Jute Fiber Gym Shoes from Japan
Affordable gym shoes with uppers of woven jute and cotton vegetable fibers, featuring textile-woven outer soles (greatest ground contact) and adhesively bonded rubber mid-soles. Valued not over $3/pair, these training shoes avoid foxing bands or sole overlaps. HTS 6404.11.41 applies as they meet the precise criteria for vegetable fiber uppers and excluded textile soles.
Duty Rate — Japan → United States
52.5%
Rate breakdown
9903.05.4912.5%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 less than 12.5 percent, as provided for in U.S. note 52 to this subchapter
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
Import Tips
• Label uppers clearly as vegetable fibers; customs may inspect for non-qualifying synthetics
• Photographic evidence of sole ground-contact area helps prove textile predominance
• Avoid common pitfall of undervaluation claims—use detailed costing breakdowns