Chapter 64 covers footwear, gaiters and the like, and parts thereof, including finished footwear combining uppers and soles of various materials. This chapter classifies headings according to upper material (leather, textile, plastics, etc.) and sole material (rubber, plastics, leather, etc.), and distinguishes sports footwear, everyday footwear, waterproof footwear, etc. Note that this chapter does not include footwear with uppers of textile materials and soles of textile materials (Chapters 61/62), doll footwear (Chapter 95), or asbestos footwear (Chapter 68). Heading 6403 covers footwear with uppers of leather or composition leather, regardless of sole material (rubber, plastics, leather, textile materials, etc.). It includes everyday leather shoes, sports leather shoes, work leather shoes, etc. However, it does not include footwear with uppers of textile materials (heading 6404) or footwear with uppers of plastics (heading 6402), nor does it include waterproof footwear (heading 6401) and special sports footwear such as ski boots (subheadings of heading 6402 or 6403 must be distinguished specifically). The first 2 digits "64" represent Chapter 64 (footwear, gaiters and the like, and parts thereof). The 3rd-4th digits "03" represent heading 6403 (footwear with uppers of leather or composition leather). The 5th-6th digits "21" represent subheading 640321, specifically "leather tennis shoes". The 5th digit "2" indicates sports footwear (other than ski boots, ice skates, etc.), and the 6th digit "1" specifically refers to tennis shoes. Therefore, 640321 specifically refers to footwear with uppers of leather or composition leather, regardless of sole material, specially designed for tennis. The upper of this product is leather, and it is designed for tennis, which conforms to the description of heading 6403 (leather uppers) and subheading 640321 (tennis shoes). If the upper is of textile materials, it should be classified under 6404; if it is of plastic uppers, under 6402; if it is waterproof footwear, under 6401. Therefore, 640321 is the precise code matching leather tennis shoes.
Chapter
Chapter 64 covers footwear, gaiters and the like, and parts thereof, including finished footwear combining uppers and soles of various materials. This chapter classifies headings according to upper material (leather, textile, plastics, etc.) and sole material (rubber, plastics, leather, etc.), and distinguishes sports footwear, everyday footwear, waterproof footwear, etc. Note that this chapter does not include footwear with uppers of textile materials and soles of textile materials (Chapters 61/62), doll footwear (Chapter 95), or asbestos footwear (Chapter 68).
Heading
Heading 6403 covers footwear with uppers of leather or composition leather, regardless of sole material (rubber, plastics, leather, textile materials, etc.). It includes everyday leather shoes, sports leather shoes, work leather shoes, etc. However, it does not include footwear with uppers of textile materials (heading 6404) or footwear with uppers of plastics (heading 6402), nor does it include waterproof footwear (heading 6401) and special sports footwear such as ski boots (subheadings of heading 6402 or 6403 must be distinguished specifically).
Digit Breakdown
The first 2 digits "64" represent Chapter 64 (footwear, gaiters and the like, and parts thereof). The 3rd-4th digits "03" represent heading 6403 (footwear with uppers of leather or composition leather). The 5th-6th digits "21" represent subheading 640321, specifically "leather tennis shoes". The 5th digit "2" indicates sports footwear (other than ski boots, ice skates, etc.), and the 6th digit "1" specifically refers to tennis shoes. Therefore, 640321 specifically refers to footwear with uppers of leather or composition leather, regardless of sole material, specially designed for tennis.
Classification Basis
The upper of this product is leather, and it is designed for tennis, which conforms to the description of heading 6403 (leather uppers) and subheading 640321 (tennis shoes). If the upper is of textile materials, it should be classified under 6404; if it is of plastic uppers, under 6402; if it is waterproof footwear, under 6401. Therefore, 640321 is the precise code matching leather tennis shoes.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: Declare the Chinese and foreign names of the commodity, which should be accurately described as "leather tennis shoes" or "Leather tennis shoes", avoiding the general term "sports shoes". Brand: Fill in the footwear brand name (such as Nike, Adidas, etc.); if there is no brand, fill in "unbranded". Brand affects customs intellectual property protection. Item number: Fill in the model or item number provided by the manufacturer or brand owner, to facilitate customs identification of the specific style. Upper material: Clearly declare the upper material as "leather" or "composition leather", and indicate whether it is the main material. Sole material: Declare the sole material, such as rubber, plastics, leather, etc. Although it does not affect classification under 640321, it affects customs valuation and statistics. Style: Describe as "tennis shoes", and may add features such as low-top, high-top, etc., to distinguish from other sports shoes. Size: Fill in the size range or specific size of the shoes, such as "39-44", to facilitate customs inspection. Packaging method: Declare the packaging form, such as "boxed", "bulk", etc., which affects transportation and inspection. Product name: leather tennis shoes; Brand: Nike; Item number: CZ001; Upper material: leather; Sole material: rubber; Style: tennis shoes; Size: 39-44; Packaging method: boxed. Mistakenly classifying tennis shoes with synthetic leather (plastics) uppers under 640321, when they should actually be classified under 6402. Ignoring the specificity of "tennis shoes" and classifying ordinary leather sports shoes under 640321, when they may should be classified under 640399. Failure to declare brand or item number, resulting in customs inability to confirm intellectual property status, which may delay customs clearance.
