Chapter 64 covers footwear, gaiters and the like, and parts thereof, including all types of footwear (such as sports shoes, leather shoes, rubber shoes, etc.) as well as parts such as uppers and outer soles. This chapter does not include footwear made of textile materials (Chapter 61 or 62) or articles of asbestos (Chapter 68), etc. Heading 6403 covers footwear with outer soles of rubber, plastics, leather or composition leather and uppers of leather. It includes everyday leather shoes, sports shoes, boots, etc., but excludes footwear with outer soles of rubber or plastics and uppers of textile materials (heading 6404). The first 2 digits 64 represent Chapter 64, footwear; digits 3-4, 03, represent heading 6403, i.e., footwear with outer soles of rubber, plastics, leather or composition leather and uppers of leather; digits 5-6, 51, represent subheading 640351, i.e., other sports footwear, referring to sports footwear other than ski boots, cross-country ski boots and similar specific sports footwear, with uppers of leather. The goods have uppers of leather, outer soles of rubber, plastics, leather or composition leather, and are sports footwear, therefore classified under 640351. If the uppers were of textile materials, they would be classified under 6404; if they were other footwear, they would be classified under other subheadings of 6403.
Chapter
Chapter 64 covers footwear, gaiters and the like, and parts thereof, including all types of footwear (such as sports shoes, leather shoes, rubber shoes, etc.) as well as parts such as uppers and outer soles. This chapter does not include footwear made of textile materials (Chapter 61 or 62) or articles of asbestos (Chapter 68), etc.
Heading
Heading 6403 covers footwear with outer soles of rubber, plastics, leather or composition leather and uppers of leather. It includes everyday leather shoes, sports shoes, boots, etc., but excludes footwear with outer soles of rubber or plastics and uppers of textile materials (heading 6404).
Digit Breakdown
The first 2 digits 64 represent Chapter 64, footwear; digits 3-4, 03, represent heading 6403, i.e., footwear with outer soles of rubber, plastics, leather or composition leather and uppers of leather; digits 5-6, 51, represent subheading 640351, i.e., other sports footwear, referring to sports footwear other than ski boots, cross-country ski boots and similar specific sports footwear, with uppers of leather.
Classification Basis
The goods have uppers of leather, outer soles of rubber, plastics, leather or composition leather, and are sports footwear, therefore classified under 640351. If the uppers were of textile materials, they would be classified under 6404; if they were other footwear, they would be classified under other subheadings of 6403.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: The Chinese and foreign language names of the declared goods, which should accurately reflect the product attributes, such as "sports shoes with leather uppers". Brand: Fill in the product brand (such as Nike, Adidas); if no brand, fill in "no brand". Article Number: Fill in the article number provided by the manufacturer or brand owner for identification. Upper Material: Specify the upper material, such as "cowhide", "sheepskin", etc., which must conform to the definition of leather. Outer Sole Material: Specify the outer sole material, such as "rubber", "plastics", "leather", etc. Function and Use: Specify the main use of the shoes, such as "for sports", "for casual wear", etc. Size: Fill in the size range or specific size of the shoes. Packaging Specifications: Such as "each pair individually packaged", "20 pairs per carton", etc. Product Name: sports shoes with leather uppers; Brand: Nike; Article Number: CZ1234; Upper Material: cowhide; Outer Sole Material: rubber; Function and Use: for sports; Size: size 42; Packaging Specifications: each pair individually packaged. Misreporting upper material: declaring artificial leather or synthetic leather as leather, leading to classification errors. Confusing sports shoes with casual shoes: failing to accurately distinguish sports shoes from casual shoes, affecting subheading classification. False declaration of outer sole material: such as reporting rubber outer soles as plastics, which may involve different tariff codes.
Product Name
The Chinese and foreign language names of the declared goods, which should accurately reflect the product attributes, such as "sports shoes with leather uppers".
⚠️ Only writing "sports shoes" without indicating the upper material, leading to classification disputes.
Brand
Fill in the product brand (such as Nike, Adidas); if no brand, fill in "no brand".
⚠️ Brand inconsistent with actual product, or omission of brand leading to customs questioning.
Article Number
Fill in the article number provided by the manufacturer or brand owner for identification.
⚠️ Article number filled in incorrectly or inconsistent with the actual product.
Upper Material
Specify the upper material, such as "cowhide", "sheepskin", etc., which must conform to the definition of leather.
⚠️ Misreporting artificial leather as leather, leading to classification errors.
Outer Sole Material
Specify the outer sole material, such as "rubber", "plastics", "leather", etc.
⚠️ False declaration of outer sole material, such as reporting rubber as plastics.
Function and Use
Specify the main use of the shoes, such as "for sports", "for casual wear", etc.
⚠️ Declaring casual shoes as sports shoes, affecting classification.
Size
Fill in the size range or specific size of the shoes.
⚠️ Missing or incorrect size information.
Packaging Specifications
Such as "each pair individually packaged", "20 pairs per carton", etc.
Example： Product Name: sports shoes with leather uppers; Brand: Nike; Article Number: CZ1234; Upper Material: cowhide; Outer Sole Material: rubber; Function and Use: for sports; Size: size 42; Packaging Specifications: each pair individually packaged.
Common Mistakes：
Misreporting upper material: declaring artificial leather or synthetic leather as leather, leading to classification errors.
Confusing sports shoes with casual shoes: failing to accurately distinguish sports shoes from casual shoes, affecting subheading classification.
