti-Dumping tariffs have raised import prices.
  • Reduction or elimination of Chinese government polyethylene resin subsidies, have raised import prices.
  • Cost of moving factories from tariff affected countries (China and Vietnam) to non tariff countries (Cambodia, Laos) have raised import prices.
On standard low density constructions like patch handle, drawstring, drawtape, die cut, and soft loop, domestic might now be the way to go.

A 3-4 week domestic lead time, is certainly easier to deal with than a 12-14 week import lead time.

Maybe it is time once again to think about supporting American production!!