Chapter 64 covers footwear, gaiters and the like, and parts thereof. This chapter includes uppers, outer soles, inner soles and other parts of various materials, but excludes footwear made of textile materials (Chapters 61/62) and articles of asbestos (Chapter 68). This chapter classifies headings according to the material of the upper and outer sole and the purpose, and is the core chapter for the classification of footwear products in international trade. Heading 6406 specifically covers parts of footwear (including uppers, outer soles, inner soles, heels, etc.) as well as removable uppers, gaiters, leggings and the like. Outer soles under this heading refer to the bottom component that directly contacts the ground and provides wear resistance and anti-slip functions, and its material may be rubber, plastics, leather or textile materials, etc. Under 6406, it is further divided into subheadings according to the type of part and material. The first 2 digits "64" represent Chapter 64: Footwear, gaiters and the like, and parts thereof. The 3rd-4th digits "06" represent heading 6406: Parts of footwear; removable uppers, gaiters, leggings and similar articles. The 5th-6th digits "20" represent subheading 640620: Outer soles of rubber or plastics. Therefore, the complete meaning of 640620 is: outer soles of footwear made of rubber or plastics, whether or not combined with other materials, as long as the essential character of the outer sole is constituted by rubber or plastics. The goods are outer soles of rubber or plastics. Because they are parts of footwear and the material is rubber or plastics, they are classified under 640620. If the outer sole is made of leather, it should be classified under 640610; if made of textile materials, it should be classified under 640640. The difference between 640620 and 640610, 640640 lies in the material, and the difference from 640690 lies in the type of part (outer sole vs. other parts).
Chapter
Chapter 64 covers footwear, gaiters and the like, and parts thereof. This chapter includes uppers, outer soles, inner soles and other parts of various materials, but excludes footwear made of textile materials (Chapters 61/62) and articles of asbestos (Chapter 68). This chapter classifies headings according to the material of the upper and outer sole and the purpose, and is the core chapter for the classification of footwear products in international trade.
Heading
Heading 6406 specifically covers parts of footwear (including uppers, outer soles, inner soles, heels, etc.) as well as removable uppers, gaiters, leggings and the like. Outer soles under this heading refer to the bottom component that directly contacts the ground and provides wear resistance and anti-slip functions, and its material may be rubber, plastics, leather or textile materials, etc. Under 6406, it is further divided into subheadings according to the type of part and material.
Digit Breakdown
The first 2 digits "64" represent Chapter 64: Footwear, gaiters and the like, and parts thereof. The 3rd-4th digits "06" represent heading 6406: Parts of footwear; removable uppers, gaiters, leggings and similar articles. The 5th-6th digits "20" represent subheading 640620: Outer soles of rubber or plastics. Therefore, the complete meaning of 640620 is: outer soles of footwear made of rubber or plastics, whether or not combined with other materials, as long as the essential character of the outer sole is constituted by rubber or plastics.
Classification Basis
The goods are outer soles of rubber or plastics. Because they are parts of footwear and the material is rubber or plastics, they are classified under 640620. If the outer sole is made of leather, it should be classified under 640610; if made of textile materials, it should be classified under 640640. The difference between 640620 and 640610, 640640 lies in the material, and the difference from 640690 lies in the type of part (outer sole vs. other parts).
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: The standard name of the declared goods should be accurately described as "rubber outer sole" or "plastic outer sole", avoiding the general term "sole". Material: Describe in detail the main material of the outer sole, such as "rubber", "plastics (such as TPR, PVC, PU, etc.)". If it is a composite material, indicate each component and its proportion. Use: Explain what kind of footwear the outer sole is used for, such as "outer sole for sports shoes", "outer sole for casual shoes", and whether it is sold directly to shoe manufacturers. Brand: Fill in the brand name on the outer sole (if any); if there is no brand, fill in "unbranded". Specifications and model: Provide physical parameters such as size, thickness, hardness of the outer sole, as well as the model code. Processing method: Explain the manufacturing process of the outer sole, such as "injection molding", "compression molding", "cutting", etc. Whether combined with other materials: If the outer sole is combined with other materials (such as textiles, leather), indicate the combination situation and the materials of each layer. Product name: Rubber outer sole; Material: Rubber (styrene-butadiene rubber); Use: For sports shoes; Brand: Unbranded; Specifications and model: Model A123, length 28cm, thickness 5mm, hardness 70A; Processing method: Compression molding; Whether combined with other materials: No. Mistaking the outer sole for the inner sole; the inner sole should be classified under 640690. False declaration of material, such as misreporting TPR as rubber; TPR belongs to plastics. Ignoring the declaration of composite materials; if the outer sole contains a textile layer, it may affect classification.
