Jute Fiber Training Shoe from Japan
Budget training shoe using jute (vegetable fiber) textile upper and textile-heavy outer sole glued solely with adhesive, valued below $3/pair. Classified in 6404.11.41.90 due to sports footwear design, adhesive construction without foxing, and textile sole material ignored under US note 5. Ideal for casual gym use in developing markets.
Duty Rate — Japan → United States
52.5%
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
9903.05.4912.5%Section 301 (forced labor) — Japan (col1 rate < 12.5 percent): MFN < 12.5% → total duty capped at 12.5%
Import Tips
• Provide certificates of vegetable fiber origin for uppers to confirm classification; inspect for any mid-sole stitching which disqualifies adhesive-only rule; watch for undervaluation claims by Customs during low-price audits