Wet-Blue Bovine Upper Leather for Dress Shoes from China
This is tanned bovine leather in wet-blue state, specifically prepared as upper leather for formal dress shoes, retaining moisture without further finishing. It falls under HTS 4104.19.40 as it's in the wet state (wet-blue), not further prepared beyond tanning, and designated for shoe uppers. The hair has been removed, and it's from bovine animals.
Duty Rate — China → United States
40%
Rate breakdown
9903.03.0110%Except for products described in headings 9903.03.02–9903.03.11, articles the product of any country, as provided for in subdivision (aa) of U.S. note 2 to this subchapter
9903.88.0325%Except as provided in headings 9903.88.13, 9903.88.18, 9903.88.33, 9903.88.34, 9903.88.35, 9903.88.36, 9903.88.37, 9903.88.38, 9903.88.40, 9903.88.41, 9903.88.43, 9903.88.45, 9903.88.46, 9903.88.48, 9903.88.56, 9903.88.64, 9903.88.66, 9903.88.67, 9903.88.68, or 9903.88.69, articles the product of China, as provided for in U.S. note 20(e) to this subchapter and as provided for in the subheadings enumerated in U.S. note 20(f)
Import Tips
• Verify the leather is truly in wet-blue state (chromium-tanned, wet) with lab testing to avoid misclassification as crust or finished leather
• Include tannery certificates confirming no further preparation beyond reversible tanning and hair removal
• Check for splits; unsplit full-thickness leather may qualify, but declare thickness accurately to prevent disputes