Sisal Beach Thongs from Japan
Simple adhesive-only thong sandals using sisal (agave fiber) for uppers and textile-woven soles (e.g., coir matting), valued <$3/pair without foxing or heel/toe overlaps. Meets 6404.19.42.90 as 'other' with vegetable fiber uppers and textile ground-contact ignored under US note 5.
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
• Lab test soles for 'non-durable' textile per US note 5 to justify ignoring in material determination
• Declare exact value per pair; bulk shipments often audited for under-valuation
• Avoid mixing with rubber-soled pairs in same entry to prevent average value misclassification