About HS Code 64
HS Chapter 64, titled 'Footwear; gaiters and the like; parts of such articles,' is a comprehensive classification covering almost all types of footwear traded internationally, alongside related accessories and their components. This chapter encompasses a vast array of products, from everyday casual shoes to specialized work boots, made from diverse materials such as leather, rubber, plastics, and various textiles. The scope is broad, capturing footwear for men, women, and children, as well as parts like uppers, soles, insoles, and heels, and articles such as gaiters and leggings. Key sub-categories within this chapter are structured primarily by material composition and construction: Heading 6401 covers waterproof footwear with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plastics; 6402 includes other footwear with rubber or plastic soles and uppers; 6403 specifies footwear with leather uppers; 6404 deals with footwear having textile uppers; and 6405 is for 'other footwear' not covered elsewhere (e.g., felt or plaited). Heading 6406 is crucial for parts of footwear, including removable insoles, heel cushions, gaiters, and leggings. Accurate classification within Chapter 64 is paramount for trade compliance. The specific material of the upper and outer sole, whether the footwear is waterproof, and its intended use significantly impact duty rates, potential anti-dumping measures, and import quotas. Misclassification can lead to costly penalties, delays, and supply chain disruptions. Historically, footwear has been a major global trade commodity, with manufacturing shifting over decades to regions with competitive labor costs and robust production capabilities. This chapter's detailed structure allows customs authorities to apply appropriate tariffs and regulations, reflecting the complexity and scale of the global footwear industry.
Products Under This Code
Men's leather dress shoes, women's high-heel pumps, children's sneakers, rubber rain boots, plastic sandals, textile espadrilles, safety work boots with steel toes, hiking boots, athletic running shoes, basketball shoes, ballet flats, flip-flops, clogs, slippers, over-the-knee boots, ankle boots, snowboard boots, ice skating boots, reusable shoe covers, leather shoe uppers, rubber outer soles, plastic heels, textile insoles, leather welts, gaiters, leggings, shin guards for sports
Real World Examples
A US-based fashion retailer imports 75,000 pairs of 'women's leather ankle boots' (HS 6403) from Italy via ocean freight through the Port of Los Angeles. These high-fashion items are subject to specific ad valorem duties under the US Harmonized Tariff Schedule, with careful attention paid to the leather content and origin documentation. Another scenario involves a German sportswear company manufacturing 'athletic running shoes with textile uppers and rubber soles' (HS 6404) in Vietnam. These shoes are then exported to the European Union via the Port of Hamburg, often benefiting from reduced tariffs under the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) provided they meet stringent rules of origin. A Chinese factory produces 'waterproof rubber rain boots for children' (HS 6401) and ships them in bulk to a distributor in Australia. Australian customs applies duties based on the rubber content and specific design, ensuring compliance with local safety standards. Lastly, a Mexican manufacturer exports 'leather shoe uppers' (HS 6406) to a footwear assembly plant in the United States, utilizing the benefits of the USMCA agreement for duty-free entry of originating materials, which are then combined with domestically produced soles to create finished footwear.
Common Misclassification
Common misclassification mistakes in Chapter 64 often revolve around material composition and the distinction between general footwear and specialized articles. Traders frequently confuse genuine leather with composition leather, or rubber with plastics, which leads to incorrect classification between headings like 6402 and 6403, significantly impacting duty rates. Another frequent error is misclassifying specialized footwear. For instance, 'orthopedic footwear' with specific therapeutic features (HS 9021) is often mistakenly classified under Chapter 64, despite belonging to medical appliances. Similarly, 'disposable foot coverings of nonwovens' (HS 6307) are sometimes incorrectly grouped with footwear, when they are textile articles. Lastly, 'ice skates with blades permanently attached' or 'ski boots' (HS 9506) are specialized sports equipment, not general footwear, and are frequently confused with regular sports shoes in Chapter 64.
Headings in This Chapter 6
Industry
This code belongs to the Footwear & Headgear industry.
