Low-Cost Basketball Sneakers from Japan
Basic basketball-style sneakers with textile canvas uppers and plastic soles glued exclusively with adhesive, under $3/pair, no overlapping foxing band. Fits HTS 6404.11.49.00 as low-value sports footwear meeting adhesive construction and sports definition exclusions. Outer sole rubber/plastics per ground contact rule.
Duty Rate — Japan → United States
77.5%
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
9903.05.480%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
• Confirm 'sports footwear' via design (not spikes/cleats per subheading note) but gym-style qualifies
• Use adhesive bond strength tests if challenged; weak bonds may imply other methods
• Watch for heel/toe overlap only—any side overlap disqualifies per subheading text