Chapter 64 covers footwear, gaiters and the like, and parts thereof, including footwear of various upper and outer sole materials. This chapter classifies headings by upper material and outer sole material and is the core chapter for footwear classification in international trade. Heading 6403 specifically refers to footwear with outer soles of rubber, plastics, leather or composition leather and uppers of leather. This heading emphasizes the dual conditions of outer sole material and upper material, covering athletic shoes, dress shoes, casual shoes, etc. First 2 digits 64: Chapter 64, footwear; digits 3-4, 03: heading 6403, outer soles of rubber, plastics, leather or composition leather and uppers of leather; digits 5-6, 20: subheading 640320, further limited to sports footwear, specifically tennis shoes, basketball shoes, gym shoes, training shoes and the like. The goods have leather uppers and rubber or plastics outer soles and are designed for tennis, fully meeting the description of heading 6403 and subheading 640320. They are not classified under 6404 (textile uppers) or 6402 (rubber or plastics uppers), nor under other subheadings of 6403 such as 640351 (covering the ankle) or 640359 (other).
Chapter
Chapter 64 covers footwear, gaiters and the like, and parts thereof, including footwear of various upper and outer sole materials. This chapter classifies headings by upper material and outer sole material and is the core chapter for footwear classification in international trade.
Heading
Heading 6403 specifically refers to footwear with outer soles of rubber, plastics, leather or composition leather and uppers of leather. This heading emphasizes the dual conditions of outer sole material and upper material, covering athletic shoes, dress shoes, casual shoes, etc.
Digit Breakdown
First 2 digits 64: Chapter 64, footwear; digits 3-4, 03: heading 6403, outer soles of rubber, plastics, leather or composition leather and uppers of leather; digits 5-6, 20: subheading 640320, further limited to sports footwear, specifically tennis shoes, basketball shoes, gym shoes, training shoes and the like.
Classification Basis
The goods have leather uppers and rubber or plastics outer soles and are designed for tennis, fully meeting the description of heading 6403 and subheading 640320. They are not classified under 6404 (textile uppers) or 6402 (rubber or plastics uppers), nor under other subheadings of 6403 such as 640351 (covering the ankle) or 640359 (other).
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: The standard name of the declared goods should reflect the core characteristics of 'tennis shoes with leather uppers', such as 'men's tennis shoes with leather uppers'. Brand: Fill in the footwear brand (e.g., Nike, Adidas); if unbranded, write 'unbranded'; it must be consistent with the actual goods. Upper material: Clearly state that the main upper material is leather (natural leather or composition leather), and indicate the proportion or area. Outer sole material: Declare the outer sole material, such as rubber or plastics, and it must be consistent with the actual sole material. Style: Describe the shoe type, such as low-top, mid-top, high-top, and whether it covers the ankle, used to distinguish 640351 from 640359. Use: Clearly state that it is for tennis, distinguishing it from basketball shoes, training shoes and similar sports footwear. Size: Declare the shoe size, such as 42, 43, for statistics and inspection. Product name: men's tennis shoes with leather uppers; Brand: Nike; Upper material: natural leather (cowhide) accounting for 80%; Outer sole material: rubber; Style: low-top, not covering the ankle; Use: tennis; Size: 42-44; Packaging: carton. Misreporting upper material: declaring PU synthetic leather as leather, leading to classification under 6404. Vague use description: failing to specify tennis shoes, possibly classified under other sports footwear subheadings. Ignoring ankle-covering design: high-top tennis shoes should be classified under 640351, not 640320.
Product name
The standard name of the declared goods should reflect the core characteristics of 'tennis shoes with leather uppers', such as 'men's tennis shoes with leather uppers'.
⚠️ Writing only 'sports shoes' or 'leather shoes' without specifying tennis use and upper material.
Brand
Fill in the footwear brand (e.g., Nike, Adidas); if unbranded, write 'unbranded'; it must be consistent with the actual goods.
⚠️ Brand spelling errors or inconsistency with authorization information, leading to infringement risks.
Upper material
Clearly state that the main upper material is leather (natural leather or composition leather), and indicate the proportion or area.
