It appears that the duties imposed by the European Union (EU) on leather footwear produced in China are beginning to affect export figures. According to official customs statistics, during the period June to October, the Chinese province of Fujian exported 16 million pairs of leather upper shoes to the EU—21.5% fewer pairs than in the comparable period in 2005.

Officials from the Fujian Footwear Industry Association said around 300 shoe-making companies have been affected by the duties and that some smaller leather shoe producers—that had previously relied heavily on EU exports—have been forced to close or shift production to cater to the domestic market.