Buffalo Hide Wet-Blue Upper Sole Leather from Japan
Full grain unsplit upper leather from buffalo hides in wet-blue chrome-tanned state, suitable for both upper and sole applications in footwear. HTS 4104.11.40.10 covers this as bovine (buffalo included) wet-state leather without hair, not further prepared, per full hierarchy for upper/sole designations.
Duty Rate — Japan → United States
52.5%
Rate breakdown
9903.05.4912.5%Except for products described in headings 9903.05.85–9903.05.92, articles the product of Japan, with an ad valorem (or ad valorem equivalent) rate of duty under column 1 less than 12.5 percent, as provided for in U.S. note 52 to this subchapter
9903.41.0540%Bovine (including buffalo) and equine leather (provided for in heading 4104 or 4107); goat, kid, sheep and lamb leather, the foregoing dyed, colored, stamped or embossed (provided for in heading 4105, 4106, 4112 or 4113)
Import Tips
• Document buffalo-specific origin as bovine subclass to prevent reclassification
• Ensure hides remain wet-state upon import to avoid duty shifts to dry categories
• Test for thickness uniformity to qualify as upper leather