⚠️ Misreporting artificial leather (PU) as leather, leading to classification errors.
Outer sole material
Declare the outer sole material, such as rubber or plastics, and it must be consistent with the actual sole material.
⚠️ Confusing rubber with plastics, or failing to distinguish outer sole from midsole material.
Style
Describe the shoe type, such as low-top, mid-top, high-top, and whether it covers the ankle, used to distinguish 640351 from 640359.
⚠️ Failing to indicate whether it covers the ankle, leading to subheading classification disputes.
Use
Clearly state that it is for tennis, distinguishing it from basketball shoes, training shoes and similar sports footwear.
⚠️ Writing vaguely 'sports shoes', which cannot prove the specificity for tennis.
Size
Declare the shoe size, such as 42, 43, for statistics and inspection.
⚠️ Incomplete size range or inconsistency with the actual goods.
Example： Product name: men's tennis shoes with leather uppers; Brand: Nike; Upper material: natural leather (cowhide) accounting for 80%; Outer sole material: rubber; Style: low-top, not covering the ankle; Use: tennis; Size: 42-44; Packaging: carton.
Common Mistakes：
Misreporting upper material: declaring PU synthetic leather as leather, leading to classification under 6404.
Vague use description: failing to specify tennis shoes, possibly classified under other sports footwear subheadings.
Ignoring ankle-covering design: high-top tennis shoes should be classified under 640351, not 640320.
🎯 Classification Logic
Core classification basis: 1) outer sole material is rubber, plastics, leather or composition leather; 2) upper material is leather; 3) shoe type is tennis shoes or other sports footwear. It must simultaneously satisfy the notes to Chapter 64 of the Tariff and the subheading provisions, with reference to the Explanatory Notes to the Harmonized System. 640319 Other sports footwear with leather uppers: 640319 covers other sports footwear that are not tennis shoes, such as basketball shoes and training shoes, while 640320 specifically refers to tennis shoes. 640351 Footwear covering the ankle, with outer soles and uppers of leather: 640351 requires an ankle-covering design and leather outer soles, while 640320 has rubber or plastics outer soles and does not cover the ankle. 640399 Other footwear with leather uppers: 640399 is leather-upper footwear but not sports footwear, such as dress shoes and casual shoes, while 640320 is limited to tennis shoes. 640411 Sports footwear with textile uppers: 640411 has textile uppers, while 640320 has leather uppers; the material determines the classification difference. Are the uppers mainly leather? Are the outer soles rubber or plastics? Are they specifically designed for tennis? Do they cover the ankle? Are textile uppers excluded?
Basis
Core classification basis: 1) outer sole material is rubber, plastics, leather or composition leather; 2) upper material is leather; 3) shoe type is tennis shoes or other sports footwear. It must simultaneously satisfy the notes to Chapter 64 of the Tariff and the subheading provisions, with reference to the Explanatory Notes to the Harmonized System.
Confused Codes：
640319 - Other sports footwear with leather uppers
640319 covers other sports footwear that are not tennis shoes, such as basketball shoes and training shoes, while 640320 specifically refers to tennis shoes.
640351 - Footwear covering the ankle, with outer soles and uppers of leather
640351 requires an ankle-covering design and leather outer soles, while 640320 has rubber or plastics outer soles and does not cover the ankle.
640399 - Other footwear with leather uppers
640399 is leather-upper footwear but not sports footwear, such as dress shoes and casual shoes, while 640320 is limited to tennis shoes.
640411 - Sports footwear with textile uppers
640411 has textile uppers, while 640320 has leather uppers; the material determines the classification difference.
Self-Check：
✓ Are the uppers mainly leather?
✓ Are the outer soles rubber or plastics?
✓ Are they specifically designed for tennis?
✓ Do they cover the ankle?
✓ Are textile uppers excluded?
❓ FAQ
How can I check the import tariff rate for 640320? You can check the MFN rate, general rate, etc. through the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China or the Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China. You may also use the customs advance ruling service for confirmation. Tariff rates may be adjusted with policy changes; it is recommended to rely on the tariff in effect at the time of declaration. How are tennis shoes and basketball shoes distinguished in HS codes? Both may be classified under 6403, but under different subheadings. Tennis shoes are classified under 640320, while basketball shoes with leather uppers are classified under 640319 (other sports footwear). The distinction is based on shoe design and use, and a clear use statement is required at declaration. If the upper is partly leather and partly mesh, how should it be classified? According to General Rule of Interpretation 3(b), classify according to the material that gives the essential character. If the leather area exceeds 50% or provides the main support, it may be classified under 6403; otherwise under 6404. It is recommended to provide a material proportion test report. For tennis shoes exported to the EU, is the HS code the same? The first 6 digits of the EU HS code are the same as those of China, both being 640320. However, the EU may subdivide into 8-digit or 10-digit codes, so the EU TARIC database should be checked. CE certification and other requirements should also be noted at customs clearance. Are goods under 640320 subject to anti-dumping duties? Some countries may impose anti-dumping duties on specific footwear, as the EU once did on Chinese leather shoes. The anti-dumping list of the target market should be checked. It is recommended to consult a professional trade lawyer or customs. How can I prove at customs declaration that the upper is leather? You may provide a material test report, supplier statement, purchase invoice, etc. Customs may take samples for testing. If it is composition leather, it must be stated as 'composition leather' and meet the definition in the tariff notes. For cross-border e-commerce retail export of tennis shoes, is declaration under 640320 required? Yes. Cross-border e-commerce retail exports also need to be declared under HS codes, and 640320 applies. However, simplified declaration policies such as list-based release may be available. Attention should be paid to personal item limits and tax policies. What is the difference between 640320 and 640340? 640340 is footwear incorporating a protective metal toe-cap, while 640320 has no such protection. If tennis shoes have metal toe-caps, they should be classified under 640340. The difference lies in whether the toe-cap contains metal protection.
Q: How can I check the import tariff rate for 640320?
A: You can check the MFN rate, general rate, etc. through the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China or the Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China. You may also use the customs advance ruling service for confirmation. Tariff rates may be adjusted with policy changes; it is recommended to rely on the tariff in effect at the time of declaration.
Q: How are tennis shoes and basketball shoes distinguished in HS codes?
A: Both may be classified under 6403, but under different subheadings. Tennis shoes are classified under 640320, while basketball shoes with leather uppers are classified under 640319 (other sports footwear). The distinction is based on shoe design and use, and a clear use statement is required at declaration.
Q: If the upper is partly leather and partly mesh, how should it be classified?
A: According to General Rule of Interpretation 3(b), classify according to the material that gives the essential character. If the leather area exceeds 50% or provides the main support, it may be classified under 6403; otherwise under 6404. It is recommended to provide a material proportion test report.
Q: For tennis shoes exported to the EU, is the HS code the same?
A: The first 6 digits of the EU HS code are the same as those of China, both being 640320. However, the EU may subdivide into 8-digit or 10-digit codes, so the EU TARIC database should be checked. CE certification and other requirements should also be noted at customs clearance.
Q: Are goods under 640320 subject to anti-dumping duties?
A: Some countries may impose anti-dumping duties on specific footwear, as the EU once did on Chinese leather shoes. The anti-dumping list of the target market should be checked. It is recommended to consult a professional trade lawyer or customs.
Q: How can I prove at customs declaration that the upper is leather?
A: You may provide a material test report, supplier statement, purchase invoice, etc. Customs may take samples for testing. If it is composition leather, it must be stated as 'composition leather' and meet the definition in the tariff notes.
Q: For cross-border e-commerce retail export of tennis shoes, is declaration under 640320 required?
A: Yes. Cross-border e-commerce retail exports also need to be declared under HS codes, and 640320 applies. However, simplified declaration policies such as list-based release may be available. Attention should be paid to personal item limits and tax policies.
Q: What is the difference between 640320 and 640340?
A: 640340 is footwear incorporating a protective metal toe-cap, while 640320 has no such protection. If tennis shoes have metal toe-caps, they should be classified under 640340. The difference lies in whether the toe-cap contains metal protection.
⚠️ 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.