Men's Jute Fiber Basketball Sneakers from Japan
Low-top basketball sneakers for men featuring uppers primarily made from woven jute vegetable fibers, with outer soles of rubber where textile materials cover the greatest surface area in ground contact (ignored per US note 5). Valued under $3/pair, these qualify under HTS 6404.11.51.30 as sports footwear with textile uppers and specified sole composition. Designed for gym and training use.
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
• Verify vegetable fiber content exceeds 50% external upper surface per Chapter Note 4(a); provide lab tests for fiber identification
• Ensure valuation documentation proves under $3/pair to avoid reclassification
• Watch for sole textile area claims—US note 5 excludes non-durable textiles