False declaration of outer sole material: such as reporting rubber outer soles as plastics, which may involve different tariff codes.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is the upper material, outer sole material and use. According to the Import and Export Tariff, 640351 requires uppers of leather, outer soles of rubber, plastics, leather or composition leather, and sports footwear. Attention should be paid to the definition of "sports footwear", which usually refers to footwear specially designed for sports, such as basketball shoes, running shoes, etc. 640351 Other sports footwear with leather uppers: This code requires uppers of leather, outer soles of rubber, etc., and sports footwear. 640359 Other footwear with leather uppers: 640359 covers non-sports footwear with leather uppers, such as casual shoes and dress shoes. 640411 Sports footwear with textile uppers: 640411 has uppers of textile materials, while 640351 has uppers of leather. 640419 Other footwear with textile uppers: 640419 has uppers of textile materials and is not sports footwear. 640340 Footwear incorporating a protective metal toe-cap: 640340 footwear incorporates a protective metal toe-cap, usually safety shoes, different from sports shoes. Are the uppers of leather? Are the outer soles of rubber, plastics, leather or composition leather? Are they specially designed for sports? Do they incorporate a protective metal toe-cap? Are they specific sports footwear such as ski boots?
Basis
The core basis for classification is the upper material, outer sole material and use. According to the Import and Export Tariff, 640351 requires uppers of leather, outer soles of rubber, plastics, leather or composition leather, and sports footwear. Attention should be paid to the definition of "sports footwear", which usually refers to footwear specially designed for sports, such as basketball shoes, running shoes, etc.
Confused Codes：
640351 - Other sports footwear with leather uppers
This code requires uppers of leather, outer soles of rubber, etc., and sports footwear.
640359 - Other footwear with leather uppers
640359 covers non-sports footwear with leather uppers, such as casual shoes and dress shoes.
640411 - Sports footwear with textile uppers
640411 has uppers of textile materials, while 640351 has uppers of leather.
640419 - Other footwear with textile uppers
640419 has uppers of textile materials and is not sports footwear.
640340 - Footwear incorporating a protective metal toe-cap
640340 footwear incorporates a protective metal toe-cap, usually safety shoes, different from sports shoes.
Self-Check：
✓ Are the uppers of leather?
✓ Are the outer soles of rubber, plastics, leather or composition leather?
✓ Are they specially designed for sports?
✓ Do they incorporate a protective metal toe-cap?
✓ Are they specific sports footwear such as ski boots?
❓ FAQ
How to determine whether the uppers are of leather? Leather generally refers to material made from animal skin through tanning, which can be preliminarily judged by appearance, feel and burning smell, and can be sent for testing if necessary. Artificial leather and synthetic leather are not leather. How to distinguish sports shoes from casual shoes? Sports shoes usually have sports function designs, such as shock absorption and anti-slip, and are used for specific sports; casual shoes focus more on daily wear. Customs may make a comprehensive judgment based on design, use and brand promotion. What is the main difference between 640351 and 640359? 640351 is sports footwear, 640359 is other footwear. If the shoes are not for sports use, even if the uppers are of leather, they should be classified under 640359. What impact does the outer sole material have on classification? The outer sole material affects the heading; 6403 requires outer soles of rubber, plastics, leather or composition leather. If the outer soles are of other materials, they may be classified under other headings. How to check the tariff rate for 640351? You can log on to the website of the General Administration of Customs or use the Import and Export Tariff to check. Tariff rates may change due to countries, trade agreements, etc., and the latest announcements should prevail. How to fill in the brand when declaring? The brand should be filled in as the actual brand; if no brand, fill in "no brand". If it is an OEM product, fill in according to the actual situation to avoid infringement. Is the shoe size mandatory for declaration? Shoe size is one of the declaration elements, which helps customs inspection and statistics, and it is recommended to fill in truthfully. If the shoes can be used for both sports and casual wear, how should they be classified? Judge based on the main use. If the design is more sports-oriented, classify under 640351; if more casual-oriented, classify under 640359. Relevant evidence may be provided if necessary.
Q: How to determine whether the uppers are of leather?
A: Leather generally refers to material made from animal skin through tanning, which can be preliminarily judged by appearance, feel and burning smell, and can be sent for testing if necessary. Artificial leather and synthetic leather are not leather.
Q: How to distinguish sports shoes from casual shoes?
A: Sports shoes usually have sports function designs, such as shock absorption and anti-slip, and are used for specific sports; casual shoes focus more on daily wear. Customs may make a comprehensive judgment based on design, use and brand promotion.
Q: What is the main difference between 640351 and 640359?
A: 640351 is sports footwear, 640359 is other footwear. If the shoes are not for sports use, even if the uppers are of leather, they should be classified under 640359.
Q: What impact does the outer sole material have on classification?
A: The outer sole material affects the heading; 6403 requires outer soles of rubber, plastics, leather or composition leather. If the outer soles are of other materials, they may be classified under other headings.
Q: How to check the tariff rate for 640351?
A: You can log on to the website of the General Administration of Customs or use the Import and Export Tariff to check. Tariff rates may change due to countries, trade agreements, etc., and the latest announcements should prevail.
Q: How to fill in the brand when declaring?
A: The brand should be filled in as the actual brand; if no brand, fill in "no brand". If it is an OEM product, fill in according to the actual situation to avoid infringement.
Q: Is the shoe size mandatory for declaration?
A: Shoe size is one of the declaration elements, which helps customs inspection and statistics, and it is recommended to fill in truthfully.
Q: If the shoes can be used for both sports and casual wear, how should they be classified?
A: Judge based on the main use. If the design is more sports-oriented, classify under 640351; if more casual-oriented, classify under 640359. Relevant evidence may be provided if necessary.
⚠️ 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.