Wet-Blue Bovine Upper Leather for Shoes from Japan
This is tanned bovine leather in the wet state (wet-blue), specifically prepared as upper leather for footwear, with a unit surface area not exceeding 28 square feet. It falls under HTS 4104.19.10.20 because it is whole bovine leather, tanned but not further prepared, in wet form, and designated for shoe uppers. The reversible tanning process keeps it classified here rather than in finished leather headings.
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
• Verify the leather is in wet-blue state (not dried or finished) and measure unit surface area to confirm ≤2.6 m² for this subheading
• Obtain tannery certificates proving reversible tanning process and 'upper leather' designation to avoid reclassification