Vegetable Fiber Yoga Gym Shoes from Japan
Flexible yoga gym shoes using vegetable fibers (coir/jute blend) for uppers' main surface, with textile-material soles having max ground contact. Classed HTS 6404.11.81: sports/training shoes valued $6.50-$12, textile sole valid. Aligns with naked-eye material visibility in notes.
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
• Ensure no plastic coating visible on uppers, per chapter note on rubber/plastics textiles
• Validate sole strength for normal use to apply U.S. note 5 properly
• Use HTS advisory rulings for borderline sports designs to preempt disputes