Budget Steel Toe Hiking-Style Boots from Japan
Entry-level ankle boots mimicking hiking style but with rubber/plastics construction and protective steel toe-cap for work use, at $9/pair. Fits 6402.91.26.00 as non-sports (no spikes per note), rubber/plastics dominant. Ground-contact sole is rubber per Note 4(b).
Duty Rate — Japan → United States
60%
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%Section 301 (forced labor) — Japan (col1 rate ≥ 12.5 percent): MFN >= 12.5% → no additional duty
Import Tips
• Distinguish from true hiking shoes—no water protection claim to avoid US Note active classification
• Document no textile sole weakness per US Note for rubber sole confirmation