HS Code: 640192
Ankle boots made of rubber or plastics.
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📋 Code Structure

Chapter
Chapter 64 is the chapter in the HS classification system specifically covering footwear, gaiters and the like, and parts thereof, covering everything from everyday footwear to specialized sports shoes, protective footwear, etc. The core characteristic of this chapter is that the materials of the outer soles and uppers, whether they cover the ankle, and the manufacturing process serve as the main lines of classification, involving various materials such as rubber, plastics, leather, and textile materials. Chapter 64 does not include formed uppers of textile materials (Chapters 61/62), articles of asbestos (Chapter 68), orthopedic footwear (Chapter 90), or toy footwear, etc.
Heading
Heading 6401 covers waterproof footwear with outer soles and outer uppers of rubber or plastics (whether or not combined with other materials, but having the essential character of rubber or plastics), specifically including: footwear incorporating a protective metal toe-cap, other protective footwear, and other footwear of rubber or plastics not elsewhere specified. Products under this heading generally have waterproof or liquid-penetration-resistant functions, with the upper and outer sole combined through molding, cementing, or vulcanization processes, and are widely used in scenarios such as rain boots, labor protection shoes, and industrial waterproof boots.
Digit Breakdown
HS code 640192 has six digits: the first 2 digits "64" represent the chapter, referring to Chapter 64 "Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts of such articles," defining the broad category; digits 3-4 "01" represent the heading, referring to 6401 "Waterproof footwear with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plastics," specifying the material and waterproof properties; digits 5-6 "92" represent the subheading, referring to "Footwear covering the ankle but not the knee" under 6401, i.e., styles where the upper height exceeds the ankle but does not reach the knee. Therefore, the overall meaning of 640192 is: waterproof footwear with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plastics, covering the ankle but not the knee. If the upper does not cover the ankle, it is classified under 640199; if it covers the knee, it is classified under 640110 or 640191, etc.
Classification Basis
This commodity is classified under 640192 rather than adjacent codes because three conditions are simultaneously met: first, both the outer sole and outer upper are of rubber or plastics; second, it has a waterproof function; third, the upper height covers the ankle but not the knee. If the upper does not cover the ankle, it should be classified under 640199; if it covers the knee, under 640191; if the upper is of textile material, it may be classified under 6404; if of leather, under 6403. Therefore, the three elements of material, waterproofness, and upper height must all be verified simultaneously.

📝 Declaration Elements

Product Name
The standard name of the declared commodity, which should reflect the material, style, and use, such as "rubber ankle-covering waterproof boots."
⚠️ Writing only "boots" or "shoes" without reflecting the material and waterproof characteristics.
Brand
Fill in the commodity brand; if there is no brand, fill in "no brand," and it must be consistent with the actual product or order.
⚠️ Brand spelling errors or inconsistency with trademark registration information.
Item Number
Fill in the manufacturer's or seller's product model/item number to facilitate customs identification.
⚠️ Leaving the item number blank or filling in an internal code that cannot correspond to the actual product.
Outer Sole Material
Specify the outer sole material, such as "rubber" or "plastics," which must be consistent with the test report.
⚠️ Simply filling in "rubber" for "thermoplastic rubber" without distinguishing the specific material.
Upper Material
Specify the outer upper material, such as "rubber" or "plastics," and note whether it contains a textile lining.
⚠️ Ignoring that the upper contains textile materials and mistakenly declaring it as pure plastics.
Upper Height
State whether the upper covers the ankle and whether it covers the knee, such as "covers the ankle but not the knee."
⚠️ Writing only "high-top" without specifying whether it covers the ankle or the knee.
Waterproof Performance
State whether it has a waterproof function, such as "waterproof" or "liquid-penetration-resistant."
⚠️ Mistakenly declaring ordinary water-repellent as fully waterproof.
Use
Fill in the main use, such as "industrial protection," "daily rain use," or "labor protection."
⚠️ The use description is too general, such as "wearing."
Example:
Customs declaration example: Product Name: Rubber ankle-covering waterproof boots; Brand: ABC; Item Number: RB-2024; Outer Sole Material: Rubber; Upper Material: Rubber; Upper Height: Covers the ankle but not the knee; Waterproof Performance: Waterproof; Use: Industrial protection. Specifications: Men's, EU42, black, molded. Remarks: Both the outer sole and outer upper are of vulcanized rubber, with waterproof function; the upper height is approximately 20 cm, not covering the knee.
Common Mistakes:

