Vegetable Fiber Tennis Shoes from China

Tennis shoes with uppers of vegetable fibers such as ramie or hemp, paired with outer soles featuring a textile material with the largest ground-contact area. Priced $8-$11 per pair, they fit HTS 6404.11.81.90 as sports footwear (tennis shoes) meeting the precise material and value criteria outlined in the tariff subheading.

Duty Rate — China → United States

25%

Rate breakdown

9903.03.0110%Except for products described in headings 9903.03.02–9903.03.11, articles the product of any country, as provided for in subdivision (aa) of U.S. note 2 to this subchapter
9903.88.157.5%Except as provided in headings 9903.88.39, 9903.88.42, 9903.88.44, 9903.88.47, 9903.88.49, 9903.88.51, 9903.88.53, 9903.88.55, 9903.88.57, 9903.88.65, 9903.88.66, 9903.88.67, 9903.88.68, or 9903.88.69, articles the product of China, as provided for in U.S. note 20(r) to this subchapter and as provided for in the subheadings enumerated in U.S. note 20(s)

Import Tips

Conduct surface area measurements for uppers and soles; vegetable fibers must exceed other materials visibly per naked eye test

Avoid reclassification by ensuring sports design (e.g

lateral support); prepare for CBP exams on value brackets

Use detailed invoices specifying fiber types and sole construction to prevent shifts to lower-value subheadings