Raffia Flip-Flops from Japan
Basic flip-flop sandals with raffia (vegetable fiber) woven uppers and thin textile straps/soles with primary ground-contact textile area. Under $3/pair valuation places them in HTS 6404.19.52, adhering to upper material and sole notes. Common in tropical casual footwear.
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
• Label uppers clearly as vegetable fibers; CBP may require photos/diagrams of weave
• Avoid soles with rubber overlays exceeding 50% contact area to stay in textile sole category
• Declare accurate country of origin—vegetable fibers often from Asia/Africa, check quotas