Nike Air Zoom Vapor Cage 4 Tennis Shoes from Japan
These high-performance tennis shoes feature an upper primarily of synthetic materials with rubber outer soles designed for optimal court traction. Classified under HTS 6402.99.90.05 as they are tennis shoes valued over $12/pair, with uppers and soles of rubber or plastics, not meeting sports footwear criteria for spikes but built for athletic training. The external surface area determines the predominant material per Chapter Note 4.
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
• Verify value exceeds $12/pair with commercial invoice; undervaluation leads to reclassification or penalties
• Document upper/sole materials via lab tests to confirm rubber/plastics dominance per Chapter Note 4
• Avoid mislabeling as 'sports footwear' under 6402.12 without spikes; include athletic use proof