Product name
The standard name of the declared goods should be accurately described as "rubber outer sole" or "plastic outer sole", avoiding the general term "sole".
⚠️ Incorrectly declared as "sole" or "rubber sole", without specifying that it is an outer sole.
Material
Describe in detail the main material of the outer sole, such as "rubber", "plastics (such as TPR, PVC, PU, etc.)". If it is a composite material, indicate each component and its proportion.
⚠️ Writing only "rubber" when it is actually plastics, or failing to indicate the specific type of plastics.
Use
Explain what kind of footwear the outer sole is used for, such as "outer sole for sports shoes", "outer sole for casual shoes", and whether it is sold directly to shoe manufacturers.
⚠️ The description of use is vague, such as "used for footwear", without specifying the shoe type.
Brand
Fill in the brand name on the outer sole (if any); if there is no brand, fill in "unbranded".
⚠️ Ignoring brand declaration, or mistakenly treating a trademark as a brand.
Specifications and model
Provide physical parameters such as size, thickness, hardness of the outer sole, as well as the model code.
⚠️ Failing to provide specific dimensions, writing only "one size".
Processing method
Explain the manufacturing process of the outer sole, such as "injection molding", "compression molding", "cutting", etc.
⚠️ Incorrectly declared as "assembly", when it is actually molding processing.
Whether combined with other materials
If the outer sole is combined with other materials (such as textiles, leather), indicate the combination situation and the materials of each layer.
⚠️ Failing to declare the combination situation, resulting in classification errors.
Example： Product name: Rubber outer sole; Material: Rubber (styrene-butadiene rubber); Use: For sports shoes; Brand: Unbranded; Specifications and model: Model A123, length 28cm, thickness 5mm, hardness 70A; Processing method: Compression molding; Whether combined with other materials: No.
Common Mistakes：
Mistaking the outer sole for the inner sole; the inner sole should be classified under 640690.
False declaration of material, such as misreporting TPR as rubber; TPR belongs to plastics.
Ignoring the declaration of composite materials; if the outer sole contains a textile layer, it may affect classification.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is the notes to Chapter 64 and subheading notes of the Import and Export Tariff. 640620 applies only to outer soles of rubber or plastics. When determining, consider: 1) whether the material is rubber or plastics; 2) whether it is an outer sole (directly contacting the ground); 3) whether it is combined with other materials; if combined, classify according to the main material. If the outer sole is a mixture of rubber and plastics, it is usually classified according to the former. 640610 Outer soles of leather: The material is leather, while 640620 is rubber or plastics. Leather outer soles are usually used for high-end leather shoes, and the material needs to be identified during classification. 640640 Outer soles of textile materials: The material is textile materials, such as canvas, felt, etc. 640620 is rubber or plastics, and the materials are different. 640690 Other parts of footwear: Includes inner soles, heels, uppers and other non-outer sole parts. 640620 specifically refers to outer soles, and the type of part is different. 640620 Outer soles of rubber or plastics: This code itself, but attention should be paid to distinguishing it from 640610, 640640, and 640690. Is the outer sole material rubber or plastics? Does it directly contact the ground? Is it combined with other materials? Does it belong to parts of footwear rather than complete footwear? Have leather or textile materials been excluded?
Basis
The core basis for classification is the notes to Chapter 64 and subheading notes of the Import and Export Tariff. 640620 applies only to outer soles of rubber or plastics. When determining, consider: 1) whether the material is rubber or plastics; 2) whether it is an outer sole (directly contacting the ground); 3) whether it is combined with other materials; if combined, classify according to the main material. If the outer sole is a mixture of rubber and plastics, it is usually classified according to the former.
Confused Codes：
640610 - Outer soles of leather
The material is leather, while 640620 is rubber or plastics. Leather outer soles are usually used for high-end leather shoes, and the material needs to be identified during classification.
640640 - Outer soles of textile materials
The material is textile materials, such as canvas, felt, etc. 640620 is rubber or plastics, and the materials are different.
640690 - Other parts of footwear
Includes inner soles, heels, uppers and other non-outer sole parts. 640620 specifically refers to outer soles, and the type of part is different.