Product name
Declare the Chinese and foreign names of the commodity, which should be accurately described as "leather tennis shoes" or "Leather tennis shoes", avoiding the general term "sports shoes".
⚠️ Only writing "sports shoes" or "leather shoes", without specifying tennis use and leather upper.
Brand
Fill in the footwear brand name (such as Nike, Adidas, etc.); if there is no brand, fill in "unbranded". Brand affects customs intellectual property protection.
⚠️ Omitting the brand or incorrectly declaring another brand.
Item number
Fill in the model or item number provided by the manufacturer or brand owner, to facilitate customs identification of the specific style.
⚠️ Item number inconsistent with the actual goods or left blank.
Upper material
Clearly declare the upper material as "leather" or "composition leather", and indicate whether it is the main material.
⚠️ Misreporting artificial leather (plastics) as leather, leading to classification errors.
Sole material
Declare the sole material, such as rubber, plastics, leather, etc. Although it does not affect classification under 640321, it affects customs valuation and statistics.
⚠️ Incorrect or omitted declaration of sole material.
Style
Describe as "tennis shoes", and may add features such as low-top, high-top, etc., to distinguish from other sports shoes.
⚠️ Declaring as "basketball shoes" or "running shoes", leading to subheading errors.
Size
Fill in the size range or specific size of the shoes, such as "39-44", to facilitate customs inspection.
⚠️ Missing size information or inconsistent with the actual goods.
Packaging method
Declare the packaging form, such as "boxed", "bulk", etc., which affects transportation and inspection.
Mistakenly classifying tennis shoes with synthetic leather (plastics) uppers under 640321, when they should actually be classified under 6402.
Ignoring the specificity of "tennis shoes" and classifying ordinary leather sports shoes under 640321, when they may should be classified under 640399.
Failure to declare brand or item number, resulting in customs inability to confirm intellectual property status, which may delay customs clearance.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is the notes to Chapter 64 and the subheading texts of the Import and Export Tariff. 640321 requires uppers of leather or composition leather and tennis shoes. It should be determined in combination with upper material, use, appearance design, etc. If the upper is of textile materials, classify under 6404; if of plastics, under 6402; if waterproof footwear, under 6401. In addition, tennis shoes need to have special features, such as flat soles, suitable for tennis courts, etc., rather than ordinary sports shoes. 640219 Other sports footwear (plastic uppers): Uppers are plastics or rubber, not leather, so classified under 6402, while 640321 requires leather uppers. 640319 Other sports footwear (leather uppers): Also sports shoes with leather uppers, but not specifically tennis shoes, such as basketball shoes, training shoes, etc., classified under 640319, while 640321 specifically refers to tennis shoes. 640411 Sports footwear with textile uppers: Uppers are textile materials, classified under 6404, while 640321 requires leather uppers. 640399 Other footwear with leather uppers: Non-sports footwear, such as everyday leather shoes, classified under 640399, while 640321 is tennis shoes. Are the uppers leather or composition leather? Are they specially designed for tennis? Does the sole material affect classification? Are they waterproof footwear? Are the brand and item number fully declared?
Basis
The core basis for classification is the notes to Chapter 64 and the subheading texts of the Import and Export Tariff. 640321 requires uppers of leather or composition leather and tennis shoes. It should be determined in combination with upper material, use, appearance design, etc. If the upper is of textile materials, classify under 6404; if of plastics, under 6402; if waterproof footwear, under 6401. In addition, tennis shoes need to have special features, such as flat soles, suitable for tennis courts, etc., rather than ordinary sports shoes.
Confused Codes：
640219 - Other sports footwear (plastic uppers)
Uppers are plastics or rubber, not leather, so classified under 6402, while 640321 requires leather uppers.
640319 - Other sports footwear (leather uppers)
Also sports shoes with leather uppers, but not specifically tennis shoes, such as basketball shoes, training shoes, etc., classified under 640319, while 640321 specifically refers to tennis shoes.
640411 - Sports footwear with textile uppers
Uppers are textile materials, classified under 6404, while 640321 requires leather uppers.
640399 - Other footwear with leather uppers
Non-sports footwear, such as everyday leather shoes, classified under 640399, while 640321 is tennis shoes.
Self-Check：
✓ Are the uppers leather or composition leather?
✓ Are they specially designed for tennis?
✓ Does the sole material affect classification?
✓ Are they waterproof footwear?
✓ Are the brand and item number fully declared?
❓ FAQ
How to determine whether tennis shoes are classified under 640321? Both conditions must be met: uppers of leather or composition leather, and designed for tennis. Tennis shoes usually have flat soles, are wear-resistant, and are suitable for hard courts or grass. If the uppers are textile or plastics, classify under other codes. The soles of leather tennis shoes are rubber. Does this affect classification? No. 640321 only requires leather uppers; the sole material is not limited. Therefore, rubber, plastics, or leather soles do not affect classification under 640321. If the uppers of tennis shoes are synthetic leather, which code should they be classified under? Synthetic leather is generally considered a plastic material and should be classified under 6402 (footwear with plastic uppers). The specific subheading depends on whether they are sports shoes, such as 640219. What are the consequences of not declaring the brand during customs declaration? It may affect customs intellectual property protection, leading to inspection, detention, or penalties. It is recommended to declare the brand truthfully; if there is no brand, fill in "unbranded". What is the difference between 640321 and 640319? 640321 specifically refers to tennis shoes, while 640319 is other sports footwear (leather uppers), such as basketball shoes, running shoes, etc. The difference lies in the use. How to inquire about the tariff rate for 640321? You can consult the Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China or check through the General Administration of Customs website or the single window. The rate may change due to trade agreements, origin, etc. For cross-border e-commerce retail export of leather tennis shoes, is it necessary to declare under 640321? Yes, whether general trade or cross-border e-commerce, declaration must be made according to the actual commodity code. 640321 applies to leather tennis shoes, and complete declaration elements must be provided. If tennis shoes have a waterproof function, are they still classified under 640321? If the uppers are leather and have a waterproof function, they may be classified under 6401 (waterproof footwear), but 6401 requires both soles and uppers to be rubber or plastics. Waterproof footwear with leather uppers is usually still classified under 6403; the specific classification depends on the waterproof structure.
Q: How to determine whether tennis shoes are classified under 640321?
A: Both conditions must be met: uppers of leather or composition leather, and designed for tennis. Tennis shoes usually have flat soles, are wear-resistant, and are suitable for hard courts or grass. If the uppers are textile or plastics, classify under other codes.
Q: The soles of leather tennis shoes are rubber. Does this affect classification?
A: No. 640321 only requires leather uppers; the sole material is not limited. Therefore, rubber, plastics, or leather soles do not affect classification under 640321.
Q: If the uppers of tennis shoes are synthetic leather, which code should they be classified under?
A: Synthetic leather is generally considered a plastic material and should be classified under 6402 (footwear with plastic uppers). The specific subheading depends on whether they are sports shoes, such as 640219.
Q: What are the consequences of not declaring the brand during customs declaration?
A: It may affect customs intellectual property protection, leading to inspection, detention, or penalties. It is recommended to declare the brand truthfully; if there is no brand, fill in "unbranded".
Q: What is the difference between 640321 and 640319?
A: 640321 specifically refers to tennis shoes, while 640319 is other sports footwear (leather uppers), such as basketball shoes, running shoes, etc. The difference lies in the use.
Q: How to inquire about the tariff rate for 640321?
A: You can consult the Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China or check through the General Administration of Customs website or the single window. The rate may change due to trade agreements, origin, etc.
Q: For cross-border e-commerce retail export of leather tennis shoes, is it necessary to declare under 640321?
A: Yes, whether general trade or cross-border e-commerce, declaration must be made according to the actual commodity code. 640321 applies to leather tennis shoes, and complete declaration elements must be provided.
Q: If tennis shoes have a waterproof function, are they still classified under 640321?
A: If the uppers are leather and have a waterproof function, they may be classified under 6401 (waterproof footwear), but 6401 requires both soles and uppers to be rubber or plastics. Waterproof footwear with leather uppers is usually still classified under 6403; the specific classification depends on the waterproof structure.
⚠️ 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.