Product classification
HS code for Steel toe boots: 6401.10
Footwear, waterproof with metal toe-cap, rubber or plastic outer soles and uppers (not assembled by stitch, rivet, nail, screw, plug or similar).
Classification of steel toe boots under HS 6401.10
Steel toe boots are classified under HS code 6401.10 when they meet the specific criteria of being waterproof and incorporating a protective metal toe-cap. Chapter 64 covers footwear and gaiters. Heading 6401 is reserved for waterproof footwear with outer soles and uppers of rubber or of plastics, where the uppers are neither fixed to the sole nor assembled by stitching, riveting, nailing, screwing, plugging, or similar processes. This usually refers to injection-molded or vulcanized boots. The subheading 6401.10 is specifically for such waterproof footwear that incorporates a protective metal toe-cap, commonly referred to as steel toes. The classification is driven by the construction method (molding) and the material (rubber/plastic) rather than just the presence of the steel toe. If the boot is made of leather or has a stitched sole, it cannot fall under 6401, regardless of the steel toe-cap.
- Covers
- Molded rubber rain boots with steel toe-caps
- Injection-molded PVC safety boots for chemical plants
- Waterproof polyurethane work boots with metal protection
- Vulcanized rubber safety footwear for mining
- One-piece molded plastic safety overboots
- Also under 6401.10
- Dunlop Purofort Thermo+ Safety Boots
- Tingley Pilot G2 Steel Toe Boots
- Muck Boot Chore Steel Toe
- Servus SuperFit Steel Toe Boots
- Honeywell Ranger Safety Boots
Codes often confused with 6401.10
Common mistake. The most common misclassification is HS code 6403.40, which covers footwear with outer soles of rubber, plastics, or leather and uppers of leather, incorporating a protective metal toe-cap. Many safety boots are made of leather and are incorrectly placed in 6401.10 simply because they have steel toes. Another error is using 6402.91, which covers other footwear with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plastics but lacks the specific waterproof construction (molding without stitching) or the metal toe-cap required for 6401.10.
Top exporters and importers of HS 640110 (the code used for steel toe boots), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 640110 (the code used for steel toe boots) in UN Comtrade data was the Philippines, with 19% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 8.5% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 640110, not only steel toe boots.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Philippines $63M 19% of world exports
- 2 China $54M 16% of world exports
- 3 Portugal $33M 10% of world exports
World total: $325M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $24M 8.5% of world imports
- 2 United States $23M 8.0% of world imports
- 3 France $20M 7.1% of world imports
World total: $283M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
How these figures are built
109 countries reported 2025 trade to UN Comtrade in HS 2022, and their own totals are used. Countries that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. Those estimates miss trade with other non-reporting countries, so they can be low, and a non-reporting country can rank higher than shown or be missing from the list. World totals add both and leave out trade between two non-reporting countries. Figures are in current US dollars; reported imports are mostly valued CIF and exports FOB, and exports include re-exports. The UN Comtrade links show the underlying records; they can also list a few reporters left out here (regional groups and older HS editions).
Source: UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division), 2025 annual data.
Brazil NCM code for steel toe boots
Brazil classifies steel toe boots under NCM 6401.10.00: HS 6401.10 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about steel toe boots
What is the HS code for Steel toe boots?
The HS code for Steel toe boots is 640110 (Footwear; waterproof with metal toe-cap, rubber or plastic outer soles and uppers (not assembled by stitch, rivet, nail, screw, plug or similar)). For waterproof, molded rubber or plastic boots with a metal toe-cap, the HS code is 6401.10. For leather safety boots with steel toes, the code is 6403.40.
How do I classify Steel toe boots for customs?
Steel toe boots is classified under HS code 640110 — Footwear; waterproof with metal toe-cap, rubber or plastic outer soles and uppers (not assembled by stitch, rivet, nail, screw, plug or similar). This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Can composite toe boots use this HS code?
No, HS code 6401.10 specifically requires a metal toe-cap. Boots with composite (plastic or carbon fiber) safety toes would be classified under other subheadings such as 6401.92 or 6401.99, depending on their height and construction.
Which countries are the top exporters of steel toe boots (HS 640110)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 640110 (the code used for steel toe boots) in UN Comtrade data were the Philippines ($63M, 19% of world exports), China ($54M) and Portugal ($33M). World exports came to about $325M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Which countries are the top importers of steel toe boots (HS 640110)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 640110 (the code used for steel toe boots) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($24M, 8.5% of world imports), the United States ($23M) and France ($20M). World imports came to about $283M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Is the HS code for Steel toe boots the same in all countries?
The base HS code 640110 for Steel toe boots is internationally standardized for the first 6 digits across 200+ countries. Individual countries may add additional digits for national tariff lines and specific classifications.
What is the NCM code for steel toe boots in Brazil?
In Brazil, steel toe boots (HS 640110) is classified under NCM 6401.10.00.