Trade Overview
The global footwear trade sees major importing nations like the USA, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and Japan, driven by high consumer demand and purchasing power. Leading exporting countries include China, Vietnam, Italy, Indonesia, and Brazil, benefiting from competitive manufacturing costs, skilled labor, or specialized production capabilities (e.g., Italy for high-end leather goods). Footwear is often a sensitive product in trade negotiations, with many Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) like the USMCA and EU-Vietnam FTA offering preferential tariffs, contingent on meeting specific rules of origin. Anti-dumping and countervailing duties are sometimes applied to protect domestic industries, and environmental and labor standards are increasingly influencing sourcing and compliance decisions across major trade blocs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is HS code 64?
HS code 64 is a 2-digit chapter in the Harmonized System that covers: Footwear; gaiters and the like; parts of such articles. HS Chapter 64, titled 'Footwear; gaiters and the like; parts of such articles,' is a comprehensive classification covering almost all types of footwear traded internationally, alongside related accessories and their components. This chapter encompasses a vast array of products, from everyday casual shoes to specialized work boots, made from diverse materials such as leather, rubber, plastics, and various textiles. The scope is broad, capturing footwear for men, women, and children, as well as parts like uppers, soles, insoles, and heels, and articles such as gaiters and leggings. Key sub-categories within this chapter are structured primarily by material composition and construction: Heading 6401 covers waterproof footwear with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plastics; 6402 includes other footwear with rubber or plastic soles and uppers; 6403 specifies footwear with leather uppers; 6404 deals with footwear having textile uppers; and 6405 is for 'other footwear' not covered elsewhere (e.g., felt or plaited). Heading 6406 is crucial for parts of footwear, including removable insoles, heel cushions, gaiters, and leggings. Accurate classification within Chapter 64 is paramount for trade compliance. The specific material of the upper and outer sole, whether the footwear is waterproof, and its intended use significantly impact duty rates, potential anti-dumping measures, and import quotas. Misclassification can lead to costly penalties, delays, and supply chain disruptions. Historically, footwear has been a major global trade commodity, with manufacturing shifting over decades to regions with competitive labor costs and robust production capabilities. This chapter's detailed structure allows customs authorities to apply appropriate tariffs and regulations, reflecting the complexity and scale of the global footwear industry.
What products fall under HS code 64?
Men's leather dress shoes, women's high-heel pumps, children's sneakers, rubber rain boots, plastic sandals, textile espadrilles, safety work boots with steel toes, hiking boots, athletic running shoes, basketball shoes, ballet flats, flip-flops, clogs, slippers, over-the-knee boots, ankle boots, snowboard boots, ice skating boots, reusable shoe covers, leather shoe uppers, rubber outer soles, plastic heels, textile insoles, leather welts, gaiters, leggings, shin guards for sports
What are common misclassifications for HS code 64?
Common misclassification mistakes in Chapter 64 often revolve around material composition and the distinction between general footwear and specialized articles. Traders frequently confuse genuine leather with composition leather, or rubber with plastics, which leads to incorrect classification between headings like 6402 and 6403, significantly impacting duty rates. Another frequent error is misclassifying specialized footwear. For instance, 'orthopedic footwear' with specific therapeutic features (HS 9021) is often mistakenly classified under Chapter 64, despite belonging to medical appliances. Similarly, 'disposable foot coverings of nonwovens' (HS 6307) are sometimes incorrectly grouped with footwear, when they are textile articles. Lastly, 'ice skates with blades permanently attached' or 'ski boots' (HS 9506) are specialized sports equipment, not general footwear, and are frequently confused with regular sports shoes in Chapter 64.
Which countries trade the most under HS code 64?
The global footwear trade sees major importing nations like the USA, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and Japan, driven by high consumer demand and purchasing power. Leading exporting countries include China, Vietnam, Italy, Indonesia, and Brazil, benefiting from competitive manufacturing costs, skilled labor, or specialized production capabilities (e.g., Italy for high-end leather goods). Footwear is often a sensitive product in trade negotiations, with many Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) like the USMCA and EU-Vietnam FTA offering preferential tariffs, contingent on meeting specific rules of origin. Anti-dumping and countervailing duties are sometimes applied to protect domestic industries, and environmental and labor standards are increasingly influencing sourcing and compliance decisions across major trade blocs.
How is HS code 64 structured?
HS code 64 is a 2-digit chapter code in the Harmonized System maintained by the World Customs Organization. It represents a broad category of goods and contains multiple 4-digit headings and 6-digit subheadings for more specific classifications.