Seattle Post-Intelligencer / By LINDA DANIELS, GUEST COLUMNIST
I believe in democracy. I believe every man and woman should have an equal opportunity to better his or her life with knowledge, hard work and ingenuity. Both major political parties support this principle wholeheartedly, and both demand that developing countries also embrace this principle, opening their borders to "compete in the global market."
Although our government contributes heavily toward relief efforts, as well as health and education, the stated long-term goal overseas is sustainable development.
We frown on those with semi-closed doors, such as Japan and North Korea. We have contempt for those who think they can succeed without competition and pen markets, like the bankrupt ex-USSR. All common knowledge. Basic U.S. foreign policy. Right? Wrong.
I thought these would be the operating principles when I got involved with El Quetzal Project for Sustainable Development, which works with community-based organizations of weavers and sewers in Guatemala. We offer their products at the Folklife Festival's Uncommon Market, as well as many other fairs, public events and sales.
We work with the Guatemalan artisans on many levels, including product design and access to resources and skills, but always focus on sustainable development, rather than handouts or charity. Real, competitive businesses, not propped-up display projects. Good work?
Well, the primary stumbling block for success lies with U.S. government laws and protectionist policies. In November I was determined to enter one parcel of Guatemalan hand-woven textile products, valued at a little more than $1,000, on behalf of El Quetzal, without using a costly Customs broker.
Several days, many work hours, three trips downtown and about $300 later, I finally was allowed to take the package home. Barriers to importation are many, varied and complicated. First, the dozen or so separate forms required, using a book of tariff schedules the size of a telephone book, with smaller print.
Each product must be identified in detail, including exact content and weight, codifying each with a 10-digit number to which a customs duty of from 6 percent to 20 percent is charged. In seeking help, serious questions from Customs officials included: "Do the shirts have two or more colors in warp or weft?" and "Do the hairbands have any acrylic fabric inside?"
Next, three different and detailed forms guaranteeing that they really did come from Guatemala and they really are made of cotton. Then, you must provide -- or buy -- a U.S. Customs bond, in the amount of the total value of the shipment plus estimated customs duty, which is held for a full 16 months after the shipment is cleared.
Free trade? Funny -- in all those hundreds of pages of regulations, there is not one mention of the producers, the conditions under which they work, their ages, their hours or their wages.
Fair trade? I am sure that writing a grant for a foundation handout for these same artisans must be easier than jumping all the hurdles carefully placed in the way of doing real business with them. Go figure.
We need to put our laws where our mouths are -- unless we really do just prefer providing charity for the people of developing countries.
Linda Daniels is a board member of El Quetzal Project for Sustainable Community Development in Seattle. E-mail: ladaniels@igc.org:
