Raffia Woven Mules from Japan
Backless mule shoes braided from raffia palm fibers (vegetable) with soft textile soles adhesively bonded, not exceeding $3/pair. Textile materials provide the primary ground-contact surface on soles, not meeting U.S. note 5 durability. Aligns with 6404.19.42 for low-value natural fiber upper mules.
Duty Rate — Japan → United States
52.5%
Rate breakdown
9903.05.4912.5%Except for products described in headings 9903.05.85–9903.05.92, articles the product of Japan, with an ad valorem (or ad valorem equivalent) rate of duty under column 1 less than 12.5 percent, as provided for in U.S. note 52 to this subchapter
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
Import Tips
• Source raffia fiber certificates; blends with plastics risk reclass
• Value declaration critical—use FOB proofs under $3
• No mid-sole stitching; pure adhesive key