640620 - Outer soles of rubber or plastics
This code itself, but attention should be paid to distinguishing it from 640610, 640640, and 640690.
Self-Check：
✓ Is the outer sole material rubber or plastics?
✓ Does it directly contact the ground?
✓ Is it combined with other materials?
✓ Does it belong to parts of footwear rather than complete footwear?
✓ Have leather or textile materials been excluded?
❓ FAQ
How to determine whether the outer sole is rubber or plastics? Simple identification can be made by appearance, feel, burning test, etc. Rubber has good elasticity and burns with black smoke and a rubber smell; plastics are harder and burn with a pungent odor. You can also refer to the material certificate provided by the supplier. If it is thermoplastic rubber (TPR), it is usually classified as plastics. Is there a difference in classification between rubber outer soles and plastic outer soles? There is no difference; both are classified under 640620. However, note that if the outer sole is a composite material of rubber and plastics, it should be classified according to the main material, usually based on the material with the larger weight proportion. How to distinguish the outer sole from the inner sole? The outer sole is the part of the sole that directly contacts the ground, providing wear resistance and anti-slip; the inner sole is the insole, directly contacting the sole of the foot. The inner sole should be classified under 640690, and the outer sole under 640620. How to classify if the outer sole has metal anti-slip spikes? If the metal anti-slip spikes are part of the outer sole and the main material of the outer sole is rubber or plastics, it is still classified under 640620. However, if the metal parts constitute the essential character, it may need to be classified according to the material; it is recommended to consult customs. What types of footwear can outer soles under 640620 be used for? They can be used for various types of footwear, such as sports shoes, casual shoes, work shoes, etc. However, note that if the outer sole is specially used for specific footwear (such as ice skates), it may involve other headings. Is a test report for the outer sole required at the time of declaration? Usually not required, but customs may require a material certificate or test report to confirm classification. It is recommended to keep the material description provided by the supplier for inspection. How to check the tariff rate for 640620? You can check the Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China or inquire through the General Administration of Customs website or the single window. The tariff rate may vary depending on trade agreements, origin, etc., and the actual declaration shall prevail. How to declare rubber outer soles sold via cross-border e-commerce? Cross-border e-commerce retail exports may apply simplified declaration, but HS code 640620 must be accurately filled in. If it is bulk export, it must be declared according to general trade and complete declaration elements must be provided.
Q: How to determine whether the outer sole is rubber or plastics?
A: Simple identification can be made by appearance, feel, burning test, etc. Rubber has good elasticity and burns with black smoke and a rubber smell; plastics are harder and burn with a pungent odor. You can also refer to the material certificate provided by the supplier. If it is thermoplastic rubber (TPR), it is usually classified as plastics.
Q: Is there a difference in classification between rubber outer soles and plastic outer soles?
A: There is no difference; both are classified under 640620. However, note that if the outer sole is a composite material of rubber and plastics, it should be classified according to the main material, usually based on the material with the larger weight proportion.
Q: How to distinguish the outer sole from the inner sole?
A: The outer sole is the part of the sole that directly contacts the ground, providing wear resistance and anti-slip; the inner sole is the insole, directly contacting the sole of the foot. The inner sole should be classified under 640690, and the outer sole under 640620.
Q: How to classify if the outer sole has metal anti-slip spikes?
A: If the metal anti-slip spikes are part of the outer sole and the main material of the outer sole is rubber or plastics, it is still classified under 640620. However, if the metal parts constitute the essential character, it may need to be classified according to the material; it is recommended to consult customs.
Q: What types of footwear can outer soles under 640620 be used for?
A: They can be used for various types of footwear, such as sports shoes, casual shoes, work shoes, etc. However, note that if the outer sole is specially used for specific footwear (such as ice skates), it may involve other headings.
Q: Is a test report for the outer sole required at the time of declaration?
A: Usually not required, but customs may require a material certificate or test report to confirm classification. It is recommended to keep the material description provided by the supplier for inspection.
Q: How to check the tariff rate for 640620?
A: You can check the Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China or inquire through the General Administration of Customs website or the single window. The tariff rate may vary depending on trade agreements, origin, etc., and the actual declaration shall prevail.
Q: How to declare rubber outer soles sold via cross-border e-commerce?
A: Cross-border e-commerce retail exports may apply simplified declaration, but HS code 640620 must be accurately filled in. If it is bulk export, it must be declared according to general trade and complete declaration elements must be provided.
⚠️ 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.