Raffia Woven Sports Sneakers from Japan
Lightweight sports sneakers with hand-woven raffia (vegetable fiber) uppers providing max external area, and outer soles of durable textile with primary ground contact per chapter note 4(b). Valued $6.50-$12/pair for HTS 6404.11.81 classification as qualifying sports footwear; textile sole counts fully under U.S. note 5. Ideal for casual athletic 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
• Authenticate raffia sourcing; synthetic imitations reclassify upper material
• Test sole durability to ensure textile qualifies beyond U.S. note 5 exclusions
• Declare exact pair value; promotional bundles can trigger set classification issues