Footwear with outer soles of rubber — HTS 6403
Footwear with outer soles of rubber, plastics, leather or composition leather and uppers of leather
Chapter 64 › Heading 6403
2026 HTS Rev 19 Synced Rules verified Operational
Written to help non-specialists understand this page. Rates, dates, and legal facts come from the official records above and on the linked source.
HTS heading 6403 is a broad product category for footwear with leather uppers and outer soles made of rubber, plastics, leather, or composition leather. The “upper” is the part covering the foot, while the “outer sole” is the bottom surface that contacts the ground. The heading can include many types of shoes, boots, and similar footwear, but it does not by itself identify the exact product or duty treatment.
To reach the correct 8-digit HTSUS code, first confirm that the footwear belongs in heading 6403. Then use the applicable subheadings and statistical suffixes, which commonly distinguish features such as the footwear’s construction, sole material, upper material, intended use, style, or other product characteristics. Read the complete current tariff description and any relevant legal notes; classification can depend on details that are not obvious from a product’s marketing name.
What to check
- Confirm that the upper is made of leather and identify the material forming the outer sole, not just the insole or heel.
- Document the footwear’s construction and design, including whether it is a shoe, boot, sandal, or another type and whether it has features that affect classification.
- Check the tariff hierarchy from heading 6403 through the full 8-digit description; do not choose a code based only on the heading title or a similar product photo.
- Use supplier specifications, component breakdowns, photographs, and physical samples to verify materials and construction.
- If the product has unusual materials, multiple possible uses, or a borderline feature, obtain a customs-broker review or seek an official classification ruling.
HTS heading 6403 summary
Footwear with outer soles of rubber is a 4-digit product category containing 1 published product-code lines in this snapshot. A heading does not carry one universal duty rate; classification must be narrowed to the line matching the product facts.
How to find your code in this category
A heading is a product category. To get the exact duty, narrow from this 4-digit heading to a sub-category (usually by material), then open the 8-digit code that matches your product.
Open any code in the tables below to see its exact duty rate, a duty calculator (enter your shipment value → estimated duty and landed cost), the rate-change history chart, and the country-by-country breakdown (including Section 301/232 add-on duties).
Why you have to click in: a single category can contain products with very different duties. The rate depends on the specific product — its material and construction — and on the country of origin, and those only get pinned down at the 8-digit code level. That is why this page points you to codes instead of showing one rate for the whole category.
Sub-categories
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 6403.12 | Ski-boots, cross-country ski footwear and snowboard boots |
| 6403.19 | Other |
| 6403.40 | Other footwear, incorporating a protective metal toe-cap |
Product codes & duty rates
👇 Each row is a specific product code — click a blue code to open its full page with exact duty rates by country, the rate-history chart, and a duty calculator. 👉
| Code | Description | General (MFN) | Special | Column 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6403.20.00.00 👉 | Footwear with outer soles of leather, and uppers which consist of leather straps across the instep and around the big toe | Free | — | 20% |
"Special" shows the free-trade-agreement rate; open a code to see exactly which countries qualify.
Common questions
What products fall under HTS heading 6403?
Footwear with outer soles of rubber, plastics, leather or composition leather and uppers of leather. To classify a specific item you must pick the matching sub-category and 8-digit code above; the right choice usually depends on the material and construction of the product.
How do I choose the right code within this category?
Start from the sub-categories (typically divided by material—for example cotton versus man-made fibers), then open the active 8- or 10-digit code that matches the product. When unsure, a licensed customs broker or a CBP binding ruling can confirm the classification.
Reference information only, not customs, legal, or classification advice. Confirm the current code and rate against the official HTS before you import.