Budget Plastic Toe-Cap Sneakers from Japan
Affordable sneakers with rubber soles, plastic uppers, and embedded steel toe for casual safety needs. Classified in HTS 6402.99.12.00 for low-value footwear with rubber/plastics materials incorporating a protective metal toe-cap. Not sports footwear per subheading note.
Duty Rate — Japan → United States
64%
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
• Conduct material surface area analysis for uppers (greatest external area rules) to avoid reclassification to textile headings
• Retain factory specs confirming metal toe-cap protection; CBP may inspect for genuine safety features
• For bulk imports, ensure packing lists detail pair counts and values to prevent averaging pitfalls over $3/pair