Plastic Upper Running Shoes from Japan
Affordable running shoes featuring uppers primarily of plastics with rubber outer soles, designed for athletic use but without provisions for spikes or cleats. Classified under HTS 6402.19.50 as sports footwear valued over $3 but not over $6.50 per pair, with plastics as the dominant external surface area of the upper per Chapter Note 4(a).
Duty Rate — Japan → United States
72%
Rate breakdown
9903.41.1040%Footwear with outer soles of leather and uppers wholly or in part of leather, and footwear with outer soles of rubber or plastics and uppers having an exterior surface area predominantly of leather, the foregoing provided for in chapter 64, except (a) slip-on footwear of a type not suitable for outdoor use, without backs or backstraps, having outer soles with a thickness of less than 5 mm and with less than 20 mm difference between the thickness of the bottom at the ball of the foot and at the heel, and (b) footwear which is designed for a sporting activity and has, or has provision for, attached spikes, sprigs, stops, clips, bars or the like, and skating boots, ski-boots and cross-country ski footwear, wrestling boots, boxing boots and cycling shoes
9903.05.480%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 equal to or greater than 12.5 percent, as provided for in U.S. note 52 to this subchapter
Import Tips
• Verify value per pair is between $3-$6.50 with detailed invoices to avoid misclassification into higher or lower value subheadings
• Confirm sports design via technical specs but ensure no spike/cleat provisions to stay out of other sports subheadings; document upper material dominance
• Label fiber/plastic content accurately and test outer sole for rubber/plastics contact area per Chapter Note 4(b)