Wet-Blue Bovine Upper Leather from Japan
Tanned bovine hides in wet-blue state, specifically prepared as upper leather for footwear, without hair on and not further prepared beyond tanning. Classified under HTS 4104.19.40.60 as wet-state upper leather from bovine animals, excluding sole leather. Used primarily for shoe uppers due to its flexibility and durability.
Duty Rate — Japan → United States
52.5%
Rate breakdown
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)
9903.05.4912.5%Section 301 (forced labor) — Japan (col1 rate < 12.5 percent): MFN < 12.5% → total duty capped at 12.5%
Import Tips
• Verify tanning process documentation to confirm wet-blue state and prevent reclassification to dry crust hides under 4104.29
• Include certificates of origin and chemical treatment records to comply with REACH regulations on chrome tanning agents
• Avoid common pitfalls like mislabeling as 'further prepared' leather, which shifts to 4107