🎯 Classification Logic

Basis
There are three core criteria for classification: first, both the outer sole and outer upper must be of rubber or plastics; if the upper is of textile or leather, it is not classified under 6401; second, it must meet the definition of "waterproof," i.e., the sole and upper form a liquid-penetration-resistant structure through molding, vulcanization, or cementing processes; third, the upper height must cover the ankle but not the knee, where covering the ankle means the highest point of the upper exceeds the ankle bone, and not covering the knee means it is below the knee. Only when all three are met simultaneously is it classified under 640192. If the upper does not cover the ankle, it is classified under 640199; if it covers the knee, under 640191 or 640110.
Confused Codes:
640199 - Other footwear of rubber or plastics
640199 covers waterproof footwear of rubber or plastics that does not cover the ankle, while 640192 requires covering the ankle but not the knee. The difference lies only in upper height, and the position of the highest point of the upper must be actually measured.
640191 - Knee-covering footwear of rubber or plastics
640191 is the knee-covering style, where the upper height reaches or exceeds the knee, such as tall rain boots. 640192 covers the ankle but not the knee, with the knee as the dividing line.
640411 - Sports footwear of textile materials
640411 has an outer sole of rubber or plastics, but the upper is of textile materials and does not have a waterproof function. 640192 requires the upper to also be of rubber or plastics and waterproof.
640351 - Ankle-covering footwear of leather
640351 has an outer sole and outer upper of leather and is not classified under 6401. 640192 requires the upper to be of rubber or plastics, and material is the core distinguishing point.
640291 - Other ankle-covering footwear of rubber or plastics
640291 covers ankle-covering but non-waterproof footwear of rubber or plastics, such as ordinary plastic sandals. 640192 emphasizes the waterproof function, and the two are distinguished by waterproofness.
Self-Check:

❓ FAQ

Q: How do you determine whether the upper "covers the ankle"?
A: Covering the ankle means the highest point of the upper exceeds the highest point of the ankle bone (medial or lateral malleolus). In practice, the horizontal distance from the highest point of the heel of the upper to the sole can be measured; if it exceeds the position of the ankle bone, it is considered to cover the ankle. It is recommended to rely on product design drawings and measured data to avoid subjective judgment.
Q: What is the difference in classification between waterproof footwear and water-repellent footwear?
A: Waterproof means the sole and upper form an integral liquid-penetration-resistant structure through molding, vulcanization, or cementing processes, so water cannot penetrate; water-repellent only means the surface coating can briefly block water droplets and does not have long-term waterproof function. Only truly waterproof footwear can be classified under 6401; water-repellent footwear is usually classified as ordinary footwear.
Q: How are rubber and plastics distinguished? Is thermoplastic rubber considered rubber or plastics?
A: In HS classification, rubber usually refers to vulcanized rubber, and plastics refers to thermoplastic plastics. Thermoplastic rubber (TPR), if not vulcanized, is generally classified as plastics; if vulcanized, it is classified as rubber. It is recommended to refer to the polymer type and vulcanization status in the material test report, and if necessary, apply for advance classification.
Q: Does a small amount of textile lining in the upper affect classification under 640192?
A: If the outer upper is of rubber or plastics and only the lining contains textile materials, it usually does not affect classification under 6401. However, if the outer upper is composed of textile materials or the proportion of textile materials is significant, it may be classified under 6404. The key is the main material of the outer upper, not the lining.
Q: Under which code should knee-covering tall rain boots be classified?
A: If the outer sole and outer upper of knee-covering tall rain boots are both of rubber or plastics and waterproof, they should be classified under 640191 (knee-covering waterproof footwear of rubber or plastics). 640192 applies only to styles covering the ankle but not the knee, with the knee as the dividing line.
Q: How can I check the import tariff rate and regulatory conditions for 640192?
A: The latest tariff rates and regulatory conditions can be checked through the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China, the Customs Import and Export Tariff, or the "Single Window." Tariff rates change with free trade agreements, annual adjustments, etc., so it is recommended to rely on the feedback from the customs system at the time of declaration, or consult a professional customs broker.
Q: What declaration information is required for cross-border e-commerce retail export of 640192?
A: Cross-border e-commerce exports require basic information such as product name, HS code, material, use, brand, and model. For retail parcels, note that the destination country's HS code may differ, and it is recommended to also check the destination country's customs requirements to avoid customs clearance delays.
Q: How are 640192 and 640110 protective footwear distinguished?
A: 640110 refers to protective footwear incorporating a protective metal toe-cap, belonging to safety shoes; 640192 refers to ordinary ankle-covering waterproof footwear of rubber or plastics without a protective metal toe-cap. If footwear incorporates a protective metal toe-cap, regardless of whether it is waterproof, it should be classified under 640110 first.
⚠️ Disclaimer: HS code classification, declaration elements, tariff rates and regulatory conditions on this page are for reference only and do not constitute legal advice on customs classification. Tariff rates and regulations are subject to change; the latest announcements from the General Administration of Customs and on-site determinations shall prevail. Please consult professional customs brokers or customs authorities before import/export.